Dell XPS 1530 (2.2Ghz VS. 2.4 Ghz) How much of a difference does it make in FPS?

I'm an avid gamer and will probably purchase the 8600MGT 1530 by August before I start college. Right now, I'm just playing around with the configuration settings and I can see that the T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB, 3MB Cache) is an extra $150.00. Although I'd like to see a faster GPU in there, it will have to do. That notebook is sexy , and I want it. It needs to last for the next 3-4 years.

So, what difference will the 2.4ghz core2 duo create in terms on FPS that will warrant my $150.00 for the faster processor. Any benchmarks? Maybe by the end of July 2.4ghz won't be a big deal in pricing?

Thats $1,449 before taxes. Anything here I should get rid of?

Games I want to play:
- TES4 Oblivion
- Company of Heroes * ( )
- Call of Duty 4
- Orange Box
- Anything Valve releases

I'll probably get a PS3 at some point, rather than getting a big ole' 17" that I can't carry around

 

Get rid of the "Sound Blaster Audigy" sound option. It barely does anything.
Also, get rid of Norton 15 months if you can. If you have to have it, uninstall it once you get your comp. It sucks.

As for the processor, is the 2.2ghz one the T7500?

 

T7500 Yes.

It should also be noted that my ATI X1950 GT (beefy beast), and ****ty CPU (Intel Pentium D, Dual Core 3.4Ghz) runs all the games I mentioned (except TES4) @ 1280* 1024+ (cod4-1400*900) at ultra/high settings). Crysis (which I find to be a bad game, and won't be playing on any laptop, runs @ high, 4 settings on medium 1280*1024 (22-49 FPS). Thats probably due to the 256bit interface though.

3D Mark of my Desktop: 4260 3DMarks, not on a fresh boot though. If the 8600M GT combined with a good core2duo processor can achieve similar results, then I won't have to go looking elsewhere...

 

Then just go for the T7500. The 8300, altough .2 ghz faster, has 1mb less cache. People have a tough time deciding between the T7500 and T8300 because they're the same price, but yours is a $150 upgrade, so I don't think it's worth it.
As for game performance, it sounds like the X1950 is better than the 8600M GT. But I'm pretty sure the 8600 should have no problem with TES4.

 

I'd skimp on the CPU (which you can upgrade later on anyways) and try to get the LED screen instead. Worthwhile investment especially if you plan on keeping the laptop for a good amount of time.

 

Yes because TES4 is very CPU dependant. It's more like Core2 Duo 2.0Ghz' processors have no problem with TES4. In combination with that 8600M.

 

Not worth it IMHO.

 

The only thing you`ll get from the T8300 is a litttle less heat and power consumption. There`s also an extended set of instruction that next to nobody is using at this time.

Save your $150 and go with the T7500.

 

I would get the T7500 2.2GHz. I think the extra 1mb cache is worth more than the .2GHz processor.

 

Yes, well, I would do the same with my M1530, possibly, if Dell would offer us lovely British chaps the T7500. After the T7250, it goes straight up to the T8100 then the T8300.

 

wait, that sounded a tad too british. Americans, whatever you may think, we DO NOT say 'chaps' in britain.
really, we don't.

 

Actually, those specs are almost exactly what I'm getting. Nice. Just I'm getting a bigger hard drive.

 

cool, I still wish they could fit a bigger GPU in there, but, maybe when they do I'll sell mine and trade it in, then pay the difference if its not too much. The 1530 is a really good looking laptop though.

 

It's not .2ghz difference it's 400Mhz. Dual Core people.

 

It doesn't matter. It won't make a difference unless a game is CPU-bound, and very very few are.

Oh, and just because it is dual core doesn't mean it is a 400MHz difference. That would be like saying I have a 9.6GHz processor in my desktop . . . obviously not accurate!

 

I got my m1530 with a T8300 only because they are much cooler-running chips. Otherwise I would have gotten the cheapest 7000 series chip available. You are GPU bound for all current games, so your chip speed ultimately won't matter. It is seldom worthwhile to pay the premium for an extra few MHz. Remember, you are talking about a difference of 10% - you'll never notice the difference...

 

Oh - and I guess I have a 14.4 GHz processor in my desktop. (Q6600 @ 3.6).

 

Don't say that.... There are quite a few games out (TF2 for instance), which is highley CPU dependent.

 

Is the T8300 the Penryn chip? I have read they run cooler. If so at what T ref does the Penryn begin as i'd like to make sure what ever I choose I get that chip for the cooler running.

I'm trying to decided between an XPS or a Latitude as primary use will be for work. Either way I want that Penryn chip.

 

T8100, T8300, T9300 and T9500 are the only penryn for M1530 AFAIK

 

This site (linked below) is reporting a 3DMark06 score slightly higher than my desktop...

- http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Dell-XPS-M1530-Notebook.7295.0.html

What do you peeps make of it?

My Desktop:
-2 processors running - Intel® Pentium® D CPU 3.40GHz
-3.0 GB System RAM
-Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Build Service Pack 22600)
-ATI Radeon X1950 GT (ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x7288)) 256.0 MB VRAM, 256-bit interface.
-Audigy 2 ZS Soundcard.

My System runs:

- Cod4 -1400*900 @ ultra/high settings
- Crysis (which I find to be a bad game, and won't be playing on any laptop, runs @ high, 4 settings on medium 1280*1024 (22-49 FPS). Thats probably due to the 256bit interface though.
- Any other game @ 1280*1024+ Ultra/High Settings, no AA, at least 8*AF.
- 4260 3DMarks (could be higher, not on a clean boot, some extra processes running...

 

What exact CPU do you have in that desktop? Pentium D 800 series is pretty bad, if it is a 900 series then it is not tooo bad

I have a M1530 7250, 4GB, 8600GT and I hit 4600 3dmarks non OC'd. OC'd I will hit about 5800.

 

My 3dmark06 is 4747 with no OC and stock drivers. T9300, 4gb ram

 

Yeah, at least till Penryn 2's come out.

 

Pentium D 900 Series (945 edition to be exact)

 

Well how does that translate in gaming performance?

I'm trying to find out so I'm not disappointed when I buy, I want to know what I'm getting.