Core 2 Duo

Just seen that Ibuypower has the core 2 duo listed as an option now. Wish i had waited three more weeks.

 

You can always upgrade later. When the Core Duo is really feeling a bit slow, then upgrade to a Core 2 Duo.

 

I wouldn't feel too badly about it. The Core Duo is a very capable processor as well and won't let you down.

 

What exactly are the advantages of the core 2 duo? I keep hearing stuff about merom but I don't really know anything about it.

 

64 bit, it's also a bit faster but takes a bit more power. 4MB cache on the higher models vs 2mb cache on core duo and the lower c2ds.

 

It actually uses the same power, zanzan, if not less. It's basically better in every way than the Core Duo, with no drawbacks introduced. That being said, the Core Duo is still a great processor, and still worth having. It's not necessarily (and probably not) worth wasting the money taking out your current Core Duo and paying for a Core 2 Duo for the relatively minimal performance gain, unless you REALLY need 64bit processing for some reason.

 

Yes, I agree with Pitabred on this. If you already have a Core Duo, I don't recommend spending the few hundreds of dollars + installation fee (to keep your warranty intact) and shipping/handling to get a little better performance.

I don't think 64-bit applications will make getting the upgrade necessary for most of the life of your new Core Duo system. I don't think most users will make the switch for years to come.

 

For emphasis I agree with both Pitabred and chrisyano. Frankly, you could never tell the difference in daily use.

 

And is it recommended when buying a new laptop now?

 

Let's put it this way: we won't recommend AGAINST a Core Duo. Still a good processor. Is a 2005 Corvette recommended against when a 2006 is out?

 

Basically C2 is better than CD clock for clock so erm, if you can get it, get it.

 

depends how you use your system. my guess is you are "normal" user... using browser, email, word processor, and such. if so there there is no "need" to upgrade, but if you use apps like autocad, 3d studio max, cubase, photoshop (with huge photos), and any other application which uses a lot of cpu power, well, then you can seriously consider it...

 

Here is a nice comparison review from a well known source:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2808&p=1

As someone who has tested both chips at Intel, I've got this to say:

Real world performance isn't going to change noticebly. The new instruction sets aren't included in anything but a small handful of special compilers built by intel, so atleast at this point basically nobody is able to utilize the changes. Wait for the new front side bus (800mhz) if you really want a "noticable real world boost". At this point, 64bit compilers are fairly generic because of all the various platforms they must support (EM64T, AMD64, EPIC(ITANIUM))

On the other hand, There is no telling what the next version of DOOM or FEAR may have special versions for. :]

 

Dose anyone have any experience with the new Merom Core 2 Duo and the
MS-1057/S262

Can you upgrade the BIOS without a possessor installed or do you need to first install a standard Core Duo, upgrade and then swap? How can you find out the BIOS version if no processor has been installed?

/Jens

 

eh, I have a Hel80 with a Core Duo T2500 and it does its job. I'll get a C2D when a new platform comes out.