Your Opinion on Processors 1

[mlbbud]

I'm comparing two laptop and not sure which one to purchase. They have different processors.
*AMD Phenom II Triple-Core Mobile Processor N850
*Intel® Core™ i3-330M processor

In my research the AMD is rated a little better by

http://www.cpubenchmark.net

I would like your opinion on the processors. Which one would you purchase?

Thank You,
MLBBUD

 

[biglebowski]

Depends on what you will mainly use the laptop for.

Biglebowskis Razor - with all things being equal if you still can't find the answer have a shave and go down the pub.

 

[Sympology]

And the graphics card, HHD, M/B it's attached to.
Get results for whole laptop, not just processor.

Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[Sympology]

Forgot to add. Quick and dirty test if you have access to them is to run the Windows 7 Perfomance test. My screams on many but is let down by crap Intel graphics.


Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

 

[cdogg]

From what I understand, the Phenom II "Champlain" triple-core processors (P820, P840, N830, and N850) are no match for the Core i3 in the mobile market. That's because AMD's mobile version of this CPU doesn't have L3 cache, causing a negative impact in quite a few applications.

Of course, it still depends on what software you're running on the laptop, but in most situations the Core i3-330M is going to be the better choice. Like the others said, also pay close attention to the other details like graphics and hard drive. If the Phenom comes bundled with better components, then you might want to give it more consideration before making a decision.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[paparazi]

Let the numbers do the talking.....in this modern world of confusing and overlapping model ranges lets cut through the bull and show the functional power.

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i3+330M+@+2.13GHz

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=AMD+Phenom+II+N850+Triple-Core

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[paparazi]

Oh yeah! the AMD has it and the platform is likely to have move powerful graphics as well, although that would also need some research.

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[cdogg]

==> Let the numbers do the talking...

Martin,
The problem that I have with CPUbenchmark.net is that the information they provide about the benchmark is extremely vague. Unless I am able to understand what benchmark results go into that final score, I have to write it off as unreliable. To me, it looks like only 1 benchmark which you and I know never tells the whole story. Also a lot of links on there redirect you to their product page encouraging you to benchmark your own PC with their software (which isn't free). Perhaps accuracy and objectivity isn't their primary goal here.

Now I understand it's hard to find sites that have up-to-date benchmark scores on mobile processors these days. However, I finally did come across one that's pretty close:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html

You'll see the Phenom II N850 in the list, but there aren't any scores next to it. The Phenom II N830 does have scores, however. Check that one along with the Core i3-330M, then back at the top check "Cinebench R11.5" (which is unchecked by default) and select "Restrict". Although there are different tests I'd rather see, the scores give a more complete picture. With the exception of the outdated 3DMark06, the i3 330M wins easily in every other benchmark against the N830. Really this should come as no surprise. The benchmarks probably aren't taking advantage of the 3rd core on the Phenom II processor (which is the only real advantage it has over the dual-core i3). Plus it loses on paper in every other category - has half the L2, doesn't have L3, can only handle 3 threads simultaneously (i3 can do 4).

Like I said before though, it really depends on what kind of software is going to be used on the laptop. If you're not really going to stress the system, then the AMD Phenom II is likely going to be the better buy. But for every ounce of performance between those two, I'd go with the i3 or a faster Phenom II.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[paparazi]

Arhhhhh damn and blast...I've been out researched and out geeked again lol.
Hmmmm chance to seize the initiative, chink in the armour perhaps!
Benchmark against the N830? wasn't it a N850?

Loves U as always...da main man.

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep

 

[cdogg]

==> Benchmark against the N830? wasn't it a N850?

Yep it was, but that site only has results listed for the N830 unfortunately. The N850 can be expected to perform slightly better, but not much since it is only 100MHz faster.

Sorry man, I wasn't trying to step on any toes when I posted all that above! I figured if I was wrong you'd let me know!

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[paparazi]

I love you man.....no worries at all, truth is all that matters lol

Martin

On wings like angels whispers sweet
my heart it feels a broken beat
Touched soul and hurt lay wounded deep
Brown eyes are lost afar and sleep