Intel i5-460M vs i5-560M

I'm purchasing a Dell XPS 15 tomorrow, but I want some of your opinions...

Should I upgrade to the Intel i5-560M processor for $90 more, is it worth it? I use my computer for web surfing, chatting on multiple instant messengers, music, watching TV shows and movies, some photo and video editing.

 

the 560M is faster and cooler. I would say YES. It's worth upgrading

 

From what I hear, the i5-560M is slightly faster than the i5-460M. You shouldn't feel much difference in the things you mentioned (except maybe video editing, where you could gain a few seconds when encoding videos or something).

Upgrades in notebooks are generally very limited, so you might not be able to upgrade later on. If you plan to keep that notebook for a long time, I'd say $90 isn't much and the upgrade might be worth it.

Someone let me know if I'm wrong, because I'm still thinking about this too.

 

Where do you get that information? Both the 460M and 560M are built on a 32nm process CPU/45nm process IGP. Both were released Q3 2010. The only major difference, besides speed, is that the 560M supports VT-d, Trusted Execution Technology, and AES New Instructions.

I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just pointing out that Ark doesn't back up that assertion.

Based on his usage mode, it does not appear to be worth the upgrade.

$90 could be used for:
- The blu-ray drive ($100)
- TV antenna if he's in an OTA-accessible area ($50)
- Bigger battery for longer unplugged sessions ($40)
- Backlit keyboard for nighttime IMing ($25)
- Intel Advanced-N + WiMax if you're in a Clear market for streaming video from Netflix when you're out and about ($60)

And if he hasn't added the 1080p display (which he should), then it's just under 1/2 the cost of that add-on ($195).

Sure, if he has an extra $90, go for it. If he's debating between that and other upgrades, other upgrades should come first.

thejamesjr, if you don't mind buying refurb, you should peruse all the available XPS 15 models in the Dell Outlet. There are some pretty good deals in there, 560M or no. There's a 15% off coupon over at Ben's Bargains you can use to lower the prices further. I see one in there with a 1080p display, 560M, Blu-ray, and TV Tuner for $1039. After coupon that would be $883.

 

I believe the 560 only adds some functionality for virtulization. If you can't make use of that or of the small increase in horsepower stick with the 460.

 

1 224-9506 XPS 15
1 317-5417 Intel Core i5-460M 2.53GHz / up to SC 2.8GHz / 3M
1 317-5422 4GB,DDR3,2 DIMM
1 331-0481 Backlit Keyboard (Internal) - English
1 320-1665 NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M 1GB graphics with Optimus
1 342-1683 640GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
1 318-0152 Metalloid Aluminum (WLAN) L501X
1 320-1673 15.6FHD TLF WLED LCD L501X
1 421-3874 Camera Software 2.X, Factory Install
1 421-4060 Fast Access Facial Recognition 3.0 SW Application
1 421-3642 Basic Stage
1 420-7938 Dell Connect 2.1
1 420-6576 DELL WELCOME,Software Dimension/Inspiron
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 330-6222 Windows 7 Label
1 421-1737 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 420-9876 Cozi-Calendar
1 421-2086 eBay Webslice
1 421-0757 Skype VOIP Application
1 331-0483 Resource DVD L501X
1 421-4118 WHITEPAGES.COM,Webslice
1 318-0392 Windows Live Wave 4
1 421-4289 Dell Support Center Software 3.0
1 430-4038 Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
1 318-0150 8X Tray Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
1 421-1362 Dell Software,Roxio 1.0
1 318-0138 JBL 2.1 Speakers with Waves Maxx Audio 3
1 430-3891 Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200
1 421-3984 WIDI Software For L501X
1 410-2461 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,30DAY,Without Media
1 312-1114 92 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
1 410-0487 No full-featured Office 2010 software selected
1 926-9247 Dell Hardware Limited Warranty, Initial Year
1 937-8390 Dell Limited Hardware Warranty Plus In-Home Service After Remote Diagnosis, Initial Year
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 933-0410 Warranty Support, Initial Year
1 420-8878 Soft Contracts Dell In-Home Hardware Agreement
1 421-4356 Software, DataSafe Online 2.0 2GB
1 988-0099 To activate your online backupaccount, go to Start, Programs, DataSafe Online
1 927-2357 DataSafe Online 2.0 2GB
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 430-3893 No Mobile Broadband L501X
1 430-3894 Dell Bluetooth 3.0
1 421-4600 Recovery DVD for Windows 7 Home Premium OS, 64bit, English

These are my specs, I left the processor as is and upgraded the following....
1080p Screen
640GB HDD
9-Cell Battery
Bluetooth 3.0
Backlit Keyboard
Intel Advanced N 6200 Wireless Card

I was contemplating upgrading to a blue-ray drive but I really don't watch or use blue-ray. I was also considering the processor, but an i7 is way to much for my needs and I would rather have the longer battery life. Since everyone was saying the i5-460 and i5-560 are pretty similar I decided just to stick with the i5-460. Decided to leave the ram at 4GB as I can always upgrade this myself later on. Upgraded to the advanced wireless card, as i do not need or want to pay monthly for WiMAX.

 

You did good (IMHO)! The 560 although running at a faster speed, is actually SLOWER than the 460 (see cpubenchmark.net). Probably because the 560 has AES, VT-d and Trusted Execution, to deal with where the 460 does not. These features add value, but apparently slow it down.

It is also discussed at greater length here:
http://benzkohlee.blogspot.com/2010/11/intel-cpu-inconsistencies-in-model.html

 

That is nonsense

 

EDIT: err crap, didn't realize the post I quoted was from 1/11 and the posts above me are bumps. Post content removed.

 

EpicBump™

LOL.

 

Compelling argument, and you are basing this on what documentation/source?

I much prefer being proven wrong, than remaining wrong.

 

from notebookcheck.net

 

Thanks falcon64