2.8ghz really worth it?

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy a new 15" MBP. is the AUD$433 for the 2.8ghz cpu upgrade really worth it?

I'm definitely getting the 7200 rpm hdd, but am struggling to justify the cpu cost.

All opinions welcome...

Dan

 

Not a good bang for the buck when you do the math.

 

Well for starters, what are you going to be doing with it? My own personal opinion is except in a few rare instances, it's not worth it.

 

It will help with gaming at lower resolutions.

If you want it and it's in your budget why not?

 

Many computer manufacturers charge much higher for faster processors, including Dell, HP, and Apple.

There is no need for the faster processor unless you are using CPU-intensive applications such as video & image editing software, although Adobe's CS4 does offload processing to video cards.

 

Yes you are. Use the additional money toward apple care. 2.8 is not worth it.

 

So the 2.8 doesn't make a big difference in games then? (and hence for that matter won't really effect the 3DM 06 score)

 

+400 to 500 on the 3dMark06 with the T9600.

It will make a difference in games. Just wait six months to a year and see if games won't benefit from a faster processor. With the 9600, you will be needing to lower the resolution at times and at lower res the CPU helps out a lot more.

 

I bought the 2.8 ghz model because I always believe to buy what you "might" need and don't regret you can't run something because you didn't. Since I don't (and other probably don't) have a 2.5 to run side by side with a 2.8, there is no way I can tell you if there is a difference (IMO the 3D Mark scores are not real world performance indicators). All I know is that if I want to eventually run some software that requires more than 2.5, I'm covered. And I'm pretty sure I've looked at something recently that said if I wanted to run in HD I would need 2.8 minimum...

 

I have the 2.5 and couldn't be happier. Why get the 2.8? for what you 'might' need. That's like getting married and buying a 5 bedroom house for the 3 kids you might have over the next few years. Get the 2.5, save yourself some money, and when (if) you upgrade 3 yrs down the road -- put the cash you saved by buying the 2.5 toward your snappy new 3. something!!

 

I run smooth at 2.4 and use photoshop alot.

 

Or buy the two bedroom house now, have unplanned triplets and just TRY to sell the 2 bedroom to be able to afford the 5 bedroom. Shrug...I'll never understand why people skimp on performance, unless it's an "afford" issue, in which case it makes sense. But, if you can afford it, why skimp?

 

"Save a little now, you'll pay a lot more later."

 

Here are some actual benchmarks for the 2 machines...looks like about 10-12% increase which seems small in one task, but if you do that task 1000's of times over the life of the laptop, how much time did you save?

http://www.macworld.com/article/136757/2008/11/macbookpro28ghz.html?t=105

and some more 2.8ghz goodness can be found here:

http://www.macworld.com/article/136881/boot_camp_gaming.html

 

The 2nd set of benchmarks you posted arent very representative of how much improvement going from 2.4Ghz to 2.8Ghz will help in games. This set of benchmarks are comparing an older generation MBP with a weaker graphics card and a 65nm CPU. The 65nm CPU the 2.8 GHz MBP was compared with not only runs at a slower clock rate but is based on a slower architecture which makes it even slower on a clock for clock basis.

For a better comparison of the CPU's the first set of benchmarks are much more representative of the actual difference.

However, you will only see these large 10ish% differnce in these CPU intensive tasks like photo and video editing. For games which are usually bound by the GPU the difference from 2.53GHz to 2.8GHz is minimal. So unless you're doing a LOT of photo/video editing save the $433 and go with the 2.53GHz.

 

Agreed on the second set of benchmarks, which is why I just said more 2.8 goodness...it just kind of represents the benefits of the 2.8. Again, shrug...2.8 vice 2.5 is same reason I bought a V-8 version of a car that was available in a V-6 version for less $$...they both can get me where I want to go, one just does it FASTER...

 

One other thing to consider is the heat-factor with a higher-clocked processor. Is it really worth it to have a faster processor in a form factor such as the MBP?

It's all about how you intend to use the computer. If you do a lot of photo and video editing, a faster processor will certainly help. There are developments in progress where the graphics card would take over in processing things the CPU does now.

 

Personally, 2.8 Ghz in a laptop isn't worth the extra heat and money to me. If you need hefty CPU power to do a lot of heavy lifting frequently, (encoding/transcoding video, editing huge images in photoshop a lot, etc..) you might be better off doing that on a desktop anyway.

 

I say no. Hell no. what do you get 0.3 - 0.4 ghz faster processor. Bro use that money for warranty or GAS. I say forget you even thought of getting that.

 

I am struggling with this also... I likely wont play any games on my MBP, but do a lot of graphic design (no video)
So of CS4, mainly Flash and Photoshop...

When I read 10% more in photoshop benchmarks, is awfully tempting, but I coming from being a PC desktop user for 15 years and usually building my own, so the price even with a student discount is a lot... (traveling/working so need a laptop, otherwise I would stick with my quad core)

$300 more dollars for 10% in certain apps...

*ponders..

 

I find that when it comes to laptops, if there is a question about whether you need it or not, it's generally better to spend the extra money and get it. This applies to items that aren't easily replaceable like video cards, lcd panels and cpu's. Memory and Hard drives aren't normally in this category. The reasoning is that you may not need it, but if you guess wrong it's usually a lot of time, effort and or money to correct the error. Over the years I've successfully upgraded video cards and cpu's after the fact in some of my laptops, but usually they were the exception rather than the rule. If you think you could benefit from the added horsepower you probably should spend the extra money initially and get it. Theoretically it could be cheaper to upgrade later (buy new part and sell the old part to offset some of the cost), but there is never a guarantee that the upgraded part is compatible or available for a reasonable price. Also there is no guarantee that your old part will be worth enough to substantially defray the upgrade costs.

