Reality Check on CPU Upgrade

Pretty sure I know the answer, but wanted a collective reality check...my M1330 has a T5450 CPU installed (along with integrated graphics). I have a chance to buy a T8300 or a T8100 CPU. I believe either would install fine and be supported by the A12 bios (right?), but I'm thinking that neither is worth the cost (something between US$150-200). I'm not a big gamer, and I don't run global warming simulation models on this machine...I think it's probably somewhere beteween unnecessary and futile? Your opinions welcome.

 

Is the computer fast enough for what you do with it? Do you use it mostly on battery power or A/C power?

If you use it mostly on battery power then the CPU is running downclocked most of the time to conserve power (even on A/C power it downclocks actually). My T8300 is running at just 1.2Ghz the majority of the time. The only time it runs at 2.4Ghz and stays their for an extended period of time is when I play games, render a movie, etc.

 

If you can get the CPU's for a good deal. I think I would do it. Even if you do not do alot of CPU intensive tasks, you will gain better battery life and cooler temps.

But again, only if I could get the upgrade for a sweet deal.

 

You will see approximately a 60% increase in performance. Power consumption will be better on the T8300 also. But that is a lot of money for the upgrade.

 

I think that the t8300 and the t9300 are the smartest penryn upgrades you can do. But a t8300 would be enough if you dont play much games.

 

I tend to agree, as I was trying to figure out a good configuration for the M1330 I looked into the differences. Some said go for better, some said it won't matter ... but I think the jump to the 8300 or 9300 is worth it (personally, not so much with the 9500, same cache and not a large jump). I ordered mine with the T9300 but saved $ by keeping the lowest RAM and HDD options and I'll replace them myself for less through NewEggg (HDD) and Crucial (RAM). The Dell rep. online even said that was fine and to contact them if I need support doing that.

 

I have no speed complaints now. I run about 50/50 battery/AC. Performance would be nice but I'm not sure I'd notice...however, lower power consumption might be noticed.

Any guesstimates on how much less power the T8300 would use? Would going to a somewhat cheaper T8100 yield similar power savings?

 

I could be wrong, but I thought the price difference between the T8100 and T8300 was not that large. Hence most say the T8300 is the "best bang for the buck" currently. Performance wise between the two, I have no idea. I do know I scored 31 seconds in Wprime which I know is pretty fair. Compared to the 45-46 seconds I was scoring with a T7250.

 

Probably not worth the money since you wouldnt use the processor to the full potential. Unless it super cheap of course...

The battery life gains would be minimal, probably better to buy another battery or one with higher capacity instead.

 

Well in my point of view it will not be that minimal, maybe with the t8300 you will gain something near to 15-20 minutes of battery life, like 60 percent more performance and like 20C less than 1.66ghz core 2 duo temperature. But I would choose the t9300 anyway , it depends on what you want .

 

lol it cant be 20c less in temperature, unless the T8100 came with an air conditioner as a heatsink lol.

 

Dude I mean 20c less working inside the mobo(at load), the penryns were designed to be cooler than the meroms because their 45nm construction that also explains why they need less power.

 

lol ok, would be cool if it did that at idle. I thought u had a miracle penryn for a second there lol.

 

Yeah also at idle, almost at the overall temperature...
lol with those miracle penryns who needs a quad core .