640m vs. 740qm / hd 5870m vs. gtx 460m

Ok guys, so i am configuring a clevo rig right now, and i have the choice between a 640m (cheaper) and a 740qm for only a minimal price difference.

I know that 640m = high-end dual-core and 740qm = rather low-end quad-core both up to 8GB RAM.

Notebookcheck's benchmarking place the 640m quite a tad higher than the 740qm, so i was wondering if i'm missing something, since i don't see the point of choosing the quad over the dual. What would you get?

Also, I could upgrade the gtx 460m to a hd 5870 for 122E (~170$), worth it?

 

Curious what the two benchmark at (% difference-wise)?

How long would you be keeping this system for? I think the true quad core is definitely the better long-term buy (even if the dual core is significantly faster in today's core-inefficient programs).

Your choice will also depend on what use the system will be put to. If multi-tasking and/or audio/video rendering the quad core should be seeing the upper hand.

If you're 'just' gaming - the faster dual core will outperform the quad - but at the expense of being possibly outdated sooner with the next round of apps/games that will be released in the coming months/years.

 

As far as i can tell somewhere in the 5-15% range, although in a few benchmarks the 740qm has the upper hand.

After a closer look, it seems that even though the 640m is rated 6th and the 740qm 10th, the subjective performance gain of the dual core tends to dwindle when faced with optimized multi-thread applications, as you said.

I think i'm better off with the quad, as i won't be exclusively gaming on this machine, and multi-tasking is also important to me.

thanks for the answer.

what about the gtx 460m vs. hd 5870m?

 

If the laptop in your sig still runs wait until after CES in January and buy a Sandy Bridge + HD6870 machine.


If you have to buy now then either CPU with a Mob. HD5870.

 

If you can wait, then don't buy now, instead, get a new Sandy Bridge with the HD6870 in early 2011.

If you HAVE to buy now, then go for the i7 740qm + 5870.

 

Yeah, you both are right. Should probably wait...although i'm tired of playing the waiting game

Actually bought a msi gx660r with 740qm and hd 5870m, got it today, but will return it because of really horrible display (auo15ed).

 

lol that bad? Thought the display would be better han GX640 etc... anyways , just wait...sandy bridge will be better... worth waiting if ur laptop works... mine didn't work so i got a G73

 

see: http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/524083-gx660-r-owners-lounge-6.html#post6805204

i'm really hoping for it to be just an exception...still pondering whether i should have it replaced and try my luck again, or if i should just get my money back.

 

Best practices: Always get your money back first, then try to resolve the issue.