Laptop Quad-Cores v. Desktop Quad-Cores and a Bit More

[B-29 Bomber]

Is a Laptop Quad-Core of 2.0 GHz equal to a Desktop Quad-Core of 2.0 GHz?

Also here's My Desktop's Specs:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Quad Core(2.4 GHz)
RAM: 6GB
Hard Drive: 640GB
Price: $860
Here's the Laptop I'm thinking of getting(you can find it here:

Processor: AMD Phenom II Quad-Core(2.0 GHz)
Graphics Card: Dedicated Card
RAM: 4GB
Hard Drive: 500GB
Price: $608.99*

This is not most likely the one I'll be getting but I'll be getting one like it.

Also I'll be upgrading the RAM to 8GB.
Price: $70-90*

Also I have an External Hard Drive of an additional 500GB.
Price: Free(Christmas Present)

Total Price: $678.99-698.99*

Is this a bad idea to replace my Desktop with this laptop? Although I'll be keeping my desktop by the way.

*Prices based on Newegg.

 

[ecuwins]

Those two CPUs are pretty close. The Intel is slightly better. What are you wanting to do with the laptop?

 

[B-29 Bomber]

Those two CPUs are pretty close. The Intel is slightly better. What are you wanting to do with the laptop?

Mainly for college(going for Comp Game Design) and a bit of light gaming on the side when I'm bored.

 

[ecuwins]

The laptop will be fine. Since it's for school you are definitely going to want a laptop of some kind.

 

[B-29 Bomber]

The laptop will be fine. Since it's for school you are definitely going to want a laptop of some kind.

What if I do Upgrade the RAM to 8GB?

Also I really like your Sig.

 

[ecuwins]

What if I do Upgrade the RAM to 8GB?

Also I really like your Sig.

More RAM won't do anything unless you're using an application that uses the extra RAM. For 99% of users, that is a no. For example, unless you plan on manipulating files no bigger than 3GB via transcoding, photoshop, or whatever application - 8GB will make no difference over 4GB(assuming Windows). If you really want a bad azz laptop, put a Solid State Drive in it.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Get ready to have no battery life if you go with a quad-core.

If you really need all 4 cores, stick with desktop processors, they're faster at the same speeds and you don't have to worry about their power draw as much.

If you just want to have a laptop, a good dual-core will do plenty fine. I have found that if you want a lot of computing power and mobility, the best option is often to go with a powerful desktop and a cheaper, slower laptop. Unless your needs specifically dictate a fast laptop, or only a laptop, the combo will suit you fine.

 

[civ_king]

For gaming usually GPU>CPU

 

[Quintillus]

Your desktop's processor is a couple generations old, whereas the laptop's is current-generation (first half 2010 debut), which more or less eliminates the advantage Intel has had for same-generation processors for about years now. Being a laptop AMD quad-core it does lose a small percentage compared to an AMD desktop, but approximately it will be 5/6th the speed of your desktop's processor (2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz, approximately the same speed per megahertz). But Genocidicbunny is right that the quad core will do no favors to your battery life. The laptop is a 16-inch one with a 55 WHr battery, so I'm guessing battery life isn't your top priority, but nice battery life is nice occasionally at college.

I agree with ecuwins that 8 GB of RAM probably will be money thrown away, unless you do the tasks he mentioned. I'm a computer science student, albeit not specializing in game design, and have yet to encounter anything requiring that much memory, either in coursework, everyday work, or gaming, including enterprise application development during an internship. If you aren't using all 6 GB in your desktop (leave Task Manager up in the background all day and see what the peak memory usage is at the end - my guess is it will be less than 4 GB), save yourself the money and upgrade later if necessary.

Gaming-wise the GPU isn't great, but it'll suffice for light gaming - Civ4 should run just fine, for example. But don't expect on playing Crysis or all the future games on it - leave that for your desktop.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

The Phenom 2, even if it is technically a newer processor than the C2Q that he has, does not best it clock-for-clock. Phenom 2 is still just the K10 architecture, and there's only so much you can get out of that. It is also horribly power inefficient compared to the i3/5/7 intel range.

For GPU, that one is absolutely horrid for any kind of gaming. I have doubts you would get full settings out of civ 4, seeing as how the HD 4250M is essentially a gimped version of the HD 2400 desktop GPU. It's also only got 128mb dedicated VRAM, with the rest being shared with system RAM (that's my guess at least)

Also, I would like to point out that you are getting a recertified laptop. That means that while it runs, it will not necessarily be at peak condition. The battery will likely not behave as new, and you will have only 30 days warranty on it. Essentially, if anything breaks after a month, you will have to replace it on your own or get costly out-of-warranty repairs from HP, who are not known to be fun dealing with in the first place.

This is a purchase you need to think long and hard about, especially seeing as how you're a college student (or will be soon enough). Blowing 650$ on a laptop that may break soon and has no warranty is not a smart investment, especially if your desktop is already satisfactory in performance.

 

[civ_king]

This is better
i3 370M @2.40GHz
Mobility Radeon HD 5650, massively better
4GB RAM
500GB HDD (@5400)
$699.99

most importantly a one year warranty

 

[B-29 Bomber]

Yeah well I was thinking of upgrading the battery, too. Also bare in mind that this is not the laptop that I'm going to buy. It most likely will not be available this summer when I buy one. This laptop will be like the one I will buy, however. Also about the battery life: When I'm not at college most likely I will have it at home plugged in anyway, unless I need it elsewhere(which could happen on occasion).