Pages: 1

 

2006-07-02 20:31:02
TehSeraphim
Thread Ender
+58|7023|New Hampshire
I'm selling my desktop at the end of July and I'm researching now what kind of laptop I want to buy.  I'm going to have about 2000-2500 dollars to blow, and am looking into an alienware laptop (pretty much because they're one of the only companies I can find that does "custom" systems and uses good 256 MB cards).  There's a lot of new stuff out on the market, and beyond that I'm not very familiar with laptop stuff anyways - so I thought I'd post a few ?'s here and see if the BF2s community has any info they can share with me.

First off - CPU  AMD 64 vs Intel Duo Core

I heard the AMD 64 bit processors were awesome, but with the new Intel Duo Core CPU's out, I was wondering which of the two might be better?  With the Intel I can supposedly have a CPU devoted to running just battlefield 2 (thoeretically - i know you can't devote one core to one process, but that's the gist of it, right?). 

If I should choose one over the other, what CPU ghz should I go with?  The intel duos start at 1.66 GHz, while the AMD 64's start at 2 I think.  Keep in mind I'm aiming to run BF2 here relatively well

ATI vs. Nvidia

I'm definitely going to be searching for a good video card on this puppy.  I've on the fence about Nvidia vs. ATI, seeing as I've owned one of both, but the Nvidia card was a crappy 128 so I haven't had much comparsion between the two.  My choices are between the Nvidia GO series and the ATI Mobility series - also, I'm going to assume that these don't have dedicated memory seeing as they're "mobile" versions?  I can't seem to find this spec. info on the build sites I'm on.

HDD Speed -

I know with a faster spooling HDD you can get info off it faster, but when I had a 10k RPM raptor in my desktop I didn't notice a difference between that and a 7,200 RPM barracuda.  Is this similar in a laptop, or should I spring for an upgrade from the 5400 RPM to 7200 RPM hdd?

No question on RAM really - I'm settling with 1 gig of 667 mhz ram - I'm pretty sure this should be enough.

Alienware takes a long time to build their laptops and are kind of pricey (yet decent compared to dell's XPS ) so if anyone has any other sites I can check out that would be great

Ty for all the help - if anyone provides great info I'll +1 ya for it in appreciation
2006-07-02 20:53:57
Cybargs
Moderated
+2,285|7015
1. do u really need a laptop? pcs are way better and cheaper
2. core duo pwnz amd big time
3. 7200 rpm hdd's make a huge differnce compared to 5400 rpm.
https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png
2006-07-02 20:59:28
TehSeraphim
Thread Ender
+58|7023|New Hampshire

cyborg_ninja-117 wrote:

1. do u really need a laptop? pcs are way better and cheaper
2. core duo pwnz amd big time
3. 7200 rpm hdd's make a huge differnce compared to 5400 rpm.
Yeah I need a laptop - I'm a college student and I spend a lot of my time in between classes driving home to usemy desktop to do my hw's and such.  I'm a commuter, and there's no WAY in hell I'm going to touch the "PC's" they have in my school library.  Pentium 3's I believe .  My desktop I custom built and am sad to see it go, but I need mobility babeh!
2006-07-02 21:20:30
Cybargs
Moderated
+2,285|7015
k wait till core 2 duo cpus

the merom chips (for laptops) are 20% more efficient per clock against current core duo cpus.
https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png
2006-07-02 22:05:12
Buzerk1
Member
+44|7135
Alienware = Dell now....

For gaming laptop, I have a Dell XPS M170 with a NVIDIA 7800GTX go. The best video card available for gaming laptop is the NVIDIA 7900GTX go (available on the new Dell XPS Red Formula). After the Mobile Radeon 9800, ATI is just not in the mobile video card race anymore, NVIDIA is king at the moment. Memory is dedicated on those cards BTW.

Go for the 7200 RPM...

And at least 2G of RAM (you may be better off buying it elsewhere then Alienware or Dell).

