Configuration
The Sony VAIO VGN-C2ZR/B is based on an Intel Core 2 Duo T5500 processor with a clock rate of 1.66GHz (65nm Merom core with 2 megabytes of shared L2 cache).
The Core 2 Duo T5500 supports Intel’s 64-bit extensions to the x86 architecture and also features Intel Wide Dynamic Execution technology which means more decoders and execution units in the CPU core. The speed of processing SSE and floating-point instructions has been increased, too.
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Besides Intel’s traditional Enhanced SpeedStep technology that gives the notebook’s software and BIOS the control over the CPU frequency multiplier (to reduce it under low loads), this CPU supports Dynamic Power Coordination (the power consumption of the cores can be independently adjusted depending on the current load; one core may even slip into Deep Sleep mode with the lowest power consumption possible) and Dynamic Cache Sizing (unused segments of the CPU cache can be turned off to save power). For more information about Intel’s Core 2 Duo processors refer to our article called Intel Core 2 Duo in Notebooks: Centrino Duo Platform Refreshed.
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This implementation of the refresh version of the Napa platform also incorporates an Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG adapter and an Intel Calistoga 945PM chipset. This chipset supports DDR2 SO-DIMMs, thus offering more memory bandwidth at lower power consumption, and a PCI Express x16 interface for an external graphics card. Connected to the North Bridge via a special-purpose Direct Media Interface, the South Bridge (ICH7-M) supports one Parallel ATA port, two Serial ATA ports, eight USB 2.0 ports and Intel High Definition Audio. It also offers six PCI Express x1 lanes to connect external devices. For more information about the platform, visit the manufacturer’s website.
The VAIO VGN-C2ZR/B is also equipped with an Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 graphics processor and 335 megabytes of dedicated video memory (as specified by the manufacturer; none of our test utilities could report the amount of graphics memory). This 0.09-micron GPU consumes little power and features Nvidia PureVideo technology for high-quality HD video playback and PowerMizer 6.0 technology for optimal power management. For more information on the Nvidia GeForce Go 7400, visit the manufacturer’s website. Here’s a brief summary of its characteristics:
The notebook comes with a Toshiba MK1234GSX hard disk drive (2.5?form-factor, 5400rpm spindle rotation speed, 120GB capacity, ATA-7 interface) and a Pioneer DVR-K17 DVD-burner with the following speed formula:
Writing:
- CD-R ?24x
- CD-RW ?24x
- DVD-R DL ?4x
- DVD-R ?8x
- DVD-RW ?6x
- DVD+R DL ?4x
- DVD+R ?8x
- DVD+RW ?8x
- DVD-RAM ?5x
Reading :
- CD ?24x
- CD-R ?24x
- CD-RW ?24x
- DVD ?8x
- DVD-R DL ?6x
- DVD-R ?8x
- DVD-RW ?8x
- DVD+R DL ?6x
- DVD+R ?8x
- DVD+RW ?8x
- DVD-RAM ?5x
The notebook uses DDR2-667MHz SDRAM. You shouldn’t worry about the accessibility of the memory slots because the notebook is already equipped with the maximum amount of memory it can support, which is 2048MB.
We measured the temperature of the hottest spots on the notebook’s surfaces with an infrared thermometer after it had worked for half an hour in the Classic test mode of Battery Eater Pro 2.60 (the ambient temperature remained constant at 23°C during this test) and got the following numbers:
- LCD panel ?41°C
- Keyboard ?32°C
- Bottom panel ?40°C
The next table lists the technical specs of the tested notebook in comparison with its opponent Sony VAIO VGN-FE31HR:
