W3V: 915GM vs. PM?

I am interested in getting a W3V notebook but noticed that some of the rebadged units use the GM chipset while others the 915PM. Looking at Intel`s website, it seems to me like the PM is designed more for 3D gaming. Is that the main difference? I don`t plan on using this PC for gaming so unless there is some performance difference I don`t see the need to pay extra. ???

 

885 Chipset = 2nd Generation of Pentium M, Level2 2mb Cache,400mhz Front side bus
915 Chipset = 3nd Generation of Pentium M, Level2 2mb Cache,533mhz Front side bus


The stock W3v, the one that comes straight from ASUS, is a 915 Chipset Pentium M, but I guess the places that rebrand it, gives you an option for the 855 Chipset.

The main difference is that the newer 915 Chipset has 533FSB, you can use DDR2 RAM, and generally 'faster'. The 855 Chipset isn't slow at all neither, but can only use the 400mhz RAM, which is a tad slower, but you save on battery life.

 

Both of these chipsets are Sonoma. I just found this great article on Toms Hardware which explains the differences. Basically, the 915GM and the 915PM are the same, except the GM uses an integrated graphics core and has display power saving. The PM version is designed for higher end apps like gaming so you would get an ATI or other 3D chip. I`m going to go with the GM chipset.

http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20050119/index.html

 

And another good article on the 915GM

http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20050511/intel_915gm-11.html

 

OOHHH, I keep thinking the 855GME was what you were referring to.

Go for the 915GM

 

They should not be selling a W3V with a PM chipset, that would make it a W3A.
The W3V should only come with the GM version as this one supports the use of dedicated gpu's, which in the case of the W3V is the X600 from ATI.
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The W3V has the 915PM chipset with an ATI X600 while the W3A/Z63A will have a 915GM chipset.

 

The chipset has nothing to do with the cpu.... the w3v comes with the 915gm - period.