Laptop with Dual-Core Processor Reviewed

by Yaroslav Lyssenko

[ 01/11/2006 | 11:57 PM ]

Both most influential makers of x86 microprocessors – Advanced Micro Devices and Intel Corp. – started to introduce dual-core microprocessors for desktop, server and workstation computers. Sometimes the second core brought significant performance increases in applications developed for multi-processor systems, in some cases single-core chips that work on higher clock-speeds could claim victory over dual-core microprocessors.

Intel recently unveiled its dedicated dual-core notebook chip Core Duo, whereas AMD is expected to follow with dual-core Turion 64. But does multi-core matter in laptops?

UK-based high-performance system maker Rockdirect back in mid-2005 released its extreme desktop replacement (DTR) notebook based on AMD Athlon 64 X2 microprocessor aiming the product at gamers seeking high performance.

Hexus.net has managed to take a look at the Rockdirect Xtreme 64 DTR notebook featuring AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ microprocessor, 2GB of PC3200 DDR memory running in dual channel mode, a pair of 100GB Hitachi 7200rpm hard disk drives and Nvidia GeForce Go 6800 Ultra graphics chip. The notebook comes equipped with 17” WSXGA+ display with X-Glass technology and native resolution of 1680x1050.

“Think carefully about what you want a laptop to do. If it’s huge power on all fronts, rivalling decent desktop PCs, then the Rockdirect laptop fully deserves its Xtreme name, because once outfitted with a GeForce Go 7800 256MB card there’s not much available that will outmuscle it. Does the near-£2500 Rockdirect Xtreme 64 4800+ offer decent value for money? Probably not. Does it offer performance in spades? Yes, yes, and yes. A product for the niche market that requires power above all else,” concludes Hexus.net.

• Hexus.net: Rockdirect Xtreme 64 4800+ DTR.