Vostro Processor Options

I might end up ordering a new Vostro, although I despise the case design, keyboard and touchpad. However, I want to know about processors, I wont be paying the exra to get up into the 7000 series, but I want to know is it worth spending the extra for the 1.6ghz(the 5470), or if im not going up into the 7000 series should I just stick with the 1.4ghz(5270) that comes standard, these are both core 2 duos.

The reason I ask is because if its not a big deal, I may just upgrade the gfx card or the memory or get a better screen if its going to have little effect.

One final question, I have had amd for years now, how will these processors compare to a single Athlon 64 3800(2.4ghz)? Thanks!

 

im sure the basic processor will be more than fine for any of your tasks. and the c2d is better than the amd athlon processor.

 

i remember sometime ago i did a superpi2M to compare both a coreduo at 1.6ghz and a 2,5ghz clocked athlon64 single. the results were very similar (like one second or less off difference)

considering that the core2duo arquitecture is better than coreduo(some say that it perfoms 15% better at the same frecuency) i'll say is definetly an imporvement, not that big, but it's there

but we can't forget the second core, that will help in certain applications and multitasked systems