Processor speeds

Basic uses are Internet explorer, Office (Vizio), Visual Basic, music and AIM.

Is 2.2 Ghz that much better than 2.0 ghz and is it worth getting based on my needs?

 

I don't think so, based on the apps you listed you woun't even notice any difference if you went with the 1.6 IMO. But I could be wrong though.

 

wow I wont even notice a difference. I guess it would be a waste then lol. Can anyone confirm that (only cuz of the uncertainty.)

 

For those kind of applications, any modern dual-core CPU will easily run smoothly. You won't notice any difference.. unless you really care that your Microsoft Office apps take a few milliseconds longer to load up

 

No, you wont see a difference in .2 GHz.

Guessing that you are talking about the Core 2 Duo, then (With dual core) its .4 GHz. There someone will see slight difference, but you wont need that. Again, if the Core 2 is what you are talking about, the 2GHz one is the T7250, the 2.2 is the T7500. However, you will see a difference between the T7250 and 7500 in Cashe. There is a 4MB in T7500 while a 2MB in the T7250. Again, you wouldnt see a difference. In conclusion, a 2Ghz is plenty for you.

 

cool thanks to all for saving me $75. (yea dual core 2.2ghz and 2.0 ghz is what i was talking about, sorry about that.)

 

You don't even need 2.0 Ghz for what you described!
1.6 would do as the previous poster said.

What you should look out for is a fast hard drive - that's the main bottle neck of most general pc tasks.

Make sure you get a 7200RPM model.

 

you could have all of that running and not even touch a 1.6 Ghz core2duo processor.

if you wanted gaming and video encoding, you'll be needing higher clock speeds and a bigger FSB.

i would however, recommend looking at www.tomshardware.com for CPU Benchmark Tests.

one tip i would have, is to make sure you have 2GB of RAM for Vista!

 

Why would HE need a faster HDD?

They are more expensive, and if he isn't doing anything too taxing, he'd bet better off keeping the money in his pocket.

I thrash my PC with any number of games and encoding, and my 5400rpm hasn't given me any problems.

Get 2GB of RAM, and 800Mhz of FSB for future proofing if you can afford splashing out. Otherwise a 1.6Ghz Core2Duo is just right for you.

 

wow so i would be better off with a 1.6 ghz dual core and a 7200 rpm harddrive, thanks thats good information.

I think I am going to install the ram myself, cuz I have done it before and its not that hard, and I can save more money. I think i can get 2gb 4 mb cache, 2 dimm for $50. Only question is, does dell require certain types of Ram (such as there own, as opposed to Cosair.)

 

so 5400 is good? even better then. You guys r really helpful.

 

Dells can take generic memory.

I would consult Crucial Memory Advisor Tool, before you buy the RAM to make sure it is compatible with your notebook:

http://www.crucial.com/

 

YEah, thats probably your best bet.
For your use, the 7200rpm drive will increase speed. Especially boot time. Loading programs, downloading speed, copy/pasting. Fir the little bit of extra $$, the faster HDD is worth it.

 

crucial mem tool, cool I'll check that out.

 

Yes, good idea. and much easier than flipping over your PC and opening to find out. Crucial makes some nice memory too. Well, its a common debate: are brands important with memory. I belive they are a little bit. FYI: dont waste any $$ on heat spreaders, they dont help much and are a waste.

 

thanxs for the tip, dells mem only comes in at 667mhz, so i would have to buy 800mhz anyway

 

hey I'll click on the scale icon and give rep for all you guys

 

by the way, (you may have noticed), I have another post going about the inspiron 1420 v the xps 1530. Since you guys r so helpful, care to weigh in on that one?

 

Thanks, yeah, Dell doesnt offer 800Mhz yet.

Just so you know, 800Mhz. RAM in a current notebook is a waste. It will downclock it to 667Mhz. anyway. To get 800Mhz. , you will need to wait until June to get the new Monetiva Platform.

 

It will still only run at 667mhz...it's a motherboard restriction. As for CPU, I totally agree with what has been said here before. And if you want to save as much money as you can, then just go with 5400rps hard drive....for office applications it's fast enough. If you don't mind spending a few more buks, go with 7200rps

 

I have to look at the complete package again, but I may opt for the 7200rpm and maybe just get the smallest size (120 gb). What the hell it may pay off down the road.

 

Yea it will pay off. And if you ever run out of space you can always upgrade it yourself later or just simply get a USB flash or external HDD later on.

 

hey what about screen res. is 1440 x 900 easier on the eyes than 1200 x w/e
also whats a good antivirus software (dell offers usual, mcaffe, norton, trend micro.) wow I could go on forever, but hey its not often that i get good help

 

Well, i guess it depends on your eyes? I personally like 1440x900, 1200x___ is to big and 1680x____ is too small.

_____ means i forget that number...

 

1440x900 will make everything smaller on the screen and show you more at once in comparison to 1280x800 so that ones up to you, but I recommend 1440x900 for a 15.4inch.

