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    Pentium 4 vs. Pentium M for Gaming

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by skibum, Aug 9, 2004.

  1. skibum

    skibum Newbie

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    I am looking at a computer with a Pentium M chip (at 1.6 GHz) and want to use it for some light gamming. Looking at the specs for Doom 3 I began to get a little worried. The minimum processor speed is P4 1.5 GHz. My question is as follows. Down the line when minimum requirements are increase to P4 2.2 will the Pentium M @ 1.6 be able to run these games. I have read that a Pentium M @ 1.6 runs equivilent to a Pentium 4 chip at 2.4.
     
    skibum, Aug 9, 2004
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  2. DaGreek

    DaGreek Notebook Evangelist

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    I think the 1.6 PM will run like a 2.4 P4, very close anyway. For gaming for straight power the P4 wins but the margin of that is not high. I would feel comfortable with a Dothan CPU for gaming for at least 2 years, but the higher speed Dothan you get the more gaming time it will buy you.


    Compaq R3000T (CTO)
    P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
    1 X 512MB RAM
    Radeon 9600 128MB
    60GB 5,400 RPM HD
    AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115
     
    DaGreek, Aug 9, 2004
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  3. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    Your bigger hurdle is going to be the GPU anyway. A Dothan 1.6 will have a longer gaming like than a weak video card.

    Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com
     
    Brian, Aug 9, 2004
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  4. skibum

    skibum Newbie

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    thanks for the responces.

    The graphics card is the 128MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro, will this be adequate?

    Also, would you recomed getting the Pentium M @ 1.8 and downgrading from the WSXGA to a WXGA screen?
     
    skibum, Aug 9, 2004
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  5. Run1track

    Run1track Notebook Deity

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    That is definitely a good graphics card.

    *******************************************************
    Fujitsu S6210: 1.6Ghz PM ~ 768MB RAM ~ 60GB 7200RPM Hard Drive
    *******************************************************
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    Run1track, Aug 9, 2004
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  6. DaGreek

    DaGreek Notebook Evangelist

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    I would recommend getting the wxga the higher resolution just looks to small on these screens at least as far as test is concened, Its also much better to run games at the screens native resolution. You will be able to run games at higher detail settings with the wxga as opposed to the wsxga.


    Compaq R3000T (CTO)
    P4 Desktop 3.0GHz w/HT
    1 X 512MB RAM
    Radeon 9600 128MB
    60GB 5,400 RPM HD
    AquaMark3: 24,257, 3DMark03: 3,115
     
    DaGreek, Aug 9, 2004
    #6