RB W wrote: > On Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 10:04 PM, James G. Sack (jim) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: >> Gus Wirth wrote: >> > RB W wrote: >> >> I'm looking for some insight and/or advice in choosing between a >> >> couple laptop systems. These are just the key factors for figuring out >> >> Linux compatibility and with respect to using virtualization such as >> >> Xen, KVM, etc.. >> >> >> >>> From what I have been able to track down the Intel system should >> >> "outperform" the AMD system by a little bit. Both systems feature >> >> hardware virtualization of their type. Both systems can be expanded to >> >> 4GB of RAM. I looked for faster 7200RPM HD for both (size is different >> >> but speed is more important I think for the intended purposes). >> >> >> >> There is a L2 cache difference and from what I understand that is a >> >> large reason for the difference between the Intel and AMD in >> >> performance. Here are the comparison systems: >> >> >> >> 1.) >> >> Intel Core 2 Duo T7250 2.00GHz 2M L2 Cache, 800Mhz Dual Core >> >> 2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 1 DIMM (4GB Max) >> >> 120GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM >> >> Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (965GM) >> >> >> >> 2.) >> >> AMD Turion 64 X2 TL- 60 2.00GHz 1M L2 Cache (2x512) >> >> 2.0GB, DDR2-667 SDRAM, 1 DIMM (4GB Max) >> >> 80GB Hard Drive, 9.5MM, 7200RPM >> >> ATI Radeon X1270 >> >> >> >> >> >> If I want to go cheap and trim @$200 from this setup I could do the >> >> following. Would this be a huge step down from the above two systems? >> >> This CPU still has the Pacifica virtualization but slower HD and less >> >> Max RAM. >> >> >> >> 3.) >> >> AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 1.9GHz 1M L2 Cache (2x512) >> >> 2GB DDR2 (Not expandable) >> >> 160GB 5400RPM >> >> ATI Radeon X1270 >> >> >> >> I did read about some delays in Linux drivers for the ATI video but >> >> things will work under Linux with the proprietary fglrx driver. The >> >> Intel X3100 video chip is a part of the 965GM apparently so it should >> >> work if the rest of the Intel parts are included and it appears so. >> > >> > Performance is going to be an issue if you intend to do much with >> > virtualization. Don't skimp on the hard drive, so that leaves out option >> > 3. Depending on what virtual machines you will be running, the ability >> > to expand RAM to 4GB will be a plus. I run a single virtual machine at a >> > time with 1GB RAM in my host system and it performs adequately by giving >> > the M$ Windows virtual machine 512MB RAM. Linux virtual machines do fine >> > on 256MB RAM. >> > >> > The video can also be a performance killer. The Intel solution uses >> > shared memory, which means memory access has to be divided up between >> > the graphics and the CPU which leads to contention. You don't specify if >> > the AMD solution with the Radeon X1270 has dedicated memory or not. If >> > you have dedicated memory for the video, you are going to get better >> > performance because you won't have memory contention. >> > >> > If you need maximum Linux compatibility now and want only open source >> > software, I'd go with the Intel solution. If you don't mind using one of >> > the latest Linux distributions and the proprietary ATI driver, the AMD >> > solution sounds good. AMD, who now owns ATI, has released the specs for >> > their chips and full open source drivers should be available in a few >> > months. See >> > <http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=r500_glxgears&num=1> >> > for good news about this. >> > >> > There are other things in the laptop that might give you problems. >> > Wireless is one of the big ones. There have also been problems with ACPI >> > and getting the laptop to hibernate, if you want that capability. >> > >> > The only real way to tell which machine would be best for you would be >> > to try them out in real life. Any way you can rent one for a week or two >> > to try it out? Barring that, have you found any reviews where Linux is >> > specifically mentioned as having been installed and tested? >> > >> >> Further complicating the options: good deals on third-party laptop hard >> drives and memory may make it worth lo-balling the purchase >> configuration and replacing the shipped HD and RAM afterwards. >> >> Regards, >> ..jim >> > > This is exactly my strategy with the 1 piece of 2GB RAM so I only have > to buy one (at @$50) other 2GB RAM module to Max RAM. > > The link to the Refurbished Laptop sites actually have situations > where for less money you can get more Laptop with the understanding > that you are going to immediately drop $80-$100 when you replace the > 1GB of RAM with 2 - 2GB modules... > > Still looking at this option... >
how about sodimm 4GB for $60 (after $10 rebate) http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5475019 Regards, ..jim -- [email protected] http://www.kernel-panic.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/kplug-list
