Just ordered 1520, now re-thinking build...

I just ordered the 1520, Here's the specs:

Intel Core Duo T5250 (1.5Ghz/667MhzFSB/2MB cache)
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 @ 667Mhz
256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 8600M GT
160GB SATA (5400RPM)
Intel 3945
Windows Vista Home Premium
Sound Blaster Audigy HD Software

This is my first ever laptop, and I wanted to make sure it was one that will be good for quite sometime. Right now I play WOW and used to play SWG before they frakked that over...(I'll quit before I even get started on that subject lol) I doubt there is any other game out any time soon that I will want to play, and will play STO (Star Trek Online) hopefully in a couple of years. I am now re-thinking the processor speed...will it be able to keep up with games in the near (2 years or so) future? Also, wondering about the speed of the hard drive, does it really make any difference playing games? I always thought it went more off of video card and ram? Thanks in advace for your advice.

 

The hard drive speed matters when it comes to loading things in games, but once you're physically in the game, it has no effect. For instance, it will be much faster loading levels with a 7200rpm drive, but once the level is loaded there is no difference between the two.

As for the processor...I would splurge on the 800mhz FSB. I couldn't honestly tell you what kind of impact that has diretly on gaming, but $100 gets you the 800mhz FSB and another 300mhz of clock speed. Seems like a good deal to me, if you can fit it into your budget. Then there's the extra 2mb of L2 cache in the next level up, along with another 200mhz, but then you're looking at an extra $150 from your starting point, and once again I can't tell you exactly how directly you will feel these effects. Others should know though.

BTW, are the chips with the 667mhz bus Santa Rosa chips?

 

667 mhz are pc5300 ram chips lol.

 

this is similar to my laptop
though it has a pentium dual-core 1.73ghz, not sure how that is in relation to the core 2 duo but it works great. If you can update the processor for cheap then do it.

I mean if it's like

1.5ghz $0
1.6ghz add $100
1.8ghz add $200
2.0ghz add $400
go for the 1.8ghz or somethin. actually nvm lol that's still too expensive

harddrive is fine, loading screens might take a tad longer thats it I think

 

LOL, he meant the processor chips with 667 mhz fsb speed. Anyway, yes, they are Santa Rosa processors; it's just that they're the budget Santa Rosa processors so they just reduced the bus speed and clock speed a bit.

 

Thanks for all the replies...I appreciate it...Think I am going to stick with the build...(already at the top of my budget.) I just wanted to make sure that at the speed its at, I shouldn't have any trouble running any games in the near future. Also, glad to know the hard drive speed won't effect play.

Btw, my build through Dell's Employee & Affiliates Purchase Program cost right at 1650 including tax, this is with the 3 year extended warranty/accidental care etc. I was told included about 600 or so in discounts...but have been seeing similiar builds posted on here for less (maybe student discounts?). Did I get hosed or is that a good price?

Thanks again! Glad to become a member this community, you are all very nice and informative!

 

Let us know how you like it.

 

With my budget I'm always happy to get a computer that can play any computer game that came out a year ago or more just fine... so I'm happy with mine, Everquest 2 for example. That used to be the "game you need an expensive high tech computer for" back in 04 but now it runs fine

 

As soon as I get, will post all about it!

 

student discounts include a one-time use $200 coupon off of inspirons $999 or higher that aren't avail. to people using just the employee purchase program. though i tried my student code after going to dell.com in an employee purchase program (vs educational) and the coupon code worked.

 

how would I go about finding one of those student discounts?

 

They don't do much of anything anymore...you are far too late...

 

Yes T5250 is santa Rosa