Athlon XP-M: 256Kb or 512Kb ?

[chilled]

For a budget laptop in UK:

Compaq Evo N1015v
AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (256Kb L2)
256MB 30GB DVD XP Pro

or replacement

HP Evo NX9005
AMD Athlon XP-M 2000+ (512Kb L2)
256MB 20GB DVD-CDRW XP Home

OS is irrelevant. CD-RW is not required. HD size of 20-30GB is ok. Graphics used are both Radeon IGP (not too important).

So which is better?
Thanks for any feedback 🙂

 

[chin311]

go w/ the HP...more L2 cache, and a CDRW would be nice even if you dont NEED it.

only con is that you lose 10gb HD space...

 

[luckysnafu]

Originally posted by: chilled
For a budget laptop in UK:

Compaq Evo N1015v
AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (256Kb L2)
256MB 30GB DVD XP Pro

or replacement

HP Evo NX9005
AMD Athlon XP-M 2000+ (512Kb L2)
256MB 20GB DVD-CDRW XP Home

OS is irrelevant. CD-RW is not required. HD size of 20-30GB is ok. Graphics used are both Radeon IGP (not too important).

So which is better?
Thanks for any feedback 🙂

umm...512kb L2 cache only comes in Barton CPU's, which only come in speeds of 2200+, 2400+ and 2500+ for the XP-M, there must be a mistake with the 2000+ at that site because the only 2000+ is a regular thouroughbred core, with only 256kb L2. I recently purchased a laptop through HP and ordered the 2400+, which was listed as 1.8GHz, which is a Barton. The 2500+ barton is 1.87GHz while the thouroughbreds are higher in GHz, such as the 2600+, at 2.0GHz. Call HP and ask them...it took me a long time to get through to somebody who could answer my ?'s. Dont call the shopping number either, they cant tell you squat, call a tech support who actually knows something.

someone correct me if i am wrong about the barton speeds, i researched them A LOT before i purchased though...

hope this helps...good luck

p.s. if you can find and verify that the CPU has 512kb L2, i would go with that one

 

[chin311]

yeah, i have 2400-m in my compaq lappie, its got 512k l2 and its a 1.8ghz too.

so i think your right about speeds 🙂

 

[CastorTr0y]

not to thread jack, but how do the athlon xp-m's compare to the pentium m's

 

[aldamon]

Some of us have ordered 2400+ and 2600+ versions of the Compaq 2100Z and both chips are Bartons. Here are the WCPUID shots from the chips:

Athlon XP-M 2400+ (Mine)

Athlon XP-M 2600+ (Someone else's)

Now, can somebody explain where AMD gets off calling the 1.8 GHz XP-M Barton a 2400+ and the 2.0 GHz XP-M Barton 2600+? The XP-M 2400+ is 200 MHz slower than the Tbred equivalent and the XP-M 2600+ is only 100 MHz slower than the Tbred equivalent! Seems like the 2400+ denomination is a bit fudged to me. Should be like 2300+.

 

[luckysnafu]

there are only THREE barton XP-M's available...

the 2200+, dont know the speed (guessing 1.667Ghz????) - can anybody verify this?
the 2400+ (1.80Ghz)
and the 2500+ (1.867Ghz)

IF there was a 2600+ Barton it would be approx. 1.933Ghz or thereabouts. it looks like for every 100+ PR rating increase the actual speed inceases at 67Hz or so...

I cant find anywhere online stating that there is a barton 2600+

read this article...XP-M models

It states that the Barton 2400 and 2500 run at 1.8 and 1.87, respectively and that the regular thouroughbred cores run up to 2.133Ghz, which is a 2600+ rating. So i dont know how cpuid says that it is a 2600 at 2Ghz, b/c the tbred runs at 2.133

i HATE how AMD has to produce so many diff. chips like this...its SO confusing, it took me numerous calls to HP/Compaq in order to get someone who could tell me the speed and cache of the chips, but funny thing is, they told me the 2400 ran at 1.8 and that the 2600 ran at 2Ghz, which would correspond to what cpuid says for the 2600 you have in your post above...

did AMD release a 2600 barton and not announce it...if so im gonna be pissed b/c i would have bought it knowing it had the larger cache...i thought the 2400 was the highest rating i could get with the extra cache...anybody know for SURE about the barton XP-M's????

