Pentium M vs. Pentium 4/4-M

[imported_Chen]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of choosing and buying a new laptop, and one of the most important questions I have at this point is which processor is better - Intel's Pentium M 1.7GHz or its Pentium 4/4-M?

One machine I am considering has a Pentium 4 with HyperThreading at 3.2GHz, 512KB L2 cache and 533MHz bus.
The other laptop comes bearing a Pentium M Centrino 1.6GHz with 1MB L2 cache and 400MHz bus.
And finally there is the one featuring a Pentium 4-M at 3.06GHz with the same specs as the Pentium 4 (I think?).

All laptops will eventually include 1GB (2x512MB) of RAM. I am wondering about the differences between the different processors, but most of all I would like to know which one will perform best on a laptop. I know that the Pentium M will provide me with longer battery life, but can it really compete against the Pentium 4 3.2GHz? The laptop will mostly be used in office (read: my room) so to be honest, I don't care that much about the battery. As for the Mobile Pentium 4 (4-M), I can't for the life of me understand the difference between it and the "regular" Pentium 4.

I would appreciate a fast response very much, as the auction for the 3.2GHz notebook is ending in about 6 hours and I am very interested in it.

Many many thanks,
Chen

 

[Shimmishim]

do you plan on gaming with the laptop?

i'd go with the pentium M with centrino technology...

good stuff... good battery life...

i have a 1.4 centrino and its been awesome!



the 1.6 centrino is equivalent to approximately a 2.4 ghz p4 so... yeah

 

[imported_Chen]

Thank you Shimmishim.

Yes I do intend on playing new games on the laptop, ala Unreal Tournament 2004 and Hitman 3 which are currently non-playable on my P4 1.6GHz.

So you say a PM 1.6GHz is equivalent to a P4 2.4GHz, making the P4 3.2GHz a lot faster? Would anyone agree or disagree with this opinion?

Thanks,
Chen

 

[illusionz3]

That would be about right. I have a Pentium-M 1.6 and I love it too. I have a Radeon 9000 Mobility 64MB video card on the motherboard so I can play some games. I've played UT2003 at good speed before and play a lot of enemy territory now. However, it's not a gaming rig so don't expect high FPS, they're more in the "playable" range. I've heard good things of the 9600/9700 mobility cards for notebooks but I am pretty sure the Pentium-M 1.6 would get owned by a P4-M 3.2/3.06 with whatever video card is there. Keep in mind that the P4/P4-M notebooks are usually double the weight and much larger than their Pentium-M counterparts. I also take my lappy around everywhere with me so I like that it's small.

 

[imported_Chen]

Thanks illusionz3.

Like I said, the laptop would be stationary most of the time so weight isn't that important of a factor. Besides, I'm getting either 15.4" or 17" WXGA display (widescreen) so portability is one thing I don't care that much for. I'm going for performance first and foremost. My father has a P4 2.6GHz and it's not that great either, to be honest, at least it can't keep up with what I'm trying to do to it...

Thanks,
Chen

 

[illusionz3]

Definitly go with the P-4/P-4M then. Good luck!

 

[Vette73]

I would get the Pentium M (NON-4)


Also have you looked at the eMachines Athlon64 laptop? Goes for $1500 (or less with sales every week) and you get the best of both the P4 and Pentium M with some extra