Now, the G series has 2GB of Ram, a DDR3 Video Card, with 256MB Dedicated Video Power, a 17" screen with 1920 x 1200 Resolution. That's insane for a Laptop, however, if you know anything about Processors or computers, you will notice the L2 Cache. 512KiB x2 for each core.
Now, the F8 series. 1GB of RAM with 1GB of Turbo Memory (allows the HDD speed to buffer faster) standard 256MB video card (DDR2 of VRAM), and get this...4MB of L2 Cache. What gives?
Now, I've done some research on both processors, and the AMD Processor with the 512KiB for each core is "2 x 512 KiB 16-way associative exclusive cache". Either I've been out of the loop for a while, or I really don't know what the f*** that means. Even further research of the OTHER Processors shows "Shared 4MB"
Now, I'm not to experenced with Level 2 Cache information, so what the real question is here, is...which laptop? Does Shared work better than the associative exclusive cache? Or vice-versa?
AMD cache is not shared like in Intel ones. I'd say the Intel one is a better processors, but in laptop that's not an issue. Usually the gfx card is and other features. In modern laptops it's rarely a processor that's bottlenecking the system, but rather gfx card, memory and surprisingly the HDD speed. Usually those laptops have a 5400RPM HDD which is significantly slower than the regular 7200RPM ones used in desktops. And at least I can definately tell the difference is normal usage.
I wouldn't worry too much about the processor, but look to other features. Do a google about the 2600 Radeon mobility versus 8600M GT (I have a gut feeling that 8600M is way faster than the Radeon, but check it out for yourself)
G series would be better, IMO. I looked over the specs sheet for the Turion X2, looks promising. Intel is so worried about loosing their lead that they locked down all data that might remotely be useful.
Zealot Wrote:Just go play the game and have fun dammit.
Treewyrm Wrote:all in all the conclusion is that disco doesn't need antagonist factions, it doesn't need phantoms, it doesn't need nomads, it doesn't need coalition and it doesn't need many other things, no AIs, the game is hijacked by morons to confuse the game with their dickwaving generic competition games mixed up with troll-of-the-day.
' Wrote:G series would be better, IMO. I looked over the specs sheet for the Turion X2, looks promising. Intel is so worried about loosing their lead that they locked down all data that might remotely be useful.
But is the 17 inch screen worth the sacrafice of 3mb of L2 Cache?
I have a 900 dollar paperwieght called a Sony Vaio (aka Total fail) thats only a couple years old but fails to load anything graphical 2 years even before its time due that integrated hunk of junk. You can't upgrade it either. Its stuck there forever.
The HDD's are normally lower on lappys for battery life. If you are into photoshopping, or need mobile audio recording access then worry about 7200. 5400 is fine for light gaming.
I've still yet to see the laptop that can run next gen games for hours on end without eventually having heat issues. I recommend a fan unit to place it on when you are at home gaming. My other laptop gets hot enough to near burn me on the bottom if its pushed for a while.
As far as CPU issues mate you are talking about things that sound so descisive on paper but in practice mean 2-5% performance in various areas. Main thing right now is to get the fastest dual core you possibly can afford with something you can extend the life on. If you were shopping for a desk job then I'd be al ot more critical cause you have options to OC and what not and then those things start playing a more important role. Look for the total package that suits you best and don't base it off something that you would have to sit them side by side and perform 18 tests just to even notice. A lot of those differences don't really apply to gaming, but more to people like myself that are trying to render 4gigs of audio at once and such.
Leo, from what I know about L2, which is a bit limited, I'll admit, four MB of L2 shared is not going to be quite as fast as 512KB dedicated to each. Apart from that, they are about the same.
Zealot Wrote:Just go play the game and have fun dammit.
Treewyrm Wrote:all in all the conclusion is that disco doesn't need antagonist factions, it doesn't need phantoms, it doesn't need nomads, it doesn't need coalition and it doesn't need many other things, no AIs, the game is hijacked by morons to confuse the game with their dickwaving generic competition games mixed up with troll-of-the-day.
Go Intel for Laptops. Thats the first time I ever said go Intel.
My Nvidia Geforce 6150 just handles FL in the lowest detail. I have a 5400RPM HDD.
2GB RAM with Vista Ultimate. get a decent card and RAM, the GDDR 3 Memory on the video card will definatly help. Especially with the 256MB of video memory.
Your set. Go Intel.:cool:
"Three o'clock is always too late or too early for anything you want to do."
I don't want a 14" screen, that's itty bitty, I want something that's like what I'm staring at now...a 37" monitor...hehe...gotta love doing dispatch...ahem
I want something like...at least 16" screen, not no 14" that's tiny, even if it is on a 16:9 wide resolution. I want something that's 17" and not going to break the bank, I.E. this ASUS Laptop, but the 512KiB Shared Level 2 Cache is going to kill me along with, from what I understand, is a crappy integrated Radeon Video Card.
The Laptop I HAD was a piece of crap. Had an 1100 Xpress Radeon ATI card in it and wouldn't run anything, 64mb of VRAM if I recall, this one has DDR3 with 256MB and from what I've read on the reviews of the laptop everywhere, is amazing beyond amazing...
The real issue here is...will I ONLY loose 2-5% of processing power if I go with the more expensive laptop with the 17" screen, or am I better to keep looking?
Zealot Wrote:Just go play the game and have fun dammit.
Treewyrm Wrote:all in all the conclusion is that disco doesn't need antagonist factions, it doesn't need phantoms, it doesn't need nomads, it doesn't need coalition and it doesn't need many other things, no AIs, the game is hijacked by morons to confuse the game with their dickwaving generic competition games mixed up with troll-of-the-day.