AMD vs Intel, dual vs. single vid card

[Winter Wolf]

Given that I'm never going to make much of my current software with my stoneage laptop, I'm going to see about conning, er, acquiring a new one. The two questions in my mind though, are
1: It's going to be a dual processor, but should I go AMD Turion or Intel Core 2? I've heard good things about AMD, but no personal experience.

2: Dual Nvidia Geforce 7900 @ 512 MB each in SLI, or a single 512 MB Nvidia Geforce 7950? The single card is a bit cheaper, but the lure of 1024 MB of power for GPU is strong. The main thing is I don't see that the 7950 is that much better than the 7900. ATI not an option at this point.

I will be using the laptop for both gaming and graphics programs, though mainly graphics progs. I am dead set on getting a laptop, I have my reasons.

[SpiritWarrior]

I have heard that Intel finally matches up to AMD with their latest line. I would go AMD still though personally...

If you can SLI do it. The power is amazing. You could go 256mb each couldn't you? Not like games currently use the 1024 Vram yet.

[Winter Wolf]

That's what I love about this board, someone always gets back to ya quickly. I have no intention of tempting fate with 256 mb cards. I'm a kind of "use it 'til it dies" guy with computers, and generally into overkill. I figure if I spring for the 512's I can stave off another upgrade for a few extra years. But mainly it's just because the idea of 1 GIG of vram thrills me in ways that aren't right nor natural. ...plus, the dual 512's come with a 19" screen attached...

So, kind of leaning toward AMD with 2x512 in SLI. Still looking for opinions though!

[Bozos of Bones]

ATI's in bed with AMD. Meaning, expect some serious power from those two now
I've always liked those two more than Intel and nVidia. Now I like them a bit more. Maybe this will finally quicken those Intel/nVidia merger negotiations that have been going on for years.
As for the Single vs Dual, Dual wins. Especially Crossfire, a way simpler method with bigger returns.

[Hivetyrant]

I was an AMD man ever since the day I got my first CPU from them, but I recently went with the x6800 Conroe and am very happy, as for core duo 2 in laptops though, I still hear there are some bugs to sort out, so be carefull.

On the other hand, there is a reason the AMD laptop processrs aren't well known, because well, they just don't match up im afraid. When it comes to dekstops, Intel and AMD are neck and neck, but from what I see/hear/read, AMD are a bit behind on the laptop front.


And for dual and single cards, I recently bought the second x1950xtx for my PC and have managed to double the 3D mark score of my AMD x4800/x1900xtx PC and i'm loving it.

BUT, its a whole different kettle of fish when it comes to laptos, heat is a major issue and dual video cards are not going to be kind to your lap.

Are you buying a laptop or a "Mobile workstation" as most companies call it?

Do you have links?

[Albromor]

Okay, here is my ignorance: Is there even enough room in a laptop to run dual cards?

[Winter Wolf]

I do have a link! Specifically looking at a custom 5950 or 5760. After a more careful reading, turns out it's really unclear if the AMD is single or dual core, but I think dual vid cards will offset that quite a bit for my purposes.

http://www.sagernotebook.com/pages/gaming_specials.html

If you poke around at all, you'll notice the dual card config sports a 19" widescreen, and is an AMD cpu. Single card config is 17" and has an Intel dual core cpu.

It will be my primary workhorse, whichever it is. I admit to some heat concerns forcing the comp to reboot, but I have no intention of resting this monster on my lap. In any case I think I can manage some scrap metal and a fan to make a heatsink to rest it on.

It might come down to how badly I get screwed on VAT and shipping compared to how much I can get away with spending. If Sager ever comes up with some concrete numbers.

[Hivetyrant]

Not sure about the turion processor in the 5950, from what I can tell the Turion ML 40 is still single core, and it's the Turion X2's or "Taylor" core CPU's that are.

That however is not always a bad thing, as single core CPU's have some advantages (Though not many these days) Btu if you are doing multimedia and graphical work, it would probably be essential.

[Callum]

AMD laptops just aren't up there. And AMD isn't quite up there with desktop processors right at the moment. They'll be back, I'm sure.

I'm assuming that you weren't holding any hopes of being able to lift this laptop by yourself? Or use it on the go?

It'll weigh a ton, and have a battery life of about 5 minutes. And probaly deep fry your thighs if you have it on your lap.

It sounds AWESOME

Though I'd go for Intel, with dual 7900 GTXs

Or you could go for the Quad SLi notebook that's available from somewhere.

[Thoran]

Core 2 is the only choice for performance... it really is a whole lot faster than anything else out there at the moment. It's going to take AMD at least a year to get back in the game.