Computer parts comparison
 

Thinking about getting a new laptop. Few questions on which part will give the best performance / more recommended / best bang for the buck.

1) CPU
-------
3.6Ghz P4 560J Prescott 1MB Retail Box with Fan Socket 775 ($485)

vs.

3.4Ghz P4 64-Bit 630 Prescott 2MB Retail Box with Fan Socket 775 ($480)

vs.

Intel Centrino 2.0GHz Dothan 533MHz FSB1MB Cache ($470)

2) RAM
-------
1GB (2x512MB) PC3200 DDR400 ($180)

vs.

1GB (1X1GB) PC3200 DDR400 ($228)

or should I get 2Gb RAM?

2GB (2X1GB) PC3200 DDR400 ($409)

3) Video
--------
ATI X800 256MB PCI-Express Graphics Card for 9860 model ($380)

vs.

GeForce GO6800 256MB PCI-Express Graphics Card for 9860 model ($380)

------
warranty?

1 Year Onsite Warranty with around the clock support $59

2 Year "Bumper to Bumper" Warranty with Accidental LCD Breakage Protection and around the clock support $238

3 Year "Bumper to Bumper" Warranty with Accidental LCD Breakage Protection and around the clock support $309


thanks

Re: Computer parts comparison
 

1) The Centrino chipset includes built-in wireless lan & bluetooth and draw far less power (think battery life between charges). As it's designed from scratch for laptops, I'd go with this option unless ultimate performance (latest games etc) is important.

2)1x1GB leaves the option to upgrade to 2GB later, but at present there are only a tiny minority of users for whom 1GB isn't plenty. Prices will fall, so if you should need to go to 2GB later, you'll be able to upgrade for less than the current price difference.

3)These are similar enough to be considered interchangeable, flip a coin.

Warranty is personal preference really, those prices don't look outrageous. One consideration is: Are you really likely to still be using the same machine in 3 years?

Re: Computer parts comparison
 

I assume those video cards don't use shared RAM? if they DO, I would get 2GB of ram.

I've been living in an AMD world for about 5 years, are intel's on Dual channel RAM yet? If they are, 2x512 will net you slightly better performance then 1x1024

Re: Computer parts comparison
 

No one can give you an adequate answer without you specifying what you use your computer for. Maybe you just play poker. Maybe you do graphic design. Maybe you play the latest games. All have different requirements.

Re: Computer parts comparison
 

[ QUOTE ]
No one can give you an adequate answer without you specifying what you use your computer for. Maybe you just play poker. Maybe you do graphic design. Maybe you play the latest games. All have different requirements.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, my bad.. I forgot to do that.

I would like to run PT, GT, 4 tables, AIM, and mozilla at the same time with no lag. I would also like to play games such as online Halo 1 PC with very little to no lag. My current system is a 512mb, 2.4Ghz P4.