Pavilion dv6500 help! C2D T5250 Vs. Turion TL-62

Hey guys,

The 30% deal on $999+ has come at a good time for me as my POS Acer 5100-3357 is about to die after 11 months of use (RMAing when i come back to the States, overheats, screen is getting consumed by dead vertical lines of pixels)

I set up a few dv6500t and dv6500z configurations that come as close to $1000 as possible.

Basically, its come down to processor choice. I can get a "lowly" Core 2 Duo T5250 (1.5 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB) or a decent Turion TL-62 (2.1 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache ) with all the features i want for $750ish shipped.

Here are te features i want:
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
– 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
– 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
– HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
– 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth OR Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
– FREE Upgrade to 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
– SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


My focus is using it for medical school which requires multitasking power (huge powerpoints, word documents, videos, large text book pds, videos, most at the same time)
I also dabble in a bit of video editing, photoshop/illustrator, gaming (i might pick up a new gen game, not a big deal).

I hear the Core 2 Duo is best for multitasking, but im wondering if the raw power of the Turion would be best for me for the few instances when i need it (gaming, video editing, etc). I have read most all of the reviews saying similarly matched Core 2 Duo trumps the Turion on all accounts, but it isn't that important for every day use. Also, I'm trying to compare two unmatched processors, just to make things harder

Basically, how do the two compare, and do u think Core 2 Duo T5250 is good enough for me? Or will the pure CPU speed of the turion come in handy?

Help me decide!

Thanks in advance guys!

 

Oh and here is the coupon code so others dont have to search:
$999 - 30% off code NB3075 [Exp 12/8]

ANd here are the specs of each full configuration:
HP Pavilion dv6500z customizable Notebook PC
RS085AV
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
– AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-62 (2.1 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )
– 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
– 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
– 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
– HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
– 802.11b/g WLAN and Bluetooth
– FREE Upgrade to 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
– SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works 8.0

HP Pavilion dv6500t customizable Notebook PC
RM098AV
– Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
– Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5250 (1.5 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB)
– 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
– 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
– 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
– HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
– Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
– FREE Upgrade to 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
– SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
– No TV Tuner w/remote control
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works 8.0
– HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

 

AMD all the way! But i'm somewhat biased. Have you tried looking for a comparison between the two? Magazine websites are usually a good place to check. Personally, AMD or not, I'd get the one with the better speed anyway. .6GHz x2 seems far too much to be made up for by better architecture. I have a X2 2.0Ghz in my desktop and a 1.8GHz Core 2 Duo in my laptop and they run pretty much the same in processor intensive tasks.

Grand Admiral

 

Thanks for the input. I have looked at popular tech sites (anandtech.com, tomsharware, etc) but nobody has any solid reviews on the T5250! I cant compare scores and such. I found a few benchmarks for te T-60, but not much on the T-62. Either way i cant compare the two directly, so I'm just looking for opinons now

ALSO note that in order to get bluetooth on teh Intel, i have to get a N capable network card, which is a nice bonus. And the Intel is $15 cheaper

 

The TL-62 is faster...but produces more heat...

 

AMD is defiantly the more faster/better processor, hands down.

 

Hey there! I have a dv6500z with an Turion TL-62 in it, and it is so fast, I got a great laptop and it was less expensive than the intel. the TL62 will crush an 5250 in any benchmark, and as for heat, its really not bad at all even under intese load like a game. I will say that the TV tuner you can get with it produces a ton of heat, but thats not got anthing to do with the processor.

 

So thats 3 FOR the AMD, eh? What happens if i bump it down to T-58 (1.9 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )

Everyone in this thread is saying the Intel is better:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sho...ight=HP+AMD+Turion+TL-58+vs.+Intel+Core+T5250

heat is not an issue (for me at least, i dont know about longevity of the processor). Why is heat an issue, beyond discomfot and overall life expectancy (a very big issue)

I really just want the processor that just works best. Honestly im getting tired of changing configs and such. The Wireless N and the really cool Intel Core 2 Duo and all its at a $15 discount may just make me jump on the Core 2 Duo.

Does anyone know of any overall chipset problems with either model? Is the intel set up more "integrated" with the centrino combo of processor and wireless? Are the drivers better either way? Any problems with either card?

Sorry for all the questions, i know im just being picky. But I got screwed last time I didnt take my time and tried to save cash ($500 deal on the acer isn't worth all the crap it put me through)

Thanks guys! I'll let u know what i choose and why for future reference

 

Based mainly on these reviews:

dv6500t with Core 2 Duo T7300
http://www.notebookreview.com/defau...8GHz,+1GB+RAM,+160GB+HDD,+Vista+Home+Premium)

dv6500z with Turion TL-60:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2547151

Cant get any better than that for me. Didn't even have to leave Notebook Review. Both have the same set up, even down the the Nvidia Geforce Go 8400 GS. The TL-60 is on par with the Core 2 Duo T7300.

Which means the TL-62 will destroy the T5250. Similar battery life. Similar day to day performace.

Gonna buy the dv6500z tomorrow. Thanks a bunch guys!

 

yep amd all the way

 

Wireless N wont really help except for additional range. Its faster, sure, but unless your doing network transfers your gonna need an obscenely fast internet connection to need N compared to 802.11g. Just an additional plus for AMD, if you really like to know whats going on in your system then AMD has a huge list of utilities and monitors. Intel has none. Good Luck with your decision

Grand Admiral

 

if you're still open to the intel i found this to be a pretty sweet deal .
Item # 238900 for 1k after discount at Costco. Ive had it about a week now and love it so far.