Comments on: Choosing a Core Duo or Core 2 Duo Laptop

By: Yuhong Bao

Yuhong Bao — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:37:39 +0000

There once were a time where what is now SSSE3 was called SSE4.
What is now the real SSE4 is only available on 45nm and later Intel processors.

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:32:44 +0000

Yuhong,
What do you mean?

By: Yuhong Bao

Yuhong Bao — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:24:10 +0000

“SSE4″ is actually SSSE3.

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:29:33 +0000

Ahh good point.

I was looking at benchmarks of the QX9650 the other day using TMPEG encoding using the SSE4 instructions, and it actually shaved 15mins off the encoding cycle.

I was pretty amazed at how optimized the CPU-intensive tasks can be when fully optimized with SSE instructions.

By: Yuhong Bao

Yuhong Bao — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:19:28 +0000

“The only folks I could see jumping on Core2s for a laptop are the folks that need 64-bit OS for the 4GB of ram limit (like a graphic designer or developer?)”
Or have an app that uses any of the new Core 2 features like SSE4.

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:06:55 +0000

Yuhong,
Very true, but wouldn’t you say that most people look at a new chip solely for the performance?

The only folks I could see jumping on Core2s for a laptop are the folks that need 64-bit OS for the 4GB of ram limit (like a graphic designer or developer?)

I do love that Intel has maintained the same socket design for the entire Core series, it’s very handy for upgrading and for hardware manufacturers not needing to restructure boards or layouts/designs with each release.

For example I’m looking at the QX9650, and it still uses the Socket 775 design… very cool.

By: Yuhong Bao

Yuhong Bao — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:21:39 +0000

You are right, the major thing the Core 2 have over the Core is not performance, but the fact that it have the same instruction set as the desktop Core 2s and have 64-bit support, the Core have only support for Prescott+VT instruction set and have no 64-bit support. Intel knew that this was true when the Core was introduced, which is why Intel made the mobile Core 2s a drop-in replacement for the Cores.

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:14:14 +0000

Thong, very nice! $300 is a steal.

Are you going to put Linux on the machine or keep it windows? Did it come with Vista or XP?

By: Thong

Thong — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 05:49:50 +0000

Thanks for the info. Just bought an Acer 9410-4933 at Staples on clearance for $300.00 ( after the the 10% discount, since its a floor model).

By: tomax7

tomax7 — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:48:22 +0000

Hey thanks for the great review, even a year later! Looking to buy a T60 or T61, but my personal budget won’t let me go over $1000 for a laptop, so trying to see what I am missing. Also one thing now you can update the topic, but T61 with the Core 2 will do better with Vista, namely the graphic’s card being the best help.

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:00:05 +0000

I’m glad it helped, it sounds like you are planning on getting a *very* nice laptop!

By: Marius

Marius — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 13:34:39 +0000

Thank’s for this. I was searching google for hint’s and tips about the upcoming IBM/Lenovo T61(p). The difference in Intel PM CPU and DualCore CPU is huge. I’ve just testet the T60p and feld in love. The resolution 1600*1200 combined with 1GB of RAM, ATI 5200GL and a 100GB 7200RPM HDD gave the laptop marketing a whole new perspectiv for me. I definitly go for the upgraded T61, just because the widescreen option and “merom” CPU. Again, thank’s for this review. Greetings from Norway

By: A. Nonymous

A. Nonymous — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 04:39:53 +0000

You were inclined to consider the 4Mb of cache as responsible for the speed increase between the two chips. But consider: the Core 2 Duo is a 64 bit chip, which means that cached data and instructions are 64 bit words. The caches should hold an equivalent number of machine words. (I assume the caches operate on the native word size.)

By: Riyad Kalla

Riyad Kalla — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:45:37 +0000

That’s a pretty smoking deal for a 17″ laptop, nice choice.

By: unangst

unangst — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 01:43:23 +0000

Thanks. I think I’ll just pick the Core Duo. HP Compaq Business Notebook nx9420 – Core Duo T2400 1.83 GHz – 17″ TFT. Via CDW, it’s just $1,500.