My advice, go for Dell, you will get you lappy in 1-2 weeks max and you will love it

Check this also: www.notebookforum.com
2006-07-02 22:16:10
TehSeraphim
Thread Ender
+58|7023|New Hampshire
Well Dell XPS's are more expensive (the m1710 series) then the Alienwares I'm looking at - I'm only looking to spend 2k-2.5k, and for a GOOD xps ill be spending over the 2500k mark.  Besides, for one of the cheaper XPS's Im only getting a 12.1" screen as opposed to the 17" widescreen from alienware.  I don't mind waiting that much

Ty for the help!
2006-07-03 02:59:32
max
Vela Incident
+1,652|6866|NYC / Hamburg

cyborg_ninja-117 wrote:

k wait till core 2 duo cpus

the merom chips (for laptops) are 20% more efficient per clock against current core duo cpus.
i can only stongly support that. wait another month and you'll get much better performance than anything out now. Also the core2duo will have 64 bit support (at least i think so)
once upon a midnight dreary, while i pron surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of ' hot  xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, " give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404.
2006-07-03 04:06:32
Cybargs
Moderated
+2,285|7015

max wrote:

cyborg_ninja-117 wrote:

k wait till core 2 duo cpus

the merom chips (for laptops) are 20% more efficient per clock against current core duo cpus.
i can only stongly support that. wait another month and you'll get much better performance than anything out now. Also the core2duo will have 64 bit support (at least i think so)
yes core 2 duo has 64 bit tech, but core duo is 32 bit.

but get go 7900gt if u can, its faster and consumes less wattage
https://cache.www.gametracker.com/server_info/203.46.105.23:21300/b_350_20_692108_381007_FFFFFF_000000.png
2006-07-03 04:30:49
motherdear
Member
+25|6950|Denmark/Minnesota (depends)
if you want a good laptop and want it customized and with great support then go to http://uk.zepto.com/
you can't fully customize them but you can customize the most important things etc. how many gig harddrive and how fast how many gig ram and so on. the best you can get is properly the znote 2425 go check it out
2006-07-03 06:00:18
Snipedya14
Dont tread on me
+77|6994|Mountains of West Virginia
Why are you buying High end GPUS, and 7200 RPM HDD if this notebook is for school?

I just bought my notebook for school,

Core Duo t2600
2gb 667 DDR2
80 GB 5200 RPM
X1600 (It can be de-clocked and turned down)

All for 1500 Bucks. (US)

I get about 2 hours of batery life, while stil being a decent performer. Ok SO i wont play Crysis on high by anymeans, but it handles bf2 without a hitch. Also, look at size. If you are going to be lugging thing thing back and forth a 17inch weighing 8 pounds is gonna be a pain. People are quick to recommend the high end, power hungry parts, but you are the one who is going to have to pay for it, and lug it around.

What Im am trying to say, put your priorities first, small, good battery life, good build quaility. Then you can worry about performance.

And according to Asus, maker of the Mobo and Chasis, the Core 2 Duo will be able to work in my notebook with a Bios Flash.
2006-07-03 09:08:05
Buzerk1
Member
+44|7135

TehSeraphim wrote:

Well Dell XPS's are more expensive (the m1710 series) then the Alienwares I'm looking at - I'm only looking to spend 2k-2.5k, and for a GOOD xps ill be spending over the 2500k mark.  Besides, for one of the cheaper XPS's Im only getting a 12.1" screen as opposed to the 17" widescreen from alienware.  I don't mind waiting that much

Ty for the help!
There is 2 version of the M1710, the "Formula Red" and the "Metallic Black" for 2 619$CAN. You still get a decent 7900GS (it's about the same as the 7800GTX go in term of performance).

I just hope for you the International support from Alienware has improved since Dell bought them.
2006-07-03 14:45:44
sR.:.crimson_viper911
Member
+1|6807
http://www.notebookforums.com/thread157050.html <-----go there. look throught the thread, and get yourself a m1710. $2250 for 1.83ghz duo, 7900gtx 512mb, and 1gb ram! how can you go wrong?


on another note, this laptop is fully upgradable to merom (667mhz version)


when/if you sign up o the forums, please say timmy223 refered you

Last edited by sR.:.crimson_viper911 (2006-07-03 14:58:32)

 

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