Pentium M twist

[howdydooit]

I know this is weird, but there's a method to the madness. My daughter's motherboard in her laptop needs to be replaced (HP ZE 5200, P4 desktop CPU).

The shop is offering a Pentium M upgrade (I had asked if there was a possible upgrade due to excessive continuous fan noise - presumably because of the heat).

I am assuming that if the M is possible, then it would be the older (Dothan?) version, and that a 1.6 GHz unit would be equal to or greater than a p4 2.4 desktop (circa 2002 or 2003). We haven't settled on the Pentium M model yet, so I need to get a better idea how that vintage M compares to the P4. I am assuming that P4 was 130 nm or greater & 400 MHz FSB.

If I can get equal to or greater performance with less noise, it's worth the nominal upgrade.

Any thoughts on this? (It's almost cheaper to get a new laptop, I know, but actually, below $700-$800 for a new one, it's not worth upgrading).

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: howdydooitAny thoughts on this? (It's almost cheaper to get a new laptop, I know, but actually, below $700-$800 for a new one, it's not worth upgrading).

You, good sir, need to venture over into the forum known as Hot Deals.

You can get one hell of a notebook for that $700-800.

- M4H

 

[howdydooit]

Thanks for pointing that out. That's pretty cool, and I need to check into it, but I guess I really wasn't too clear. The notebook repair/upgrade is costing nowhere near the $700-$800 I mentioned. That, I assumed would be the baseline cost for a new notebook. Anything less and the benefit of having a new one isn't compelling enough for what you get (based on her requirements).

Basically, this is her 2nd notbook (first one was given the gift of a bowl of soup). Now she's pretty much on her own $$$-wise (daddy's not buying any more laptops, but my tech support is free!), so budget is a bigger consideration.

So - what I am wrestling with is how to place a value on that Pentium M from a performance standpoint vs a power (read "noise) standpoint. Am I dingnig performance for peace and quiet? Or can I get equal or better performance, peace and quiet, and all for the nominal upgrade cost?

 

[Ionizer86]

Yea, the P-M 1.6 banias (that's the older one you refer to? Dothan is the newer one) comes close to a P4 2.4 when performing most tasks. Compared to a P4 though, it would run tons cooler and battery life would be a lot longer.