Trying to chose between 3 processors...

Well after reading numerous threads regarding Hard drives, RAM, etc; I have finally built a laptop to the exact specs I want...except for the CPU. I'm trying to chose between 3 different processors for my HP Dv2000t or Dv2000z.

Setup #1:

Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Processor Intel(R) Celeron(R) M Processor 430 (1.73 GHz)
Display FREE Upgrade to 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescree
Graphics Card Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 950
Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
Memory 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Networking 802.11b/g WLAN
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Price= $724.99

Setup #2:

Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Processor Mobile AMD Sempron(TM) 3500+ (1.80GHz/512KB)
Display FREE Upgrade to 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen
Graphics Card NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 6150
Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
Memory 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Networking 802.11b/g WLAN
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Price= $689.99

Setup #3:

Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center
Processor AMD Turion(TM) 64 Mobile MK-36 (2.0 GHz/512KB)
Display FREE Upgrade to 14.1" WXGA BrightView Widescreen
Graphics Card NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 6150
Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone
Memory 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Hard Drive 80GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
Networking 802.11b/g WLAN
TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control
Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Price= $729.99

The differences between the 3 are in bold, basically it's just their processor and the Intel doesn't have a NIVIDIA graphics card (which I probably don't need). What system would you go with and why? Do I need to upgrade to either the Core Solo or the X2 Dual-Core TL-50?

I won't be encoding video; it'll basically be used to surf the net, write papers, and maybe watch a DVD when I'm on a trip.

Advice would be appreciated .

 

For surfing internet, writing papers, and watching a DVD or two, no, you don't need a dual core processor. Maybe someone has experience to share on how good the corresponding battery lives are on the three processors you're presenting, I'd expect the Celeron to last longest on the trip though, and you don't want to be cut off in the middle of a DVD. I'm sure GMA950 drains less power too. Core Duo processors would have the speedstepping to further increase batterylife, among with other improvements, but you'll probably live without them too.

 

I'd like a battery life of at least 2 hours but the longer the better. I also would like to keep it in the $700-$750 price range and I can't get a Core Duo without busting my budget.

I have always ran Intel which is why I'm a bit leary of getting an AMD processor although people have recommended them.

Also, is there much difference between the Intel and NIVIDIA graphics card (this isn't high on my list of priorities though)?

 

If battery life is important the Sempron will win hands down. For sheer speed I think the other two have the edge. The Celeron will have pretty awful battery life as it has no speedstepping but will stay reasonably cool even under load compared to some more powerful cpus. The Turion wont do as well for battery life as the Sempron and won't be as cool under load as the Celeron but will be high on power and ok on battery, probably the best all-rounder.

Personally I'd take the sempron system. The sempron 3500+ has more than enough power for your needs being similar to a 1.6 or 1.7GHz Pentium-M and will stay cool and have the best battery life for when you're on the move.

The Geforce GO 6150 is a much better IGP than the Intel GMA950. It will handle Vista a lot better should you ever want to upgrade and is capable of running some pretty recent 3D games should you want to game too. The GMA950 is not!

 

ok first thing first the Nvidia will Slaughter the intel, no question, if you can afford go Nvidia.

as for celeron vs turion...
preformance: celeron is dead
celeron is NOT 64 bit(future proofing) where as the Turion is.

the Turion has PowerNow!(speedstep) which means it can scale back to i believe 800mhz(thats how far my can scale down, the celeron will run at 1.73 ghz all the time using all that extra power all the time...

Battery life; i KNOW my old celeron(1.5ghz) Dothan (same same build as above) could only get 45 minutes on a sandard battery 1 hour if i turn the screen down Wifi off etc. (what every i could)

my Turion now will get 3.5 hours(word proccessing)
but i have a high cap battery.

i think the Turion in the last option is the best bet long shot... i am not certain about battery life but i think it could beat the celeron.

Don't be afraid of AMD they are really good proccessors
i switched two weeks ago and will never go back. after seeing a core duo not play music out of the box...

 

Okay, I might as well throw out the Intel if the battery life is that poor.

Right now It's Turion vs. Sempron and the price between the two isn't enough to make a huge difference. I'm leaning toward the Turion because of the performance aspect.

Do you know how much battery life I'd get with the Turion vs the Sempron?

 

Go for setup 3.

 

My only idea on that would be to try reading some reviews of laptops that have these cpus and get a general idea of battery performance. I'd imagine the Sempron would be a bit better but not incredibly so. If battery life is more important than power I'd go Sempron. If power is more important than battery, go Turion.

 

I would say the Turion would be your best bet.

The other two might be a little "limiting".

 

I know super-pi is a little basic to compare cpus but the Turion and Sempron compare thusly:

Turion MK-36 calculating 2M digits pi 1:46

Sempron 3500+ calculating 2M digits pi 1:53

Not huge diff there. Looking at battery lives the Sempron can manage as much as four hours (usually more like 3-3.5) on a regular 6-cell battery while the Turion gets ususally around 2.5-3 on a 6-cell. This however is heavily dependent on the model. I'd guess the sempron might get an extra 30 minutes on the same battery, but the Turion would be better if you ever want to do things like encoding.

 

the intel core 2 duo would be better on battery life than all 3 of the choices right?

 

hard pressed, i think it would be close to the sempron

 

The Turion MK-36 is the fastest processor here, I'd go for setup 3 as well.

I'm not too sure about the Core 2 Duo getting better battery life than all three. Better than the Celeron for sure, but the C2D does consume more power, which is understandable. And, if you go for the C2D, then you are looking at spending considerably more. From what I gathered in your post, you don't want to spend a lot.

 

Well I think that makes it unanimous, I was thinking the MK-36 also. I think it #3 looks like a good setup for a first-time notebook buyer.

I'd never consider the Core 2 Duo, that's out of my price range. I'm trying to keep it under $750 and that'd jack me up to $1000.

 

I think some of you are being a little bit to harsh on the mobile celeron cpu in question.

The celeron M 430 is based of the Yonah core and runs at 1.73ghz all the time it does not have speedstep. So basically its a Core solo cpu at a slightly slower fsb and doesn't cut back when on battery power, if your not looking for huge battery life it woudln't be too much of an issue. So upgrading to a core solo would only get you more cache and speedstep (not worth it unless the option is less that $50)

In terms of semprons and battery life I havn't had the best luck (with acer models) not one could last 3 hours. Now there are TONS of different mobile sempron cpu's with varying TDP ratings (some as low as 35W)

WIth the turion your going to get decent battery life better than that of a sempron as the Turion was designed to be more efficient that the sempron.

The dual core questin is simple, it its only around 100 bux more for the dual core do it, even if you don't think you need it, its easier to buy with more now becasue its hard to upgrade mobile cpu;s.

FOr graphics, if your going to do zero gaming either will be fine, the Nvidia cards will be faster but not to the point where you could comfotably game on them. The GMA 950 isn't that horrible, as mentioned previous the GMA 950 is more power efficient than the Nvidia gpu.

If it was up to me based on what you've said in your post i'd go with option number 1.