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    Performance of New MBP v. Old MBP?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by RobDMB, Oct 20, 2008.

  1. RobDMB

    RobDMB Notebook Guru

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    I'm on the fence whether I should buy a new MBP or an old one and save the $$$. I know the new model has a nicer design, but performance wise is there a big difference? The processor speed seems to have remained the same while the graphics processor and ram type obviously changed. Will this be significant? Thanks.
     
    RobDMB, Oct 20, 2008
    #1
  2. Jstn7477

    Jstn7477 Sam I Am

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    The GPU is just a minor refresh of the 8600m GT. However, the RAM performance should be noticeably better over 667MHz DDR2. Basically, just find which version is more aesthetically pleasing to you, because some people at my school with the last generation MacBook Pro don't care for the radical new appearance. Just my opinion.

    -J.B.
     
    Jstn7477, Oct 20, 2008
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  3. mikespit1

    mikespit1 Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    The new 9600M GT chip is a bit more of a minor refresh than the old card. It's still the same basic design with 32 shaders, but a refined manufacturing process and higher clock speeds produce (at least in my case) roughly a 2000 point increase in 3DMark06.
     
    mikespit1, Oct 20, 2008
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  4. phungy

    phungy Notebook Evangelist

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    Get the older 2.5Ghz MBP with 512MB graphics for $1499 :)
     
    phungy, Oct 21, 2008
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  5. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

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    Agreed. Better yet, check out Craigslist for fire sales. In my area, there are plenty of like new or even brand new 2.4 MBPs for sale.
     
    applebook, Oct 21, 2008
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  6. willymcd

    willymcd Notebook Consultant

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    DDR3 has been out on pc notebooks for a while now and there is apparently very little performance benefit from having ddr3, at least that is what people who have tested say. i guess the front side bus speed of the CPU is what really hinders the performance...
     
    willymcd, Oct 22, 2008
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  7. applebook

    applebook Notebook Evangelist

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    True. Centrino 2 is more of an energy efficiency improvement rather than pure performance upgrade. Clock for clock, Centrino 2 chips are not substantially faster than Santa Rosa ones.
     
    applebook, Oct 22, 2008
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