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    2GB/5400rpm vs 1GB/7200rpm

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by TripleH, Aug 1, 2006.

  1. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    Which would be faster?

    2GB 533mhz PC4200 RAM, 5400RPM Seagate Momentus 2.

    or

    1GB 667mhz PC5300 RAM, 7200 Hitachi Travelstar.
     
    TripleH, Aug 1, 2006
    #1
  2. Best Foot Forward

    Best Foot Forward Notebook Evangelist

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    The 7200rpm hd would definitely be the faster option as the hd is often the slowest component
     
    Best Foot Forward, Aug 1, 2006
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  3. NumLock

    NumLock Notebook Evangelist

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    but if you play some latest games and have a lot of programs opened at the same time or use softwares that consume a ton of memory; then go for the 2gb memory.

    Is the speed difference even noticable? I'd surely feel the diff between 1gb and 2gb memory if I use a lot of ram hungry apps.
     
    NumLock, Aug 1, 2006
    #3
  4. _radditz_

    _radditz_ Fallen to the Sith...

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    If you use lots of big apps - the 2GB RAM

    If you find 1GB is fine - the 7200 rpm HD.

    Personally I would opt for the better HD and get 1 stick of RAM if you then need more just pop in another stick.
     
    _radditz_, Aug 1, 2006
    #4
  5. dimmu

    dimmu Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    I'd go with the 1 gig 7200 HDD. It's faster, and if you want you can always easily upgprade the gig of ram with another 1 gig chip, giving you 2 gigs. For cheap too.
     
    dimmu, Aug 1, 2006
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  6. S96J

    S96J Notebook Geek

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    Unless you are doing some photo/video editing, CAD stuff, really new games, or lots (and I mean lots) of apps open at the same time, the faster hd will be the better option.
     
    S96J, Aug 1, 2006
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  7. csinth

    csinth Snitch?

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    Also, 667 mhz is faster then 533mhz...
     
    csinth, Aug 1, 2006
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  8. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    true, though some argue its not noticeable.
     
    TripleH, Aug 1, 2006
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  9. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    What will you be doing with the notebook?
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Aug 1, 2006
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  10. TripleH

    TripleH Notebook Consultant

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    Web email, mp3, msn, photoshop, no games.

    A lot of multitasking.

    Im still considering selling off my current P-M notebook and getting a Macbook.

    The real dilemna is whether its worth it and how much improvement i would see and benefit coming from using a duo core over a single P-M. Lets say I choose to max out the notebook I have now, the comparisons would look like this

    Sony - 1.73P-M, 2GB 533mhz ram, 7200rpm HD.

    vs the

    MacBook - 2.0Duo core, 1GB ram 667mhz, 5400rpm HD. Might even bring it up to 2GB ram...figure might as well get it over with if I do end up buying a MB this week. But really I ask myself, single P-M notebooks are out of date, it would be a waste of money maxing out the parts. if anything, might as well put that to a duo core.
     
    TripleH, Aug 1, 2006
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  11. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    I would rather have mnore ram, but that is always the cheapest and easiest thing to upgrade. SO go fast hdd and upgrade ram later.
     
    Thaenatos, Aug 1, 2006
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  12. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I would also say it's a better idea to go with the faster hard drive from the start, then upgrade the RAM later on. Easier and cheaper than upgrading the HDD, plus you won't have to reload all your data.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Aug 1, 2006
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  13. camsimple

    camsimple Notebook Evangelist

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    It sounds like 1Gig will be sufficient for you anyway.
     
    camsimple, Aug 1, 2006
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  14. ez2remember

    ez2remember Notebook Evangelist

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    Yep 1GB ram sounds more than sufficient for your needs now. Only when I play games do I hit peaks of 1.5GB of my total ram. I can load photoshop, all office apps, mp3s, 10x browser, email, and any other thing I throw at it and can't reach 1GB.

    Get the hard drive as most have suggested. Ram is easy and cheap to upgrade.
     
    ez2remember, Aug 1, 2006
    #14