What's the bottleneck?

Hey guys,

In a computer with a C2D T6600 (2.20GHz at 800MHz) and GT 240M (1GB), is the processor or the GPU the bottleneck? What if the CPU is upgraded to T7550 (2.26GHz at 1066MHz)?

 

Well 2.2 gigs aint that great. If your planning on buying a new laptop try going for atleast 2.53 ghz core 2 duo or wait for the new corei5 or corei7 models. If your not planning on any gaming, 2.2 ghz should be fine.

 

I do plan on playing games on it. But I remember reading somewhere on this forum that a 2.0GHz+ CPU won't bottleneck 240MGT. Can someone confirm?

 

It all boils down to which games you are playing- Some games are CPU intensive, some games are more GPU intensive.

 

Yepp

I used to play Empire Earth 1 & 2 on Integrated graphics on an old 910/915 chipset...

Most basic idea:
Lots of Artificial intelligence, lot's of "individual thing" (like Empire Earth, all the little people) -> needs CPU

All else -> needs GPU

 

How much ram do you have?
IF you have 1-2GBs thats a definite bottleneck. For game 3.5+GB is needed,especially if your on vista...7 is a bit better with games and framerates,well atleast for me.

 

CoD, some Total War games occasionally/rarely, racing games, Texas Hold'em, that's about it.

I'm configuring a new computer with Windows 7 64bit, this is not for my current computer. Currently I have 3GB DDR3, but I can upgrade to 4GB DDR3 for $30 if it makes a noticeable difference.

 

The older total war games (Rome) need a good CPU if I remember it correctly.
More than graphics anyway - work on an Intel integrated card

On a 64Bit System 4GB is highly advisable - especially for 30$.
On a 32Bit system it could be debatable, but 64Bit - go 4GB or more. (more than 4GB is possibly too expensive)

 

4GB does help...especially in opening more programs etc... i would recomend that u get a laptop with core i7 + GTX260M at least... ex would be asus G51J with core i7-720qm, NVDIA GTX260M , full hd screen...From $1499 and less on some online website... if ur looking for the config with T6600 and GT240M , i recommend that u get a P9000 series and T9000 series processor... preferably T9600 or P9600...but if u can , get a Q9000... quad core really helps... plenty of configs u can get for $1500 and lower... minimum for gaming notebook.

 

The question is, does the OP want to spend that much money - I think he/she doesn't want to. (My guess is its a sub 1000$ configuration)

And its not always about getting the best on the planet but the best you can afford.

Oh, and do write "you" please, its 2 letters more but much more legible

 

Sounds good but as long your not playing CPU Intensive games like GTAIV you should be fine so no need to worry since your GPU is great

I have managed to run GTAIV on reasonable settings mostly medium settings and some settings on high even though i have a weak CPU. The commandline tweaks really does helps

 

To upgrade to P9600+ is an extra $490. I don't think that's worth buying considering I only have a 240MGT. I'm staying away from 260 because the cheapest ones are Asus G51/61 but they're too flashy for my preference. I'm staying around the $750 range don't have much money left to spend after Christmas.

No more GTA or Sims for me

You know me too well

 

Its not knowing you - its knowing people.

Note everybody can get top specced products - in fact most can't.

With me I'm lucky because I have my grandmother - and not partying and drinking helps too (I don't) so that means more to spend elsewhere.

 

Haha, I got my 12MPG to pay for everyweek... There goes all my money.

 

12MPG = 12 Miles Per Gallon?

Well, on the plus side - non gaming computer = not so many games = more time for other stuff

 

Yeaup 12 miles per gallon. I do want a gaming computer though ahaha, just don't need one that's on the top of the line.

 

That's pretty bad... for European standards - well, I hope you get a computer you're happy with

 

There are almost no cases where a T6600 will be the bottleneck paired with a 240M unless you're thinking of running all your games at really, really low screen resolution.

It's true that in games with lots of AI, you will need more processing power, but the 240M will still be the bigger limitation, especially if you are planning to play games at more than 1024x768.

I had a T7500 with an 8600M GT in my last laptop, and I could get more frames by overclocking the GPU, but CPU overclocking did practically nothing for me. Though the card you're looking at, AmazingGracePlayer, is more powerful, you are in a similar situation.

If you're really on a budget and want a more powerful GPU, you might check out Best Buy's G51s, G60s, and G71s. The screen resolution isn't that great, but you can get a GTX 260M for $1000-$1300. (The cheapest model was $899 yesterday, but I don't know when a sale like that might show up again.)

 

Best buy has a ASUS with a Intel P8700 CPU with a GTX260 for only $1149. I just saw it in their catalog today

 

I'm mainly looking at 15 inch and under, somewhat portable notebooks. And I'm leaning away from the Asus Republic of Gamers notebooks because they're too flashy and unsuitable for work. Please check out my thread here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=446084

 

lets you buy more pens

 

Okay, I think I see what you're looking for. I think the N81-N83 (or x83) series would be probably work well. You might check out the X83 on Newegg--it's $699 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220635

Furthermore, the graphics card, though listed as a 4650 is actually a 4670.

You might also look at the Sager np2098 or FORCE KHLB2 at somewhere like Xotic PC. One of the advantages there would be customization...

Good luck!

 

why do you think there is a bottleneck?

 

My last heavy expenditure was cameras - and that's the next planned one...

But I would like more money available for pens - guess I have to wait on that

(Immediate uses of things like SSDs and Cameras is greater)

 

I find the N81's rust/purple color scheme very intolerable. I was looking at the X83 as well and will probably end up getting that. Since it has a 4650 (or 4670) DDR3 GPU, it should outperform the Lenovo's GT240M. The two Sager/Compal computer are nice but are 15.6 inches, which if I wanted one in that size I would get a G51Vx. But thanks for all the recommendations, I was going to get the X83 on Amazon for $830 if I didn't see your Newegg link

EDIT:
I hate the fact that I'm endorsing Newegg. I'm ordering an 800 dollar laptop and they're charging me 57 dollars in taxes and 15 for shipping... Unreal.

 

Well, as long as you use a cpu based on the C2D design clocked above 2 GHz it should be okay since your looking at Nvidia Geforce 240m-260m or ATI Mobility HD 4650-4670 cards.
But if you want to wait a little Intel and AMD is prepping for releasing new mobile prosessors and ATI Mobility HD 5000 is soon to be released too.

 

Just ordered the X83. I probably can't afford new 5000 cards anyway. Thanks everyone for your help!

 

if u got any spare cash , sell ur T6600 and get a T9600.. its about $200-300 more..