GeForce 7600 vs. 7950 (tradeoffs)

Two configurations, significant differences as follows:

1. 1.83 Ghz Intel T5600 C2D, GeForce Go 7950 512
2. 2.16 Ghz Intel T7400 C2D, GeForce Go 7600 256


I'm getting this for "business," so I know that either will do fine. But for gaming (shh! don't let the bosses know) what's the best tradeoff between processor and gpu?

I'm looking to play Darkfall Online whenever it is released.

And is there noticeable difference between the 2mb and 4mb L2 cache on those processors?

Thanks -

(I know I've been kicking around a lot of configurations lately.. thanks for all the replies. I'm narrowing things down immensely)

 

You will never notice a difference between processors, even with the 2MB cache difference unless you are doing number crunching for hours on end. The 7950 is the fastest mobile card are the market right now, but the 7600 is no slouch.

I'd get the first computer.

 

What if the price difference between the two was $300 (more for the 7950)?

Would I be happy with the 7600 for gaming in the future? And, assuming that the 7600 would be fine for all current games and at least for now, can the GPU later be upgraded in the Hypersonic Aviator MV7?

 

You have to be talking about a 17" machine if you have a choice of the 7950. The Go7600, while a great card (I have one), won't push high-resolution graphics to a big screen like the 7950 will, period. Even current games will have to be played at a lower than native resolution or at reduced detail if you go with the 7600. If you plan on recent games at all, at a decent res, I'd suggest the 7950.

 

get the 7950, the best single card for notebooks

only get 7600 if you need portability

just don't get fired for playing games

lol

cpu power will be sufficient, and you can always upgrade cpu later on

 

Although the first system is the better gamer, it might be easier to justify the second one to the boss who's paying for it (it doesn't look like an obvious gaming machine). That is, of course, unless your boss has no idea and doesn't mind spending extra money on your notebook.

If, however, they're both 17" and you don't mind a 17" system, you'll want the first system. I'd only get a go 7600 on a 15.4" or smaller system personally.

 

vespoli is correct, i am a proud owner of a 7600, and everyday it surprises me by performing to the fullest.

 

$300 to upgrade from a 7600 to a 7950, with a minor decrease in processor speed, is a steal

dell charges around $600 to upgrade from a 7900gs to a 7950gtx (going from e1705 to m1710


but we'd need to see the specs and prices of those machines, it could be that your selection with the 7600 is overpriced

 

Yea in the long run a better gpu will mean your laptop will last longer, and don't forget. You can always upgrade that cpu in the future but it will be a lot harder to upgrade that gpu, and thats if its possible. I have herd of dells that the gpu can be upgraded but thats only a select few.