What's the point of getting Merom when it comes out?

I mean, the majority of GPUs that it comes with would be only DX9 capable anyway. By the time 64-bit processing becomes standard, chances are, games would require full DX10 functionality to run. Well, just wondeirng.

 

Merom has increased performance compared to Core Duo processors, its not just a 64-bit thing.

 

Well for one thing, people get notebooks for more than gaming..Merom will initially be about futureproofing your system & maximizing the available 64-bit software (Vista, etc) with a 64-bit dual core CPU.

Others may better comment on when DX10 GPUs will be available (Chaz?) but I've heard (not from a particularly reputable source) it may be around/not far from Vista's release..

 

Merom is supposed to be more effiicient, which means it will run cooler and use less power. Also, there is the 64bit business, but if I recall there will also be faster Merom processors out. I think it might also have a faster FSB, but I could be wrong about the last part there.

 

DX10 GPUs coming out soon after Vista's release? That's nice to know. Maybe we'd see their mobile counterparts soon enough (let's face it, it wouldn't be a simulataneous release)?

About the part of Merom futureproofing your system, you're right here. Programmers and people who are in the video editing certainly do benefit from 64-bit capabilites. Not sure about this, but I'd imagine 3D modeling to require DX10 like games do next-gen.

 

Also, the Merom will have a 4MB cache over their Core Duo predecessors, which also helps to increase performance.

That's tough to say, given the relatively loose timeframe right now, but I'd say to expect them to hit the market when Vista does, or shortly thereafter. For notebook DX10 GPUs, you may have to wait a bit longer due to the transition period from deskop > notebook GPUs, but that amount of time is getting very short lately.

Remember, without Vista, there's no DirectX 10.

Chaz

 

future-proofing TECHNOLOGY (especially computer/laptop) is bogus in my opinion.

i would be happy and settle with a 1.8 P-M (strange thing is that...pentium M laptops don't seem to be that less expensive than core duo...sometimes P-M laptops seem to be even more expensive than core-duo)

anyway, the point is: there is NO point in waiting for mem-whatever. get a lappy if u need it now

 

Future-proofing is more relevant in a notebook because its components are less easily upgradeable than a desktop.

Of course get a notebook if you need it now (although I'd get a Core Duo) but there is no downside (unless the CPU price is outrageous which I don't think it will be except for top ones) & significant upside to getting a 64-bit dual core Merom over 32-bit Core Duo.

I & I suspect others will only continue to increase their video editing in the future & 64-bit is a major improvement not to be missed there. If I have a 64-bit OS like Vista soon to be released, all the more reason to get 64-bit dual core if the price : performance ratio is in place.

 

Is the Merom going to be as "revolutionary" as the Core Duo when it first came out? What's the big adavantage of it? Will you still be able to run Windows Vista(including Aero) with the regular core duos that are out now?

 

1) Yes you will "still still be able to run Windows Vista(including Aero) with the regular core duos that are out now"

You should be aware that to run Vista Aero requires a GPU that supports it (even the 950 has been said to support it with over 1GB RAM though I don't know how well).

2) Advantage is 64-bit support. Some consider it more revolutionary as its life cycle should be far longer than the current 32-bit Core Duo.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core#Merom

 

Windows vista "Aero" is only an eye candy thing, I bet i'll end up disabling it (as many ppl) to improve performance (if i ever get vista xD)