mobile or XP??????

[pinecone]

I'm building a budget system (Biostar M7NCG 400) for basic MS Office, web surfing, ets. No gaming and really no reason to OC . Probably a 2400+ would be more than enough.

Which processor would be best bang for buck? Only reason I can see getting a Mobile XP would be for less heat issues and possibly running quiter cpu fan or slower fan. If I ever did want to OC, it's possible. Any diadvantage to going with mobile for $10 more?

If I get an XP should I go with Tbred or Thorton?

 

[jpeyton]

XP Mobiles are also multiplier unlocked, which gives you a lot of freedom to choose what overclock/underclock works for you. They also dissipate less heat at stock voltage/frequency. No disadvantages whatsoever.

If you get an XP, it's a wash. TBreds and Thortons have the same amount of L2 Cache; and I can't say for sure if one overclocks better than the other. I have a TBred 1800+ that does 2.2GHz; many people have the infamous 1700+ that do 2.3-2.4GHz; my friend has a Thorton 2000+ that does 2.1GHz at stock voltage.

 

[Avalon]

You could go for the 45w 2400+ mobile, which is around $70 I think. What was the other CPU you were looking at? I know the mobile could serve you well, since you could probably run it at a fair performance with low voltage, and it would run fairly cool, so you wouldn't need fancy cooling.

 

[BlackMamba]

Mobiles are quite good. Mine does 2.4+ with 3000 RPM 80mm cooling, but it does 2.3 easily with a quiet Panalfo L1A. Very good overall for the cost.

 

[o1die]

That biostar may not have multiplier adjustments in the bios, so don't get the mobile. If you want to check for sure, download the manual for the M7NCG off Biostar's website. I recommend the regular barton 2500 (about $80 retail boxed with 3 year warranty).

 

[StarTech]

Originally posted by: o1die
That biostar may not have multiplier adjustments in the bios, so don't get the mobile. If you want to check for sure, download the manual for the M7NCG off Biostar's website. I recommend the regular barton 2500 (about $80 retail boxed with 3 year warranty).

Not totally true. It depends on the level of the Biostar M7NCG 400.

I have just built a system with the Biostar M7NCG 400 with a 35W Mobile from XcaliberPC in an Aria case. I went with the more expensive 35W CPU because this is to be my silent system. I still need to replace the CPU fan with a low RPMs one.

The Biostar M7NCG 400 version 7.2 has multiplier and voltage adjustment. The standard Bios as shipped can go up to 12.5x. The voltage starts at 1.3V, which allows me to run the CPU a little undervolted.

By the way the board with the bios level I have does not identify the processor, so you have to go and set voltage and multiplier as desired.

Note that there is a level of the Biostar M7NCG 400, I believe 7.1 that lacks the multiplier/voltage adjustements. I ordered mine from Directron last week and got a 7.2.