Core2Duo comparison T5600 or T7200?

I'm looking at buying a Dell 1505 and I was trying to decide which processor to get. Is there a noticeable difference between the T7200 and the T5600? I was just wondering because I'm not sure if it is worth the extra money to get the higher end processor. I do office type work and some photo editing. I don't play graphics intensive games. I was thinking of getting the slower processor and upgrading to 2 GB of RAM with the ATI 256 MB 1400 video card.

Also, at some point I will switch to Vista after some of the bugs have been worked out.

Thanks

 

The T7200 will be a bit faster, but not hugely. Don't forget the faster hard drive which is often overlooked for performance.

 

Yea go with the (slightly) slower processor and more RAM.

 

The T7200 does have its advantages, but it's quite possible you would never notice the difference between the two.

I'm going to move this to the Hardware Forum. Also, try a quick search as there are a number of threads on this topic with a lot of input already posted.

 

1st thing first before deciding-HDD (get at least 5400. 7200 if you can live with 100gb )
Even if you have a T7200, 4700rpm HDD is a bottleneck and it waste your money for T7200

Then, consider RAM usage..
How much RAM do you need?
In daily usage, you'll hardly notice the difference between 667mhz and 533mhz.
Maybe gaming is different (maybe )
But there's significant difference between 1gb and 2gb.
(moreover if you have dual core proc and doing multi-tasking)
It's like this..
For ex. you want to run apllications that need 100mb RAM each.
With 1gb, you can only run smoothly 10-11 apps.
But with 2gb, it's doubled (20-21 apps).

Third is then proccessor.
A core2Duo or a TurionX2 is a MUST have (don't ask me why ).

About T5600 or T7200...
If money's no prob for you, then DEFINATELY, T7200
There is no HUGE jump between those 2, but you'll 'feel' it.
And if you get T7200, be sure to get at least 5400rpm HDD and 2gb RAM

 

Hey Everyone, thanks for the help. I think I'll get the C2D 7200 and check around for prices of RAM and 7200 HDs. With with a little effort I'm sure I can do better than Dells prices.

 

If i hadn't bought my acer,
rite now, i would buy Asus A8JP!
(rencently reviewed)
ONLY 1300 U$$

 

That's the right idea. You can always upgrade HDD's and memory later, while you won't be able to do so with a CPU. With that in consideration, going with a better processor is the smarter decision.

 

I don't believe that it's true any longer about not being able to upgrade the cpu.

I'll be upgrading my NX9420 to at minimum a T5600 even though it comes with a T2400 right now. As long as the system uses a 945 chipset there is just a BIOS upgrade issue to support the C2D's as opposed to the core duo's...so it's now even possible to match the cpu to you budget now then upgrade to a fast CPU later if you need it. Because like RAM & HDD's CPU's are gonna be cheaper from a 3rd party, especially if you do not need the fastest now and can wait a couple months until this summer.

Heck, the 945 based C2D's will also support the next gen 64-bit cpu's won't they?

 

Well, the Core 2 Duo is the next-generation 64-bit processor. If you mean the updated Core 2 Duos that are coming with Intel's upcoming Centrino Pro platform, then no. Those Core 2 Duos are similar to the current ones, but will not be pin compatible with current Core 2 Duos.

 

d'oh!! yeah, I knew that....about the c2d's...oops just got ahead of myself...What was in my head was the C2D's will support a 64-bit OS soon as they are actually worth using. I just tripped oer me brain on the way to the screen. But you get the idea...

But I didn't the Centrino Pro was not going to be pin compatible. Thanks!

 

Hmm, so it seems like most of you are for getting a better processor by default. I see that the price difference between the T5600 and T7200 is more than $100 CAD. Are there REALLY so much conceivable performance hike that such price difference is reasonable? I tried to locate any sort of performance chart that involves those two processors, but thanks to my sucky google-fu, to no avail. Could someone please answer this, probably with examples or performance charts if any?

[edit] Ouch, sorry. I never realized there was a thread dedicated on that topic. Please disregard my question. [/edit]