Heat issues in Core Duo vs Core 2 Duo

My question is, how is heat displacement amongst Core 2 Duo (specifically T7400 2160MHz) - does this have a 4MB cache?

Between that machine vs a Core Duo T2500 1.83GHz processor, which you recommend?

Is the Core 2 Duo really needed for Windows Vista and Aero and more importanly, programs that will be written FOR Vista? Or can I save $400CDN? If the Core 2 Duo (especially that one, which seems to be the only Core 2 Duo available in the model I want [with a certain graphics card]) is going to create a lot more heat, my peeve - too many past heat issues, than let me know as i'd opt for the slowler Core Duo instead.

Just thinking about Vista and future though, next 3 - 4 years.

Another question, I heard something about the T550 Core 2 Duo (likewise with the 1.6GHz Core Duo) not be able to virtualize, or something of the like. Can someone explain this concept to me, and whether if I am going to purchase a Core Duo (Or Core 2 Duo) that I might as well get atleast a 1.8GHz one (for a bit more money) in order to have optimal results?

 

The main difference between he Core Duo and Core2 Duo, is that Core 2 Duo is 64-bit enabled. That means that when 64-bit programs for Vista start to come out, that the processor will be able to communicate with the program data at increased bandwidth. In other words, more data between the prgrams and the processor can be exchanged. Bear in mind, 64-bit prgrams aren't going to appear for a few years yet, at least not for the mainstream.

The other benefit of the processor, is that it is generally faster than Core 2 Duo. However, bear in mind, the slower T5500 and T5600 don't really seem to show much difference in performance. The T7200, T7400, and T7600, though will be faster in terms of processor intensive applications.

Out of the T2500, which is 2.00 GHz, not 1.83 GHz, and the T7400, 2.16 GHz, I would suggest you go for the T7400. It is more futureproofed, and shouldn't cost too much more.

 

It's actually closer to 2.2GHz than 2.1GHz Hehe. Not that I have one or anything... but yes. The T7200 and T7400 are the upper side of the sweet spot for price/performance right now. A T7200 will also be quite future-proofed (as much as it gets, I suppose) as well, and may save you a fair bit of cash. I wouldn't go with a Core Duo unless it's a lot cheaper and you don't mind giving up the extra cache, performance, and 64-bit upgrade path.

Any of the T7XXX series Core 2 Duo's have 4MB cache. The T5XXX series only have 2MB, like the Core Duo's. But there is little to no thermal difference between the Core 2 Duo and the Core Duo. As far as virtualization, you almost certainly won't need it as a general consumer. If you don't know what it is, don't worry about it And it's only the T2300E that disables it specifically as far as I know. All Core 2 Duo's have virtualization from what I have heard.

Processors are hard to upgrade. Memory, hard drive, those are easy. So I'd go with as fast a processor as you think you're likely to need if you can afford it. If you can swing for a 1.83GHz processor instead of a 1.66GHz one, there's absolutely no downside to it other than the cash out of your pocket, and it may make things run fast for a longer period of time.

 

Little thermal difference? Hmmm, still, it's about a $400 jump, quite hard on the pocket if you ask me. CAN I run Widows Vista with all the Aero ect on a 32-bit Core Duo processor?

 

Yes, you can run Aero, provided you have a graphics card that can deal with it, with a Core Duo. Aero can be run on alot of processors, since its not all that processor dependent.

 

Would it run with a ATI Mobilility X1400 128MB?

 

Other specs: Core Duo T2500 2GHz, 1GB RAM, SXGA+ 1400 x 1050 display.

 

Yep, the X1400 is more than enough to run Aero. Even some weaker cards like the X1300 and the GMA 950 can run it. With the rest of your specification, you'll be able to run it fine.

 

Okay, then I guess there isn't a need to upgrade to the Core 2 Duo, doesn't seem worth $400 at this time, with the apps running on most mainstream computers.

 

Just for the record, what would likely yield the greater performance boost and minimum heat and noise:

1) A Duo Core T2500 2.0GHz, with 2GB of RAM
OR
2) A Duo 2 Core T7400 2.1GHz, with 1GB of RAM?

 

They will both have the same heat and noise, but the more memory will be faster in many benchmarks and such. If you can get the Core 2 Duo with 1GB of RAM in a single DIMM, and then upgrade in a year to 2GB, that would probably be ideal. But I'm a whore for performance (I do 3D renderings and such) The Core Duo would last just as long, and never need an upgrade.

 

Hows the heat in your PowerPro when running apps of relative strain on the computer? Yes, the Core 2 Duo would come with a 1 DIMM 1GB stick, but with those specs being the only difference (the processor and amount of RAM), the machine with the Core 2 Duo is still about $300 more.

 

$300 is quite a bit for an upgrade to Core 2 Duo and less RAM. I would't really go for that. Try and look at some other models that have Core 2 Duo in them. If you plan on encoding and other processor intensive applications, then Core 2 Duo is quite a big gain, or at least the T7XXX models.

 

I'm actually continually surprised at how cool the machine runs. Even under high load gaming and such, the only warm spot is the exhaust vent on the left and under the left palm, but not uncomfortable by any means.

That's a pretty high price. But it's still the route I chose, because I routinely run into processor limitation. Most people don't run into the same bottlenecks, so you'd be fine with even a T5600 unless you do lots of encoding or 3D rendering or anything. Games won't put a huge strain on the processor. I would highly suggest going with any Core 2 Duo over any Core Duo, though. Things are moving to 64bit, and it's faster for the same speed-grade at the same price as the Core Duo. I suggested going with the 1GB RAM in one stick because you can just buy another stick to upgrade in the future, but 1GB of RAM is still a LOT, and runs things very well. If you can get a T7200 instead of the T7400, that's probably the sweet point in price/performance right now, and will save you some money and still be near the top end of performance. I only did the T7400 because I wanted to do SuperPi to 2M places in less than a minute j/k