 

With most computer stuff I go for the obvious price sweet spot.

Is 10% really anything you could actually feel? Like say, cold hard cash?

 

I'm with you count, I generally aim a step or two below the cutting edge, but for some people/tasks 10% is a large improvement. Depends what you need it for. Personally there wouldn't even be a question in my mind whether I needed 2.8Ghz for a laptop or not, but the original poster asked. He/She may not be as knowledgeable as others, but I find that for me if I'm not sure, it's generally better to just spend the extra cash and get it done. People rarely complain when they have too much power, but if they find their system lacking, there is no end to the complaints or dissatisfaction.

 

I render 3d (Cinema 4d) and compress video for Flash and DVD and I do plenty of normal stuff like Flash programming and design and Photoshop and so forth.

You just can't plan 2 years ahead in this industry. We are likely to be on 8GB+ quad core laptops with software that is written better for multicore.

You'd have a have a 2.8 dual, but I'll have a 2.5 quad. Whatever was top of the line, won't be for long.

What do I know though, I usually sell my laptop after 18 months or so to avoid paying $350 for Applecare (riding out ~6 months without warranty, but I usually know if I have a lemon or not). I use the fictitious Applecare money as a coupon on a new lappy.

 

My philosophy when I purchase items, is to always purchase the best model for the item you are looking for. When I purchase my car, I always go for the top model for that car. Example would be when buying a Honda Civic, I would go for the fully loaded Civic Si, 6 speed of course When I purchase my laptop, I do the same. It is also easier and more attractive to when it is time to sell the item to know and say that you are selling the top of the line model at the time you purchased the item. God Bless

 

If you really think about it, no its not worth it. The 2.5ghz should be almost the same speed, only if you do alot of rendering and want to squeeze out every ounce of performance than the 2.8ghz will be worth it.. but then again might as well plunk down and get a mac pro desktop if you really need that much power.

But I guess some professionals might need the every ounce on the go.

 

I'm planning on buying a new MBP and I'm having the same indecision as many... 80% of the time all I do on a computer is web surfing, mail reading, and stuff like that.. To that my old computer is more than enough. But my hobbies include photography and video, and my old computer is getting really, really boring in that kind of stuff.. So I'm upgrading only because I want more performance..

So my initial tough was.. If i'm pursuing performance, and I don't plan upgrade anytime soon. I should go to the 2.8 model.. And I know that when encoding video, or when processing RAW photographies I will be happy if I chose the 2.8 model.. But, will I regret that choice the rest of the time?

Temps and battery life is something that worries me..

I read somewhere that the temps diff between the 2.5 and the 2.8 models where nonexistant when idle, and 1 Cº when on full load (90 vs 91 Cº).. And if that is true it's great..

And what about battery life? Anyone knows some test with factual numbers? Will the 2.8 model drain the battery faster when on web surfing, or watching videos?



So, resuming my choices.. I'm buying the MBP in Europe, and the diff between the 2.8, and 2.5 models is +/- 250 Euros.. An apple care plan costs +/- 290 Euros..

So my budget permits me to buy a 2.5 model + 3 year warranty and 3 years of phone support, or a 2.8 model with the 2 years warranty (as in Europe by law every new item must have a 2 year manufacturer warranty) and 90 days of phone support, or just buy the base 2.5 model and save some money..

Witch you think is the wise decision, knowing that I'm not planing an upgrade in the next 3 to 5 years?


PS: Sorry the bad English, it's not my native language..

 

0.4 to 0.8 makes stupid sense why did apple even bothered with such lame marketing?? Dictating again ahhhhh apple you will never stop will you?

I got 2 x 2.8 for the wife and daughter but i got myself a 2.4 for watching dvd and movies plus some video encoding and photo editing thats about it.

getting the 2.8 is not just about the 2.8 you'd also get better video card and 2 extra gig of ram so yes it's worth it.

Grab the 2.8 don't bother with 2.4 if money is not an issue.

 

It's not lame marketing... It's a known sales tactic..

When there is 2 versions of a same product, one low end, and cheaper, and one mid range, many undecided costumers in the end tend to chose the base model because they think the extra money don't worth it, and that they don't need the ultimate model..

But if the sales man, throws in a 3rth option, that's a higher end model, theory says that the costumer will chose the mid-range one, witch was what they really wanted in the first place..

That's why there is a 2.8Ghz version...

 

i really depends what u are upgrading from.

 

is there even a 2.8ghz mbp out?
in the apple.com/au site, it's only has 2.4 and 2.53?

 

The 2.8 Ghz CPU is an upgrade available for only the 2.53 Ghz MBP. And no it is not worth it because the .266 Ghz difference in the CPU is not noticeable at all unless you do CPU intensive tasks like photo editing or video editing. Even in these tasks the difference will only be a mere 10%, for most tasks there will be next to no difference. As for power requirements and battery life, the 2.8Ghz will draw the same amount of power as the 2.53Ghz CPU since they run using the same voltage and have the same TDP. The 2.8Ghz will run slightly hotter because the transistors are switching just a little bit faster but the difference will not be noticeable.