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    Faster RAM (1333 to 1600Mhz) or CPU (2720QM to 2820QM)?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by terminus123, Jul 27, 2011.

  1. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    I was wondering what would be the "most noticible" upgrade?

    -RAM:
    8GB 10660/1333MHz to 8GB 12800/1600MHz DDR3

    or

    -CPU:
    Intel i7 2720QM (2.2-3.3GHz L3 6MB cache) to 2820QM (2.3-3.4GHz L3 8MB cache)

    More importantly when does L3 cache size or RAM speed matter?

    -Thanks!
     
    terminus123, Jul 27, 2011
    #1
  2. Bill Nye

    Bill Nye Know Nothing

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    Won't notice RAM, at all.

    Won't notice CPU either.

    Pocket the difference and get better specs/SSD/warranty/money.
     
    Bill Nye, Jul 27, 2011
    #2
  3. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    It all depends on the application running on the laptop. In most cases the difference in performance will be marginal.
     
    naton, Jul 27, 2011
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  4. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    The only difference the RAM upgrade would make is if you used only the IGP :)

    At that point, faster RAM would allow more IGP bandwidth, which has been shown to make a difference in gaming.

    Outside of IGP-only gaming (dedicated GPU isn't affected), there is no noticeable, or appreciable, difference.
     
    jeremyshaw, Jul 27, 2011
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  5. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    yep, going to be using IGP to play some BF3 and Crysis 2!

    What would be the more significant benefit?
     
    terminus123, Jul 27, 2011
    #5
  6. Bill Nye

    Bill Nye Know Nothing

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    Warranty or SSD.
     
    Bill Nye, Jul 27, 2011
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  7. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    jeremyshaw, Jul 27, 2011
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  8. Bill Nye

    Bill Nye Know Nothing

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    I thought that was a troll post. He's listing a P150HM with 580m/6990m in his sig.
     
    Bill Nye, Jul 27, 2011
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  9. eleven

    eleven Notebook Consultant

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    If I'm upgrading, it better be extreme.
    One jump, big jump. :)

    Upgrade to max processor!
    (2720QM --> 2820QM is not worth it IMO)
     
    eleven, Jul 27, 2011
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  10. DEagleson

    DEagleson Gamer extraordinaire

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    I would keep the default Intel Core i7 2630qm if i were you.

    My notebook got the Intel Core i7 2720qm (was default for me), 1600mhz DDR3 and the speed difference is minimal at best.
    Only thing this would show up is in benchmarks.

    The biggest speed improvement for me was the Intel SSD 510.

    Use the cash saved on a dual storage setup (SSD for OS + HDD for games), better gpu or extra warranty.
     
    DEagleson, Jul 27, 2011
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  11. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

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    Isn't the OP (according to their signature) considering buying an nvidia GTX 580m or AMD 6990m?

    If this is the case what's the point of having more (IGP) bandwidth?
     
    naton, Jul 27, 2011
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  12. LaptopUser247

    LaptopUser247 Notebook Consultant

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    Difficult straw to pick. It all depends on the application. In either case those the gains will be so minimal you'll likely not notice them outside of benchmarks.
     
    LaptopUser247, Jul 27, 2011
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  13. terminus123

    terminus123 Notebook Deity

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    I was sarcastic on the IGP playing Crysis 2 thing. Yea--I will not be using IGPs anytime soon.
     
    terminus123, Jul 27, 2011
    #13