I am thinking of buying a used Mac Mini (Intel Core Dou 1.83GHz) for home use. It would replace my Pentium 4 PC (2.8GHz). Given I would need to run windows from time to time (boot camp), how do you compare the performance of these machines on windows? Which one is faster?
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Mac Mini Core Duo 1.83 GHz vs.Pentium 4 2.8 GHz
- Thread starter PJM
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The Core Duo will be faster. The P4 is only one processor on the chip, while the Core Duo is two, for starters. I believe the Core Duo also has a larger L2 Cache on it's processors.
You can look at the comparison chart here:
((keep in mind the mini Core Duo is a mobile processor, but it still should be faster overall))
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=883&model2=906&chart=416
CPU Benchmark 95:
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The Pentium 4 is an AMD Sempron class processor.
The Pentium D is a Core Duo / Athlon X2 class processor.
Ignore the gigahertz - the Core Duo is faster than the P4.
What are you intending on using your machine for though out of interest?
The Pentium D is a Core Duo / Athlon X2 class processor.
Ignore the gigahertz - the Core Duo is faster than the P4.
What are you intending on using your machine for though out of interest?
Thanks a lot for the info!
Honestly, I do not need a powerful desktop computer. I mainly work on my MBP and I quite happy with its performance. I do not use windows too much either. However, my wife brings some work to home from time to time and she needs to run some complex excel spreadsheets and statistical programs. That is why I was a little concerned about mac mini performance on windows.
Our Pentium 4 is fine for her, so I guess the mac mini will be fine as well.
Honestly, I do not need a powerful desktop computer. I mainly work on my MBP and I quite happy with its performance. I do not use windows too much either. However, my wife brings some work to home from time to time and she needs to run some complex excel spreadsheets and statistical programs. That is why I was a little concerned about mac mini performance on windows.
Our Pentium 4 is fine for her, so I guess the mac mini will be fine as well.
About the comparison chart...
The processor in the Mac Mini wasn't listed. Core Duo processors use a Yonah core, whereas the Conroe L in your comparison is a desktop processor.
By the way: obviously the Core Duo will be faster; I just thought I'd make the correction.
The processor in the Mac Mini wasn't listed. Core Duo processors use a Yonah core, whereas the Conroe L in your comparison is a desktop processor.
By the way: obviously the Core Duo will be faster; I just thought I'd make the correction.
About the comparison chart...
The processor in the Mac Mini wasn't listed. Core Duo processors use a Yonah core, whereas the Conroe L in your comparison is a desktop processor.
By the way: obviously the Core Duo will be faster; I just thought I'd make the correction.
Actually, I noted in my original post that the Core Duo in the Mini is actually a mobile processor (and hence not in that comparison chart). Nevertheless, the chart gives a "rough" comparison of a P4 to a CD.
In short, even the mobile core duo will be a fair amount zippier than your desktop P4. Good luck and enjoy!
The Core Duo will be faster, but dont get me wrong, a 2.8GHz P4 is no slouch.
I'm still running two P4 boxes, one at 2.8, the other at 3.2 GHz. Both give me excellent performance in video, audio, and gaming.
I'm still running two P4 boxes, one at 2.8, the other at 3.2 GHz. Both give me excellent performance in video, audio, and gaming.