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    better graphics speed on W3N or Z63A ?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by metroboy, Nov 22, 2005.

  1. metroboy

    metroboy Newbie

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    I have an interesting problem. I'm a US student going to school in London, so as I'm looking for my new laptop, I can pick and choose between deals in the UK and the US.

    Right now over here I can get a discounted W3N (the model that Asus put out outside the US at the beginning of 2005) for about the same price as a similarly-configured Z63A from the US. The W3N has the Intel 855 graphics chip and a separate video card, the Radeon 9700...whereas the Z63A has the 915 graphics chip with only shared video memory. Are the speed advantages of the older W3N enough to outweigh the other advantages of the Sonoma chipset in the Z63A?

    If anybody has any thoughts on which is better, I'd really appreciate it!
     
    metroboy, Nov 22, 2005
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  2. PROPortable

    PROPortable Company Representative

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    The graphics are going to be better on the w3n, obviously.... and if you need high end graphics, it's better to have that than the sonoma chipset. If you think you can make use of the increased bus speed and the high def audio, etc..... then get the Z63a.
     
    PROPortable, Nov 22, 2005
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  3. Underpantman

    Underpantman Notebook Virtuoso

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    In terms of raw performance the W3N is pretty much the same as the w3v. Thus if you can get hold of a w3n for a good price I would definitely go that path. I know in Australia, the N model is being cleared out at some super low prices right now, I was very tempted to get one myself. However if you dont play games then the gpu advantages on the N model are a waste of space. As for audio if you find it not good enough you can always upgrade with a pci card or usb box. Thus I say go the W3N.
    a
    :)
     
    Underpantman, Nov 23, 2005
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  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    John Ratsey, Nov 23, 2005
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  5. AuroraS

    AuroraS Notebook Virtuoso

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    I agree. Not only that, but you get to have the nice aluminum lid as opposed to the W3A's carbon fibre.
    The difference between Centrino and Sonoma isn't much... the Alviso chipset won't give you much of a noticable performance gain and the Radeon 9700 on the W3N makes it almost equivalent to the W3V.

    If you can get the W3N, do so.
     
    AuroraS, Nov 23, 2005
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