GE90

Hi,

Which is considered the better then? Is it all to do with the lower power draw of the Centreno M processor, therefore increased battery life...?

It seems that P4's are running 3.4 Ghz and higher, but the M's are about 2 Ghz.

Any advice much appreciated,

Cheers!

jpor

iTrader: (1)

This may help:

http://www.tomshardware.com/mobile/20050815/index.html

It's supposed to be the fastest laptop going and it runs a Pentium M processor.

Also check this out about the Pentium M:

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050525/index.html

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

try not to think of them as equal hzs, the P4 and the cen run on different outputs, like the AMD, the 3400 AMD is a top proc but it runs at something like 2.4 ghz, not measured the same way.

P4 is a better Processor in this case, depending on your use of the machine depends on which is better for you!

GE90

Thanks for the replies.

No gaming really, but worked reasonably hard with large applications.

Thanks!

Beefy

The best comparison is to look at benchmark figures to see where different types of processors are stronger. This at least provides a reasonably level playing field for comparison.

Ive got a 3.2ghz p4 desktop and a 1.6 ghz centrino and the desktop is alot faster. I use the desktop mainly for gaming and web design, and the laptop for office, email, browsing and so on (and the odd older game).

bioforger

iTrader: (1)

Correct, to a point. A p4 3.4ghz is slightly faster than the Amd 64 3400+, but not by much. Also an Amd 64 3400+ runs at 2.2ghz

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

for a laptop definately go for the M processor if your not gaming as the P4's are quite bad power wise. In fact the first P4s were worse and slower clock per clock than the P3's

BlkKnight

The M processor has roughly twice the cache than the standard P4. Thus enabling roughly the same processor power using fewer clock cycles.

Bottom line is the M is more efficient, uses less power > lasts longer.

Isnt't the M better at stepping down to even slower speeds when running on battery?

Beefy

Yes there is quite a sophisticated power management element to the M processors when running on the batteries. This helps significantly with improving battery life.

Iain Young

I've got a pentium M in my laptop, and it will quite happily run doom 3 / half life 2 etc at full res (1600x1200) and all the detail options turned up to the max.

When running lightwave on it (3d rendering / graphics), it is slightly slower than my desktop 3.0ghz machine, but it's not that noticeable a difference. having owned a P4 laptop before my current one, I would now always choose an M processor over a P4 for a laptop.