T60's different processors

Hello, everyone.

I've been trying to decide if I should stay with a "cheaper" T60 with the T2500 2 GHz or pay the extra to get the T2600 2.16 GHz or the T2700 2.33 GHZ.

Could you please help me here?

I'm planning to use pretty intensive sofwares, such as Matlab, Photoshop, and Premiere which took me to the T-Series. However, I wonder if the performance difference among these 3 processors would be really that significant...

One last question: is the T60's 2GHz processor really much superior (in performance) than the T43's 2GHz processor? I mean, does the "core duo" really mean a lot?

Thanks a lot!

Daniel

 

This was a debatable issue when the Duo core first came out. Truth be told you will only notice the differences at max levels. Comparison programs like Super Pi will show a 20-30% improvement. But do consider that a computers performance depends on several factors including the ram, chipset, FSB, clock speeds... For your applications you would be better of going with a higher end processor. Consider that the release prices for the new line of core 2 duo processors are the same price as the old core duo. The first upgrade boasted a 23% increase and these an additional 10% increase. The name means nothing, but you will need more robust power. Developing applications will make use of newer technologies as they are released. You may find older processors may not work, or not work as effectivly, with new software.
As for the difference between core 2 duo and core duo? For the most part you can find new core 2 duo's priced at what the previos core duo's were. If you intend on buying used or not from the manufacturer then shave a couple bucks and go with core duo.

 

Thanks, Icelox18.

But let me see if I got the correct idea from your points:

1) In your opinion, a 2.16 GHz processor would really make a significant difference from a 2.0 GHz for my uses.
2) In your opinion, the performance increase from the old T43 2GHz processor to the new T60's 2GHz processor is not going to be very perceptible for my uses.

Is that right?

 

my .02

1.) A 2.16 GHz Core Duo will not make a big difference over a 2.0 GHz, or even a 1.66 GHz Core Duo in real-world applications--if you are crunching numbers 24 hours a day then yes, it will make a difference.

2.) The difference betwen a 2.0 pentium M and a 2.0 CD are significant. THe CD is much stronger processor, in general as well as for multi-tasking and multithreaded apps.

Save your money and get more RAM, and a faster hard drive/video card instead. You'll notice more of a performance jump.

 

Thanks vespoli.

So, I guess or I completely misunderstood Icelox18's points or you guys totally disagree.

That was interesting...

 

Not a big difference in my opinion. I would agree the faster hard drive will make it feel and perform faster.

 

Hi Vespoli

How did you make the deal of your T60?

IBM Thinkpad T60:
||2.0 GHz Core Duo||1.5GB 667 DDR2||ATi x1300||
||80GB||Intel 3045 a/b/g||14.1 SXGA+||
||Modular DVD+-DL||Bluetooth 2.0||
||XP Pro||

$1320 shipped ?????

 

Most likely EPP.

 

I would get the t2500 2ghz from the 3 of them. I don't think you would notice much (if any) of a difference among the 3. Even if it were a free upgrade, I would still have to think about upgrading the processor...extra battery usage and extra heat generated. It's up to the person, but I don't think it's as big of a deal as it may seem.

 

If I were you, I'd wait a week or so and get a T7200 Core 2 Duo (2.0 ghz) for the same price as the T2500 and have a faster & more future proof laptop than the options your considering. Lenovo's rolling them out at the end of the month!

 

Huhmmmm.....
That sounds interesting, BryanTheCrow. Do you want to make me even more undecided?

What do all of you experts think about that?

Thanks for all the replies.

 

The T60's now shipping with the Core 2 Duo!

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/notebooks/thinkpad/t-series/index.html