Did Dell give me a good cpu exchange?

My old Dell M4400 Precision notebook with an intel T9400 2.53 ghz was replaced by Dell with a new M4500 that has an intel i5 M520 2.40 ghz processor. Will this new cpu be the same, better or worse in its ability to handle games? I mostly play simulation games such as the Silent Hunter 4 sub game.

I do not know very much about computers so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best regards.

 

Better. A lot better.

You need a core 2 overclocked around mine (maybe a little higher) to match them in games.

 

Wow, that is great news. I am glad that Dell came through for me in more than one way.

Thanks Meaker for your help! Much appreciated.

 

Comparing the two models, it looks like you got a strong GPU upgrade as well.

 

the CPU upgrade should be better... ya , u have gotten a more than fair trade.

 

Personally, I think you got ripped off!

The cost of your M4400 was more than what an M4500 is worth, no?

Sure, you may get 40% more performance out of it, but it cost Dell less to give you more (performance).

Seriously, I'm impressed with Dell!

BTW, why was your M4400 replaced?

 

T9400 = 2 logical cores @ 2.53ghz
i5 520m = 4 logical cores @ 2.4ghz

 

The 520m turbo's at 2.8 for dual.

 

Not to mention the architecture is completely different and comparing the two Hz-for-Hz is almost futile.

 

Going from Core2 and i5, IPC is about the same. The i series has a slight advantage, usually around 5%.

 

Overall it looks like everything about that processor is better.

 

I originally purchased the M4400 as a refurbished notebook from Dell. I am currently overseas in a country that has no Dell service center and started having problems with the gpu. When I talked to Dell business tech support in the USA, I told them that I had a friend that would be going back to the USA for several weeks and was willing to bring my notebook back to be fixed by Dell. They said that they would set up a technician to come to his house and fix it. It turned out that when they determined that the notebook might not be able to be fixed in time for his departure, they ordered me a new M4500 replacement without me even knowing about it! The new notebook arrived several days before my friend left on his overseas trip. Of course, once he arrived overseas, I had to drive eight hours to meet him and to get my new notebook from him. But it was a small price to pay to get a new notebook. Of course, at that point I would have been just as glad to get any working notebook, even my old one. Anyway, I am continually impressed with Dell's business support. This is not the first time that they came through above and beyond the call of duty. That is why I continue to purchase my refurbished notebooks and extended warranties only from Dell.

Best regards.

 

Tim,

thanks for following up on my question.

Great support story for Dell - again, I am impressed.

Have you had a chance to work on the new notebook - does it feel any better/faster/cooler/etc.? Does your normal computer work allow you to push the system at all?

Business support is always at a different level than home user support - when you depend on a system the difference in price is usually worth it (very obvious in your case).

 

Despite only getting the M4500 very recently, I definitely like it much better than my old M4400. Off hand, I like the wider screen size (1600 X 900) vs (1440 x 900) better, and the speakers have a much better sound to them. The overall feel to the notebook is similar to the solid construction of the M4400. The biggest thing that I notice is that the air vents underneath the notebook have been greatly enlarged. Although I do not use power hungry apps for work , I do play some fairly intensive graphics and cpu games (like the Silent Hunter 4 submarine simulation game.) When I used to play this game on the M4400, the gpu would easily reach into the mid 80 to low 90 C degrees range. When I tried playing this same game today, the gpu temperature never went above 72 C degrees. The enlarged air vents make a huge difference in keeping the notebook much cooler. Overall, although I liked the M4400, I definitely think the M4500 is a great improvement.
Best regards.

 

congrats... wish i had a similar thing with my Dv5t.. the vents are too small and coolings crap... hp really has to spend more on designing better vents for its Dv3,4,6,7 series laptops..