HD Screen Resolution and Processor Advice

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum. But I've read through a bunch of the threads and I know this is the place to get answers... so, here goes....

We'll I think I've narrowed it down to Dell for the brand. Only because you get more for your buck if you order online as opposed to shopping in the brick and mortar. I'm stuck on a Inspiron 1720 configuration, here are the Specs:

Dell Inspiron 1720 - Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0Ghz / 667Mhz FSB / 2MB Cache - 17" Glossy Widescreen 1920 x 1200 Resolution Display - 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT - 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667Mhz - 320GB SATA 5400RPM HDD - CD/DVD Writer - Bluetooth 2.0 EDR - 2 MP Webcam - High Def Audio 2.0 - PRICE: $1,124 USA

Is the 17" 1920x1200 display worth the extra money? I'm torn between that and just a regular 1280x800. I mean, having full 1080p would be nice, but will it really make a difference in gaming and movie watching. (Especially considering this configuration has no Blue-Ray)

And what about the processor? T5750 at 667 FSB and 2MB Cache? Would I be better off spending an extra $50 for the T7250 at 800 FSB and 3MB Cache? Or do I absolutely need a new Penryn 8300 Processor for +$125?

I will be using this as a Desktop Replacement... Old PC was a Compaq 2.7GHZ Celeron. (No laughing please!) I will be watching movies and running CS3, iTunes, Microsoft Office, Frontpage, Dreamweaver, Trend Micro Internet Security, Steam + CS:S, WoW, Guild Wars, EVE Online, maybe Conan MMO when it comes out, and a few other things. Do you think this system would play the new Half Life 2 good? What about Bioshock? My XBOX360 serves most of my gaming needs though.

Anyway, I guess I'm really just stuck on screen resolution / high def issues AND 667 FSB vs. 800 FSB.

Well thanks for listening to me rant... I am looking to place my order tomorrow if all goes well and I can actually make a decision. Thanks a bunch for your advice and all input!!

 

First of all, drop the 4 gb of memory. Dell will probably charge $200 or more to have 4Gb of memory in the laptop. You can purchase 4gb of high performance pc5300 memory from Newegg for like $70.
Purchase 1gb of memory from Dell, and then buy 4gb of memory aftermarket from newegg and save lots of $$$
This saved money can be put towards that faster processor.
I would recommend spending the $50 for the T7250. The 5750 is a decent processor, except for the cut in half merom core and the lower fsb. The higher fsb processors, liek the T7250 and T8300 wil have more performance and cooler operation, with their 65 and 45nm process respectively.
The T8300 is a great processor, and most deem it having the best bang for the buck. It is a 45nm chip, so the T8300 will give you cooler running temperatures and better battery life.

As far as the screen goes, I personally prefer high resolution screens. If you can, I recommend going to a staples store and test out the dell 1720 with the 1920x1200 resolution and the 1280x800 resolution. You will only be able to truthfully decide by seeing the screens in person. It is really up to you.

These mobile dual core processors pack a lot of punch, and your setup with the 8600Gt will give you a pretty nice high def playback and gaming experience.

K-TRON

 

1280x800 is gonna be ugly on 17"......yea....UGLY.....

 

You want the higher resolution. Especially for the 17 inch. You will feel awkward at first, but in a few days, you will be used to it and you will never want to step lower again. All the room you get is bliss. You can watch a movie while doing word processing while having itunes open, all without having to minimize anything and are able to have all of them open in windowed mode. Very convenient.

 

Thank you so much for all the replies, super helpful!

If I order with 2GB Ram and then purchase another 2GB through Newegg, will it be compatible with the existing RAM from Dell? Or do I have to order 4GB from Newegg and totally replace the 2GB from Dell? And is the Newegg RAM really more powerful then the Dell Pre-Installed RAM?

I've been fiddling around with Coupons and stuff and man-o-man I think I've really got a deal going... Here is what I have now:

Inspiron 1720 Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Vista® Home Premium Edition
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
Glossy Widescreen 17.0 inch display (1920 x 1200)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
160GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
Integrated 10/100 Network Card and Modem
Optical Drive CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
High Definition Audio 2.0
Wireless Networking Cards Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card
Camera Integrated 2.0 Megapixel Webcam
Warranty & Service 1Yr In-Home Service, Parts + Labor,24x7 Phone Support
Bluetooth and Wireless USB Built-in Bluetooth capability

$1,100.48 SHIPPED

Plus I figure another $70 for the Ram from Newegg. For $100 I could get the full 4GB pre-installed from Dell.... wondering if I should do that instead of Newegg??

 

"If I order with 2GB Ram and then purchase another 2GB through Newegg, will it be compatible with the existing RAM from Dell?" Yes.
and "powerful" is not the right word to describe RAM

 

damn, its only a $30 difference. Usually Dell charges a ridiculous sum of money for memory upgrades.
I would still get it with 2gb of memory, and then get 4gb of high performance memory from newegg. This will save you $30. Then you can sell the 2gb of memory which came with your system in the buy and sell section.
Does it specify if the 2gb of memory is (1x 2gb) or (2 x 1gb). If it comes with a single 2gb card, then you can simply buy a second 2gb card for $35. If it comes with 2 1gb cards, than you have to replace both cards with 2gb cards, to get 4gb of memory.

The memory which will come with your dell will be made by hynix, or Samsung. Samsung and hynix are generic brand memory cells. They are extremely cheap, because most of the memory cells leave the factory untested. When you buy memory from newegg, if you stick with good brands like corsair, and crucial, you will be getting higher performance Micron memory cells, which have been tested and carry a lifetime warranty.

Here are two good deals on memory:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146697

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145193

K-TRON

 

I`m pretty sure it`s 2 sticks of 1 GB.

 

I agree. That's just too low for a 17" screen, unless you have a particular need for everything on the screen to be bigger (icons, fonts, documents, etc.).

Personally, I'm still on the fence on whether 1920x1200 is too high for 17" or not. I think 1680x1050 would be best, but that's just me.