Best bang for the buck dothan chip?

[axemanxt40]

Alright I am buying my laptop from powernotebooks.com, looking at the M5:6 model. However I am unsure of which one I should get for bang for the buck performance!

I am looking at the 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 dothans and would appreciate your feedback on which is the best buy.



1.6 $ 1974
1.7 $ 2019
1.8 $ 2163

All those machines are equipped identically except for the processor, so what do you guys think?

 

[paranoidandroid]

I would wait until a more mainstream manufacturer comes out with a laptop with a dothan in it. you'll probably get it for cheaper than those prices.

 

[manko]

Reviews for Dothan performance should start to appear next week after the official announcement on Monday.

Generally, the top of the line chip is not the best bang for the buck. In Dothan's case 2.0Ghz is the top of the line, but the step up from 1.7GHz to 1.8GHz is going to cost you $144, which may not be worth the fractional increase in performance. 1.7GHz may be the one to look at unless you want maximum performance at any cost.

1.6 $ 1974

+ $45 for +0.1GHz

1.7 $ 2019

+ $144 for +0.1Ghz (you're paying 3 times as much for the same incremental performance increase)

1.8 $ 2163

 

[axemanxt40]

I sincerly doubt it as this machine would be cheaper from a mainstream manufacturer...as it is really fully loaded!

Pentium M 1.7 Dothan
1024 RAM
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
ATI 9700 Mobility
60 GB 7200 RPM HDD
15" SXGA+ screen
Intel 2200 Pro B/G wireless card
Windows XP
Free carrying case

$2019 from powernotebooks.com

Pentium M 1.7 Banias
1024 RAM
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
ATI 9600 Pro Turbo
60 GB 7200 RPM HDD
15.4" WSXGA+ screen
Intel 2200 Pro B/G wireless card
Windows XP
Cheapest carrying case

$2282 from Dell...so its an older chip...slower graphics card for $ 260 more? I can't imagine getting a much better price on this laptop except from ibuypower who I refuse to deal with as I had a negative experience with them in the past.

 

[thuned]

Originally posted by: axemanxt40
I sincerly doubt it as this machine would be cheaper from a mainstream manufacturer...as it is really fully loaded!

Pentium M 1.7 Dothan
1024 RAM
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
ATI 9700 Mobility
60 GB 7200 RPM HDD
15" SXGA+ screen
Intel 2200 Pro B/G wireless card
Windows XP
Free carrying case

$2019 from powernotebooks.com

Pentium M 1.7 Banias
1024 RAM
DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo
ATI 9600 Pro Turbo
60 GB 7200 RPM HDD
15.4" WSXGA+ screen
Intel 2200 Pro B/G wireless card
Windows XP
Cheapest carrying case

$2282 from Dell...so its an older chip...slower graphics card for $ 260 more? I can't imagine getting a much better price on this laptop except from ibuypower who I refuse to deal with as I had a negative experience with them in the past.

sc

Because, as said before, 1.7 banias is the current top of the line at Dell. Wait till Dothans come out officially and the overall prices should lower.
Plus, at the same frequency, 1.7 dothan may be only barely faster than 1.7 banias. Who knows.

 

[Frightcrawler]

Only time will tell.

 

[axemanxt40]

Dothan benchmarks should be up tomorrow right?

 

[manko]

Originally posted by: axemanxt40
Dothan benchmarks should be up tomorrow right?

Hopefully, yes.

Will AnandTech have a Dothan review on Monday?

Originally posted by: Anand Lal Shimpi
Here's the situation: I have CPUs, and a notebook that will run them. Unfortunately they are engineering samples and thus have no default clock multiplier other than 6x, so they all run at 600MHz right now. I'm trying to find a good way to hack speedstep to force some multipliers, but so far no luck.

I've spent a little time with the architecture of Dothan and it is quite interesting. We will definitely have Dothan notebook reviews in the coming weeks, but unless I can get these chips to run at their real clock speeds there won't be anything up for Monday

Take care,
Anand

 

[Pandaren]

Expect 10-12% per clock improvement in SPECint2k and SPECfp2k. Dothan's no slouch - I suspect that the 2.0 GHz Dothan will match the 3.2E Prescott in SPECint2k.

Plus, at the same frequency, 1.7 dothan may be only barely faster than 1.7 banias. Who knows

I would say that the 1.70 GHz Dothan will be the best bang for the buck. It's been my experience that third highest from the top is usually a good bet.