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    p8400 vs t9400? performance and battery life

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by yordanrhapsody, Sep 6, 2008.

  1. yordanrhapsody

    yordanrhapsody Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm looking for the sony vaio fw series, and I'm wondering which is the better choise for me

    comparing p8400 and t9400 in performance and battery life, which one is better?

    Maybe I'll go for the t9400 but how about heat, and battery life?

    I'll use this notebook for video-photo editing and watching film for the most time, but sometimes I'll have to use in travel (internet with hsdpa pcmcia modem), so battery life is also very important to me...
     
    yordanrhapsody, Sep 6, 2008
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  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The T9400 is good if price isn't a concern (as I believe it is more expensive). The T9400 produces about the same heat and gives about the same battery life under normal (mostly idle conditions). You can underclock it further to give you better results. I haven't seen any reviews yet comparing the T and P processors but from what I gather, the P processors have better thermal and power consumption at full load and a slightly better thermal and power consumption at idle. At idle (which is the state most users are at the majority of the time) you will get no more than 15 (maybe 30 max?) minutes compared to the T processor.
     
    sgogeta4, Sep 6, 2008
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  3. Andy

    Andy Notebook Prophet

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    If you'll be running some intensive tasks, when on battery, get either the P8600 or the P9500, as they have a lower TDP, and when the CPU is under load, the 'P' series will provide a longer battery life, and will be cooler.

    If you'll be running tasks when plugged in, battery life won't matter and temp differences won't be that great (between the 'T' and 'P' Penryns). So, here the T9400 comes out to be useful with its similar specs as the P9500, and much cheaper price.

    At idle, you won't notice much of a difference in battery life and temps, since the difference b/w TDP is only significant when the CPU is under load.

    Plus, all Penryns undervolt well (if done correctly), and can help you to reduce the max power consumption of the CPU.
     
    Andy, Sep 6, 2008
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  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    I agree with all said above. But let me put your question in perspective as I see clear and easy choice. The T9400 will give greater performance the P8400 will give greater battery battery life. Clear? Well neither at such a level as to be critical. They just happen to lean in those directions now a P9500 as Andy pointed out, well that is a different story. But much more expensive.
     
    powerpack, Sep 6, 2008
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  5. yordanrhapsody

    yordanrhapsody Notebook Enthusiast

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    the problem is that in the current product line of sony vaio fw, there are only two processors, p8400 and t9400... I know that p9500 it's a better choise... :( :(
     
    yordanrhapsody, Sep 7, 2008
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  6. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Battery life is very important to you so go for P8400. It runs at 2.26GHz which is very fast for 99% of the users.

    Invest your money in a 320GB Seagate 7200.3 and exchange it yourself with the stock drive. It will offer far more improvement than a fast CPU for normal use.

    Tell us what applications you use if you want better advice on your CPU choice.
     
    Phil, Sep 7, 2008
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  7. yordanrhapsody

    yordanrhapsody Notebook Enthusiast

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    I will use this notebook for video-photo editing and movie playback when plugged in and I'll use it for internet when travelling

    if p8400 is only a little better than t9400 in battery life when cpu is downclocked, then I think I'll for the t one...
     
    yordanrhapsody, Sep 7, 2008
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  8. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    On you current laptop/system, do you ever get 100% CPU utilization while video/photo editing? (you can check by pressing ctrl-alt-del)
    What configuration does your current system have?

    You would have to ask in the Sony forum to get real life battery life of the FW with those CPUs. You could also get the extended battery.
     
    Phil, Sep 7, 2008
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