Best overall performance
This score is an amalgamation of tests including, PCMark05 (build 1.2.0), 3DMark06 (build 1.1.0), Pinnacle Studio Plus Version 11 for video file conversion, Windows Vista Ultimate Movie Maker, Apple iTunes Version 7.1.1, Adobe Photoshop Elements Version 5.0, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint in various stand-alone and multitasking processes. Scores were standardised, averaged and then transformed into a percentage score.
| Processor | Manufacturer | Overall grade as a percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Celeron 530 | Intel | 45% Pass conceded |
| Celeron 540 | Intel | 47% Pass conceded |
| Celeron 550 | Intel | 55% Pass |
| Pentium T2060 | Intel | 59% Pass |
| Pentium T2080 | Intel | 62% Pass |
| Pentium T2130 | Intel | 65% Credit |
| Pentium T2310 | Intel | 66% Credit |
| Pentium T2330 | Intel | 69% Credit |
| Core 2 Duo T5250 | Intel | 70% Credit |
| Core 2 Duo T5300 | Intel | 78% Distinction |
| Core 2 Duo T5450 | Intel | 76% Distinction |
| Core 2 Duo T5500 | Intel | 74% Credit |
| Core 2 Duo T5600 | Intel | 79% Distinction |
| Core 2 Duo T7250 | Intel | 87% High Distinction |
| AMD Turion 64 ML-34 | AMD | 46% Pass Conceded |
| AMD Turion 64 ML-37 | AMD | 52% Pass |
| AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-56 | AMD | 59% Pass |
| AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 | AMD | 62% Pass |
| AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-60 | AMD | 66% Pass |
Verdict
Even using disparate notebook hardware it is clear that the Intel Core 2 architecture is a superior performer to the previous generation processors. The Intel's Core 2 Duo T7250 comes out a clear winner across the board.
The older Celeron and Pentium derived processors still hold their own quite well, and in many of the benchmarks the single core Celerons outperform the single core AMD Turion processors. The Pentium derived dual-core processors are at least a match for the Turion dual cores, but both are soundly outperformed by the Core 2 Duo processors.
The winners:
- First place: Intel Core 2 Duo T7250
- Second place: Intel Core 2 Duo T5600
- Third place: Intel Core 2 Duo T5300
The losers:
Third last: Intel Celeron 540
Second last: AMD Turion 64 ML-34
Last: Intel Celeron 530
What I'd really like to know is what's the best value processor to buy. Any chance you could add another page of results with the scores weighted by price?