Very hard decision here :(

I've settled on buying an Inspiron E1705 that I would probably use mostly for gaming. I'm going to get the Geforce Go 7900 GS, but i have a very hard decision here. Whether or not to increase the processor speed or the RAM, in an effort to save money and maybe get some other accessories.

Currently, i'd either get:

Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.00 GHz, 4Mb L2 Cache, 667 Mhz FSB)

2Gb Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533 Mhz

Geforce Go 7900 GS


or

Core 2 Duo T7400 (2.16 GHz, 4Mb L2 Cache, 667 Mhz FSB)

1 GB Shared Dul Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667 MHZ

GeForce Go 7900 Gs

So, its basically between a .16 ghz processor increase and a drop in 1gb memory, or 2gb memory with only 2.0ghz processor.

I've tried reading up on the Core 2 Duo processor for gaming, and i've heard that not many games take advantage of both cores, but instead only use 1, so it'd basically be like having only a 2.0ghz processor, which might be kinda slow for some of the latest games....thats the whole reason im debating this. Any opinions would be appreciated, thanks

(Or, do you think i should wait a little longer for something better to come out like Santa Rosa, or Core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz laptop processors)

 

What is the price difference?

1gb RAM nowadays don't cost much, you can pick up a stick of 1gb for $30.

 

The difference between the 2.0 and 2.16 processors is very small...and in gaming the GPU will be the limiter so you are not going to notice a difference.

Additionally, the 2GB of RAM will greatly help applications and gaming. I'd get your first choice listed.

EDIT: As Cori just put it, if it costs less to get more RAM later...

 

Between the two configs i would get the t7200 and 2 gb becuase it will peform better in games out of the box.

If you are really interested in gaming and then wait for nv geforce 88++ series(GeForce 8M Series)

 

Hmm lemme look

Well, with the 2.0 ghz and 2gb of ram it is 1448, and the 2.16 and 1gb is
1498...so it comes down to 50 dollars

 

I'd get the first option. Another gig of ram will make a HUGE difference as opposed to a 'slightly' faster processor.

I'd probably get the laptop now since upcoming Santa Rosa models will probably be more expensive initially.

 

When does the GeForce 8m series come out and will it increase the price alot?

 

A few models already use new GeForce 8 series GPUs. For example the Asus G1s and the G2s both use the 8600m gt (if I'm not mistaken). They both include Santa Rosa processors. Another option would be the Asus C90s.

 

The first would be better. The processor difference is minimum at worst. The 2gb of ram is a better out of the box deal. But like on poster said, you can buy ram for hardly nothing these days. Kinda sad since a few months ago I paid 100 a stick for ddr2 667... =(

 

So you're saying it would be a waste to spend the extra 200$ for 1gb more memory when i can buy 1gb for 30$ seperate and upgrade it myself?

 

They usually advise so.
But make sure you won't get a lemon for a memory stick.

 

Get as much processor as you need now. Then upgrade the memory aftermarket. That's cheaper anyways. Vista will run much better with 2 gigs of memory though.

 

I agree you can always add ram later. I just bought a m1210 with the 2.16 and also have a m1710 and I did notice a cpu speed difference but both my machines have 2 gigs of ram....just my 2 cents

 

Your buying waaaay end of life.. for $1500??

Not my cup of tea but anyway.. it's your money (I would suggest you wait a month or two for the new Inspirons to hit the market)

 

Well, I was planning to see if Dell was going to release Santa Rosa Inspirons....but honestly what's the point? You know how Dell is, they only put the best graphics cards in their best laptops....so im guessing the 8m series will only go in their xps laptops, not the Inspirons....and there is a Sony VAIO already out with the 8400 GT for 1500

And what do you mean by waaaay end of life?