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    CPU upgrade worth it ? T5200->T7200 ?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by amol0010, Jul 23, 2009.

  1. amol0010

    amol0010 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi...
    I currently am using a dell inspiron 640m laptop with 3 gig 667 ram ddr2, intel 945 platform.

    I notice some slowdowns using VMware with the T5200 clocked at 1.6 ghz and 533 mhz FSB.

    Is it gonna be a worthwhile upgrade to a T7200 merom with 4 mb cache 2.0ghz / 667 mhz ?

    I think it should cost me about $100 from ebay.

    I was rather planning a new laptop altogether, but i read that the DDR3 does not really offer any performance advantage for the time being and my laptop almost really does what I need.

    My use - Vmware server with 2 virtual machines running togther

    Internet browsing

    HTPC use with bluetooth remote - HD movies /DVD movies



    The laptop is very stable and hasnt failed me *touch wood* but I am not satisfied with the performance with VMware as it takes a long time to boot.

    It also stutters with 1080p movies encoded in .mkv. 720p runs fine.


    Should I go for the upgrade ? Would I really notice any difference with my needs ?

    Thanks..
     
    amol0010, Jul 23, 2009
    #1
  2. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    Yes, I think the upgrade would give you a bit more power. Especially for running Virtual Machines. ;)
     
    ahl395, Jul 23, 2009
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  3. amol0010

    amol0010 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ^ Thanks. Any idea regarding the 1080p movies ? Is it the CPU limiting factor or the onboard display card that's problematic ?
     
    amol0010, Jul 23, 2009
    #3
  4. xxbadboys93

    xxbadboys93 Notebook Deity

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    Yes the cpu is is what causing those stutters, why don't you get an even better cpu.
     
    xxbadboys93, Jul 23, 2009
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  5. amol0010

    amol0010 Notebook Enthusiast

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    ^ Those get kind of out of budget I think. The T7200 seemed like a decent vfm.

    Which other would you suggest for this platform ?

    Thanks.
     
    amol0010, Jul 23, 2009
    #5
  6. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    533Mhz FSB slows down the CPU. Could try a setfsb software overclock or hardware overclock, see sig, if out of warranty. Free performance is best bang-per-buck.
     
    User Retired 2, Jul 23, 2009
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  7. moral hazard

    moral hazard Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    moral hazard, Jul 23, 2009
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  8. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    I easily got the T5300 to run at 2.6Ghz on my laptop (via pin mod). I cound't go any higer because 200MHZ is the maximum FSB supported by my laptop. Also I didn't like the amount of heat generated by the CPU under full load (83-85c).

    I would like to do the same with a T5200 (2.4Ghz). I think the T5200 overclocked will run cooler


    Back to business. The T7200, T7400 and T7600 would provide a considerable improvment over the T5200, but they are quiet expensive.
     
    naton, Jul 23, 2009
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  9. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    your VMs likely won't start up any faster, as they're most likely harddrive dependent. getting an ssd would help... but that's costly.

    1080p playback should work, but maybe doesn't get hw acceleration, which may be needed.
     
    davepermen, Jul 23, 2009
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  10. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    I upgraded from the T5300 to the T7400. I noticed quite a large increase in system performance when running CAD.
    I would say that the upgrade is worth it. Try finding a T7200 for a little less. Try finding one for $80

    K-TRON
     
    K-TRON, Jul 23, 2009
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  11. Saisei

    Saisei Notebook Deity

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    Ebay should have the t7200 for low prices.Might even find something faster than the t7200.
     
    Saisei, Jul 23, 2009
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  12. amol0010

    amol0010 Notebook Enthusiast

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    how in the world did you do that ?? Let me know please..
     
    amol0010, Jul 24, 2009
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  13. bense

    bense Notebook Geek

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    He's on socket M, so it's either T7200, T7400, T7600

    I have a sony vaio vgn-n385e that came with a T5300. I upgraded it to a T7400 that I found on ebay. I noticed a big difference in performance. It just felt like the system was no longer running out of breath as often. I got lucky and found my T7400 for about $110 6 months ago.


    The T7600 comes with the premium of being the top end CPU, I would either go T7200 or T7400.
     
    bense, Jul 24, 2009
    #13