QX9300 Vs. T9600 in M17x - Worth it?

Hi Guys,

I've been trying to get definitive comparisons between the two processors but I'm wondering in terms of actual real life usage and gaming (not benchmarks), is the QX9300 worth springing 500$ for when my system is coming with the T9600 that can overclock to 3.5ghz with only 2 cores? Plus, the ATI's allow for video encoding over GPU's.. I'm not clear as to what scenarios the QX9300 will be better than the T9600. While I have the money and it will have a low impact on me to spend on an OEM QX9300, I'm wondering if it's even worth it, if I'll actually realize any benefits from the 500$ upgrade - I could use the money to go on a trip or something instead. If we're talking like a 8% increase in 3d game performance I'm thinking I should just not go for it and wait it out.

However, the nerd/benchmarker in me is also thinking of ordering the part from HP while the price is low (310£ converted) and I can order it to my sister's address in the USA before she comes to visit me in a month in the UK.

On the fence here - wish i sprang for the cheapest processor because then it would be a no brainer to go for the upgrade, but the T9600 might just be enough.

 

As you said only if you want to benchmark. The T9600 is fine for gaming. The QX9300 has caused some issues for some in gaming.

 

Ok thanks dude. I think i'll just take a miss then - bottom line is Core2Duo technology is what it is even with 2 fused together. There's always next year when procs are cheaper

 

Actually, when stuff is not mainstream (EOL like the QX9300 - very weird saying that....) the price tends to go up as market demand drops in favor of the newer product

Having the quad core will make general multitasking easier on your machine and will be worth it down the road as more and more programs go multithreaded. Your call, if you can afford it though, I would do it. You can also sell the T9600 to recoup the cost....I sold my Q9000 for $275 and Paid $505 for my QX9300, so it really only cost me $230 to upgrade

 

Yeah but, and as I've just experienced, if your machine needs to be replaced for warranty reasons or what not you'll have to buy an old CPU to throw in there. It throws some wrenches in that regard selling the OLD CPU - in my M1730 i had an X9000 upgrade that I put in myself luckily I still had my T9300 CPU to throw in there, i'm getting a warranty replacement now.

Questions! I will wait and recieve my M17x and assess performance.. then decide i suppose

 

So you replace the T9600 cpu and put in the QX9300? Did you notice a big difference?

 

I replaced a Q9000 with a QX9300 actually. There was a performance difference of course due to 25% higher clocks and twice the cache.

 

ok but can you replace the T9600 with the QX9300 or is the slot different?

 

No you can do it. They use the exact same slot (this is why Dell offers both as an option...)

 

Gotta agree with you there. The T7600 for my Thinkpad is too expensive right now for what you get.

 

ok thanks, Dell is replacing my XPS M1730 notebook and putting in the T9600 so it is good to know I have the option of putting in the QX9300 cpu.