Computers: Pentium II vs. P4 vs. Dual Core

[Serendipity]

Really dumb question, but...

Since I'm without a laptop right now, I've been using my Pentium II 350 system at home and have a P4 system here (at school). I noticed that there isn't much of a difference in speed between the systems, especially between the P4 and the laptop.

Why is this? Is this a case of the manufacturer inflating specs? I really don't see THAT big of a difference between the systems, and my 2.0GHz laptop is nowhere near 7X faster than the PII.

I'd say its like 2-3 times faster, at most.

[bobman1235]

It all depends on what you're doing. Some things are negligibly faster; arguably most of the things we do on computers from day to day doesn't require much processing power, so a faster processor or memory doesn't make a lick of difference.

If you're running a lot of applications, starting a lot of LARGER applications, ripping CDs, playing games.... then you'd notice. Browsing the web and typing up papers? Not really.

[Serendipity]

You have a point. I spent most of my time on this PC typing up papers, and even with stuff like clipart, graphs, spell check, etc. the PII and P4 both handled it fine. My Physics lab (with many pages of graphs and data) also went smoothly on both systems.

[Deadof_knight]

office only get soo fast ..... and thats about it. I could tell a difference going from my first pentium 2 350 too my P3 600 ....

Brousing the internet we still use an P3 800 on rdram and it runs games and all just fine. But you through a newer 3d game and its like watchn a cartoon frame by frame Horrid!

[Serendipity]

I don't run games on any of my PCs, I use them mostly for work and thats about it. The one thing I noticed is, that the PII really chokes on anything with Flash, like YouTube for example. In that case its like 3-4 times slower than the other two PCs.

[fatchowmein]

I don't run games on any of my PCs, I use them mostly for work and thats about it. The one thing I noticed is, that the PII really chokes on anything with Flash, like YouTube for example. In that case its like 3-4 times slower than the other two PCs.

IIRC, there's a minimum cpu and memory requirement for Internet connection on DSL and cable modem that is beyond a PII not to mention a minimum requirement for Flash and video streaming.

I have an old PIII 700 laptop that only runs Office on XP. It too chokes on Flash and YouTube.

[Sami]

IIRC, there's a minimum cpu and memory requirement for Internet connection on DSL and cable modem that is beyond a PII not to mention a minimum requirement for Flash and video streaming.

I have an old PIII 700 laptop that only runs Office on XP. It too chokes on Flash and YouTube.

You're talking about graphics and video, sure it will choke. As for connecting to a fast internet connection, it will have no problem streaming all that data.

[fatchowmein]

You're talking about graphics and video, sure it will choke. As for connecting to a fast internet connection, it will have no problem streaming all that data.

I just remember a couple of ISP's had a minimum requirement beyond a PII. Can't recall who it was.

[Serendipity]

Maybe it was their software? I never install the software that comes with the ISP.

On another note, I'm actually considering getting another PII or PIII system (used) due to the fact that they are so cheap these days and that they can do almost everything I need...

[John in MA]

Newer computers usually have more junk loaded on them. I do bare reinstalls all the time and a modern computer is much faster than an older one if they're both running clean software. Even if the newer machine is running XP vs. a light OS like 98 on the old one. Something like Word 2000 will open instantly (no lag after clicking the icon) on a clean P4 with a fast drive.

Laptops have much slower hard drivers than desktops, that's a factor, too.

Around here P2/P3 desktops are givaways. You can probably get a P4 or an Athlon for a few bucks.

[AdamRagland]

you know i have an uncle that thinks windows xp is how big brother is spying on us..he still uses dos....and sadly i really am not joking. everytime he comes over and sees me on my laptop he gives me the 2 hour lecture about it

[SKsolutions]

Maybe not probable, but plausible.

"I always feel like. . . somebody's watchin me"