Eset NOD32 is a very good anti-virus, rated highly, and uses minimal resources, however it is a bit expensive but I highly recommend it (run it on four laptops).

 

I personally like Norton. Ie tried others, but Norton has always had either better or same protection but always more or better features.

Youll hear alot of people say it slows down your PC. Personally, ive had it on a Celeron 4, pentium 4, Core 2 Duo. I See NO speed difference from before/after. But always great security.

 

alright cool thanks, I've configured a xps 1530 w/ a 7200rpm harddrive, wireless n and a 1440 res screen for 1184 (before tax, and $100 instant coupon.)

 

Friend of mine has 1280x800 on his 15" laptop and to mee it looked like it would be nicer with higher resolution
I use NOD32 antivirus + agnitum outpost firewall for about 4 years now and it never let me down. Also free ad-aware scanner, cause of those snicky adware are getting through...

 

You could also save a couple of buks on wireless n, cause it's useless for most cases Unless you have a router, which supports wireless n at home/work

 

Not to start a fight or anything...

Norton Internet Security 2008
-Virus protection
-Spyware protection
-Adware protection
-Online Physing Filter now compatable to Firefox!
-Network Map
-Security Inspector
-Full and Quick Scan
-Email Scanning
-Advanced Firewall
-Intrusion Prevention
-Program Control
-Quick Fix Button
>Not saying NOD32 doesnt have these things, im just not sure and have never heard of it.

 

Seems like we have some different opinions, lol

Id say N is worth it. If you do buy an N router (i suggest DLink DIR-655) you can get 300Mlbs vs. 54Mlbs with G. While it is another thing to buy, its definetly worth it. I have the D-Link DIR-655 (N), great speed increase from even a Super G (108Mlbs) and especially a regular G. WHile, not useful YET in public places, at home (when most important for me) you can fully utilize it with an N wireles router.

 

Have a look at the comparatives section on the left (Aug 2007 and Nov 2007 results):

http://www.av-comparatives.org/

The results of these comparisons are the highest rated in the Anti-virus world.

For firewall I recommend Comodo. It's free and is as good as any firewall out there.

 

Wow alot of anti-virus brands ive never heard of. They are just comparing the Anti-Virus version. The Internet Security has alot more features that the Anti-Virus Lacks, while still having Anti-Virus included. By the way: I like the Imprint Finish (Verve) on your HP special edition vs. the regular one (Radience) on the regular models. I wish there was a special edition 17" model with "Verve" or an option for that on the dv9700t.

 

You forgot:
-Craploads of bloat
-More bloat
-Whale fat
-Bloat

 

I used Norton Internet Security for five years before switching to NOD32 because it failed to detect a trojan that wrecked my old PC.

It might have all those added extras but if it can't do the virus detecting properly it's not very useful in my opinion. Plus it used to use 120 MBs of RAM while NOD32 uses 20MBs.

With comodo firewall, nod32 (it's protection is pretty complete: email, internet browsing, spyware, normal anti-virus etc.) and a couple of free anti-spyware programs i've had no problems on four pcs for over a year now.

And yeah I can't wait to get my dv2700, they need to hurry up and get it in stock (its a pre-config in the UK)

 

my cable isp maxes out at 100 mbps (i believe, based on the fact that that is the speed of my wired connection, plus I have a tech tell me that once, still have to double check though.)

Based on that would a n router benefit, or would I be better off with a g boosted to 100 mbps

 

Your cable is no where close to that fast. It's probably rated at 5 Mb/s, with actual bandwidth of 1-2 Mb/s. Wireless N offers greater range and greater intra-network sharing, such as transferring files from one computer to another.

 

Save your money and stick to what you have, it's really not worth spending money on.

 

i dunno it says 100.0 mbps right now. Its optimum online, a local company.

 

No cable service offers that kind of speed. It's like you saying that your car runs at 1000 miles per hour.

Go to www.speedtest.net and run the bandwidth test.

 

The 100.0 mbps refers to max theoretical speed of your network card (i.e. 10/100 ethernet). It definitely does not refer to your internet connection speeds.

 

I'm guessing thats your LAN connection speed

 

lol u guys no more than me about this stuff, i guess there pulling my leg

yea it is my lan.

 

Like Lithus said run the test at www.speedtest.net to find out your actual internet speed!

 

cool ill do that

 

it says 9293 kb/s download, 1632 kb/s upload, ping 20ms

 

That means your internet connection download speed is 9.3mb and upload 1.6mb. Which is very good

Mine is 4.4mb / 0.4mb just for comparison

 

wow that seems like a big difference, so in terms of the n card, what does it tell you? Should i get it.

 

Thats pretty high. Nice. but yea 100 is your LAN speed. I still suggest N though.

 

It tells me that your internet speed will be exactly the same with or without the wireless N card.