 

[luckysnafu]

found more info...read this...

SUNNYVALE, CALIF.-JUNE 17, 2003-AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced three new mobile processors designed to bring notebook users the features and mobility they need for an outstanding computing experience whether at home, on a flight or in a client's conference room. All three processors feature 512KB L2 cache that helps increase performance and lets notebook users work more quickly and efficiently.

The low-voltage mobile AMD Athlon(tm) XP-M processors 2000+ and 1900+ bring balanced mobility and extended system battery life to thin-and-light notebooks while providing excellent performance for home and business users. Like all AMD mobile processors, AMD's low-voltage offerings are designed with an open architecture that allows computer manufacturers a wide choice in determining which solutions best meet the needs of business and home consumers. AMD mobile processors are compatible with industry-leading graphics and wireless solutions, including 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g.

The mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processor 2800+ enables best-in-class graphics and wireless connectivity for users who demand dynamic power management and performance in a full-size desktop replacement notebook.

"AMD works closely with computer manufacturers to understand what their customers look for in a notebook," said Rich Heye, vice president and general manager of AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit. "The addition of these three new mobile AMD processors helps ensure that manufacturers can deliver on-the-go productivity, crisp graphics and extended battery life to their customers."

Fujitsu PC Corporation announced it will be one of the first OEMs to power a system-its LifeBook S2000 notebook-with the new low-voltage AMD Athlon XP-M processor 1900+. "Equipped with the new low-voltage mobile AMD processor, the LifeBook S2000 notebook fills an important gap in the thin-and-light notebook market by eliminating the need for end-users to compromise functionality, performance and/or portability for price," said Sara Nelson, vice president of marketing for Fujitsu PC Corporation.

Time Computers in the UK will feature the mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processor 2800+ in its Time Traveller 'AR' series of notebooks beginning June 17, and additional computer manufacturers are expected to offer notebooks later in the year. Other computer manufacturers worldwide are currently featuring recently announced mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processors in notebook computers.

Availability

The low-voltage mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processors 2000+ and 1900+, designed for thin-and-light notebooks, and the mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processor 2800+, designed for desktop replacement notebooks, are available immediately worldwide.

Pricing

All pricing is in 1,000-unit quantities. The new low-voltage mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processors 2000+ and 1900+ are priced at $134 and $123, respectively. The mobile AMD Athlon XP-M processor 2800+ for desktop replacement notebooks is priced at $230. For pricing details please visit: http://www.amd.com/pricing.


so apparently there is a Barton 1900+ and 2000+ along with a 2800+...damn...i wish i could have gotten the 2800 barton...dont see any retailers offering it yet though...still no info on the 2600 though...

 

[aldamon]

luckysnafu, did you even bother to look at my WCPUID shots closely? There is no room for interpretation. They're both taken from Compaq 2100Zs delivered yesterday. The 2400+ and 2600+ XP-M are Bartons. I understand AMD's handling of the 2600+ has been confusing, but it is indeed a Barton. I know how you feel because I went through the same thought process before ordering a 2400+. The 2400+ was a $25 upgrade over the stock XP-M Tbred 2200+, and the 2600+ would have been another $25 on top of that. Would the 200 MHz upgrade have been worth it with no gaming card installed? Hmm. I don't know. How does an Athlon at 2 GHz affect heat output and battery life?

Like I said above, I think AMD is overrating its 2400+ XP-M while the 2600+ XP-M has a slightly conservative PR rating.

 

[luckysnafu]

sorry aldamon...the links dont work for me here at work...im not doubting that its a barton, i just wish AMD and compaq/hp would state what they are selling...i just received my 2100z yesterday as well...i have the 2400...and one dead pixel...now im considering returning it and upgrading to the 2600 now that i know that its a barton...dont know if its worth the hassel though, but for an extra $25 i think i would have upgraded to the 2600...oh well...life goes on i guess...