Intel Core 2 Duo with 128MB 8400M GS or AMD Turion 64 X2 with 256MB 7600Go

I know the difference between the two, but price is really getting the the way of deciding what to get. Everything else is pretty much the same spec wise, same speed 1.8, same ram speed 667Mhz. I've added a text attachment that has pretty much all the specs of both computers. The Intel is $889 while the AMD is $775. What would you get based on the price? The AMD is an open box btw.

They will be replacing a 2.6GHz AMD Athlon 4000+ 64 bit processor with an x600 with 64MB dedicated memory, up to 128 with hyper memory. It's a gateway MX7515H if that makes any difference.

 

Depends what you're doing with the computer.

 

I would save 50-100$ more and buy the dell with 8600gt!

 

I agree.

And what kind of duel are you expecting with the Core 2? ;-)

 

No real duel, I know. I'm in college and pennies are hard to find. I did find this here though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834280007
I like the fact that it has a 8600GS which isn't bad, and the price is pretty good 750. The processor is a little weak, a AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53 1.7GHz, but given that I don't demand too much from my games it might work. I found a laptop about the same price with a 64 X2 Dual-Core TL-56 CPU and 7600 and two gigs of ram for the same price though, so should I consider that?

 

What would see me with better results: a 8600M GS 256 MB and AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53 1.7G and a gig of memory or GeForce GO 7600 256MB Mobile AMD Turion64 X2 Dual-Core TL-56 and two gigs of memory. I can get both systems for the same price: 750 dollars. Thanks for the help, laptop buying sucks.

 

Intel and 8400M

 

If you game 8600GS will be much more handy than the 8400GS eventhough it will have the castrated dual core athlon.
But if you do anything but game then ...dell C2D...

 

How much do the athlons really hold back the system in terms of gaming? Would the extra cache of the TL-56 make much of a difference if I went with 7600 system and two gigs of ram vs the TK-53 and 8600GS with one gig? I can upgrade to two for 20 bucks. I am leaning towards the 7600 a little more as the system seems a little more well rounded for everything but the other one has the better graphics card and 17 inch screen for the same price.

 

GPU matters much more in modern games than CPU plus 8600GS has about 1,5x amount of power than the 7600 and it will play newer games better.
Aftermarket ram is very cheap and easy to upgrade.
Conclusion:

If you play FPS games take the 8600GS, if it is RTS games than take the C2D, basically you should invested in something you need instead of balance it out without getting much of a difference

 

I'm going to spend a little more money and get the following system for $800
Dell Vostro 1500 with the following configuration. Sell my current system for 200 and this isn't going to set me back too much at all. I am going to install XP Pro over vista and I should be ready to go.
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Basic
15.4 inch Wide Screen XGA LCD Display with TrueLife™
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
8X CD/DVD Burner w/ double-layer DVD+R write capability, w/ Roxio Creator
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
Dell Exclusive MediaDirect™ Instant Play Software Application
Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Wi-Fi Mini Card
No Webcam Option

The total cost is roughly $90 more, but I think the long term system is a much better deal then the Everex

 

Duel = fight
Dual = two

just a play on words...

Anyhow, best deal is to check out Dell frequently for their Inspiron 1520 or Vostro 1500 with 8600m GT. Usually with discounts, you can get one for about $800-$900 with 1280x800 screen, 120GB HDD, 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo, 8600m GT, CD/DVD-RW. Best bang for the buck. Even if its $100 more, the 8600m GT and Core 2 Duo are more than worth the price difference.

edit: lol - stupid me, just realized you configured the Vostro 1500. Great laptop IMHO. Plays games great so far.

 

The 8600 gs inst 1.5 times better then the 7600. I would probably say that the 8600 GT would be 1.5 times the 7600. It also depends on what 7600 you get. I have the MSI-16332 version and i get around 2310 in the 3DMARK06. I know the compel-80 isnt that great with the 7600.