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    AMD A8-3500M vs Phenom II P960

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by S281, Sep 11, 2011.

  1. S281

    S281 Newbie

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    Im not sure what to look at but which one of these processors would be the best overall?

    1.80GHz AMD Phenom II quad-core mobile processor P960 (2MB L2 Cache)

    or

    AMD Quad-Core A8-3500M* accelerated processor. Features a 4MB L2 cache for optimal performance.

    Pros/Cons for each are welcome also.
     
  2. Mk017

    Mk017 Notebook Consultant

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    A8 is faster overall but not by much. the real benefit of the A8 is the build in Fusion GPU which is a lot better than Intel's IGP.

    And A8 use less power compare to P960
     
  3. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    Passmark:

    A8-3500: 3382

    P960: 2156

    Obviously, the newer A8 processor is much faster, and it also has a pretty decent integrated GPU(AMD 6620G).
     
  4. S281

    S281 Newbie

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    Thanks guys, I know this might be in the wrong section but it has to do with these two processors and it'll help to not clutter the forums; which of these 2 laptops would be better for multi-tasking (college research/projects with multiple Internet tabs open), skype, YouTube, forum browsing and occasional blu-ray watching (laptop screen and also using an hdmi cable to run through my tv)?

    HP - Pavilion Laptop / AMD A-Series Processor / 15.6" Display / 6GB Memory / 640GB Hard Drive - Dark Umber - dv6-6135dx - Best Buy

    Or

    Shps 9/16 HP 15.6" AMD Quad Core,8GB RAM,640GB HD, Blu-ray - QVC.com

    This on from I can tell comes with a bigger battery, 2gigs more ram, a software bundle. The processor is the worst of the 2 and I don't think the graphics card is as good. I could be wrong tho
     
  5. R3d

    R3d Notebook Virtuoso

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    Get the Best Buy one. The QVC laptop is a total rip off.
     
  6. Nick

    Nick Professor Carnista

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    Agreed, the Best Buy laptop owns the QVC. More like murders the QVC.
     
  7. joshanator

    joshanator Notebook Consultant

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    the best buy one far better and the igp is decent
     
  8. S281

    S281 Newbie

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    Thanks for all the help guys :notworthy:
    The qvc one was tempting for the 8gigs of ram, bigger battery and the software package (only like a couple of them) but I figured there had to be a trade off. I'm going with the best buy one.

    Thanks again for your help.
     
  9. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    Not only that, the llano APUs have the C6 power state (though implemented badly), which ALL previous AMD CPU/APU (including desktop, Zacate, etc) do not have. This allows them to completely power off a CPU core (zero power) when it's not in use, therein saving a fair amount of power (it's also why llano is finally competitive with Intel, on a certain level, on battery life).

    Have fun! :)