Torn between choosing a laptop, i7 + 230m or core2duo + 260m?

I'm actually taking this post from someone on GameFAQs, but I think more people here would be able to answer.

Which is better to last longer and how much better in terms of performance is one configuration compared to the other? Thanks.

 

The 260m is about twice as powerful as the 230m. As far a processors, you're comparing brands, not models.

 

In terms of gaming, the GTX260M combination will last you more down then line as GPUs bottleneck more than CPUs most of the time. An i7 system is nice, but chances are games will be limited in performance by the GT230M.

As Lithus said, there's twice the performance from a GT230M to a GTX260M.

 

For most games, the C2D/GTX 260M combo wins hands down.

 

What is the C2D cpu? That means quite a bit. If it was a T5470, then I'd say forget it and keep looking.

 

Even a 2.0GHz C2D is sufficient for most games as it still wouldn't bottleneck the GPU.

 

I believe the processor is a P7350. How's that?

 

That should be fine. There are some very weak Core 2 Duo's out there, just wanted to make sure that wasn't the case.

 

Hmm, sounds like you are looking at an Asus G51...

Just warning you, they do get quite hot, not to the point of melting, but the cooling systems on them are quite inefficient. The temperature is enough to make the average user worried.

 

Gamefaqs? I used to be there on the PC board, but I got banned.

Plus, there were so many trolls there, and there weren't that many people who actually knew their stuff sadly. I remember there were some pretty good people there, but not many.

 

I agree. You're much better off with a GTX 260m and a Core 2 Duo than a newer CPU and much weaker GPU, at least for gaming purposes.

 

I would find out what CPU it is, because anything below a 2Ghz Core 2 Duo can somewhat bottleneck a 256bit gpu. But the 260m is WAAAAY above the 230m.

 

Try looking for a Sager NP8662 with a core 2 quad if you can afford it or a new Clevo WC890CU or Asus G51J.. the last 2 come with core i7s and GTX260M or GTX280M...

 

Is all you care about pure gaming? Because if I'm guessing right your debating between the ASUS g51 and Sony CW190. Like mentioned the 260 is significantly faster than the 230. The 230 is a medium end card. Its main purpose is to have gaming capability but still maintain battery life. Systems with the 260 generally wont make it past 2 hours on battery. Resolution is also an issue. At 1366*768 the 230 will still play most games at medium to high (even maxed settings). The 260 will max most games at that resolution and have better framerates.

Just wanted to mention the battery thing because the way this thread might sound to a novice is that the 230 is a bad card and that the 260 is the only one that will game. Many people I feel get the powerful rigs without consieration of other aspects that they might find more useful than higher settings and FPS. I personally have the 230m and its handled Fallout 3 and Mass Effect on medium-high settings wonderfully so far if that helps.

EDIT: I misread the topic title. Considering the i7 negates most of the power saving of the 230 I heavily recommend the 260 machine performance wise.

 

Go with GTX260......