Faster HD or Faster Processor

I'm debating between getting a laptop with a Core i5 450m processor with a 500GB 5400RPM HD or one with a Phenom II Triple-core N830 with a 500GB 7200RPM HD. Which one would better, as the specs for both laptops are pretty much the same:
Newegg.com - Gateway NV79C47u NoteBook Intel Core i5 450M(2.40GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory DDR3 1066 500GB HDD 5400rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650
Newegg.com - HP Pavilion DV7-4060US NoteBook AMD Phenom II Triple-Core N830(2.1GHz) 17.3" 4GB Memory 500GB HDD 7200rpm DVD Super Multi ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650

 

obviously go for the faster processor. But the Core i5 should do you good.

 

I'd personally go for the i5 because it provides a better performance to power ratio than the phenom ii would

 

Thanks for the suggestions, will probably be going with the Gateway.

 

Get the Intel. Then get a Seagate Momentus XT 500GB. It blows every 7200rpm drive away.

If you sell your 500GB 5400rpm drive you can use the money to fund the XT.

 

Well think logically. You can upgrade HDD anytime if you got money(they are cheap),but a processor upgrade is pretty costly(i think impossible in your case as going from amd to intel),So heads up go with the i5 option.BTW if you are that bothered about HDD speed,why not get an ssd instead!

 

Faster processor. You can replace that hard drive really easily...if you take the AMD, you're stuck with AMD.

 

Seagate Momentus XT is probably the best reasonable upgrade you can do on any internal component.

 

Spend the money on the CPU, hard drive upgrades are easy to do later, CPU... still possible but less so

 

get the faster intel processor... its much better than the AMD one and upgrading processor is seriously much harder than u needing to upgrade the hard drive.. also the 5650 in the gateway can be overclocked more than the one in the hp meaning better game performance.

 

I'd go with the Phenom since the i5 is pretty unremarkable as a middle level processor, so you won't be missing much.

 

No question...get the faster processor. You can always get a faster HDD later, and they're much cheaper.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Yes get the faster processor.

That one is the Intel (no kidding). What would you miss with the AMD 'solution'?

At least 25% slower, as seen here:

See:
PassMark Intel vs AMD CPU Benchmarks - High End


Not to mention the power savings and the cooler operation of the Intel.

 

Worst two brands for reliability for the last couple years. Hopefully these newer models reverse that trend.
Laptop-Reliability Study Highlights the Most Sturdy Laptop Makers

 

Let's not go into that pit again (benchmarks, studies, statistics and other lies).

Keep in mind those are the 'numbers' only for the people that bought a squaretrade policy on their computers and only in the past tense (no way of knowing what will happen in the future).

Just saying...

 

If you consider any of the things you mentioned invalid criteria to base a purchase on, what do you consider valid? Reliabilty is a concern for many people.

Yes, the numbers are only for the people that bought squaretrade warranties. Does that mean folks buying a particular brand of laptop are more or less likely to buy such a warranty? I'm not understanding your point. Also, does squaretrade have a reason to lie?

I agree that past performance can't predict the future. But I'd still rather use the study as a POSSIBLE indicator than the flip of a coin.

 

No, I'm not saying squaretrade has a reason to lie.

But, consider these points:

The computers in that study are not sold anymore.

The people who had the problems are likely not at the level of the people on this board. (They may have contributed to the problems).

The companies involved are in a constant state of change - Dell was #1 for a long time, hit bottom and is slowing regaining its once good reputation again.

I agree - don't flip a coin!

But rather, choose the best match to what is currently available.

I had horrible experience with Seagate HD's a couple of years ago - but I am still open minded enough to have tried the Momentus XT and it sure proved to be the right move - at this time.

The idea that 'some' past experiences by 'some' people for certain brands of computers will give you a better idea of what your experiences will be with the same computer brand is like believing that each time you do toss the coin, you'll have a better than 50% chance of getting heads (or tails) - if you do it enough times.

 

Agreed. That squaretrade 'study' is useless and I wish people would stop linking to it. It was not conducted in a matter where it would be statistically valid (i.e. mean something) and most certainly cannot be applied to the larger notebook industry.

 

Prefer the Intel based one; Phil´s combo will be a beast and not expensive.

 

if it was a quad phenon i wouldn't mind.. its a tri core one... so i5 seriosuly beats it... so intel one.

 

I don't know a lot about statistically valid studies. What makes the squaretrade study invalid?

Squaretrade sells warranties to 100 Asus owners. 9% end up needing warranty work.

Squaretrade sells warranties to 100 HP owners. 16% end up needing warranty work.

 

Nothing specifically makes the Squaretrade study invalid, in fact, I think it's perfect valid given its sources. However, the problem is exactly that; its sources. Remember that the Squaretrade study is based entirely on warranties that they sold and had problems reported to them, and while they only included items sold as "new" and not refurbished or used, the fact that these items have a Squaretrade warranty often implies a sale through a secondary or tertiary market, of goods that are surplus or liquidation, even if considered "new" (this is admittedly unprovable without better access to their sources, as they do not list models, only brands, and define netbooks as any notebook costing under $400). In point of fact, they point out that they don't take into account purchase location at all. You will note that the highest 3 companies in failure rate according to that study also happen to be the 3 more prolific makers of notebooks; while this should not normally affect the percentages given an adequate sample number, given the numbers that those companies churn out, the likelihood of "new" old models with problems hitting the market and requiring an aftermarket warranty are much higher by extension.

Really, it's not dissimilar to the car market; Brand name only goes so far, you really need to look at specific models to determine accurate reliability figures. Toyota may be generally more reliable than, say, Ford (random examples here), but you need to look at specific models to determine actual reliability (Prius acceleration problems, anyone?).

 

@krane
your answer is completly senseless!
phenom beats i5
moreover i5 is pretty middle class proc.LOLZ

 

the tri core phenon doesn't not.. the quad does... don't argue.. krane and me are experienced members.. get ur facts right before arguing.. this is N830 tri core and not the N930 quad which beats the i5...

 

seah473,

his facts are straight. He was paraphrasing Krane who posted that the i5 is a 'middle level processor' a few posts back.

 

ok sorry , i appologise.