A100 ST9 vs SK9

I got an ST9 recently; it's quite fast (Core 2 Duo 1.83 ghz, 2gig ram, 160gb HD).

I noticed that the 128MB nVidia GeForce Go 7600 card included is the 'cheap' one, however, with only a 64bit memory interface. This really cuts the card down, since I got about 1300 in 3d mark 06 and 2003 in 3d mark 05. I feel a little ripped off, given that I called Toshiba's product information AND tech support, and both told me that it was 128 bit bus (I've confirmed that it isn't). This 7600 card is about on par with the (typically inferior) X1400 and GeForce 7400, and about 30% slower in synthetic benchmarks than the 'normal' 128 bit 7600 go card.

You can get an SK9 for the same price, which only has a Core Duo (2ghz, though - likely faster), 120GB HD and 1 gig of ram (so you lose on the disc, the ram, and the core 2 duo). But you get the 'real' 7600 card, with 256 MB memory.

I don't game a lot, but I would like to play some games. Given the price of both units are $1700 Canadian (retail, though you can get them for $100-200 less), do you think the TA9 or the SK9 is a better deal, and why? With the SK9, you lose on some components, but HD and ram are upgradeable, graphics are not. And how important do you think there Core 2 processor is? I know there's not much speed difference - I'm considering only the fact that it offers 64bit over 32bit (and might be good for the future: is there a point where I might find myself needing 64bit?).

I can still return this...let me know what you guys think!

 

If gaming is your bag I'd be tempted to get the SK9. As you say, the Core Duo 2GHz will be on a similar par with the Core 2 Duo 1.83 and unless you're planning on 64-bit Vista, I can't see it being too much of a downside.

Losing the extra Gb of ram and extra 40GB of hard drive space would be regrettable, but these are upgradeable and the GPU is not! I'd imagine the SK9 would be a better choice for Vista too.

 

Hmmm i agree with jess, although im bit digusted with toshiba for giving you the 64bit bus card, did they say it was going to be a 128bit or what ??

 

I'm not even sure that the reps knew what I was talking about (also, I think one of them thought I was crazy, and didn't really understand the significance of the difference)...lol

It doesn't help that nVidia doesn't put the 64bit version on their website; consumers have no information on this card's existence other than a few discussion websites/forums. One of the reps checked the website (which I had done beforehand) and assured me of 128bit; so here we have a case of the information being so poor, not even company employees know.

It bothers me, because I don't understand how they can do it. I know some companies will clock the cards at different speeds, for cooling issues. However, cutting the memory bus in half, in my opinion, causes such a loss in performance that it is product misrepresentation to call the card a 'GeForce Go 7600', without any clarification on this issue (i.e. it should be called GeForce Go 7600 Express, or something). Clock speed is one thing, but cutting the bus down changes the performance and product specs entirely (and you can't 'overclock' a reduced bus, either!). To this end, anyone looking into a 128MB 7600 should be wary, because they may have the 64bit version.

It might not be a huge deal to some; it's simply that for the money I paid ($1600) I don't think they needed to skimp this bad - I do feel like I'm paying enough to get the real deal. It's a sly attempt to use this asymmetric information to their advantage, save some cash per unit, and force people like me (who really care about it) into the SK9, getting slightly older components (price discrimination). Am I being too fussy, or do you think it's as annoying as I do?!

The merom vs yonah thing is concerning me, because while I know Vista can be 32 bit, it's anyone's guess as to how long it will take before 64bit becomes an important computing experience...I.e., will I be kicking myself 1-2 years from now, for not having it? Core 2 isn't much fastern now, but will it be later, once 64 bit gets going?

I think (for me) I might be better to hold out for a better compromise, or change brands entirely - despite my interest in Toshiba. When you're a broke student about to attend grad school...you really try to squeeze every dollar you can.

 

hahaha i know how you feel ! im a student here 2 ! cash is one thing ! but doing you in is another....128bit to 64bit is a huge difference, i know cuz i have had both in my desktop pc...We friends used to LAN alot...so a nice gaming pc was critical !! now being in Univercity, playing games is the least of my interest and thats prob why i got the laptop, for mobilty !!

anyway, hope you resolve your problem !!