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    Faster harddrive or faster processor. Which to take?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dazer, Aug 30, 2007.

  1. Dazer

    Dazer Newbie

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    Well, it seems dell has changed the dell vostro options slightly in the past few days.

    Now I am having trouble deciding whether to go for a:

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 Processor (2.0GHz,800MHz,4MB L2 cache)
    160GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive

    or

    Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7500 Processor (2.2GHz,800MHz,4MB L2 cache)
    160GB (5400RPM) SATA Hard Drive

    Let me just state that I did a search and read various topics about hard drive speeds, but I'm still unsure as to whether it is worth getting one or the other.

    Please don't say: "Get both" as I do not have the money for it. It's either one or the other. Which is worth more? Technically the 7200RPM spec will cost me £10 more but that's not relevant to my decision. Otherwise, they are the exact same specs.

    Thank you for any insight.
     
    Dazer, Aug 30, 2007
    #1
  2. alkaeda

    alkaeda Notebook Evangelist

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    Definately the hard drive. THeres not much difference between the processors, but the hard drive will definately be a big boost by the way what are you going to use the system for?
     
    alkaeda, Aug 30, 2007
    #2
  3. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    I suggest neither.
    Dell charges a lot for upgrades.
    The extra 0.2 Ghz is not worth all that much. The faster hard drive is nice to have, but not at the prices dell charges. You can get the 5400 rpm drive and have the following options:
    - Stay with 5400 drive, and save money to upgrade to a SSD in a year.
    - Get the 5400 rpm from dell, buy a 7200 rpm drive from another vender, sell off the 5400 drive.

    I have the 5400 drive, and its fine. Faster HDD will only make a difference in loading times. Onces the programs are in RAM, HDD is irrevant.
     
    wearetheborg, Aug 30, 2007
    #3
  4. Dazer

    Dazer Newbie

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    Getting the Vostro 1500 with the following:

    • Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 Processor (2.0GHz,800MHz,4MB L2 cache)
    • 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
    • 256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
    • 160GB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
    • Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
    • Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card - Europe
    • Dell™ Wireless 355 Bluetooth 2.0 Module (up to 3Mbps) with Enhanced Data Rate, for Vista
    • Primary 6-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (56 WHr)

    I'll be using the system for everything. I am a student but this will be my primary machine for several years. Multimedia system (DVDs, music, etc), graphics editing and stuff (most likely nothing 3D so not much rendering), and obviously some work, as well as some gaming (but not much :)).

    Should be alright, especially considering the price. Thoughts?
     
    Dazer, Aug 30, 2007
    #4
  5. Thibault

    Thibault Banned

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    I agree 100%.
    You're probably not going to notice a difference with either one of these upgrades. You'll get better loading times from a faster hard drive but it's not worth it at the price that Dell charges.
     
    Thibault, Aug 30, 2007
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  6. grateful

    grateful Notebook Evangelist

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    grateful, Aug 30, 2007
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  7. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Good read. ;)
     
    powerpack, Aug 30, 2007
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  8. hirush

    hirush Notebook Evangelist

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    hirush, Aug 30, 2007
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  9. wearetheborg

    wearetheborg Notebook Virtuoso

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    What does partial stroking mean ?
     
    wearetheborg, Aug 30, 2007
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  10. allan_huang

    allan_huang Notebook Deity

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    Defiantly the HDD,
     
    allan_huang, Aug 30, 2007
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  11. Draxius

    Draxius Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you want to choose between the two I would also say HD.

    Granted others have stated that Dell will charge you an arm and a leg for it, and you might be better off purchasing another drive, but then again if you can't sell your older drive, there really is no point.

    The 200 Mhz isn't going to make much of a difference. The increased RPM most likely will.

    It is up to you on what you want to do. If you go with the faster processor (which I wouldn't really recommend) I would update to a faster drive. Or you can do neither and still upgrade your drive. Price some other 7200RPM laptop drives and see if it will be worth it for you to do it that way, if not just upgrade threw dell.
     
    Draxius, Aug 30, 2007
    #11