Need Processor & HDD advice

Hi All,

I am considering this config:
Inpiron 1520:
1.66 GHz, 2MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB
15.4" widescreen WXGA+
2GB 667MHz DDR@ RAM
nvidia 8600 GT with 256MB DDR2 Memory
160 GB @5400 rpm
6 cell battery


Apart from normal usages , downaloding, running databases / programming ide,
I will be playing games. Sole reason I updated my budget.
I want to play Latest GTA series , NFS Series, FIFA Series, MOH , WOW in good way.
& wish to play crysis at medium/low settings if possible
(actually because of my old pc i stopped playing new games , want to try now after i buy this one)



I am undecisive on the processor :
A] 1.66 GHz, 2MB Cache, 667 MHz FSB
OR
2 GHz, 2MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB
costing me Rs. 5k more

B] 160GB @ 5400 rpm
OR
160GB @ 7200 rpm
costing me rs. 2k more.


I wish to go with the previous config if the upgrades will not increase real life performance significantly / going with the previous config would not allow me to play well & will not be to some extent future proof.

Any help would be highly appreciated.


Regards,
It_is_Andrew

 

I would look at getting a 250Gb or 320Gb 5400rpm drive, they rival the speeds of the 7200 rpm drives. The 320Gb 5400rpm is the same speed as the 200Gb 7200rpm drives.

The $100 more for the 320Gb drive, will be a good upgrade. The 320gb drive is faster than the 160Gb 7200 drive.

You should be good with a 1.66Ghz processor. It is up to you if you want to spend $100 more for the T7250.
You want to get the fastest harddrive, as that will show the most difference in speed.

K-TRON

 

I thought hard drive performance was almost purely dependent on the rpms. My friend has a 5400rpm drive that has more capacity than mine and it's just noticeably slower than my 7200rpm drive.

But as for the upgrades, I would also choose the hard drive. The processor would boost performance in gaming and calculation-intensive stuff, but the hard drive speed increase will boost all loading times by a few seconds. It's the slowest component of any typical computer, and the rpm increase is worth it I'd say.

 

Definitely attempt for the faster proc and hdd. I am not sure how K-Tron got a 7.2k drive as being slower unless he is referencing specific cache sizes...I have tested and beat my cousin's macbook, my old acer, a new hp, an old dell, and a newer dell, all with 5.4k drives ranging from 80 to 200g.

 

apart from loading time will the 160GB@5400 have any in game influence?

will the preliminary config(lower one) be able to handle todays games? (hopefully crysis at mid settings? )

 

The 320Gb drive is the same speed as the 200Gb Hitachi 7K200. It is because of data density.
Here is a chart from a trusted source:


K-TRON

 

Best bang for the buck is this:

2 GHz, 2MB Cache, 800 MHz FSB

160GB @ 5400 rpm

 

I had no idea, I am sorry Ktron, now I must look up data density TY for setting me straight

 

+1 for bigger hard drive @5400 rpm being faster. Check out my hard disk score in my signature.

 

I was wondering which is a better processor(performance) in between
AMD Turion X2 1.9GHz
&
Intel Core 2 Duo 1.66GHz t5450 - (667MHz FSB)

 

2i would go with the 2Ghz cpu it will help with the with the programing and gaming go with the larger 5400 RPM hdd it will be much fast thanks to its density which also effects it preferments or get a 320 GB at 7200 RPM that would be very fast indeed

EDIT: the Intel is faster It_is_Andrew it is like a 3Ghz p4 and amd sucks at making moble CPU preferments per watt is so bad on the AMD

 

If you change out a processor with a faster fsb. Then do you need to change the ram to the same speed or can you still use whats in there. And if you change to the faster ram. Will the mother board recognize the speed or just downclock it.

Example: I have a T5450, I'm looking at the T9300. My ram is oem at 667mhz. So if I goto the chip that has 800 Mhz will the ram be the bottle neck. Or can I buy faster ram. Thanks