Differences between low end Core 2 Duos?

I have seen topics that debate over the low and the high end, such as Core 2 Duo T5500 vs T7200

However, My question is a little different. I'm on a tight budget, so would it be worth $50 to upgrade from a Core 2 Duo T5200 (1.60 GHz) to a T5500 (1.66 GHz) ? I will be gaming with 1GB ram and GeForce 7400 128MB ded/128mb shared

 

Depends on what you want to do. If its mainly just word processing and surfing the Internet, then the T5200 will do just fine. If, on the other hand, you want to do a little bit of encoding and slightly more intensive tasks, then an upgrade to the T5500 will be helpful. This is because the T5500 has a slighty larger bus at 667 Mhz, which will mean it can handle that extra data flow.

 

The difference between the T5200 and the T5500, besides the 60MHz clockspeed gap, is that the T5200 has a 533MHz FSB versus a 667MHz one on the T5500 and up. It's not a difference most users are going to notice; what are you planning to do with this notebook?

$50 is a fairly cheap upgrade.

Edit: Zero beat me to it.

 

The most intensive tasks are probably compiling computer code and gaming (BF2142, Half life 2, FEAR). So will $50 be worth it for an enhancement in gaming?

 

Personally I'd save the $50 but that's just me. I can't see there being much difference in performance between the two despite the FSB differences.

 

As Chaz has mentioned, a $50 upgrade isn't all that much, and it will the ability to the processor to transfer and recieve more data fom the system. Gaming is FSB saturating, so, yes, it should be worth the extra money.

 

I personally would pay the $50 for the upgrade. But if it's a squeeze, you can definitely do without it. The T5200 is plenty capable in its own right.

 

Would I need 667 ram to use the 667 in the processor? Because I don't know if the ram is 533 or 667.

And if I do get the upgrade, do you think the gain would be noticeable such as 5-10 fps difference?

 

Do you have a link to the system you're considering?

If the RAM is PC4200, then it's going to be 533 MHz. PC5300 is 667 MHz.

I don't think it will make a 5-10 FPS difference in most scenarios.

 

You can use 533 RAM for a 667 processor and vice versa.

 

No it's fine. You don't have to match up the FSB speed and RAM, and for particular reasons you don't need to worry about the 667 will actually perform similar to the 553.

 

It's a customized dv6000t from hp. Price: $878.99

Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5200 (1.60 GHz)


Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)


Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400


Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone


Memory FREE Upgrade to 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)


Hard Drive FREE Upgrade from 40GB 5400RPM to 80GB 5400RPM


Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive


Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth


TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control


Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money

 

I think your hardware questions have been answered. I think that configuration looks to be pretty good for what you will be using it for.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Hey, guys I'm considering buying a new laptop with core duo or core 2 duo in it. So far, i found a good laptop with core 2 duo running on 1.6Ghz with geforce 7900 gs. Is that enough processor power for gaming? Also, there are a couple of option with Core processors running on 1.7-1.8Ghz speeds. Is it still a good investment for gaming or not?thank you,

BiG_V

 

The 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo T5200 is fine for gaming, but considering how powerful the Go7900GS is, it can take advantage of a faster CPU. The Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0GHz/4MB L2) would be a great match for that card.

What laptop are you looking at?

 

yeah, u're right, but i'm looking at dell's outlet laptops, so i don't really have that much of a choice, just the best deal available... at the time of buying a new laptop.