New Laptop: AMD Turion Dual Core X2 or Pentium Core 2 Duo

Greetings Gents!

I went to Futureshop to buy myself a new laptop today. Since I havent kept myself up-to-date on the latest notebook technology, I shall post this question here for you folks to answer.

Which one of these is better performance wise. Does the Intel beat AMD here? Is there a massive difference between these processors?
1. Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 1.73GHz
2. AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile TL-52 1.6GHz

Which one of these 2 notebooks is better?
Notebook 1
HP Pavilion AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile TL-52 1.6GHz Laptop (DV6327)
Processor: AMD Turion 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile TL-52 1.6 GHz
Screen Size: 15.4" WXGA
RAM: 2048 MB (2.0GB) DDR2
Hard Drive: 160 GB @ 5400 RPM
CD/DVD Drive: 8X Super Multi LightScribe DVD+/-R/RW
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce Go 6150 (UMA) 64 MB dedicated expandable to 564 MB from RAM.
Cache: 512KB+512KB L2
System Bus: 533MHz
HP Pavilion Webcam for live video chat (built in)
Link to the notebook: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10086679&catid=

Notebook 2
HP Pavilion Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 1.73GHz Laptop (DV6335CA)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo T5300 1.73GHz
Screen Size: 15.4" WXGA
RAM: 1024 MB (1.0GB) DDR2
Hard Drive: 120 GB @ 5400 RPM
CD/DVD Drive: 8X Super Multi LightScribe DVD+/-R/RW
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 128 MB dedicated (expandable to 256 MB)
Cache: 512KB+512KB L2
System Bus: 1600 MHz
HP Pavilion Webcam for live video chat (built in)
Link to the notebook: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10086391&catid=

As usual folks, any help is always appreciated.

I have never owned any product by AMD, so Iam a bit agitated when I think about buying an AMD. But since you guys are the pros, I shall leave my decision upto you folks.

Anyhow, help is much appreciated!

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General Questions

1) What is your budget?
Between $1000 - $ 1200

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

c. Mainstream; 15" - 16" screen

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.
Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?
Prefer: HP & Toshiba

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?
Surf the internet, play games once in a while, desktop replacement.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?
Mostly leave it @ my desk at home.
7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?
Any new game that is First person shooter or involves car racing etc.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?
3 - 3.5 hours

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?
No. I would like to have a feel for the notebook that I would buy.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.
Windows Vista

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?
Widescreen
12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?
Does not matter.

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?
Yes
15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?
It should last me 3 years atleast. I would like to buy it as soon as possible.

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?
Atleast 120 GB
17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?
DVD-RW

 

What kind of task are you going to perform on this laptop?
Yes the C2D and the CD beat their AMD counterparts in performance and in battery life but for 200 extra for the C2d,less ram, smaller hdd it might not be worth it depending on the task you will do.

Also fill out the FAQ so we can help you.

 

The first one is a better buy unless you absolutely need a better processor. The first one has more ram and better graphics card.

 

if the first one diddnt have the $200 off i would pick the C2D (they would both be the same price then)
Get the AMD, its cheaper and the only reason why is it's processor, But everything else is better on the AMD.

and i think you might have gotten the system bus speeds wrong.

 

I filled out the FAQ section.
Thanks for your prompt reply. Much appreciated.

I would mainly be using this notebook for just basic use & play games once in a while, but I would still like to buy a good notebook.
I dont do any programming, nor do I do any video editing or photoshop etc.

Despite all that, I would still like a notebook that seems somewhat new & not out-dated.
A good gaming experience will be important to me, but I dont mind lowering the graphic details for the games to play it.

Also, I would like to know if there is a major difference in the Intel Core 2 Duo and the AMD Turion Dual Core X2.

Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks

 

I can get the Core 2 Duo @ $999.00. It goes on sale next week. It was on sale last week for $999.

I got the system bus speeds from the Futureshop website.

 

I'm very happy with my Turion 64 X2 TL-56 based HP dv6255us.

 

Likewise. Basically the C2D's have the l2 cache advantage. Turion has the universal memory controller. Those are the main points that differentiate the two processors. With basic applications you won't notice a tremendous difference. If price a concern, go for the AMD.

 

You have them reversed.

The AMD processor has the 1600MHz HyperTransport, and the Intel has the 533MHz Front Side Bus.