Overhauling my Dell 1520

So i've had my Dell 1520 for about a year now so i've decided that I would like to see if I can try and squeeze abit more out of it

my current specs are:

T7250 @ 2.0GHz Core2Duo Processor
2GB 667MHz DDR2 RAM
nVidia 8600M GT
WD1600BEVS 160GB 5400rpm Hard Drive

Now I know i can improve on the processor speed, amount of ram and both hard drive space and speed but is it actually worth it or will I be paying a hefty amount of money for only minimum performance gain? Also what components would you recommend

EDIT: Oh and Merry Christmas everyone

 

For the processor and memory, this thing'll pretty much max out with a T9500 (you can get any 800MHz FSB Socket P processor) and 4GB of memory. Depending on what you're doing with it, you may or may not feel any difference at all. Unless you're getting a Penryn, it probably isn't worth upgrading the processor; I'd personally go for a T8300 or T8100.

Simply getting a larger, faster mechanical hard drive probably won't give you much either (besides the obvious extra space), but a good SSD (if you're willing to shell out the cash and take a hit on storage) will generally boost even day to day performance a bit.

 

If you upgrade all the components, I am sure you will get a noticeable performance increase. Below are the best components that you can get right now:

CPU: T9500
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2-800MHz (this will downclock to 667MHz and will most probably run with CAS 4 latency whereas original DDR2-667 RAMs run at CAS 5 latency)
GPU: There is nothing you can do for that
HDD: WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200rpm Hard drive (if you are patient, wait for a few weeks and get the 500GB version of this. Seagate 7200.4 series are on the way...)


good luck...


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For the cost of those upgrades ^^^ wouldn't it be more worthwhile to just get a new laptop haha

I appreciate the help so far, a new hard drive is a definite (ive been toying with the idea for months as it is) because 160GB is nowhere near enough, im seriously thinking about the RAM too but I can't imagine that reducing the CAS latency and/or doubling the amount to 4GB will give me that much of a noticeable boost but we shall see.

Once again thanks

 

If you don't mind the slower spindle speed, there are 500GB, 5400RPM notebook drives available right now for the (relatively) low, low price of about one hundred dollars

 

well as I mentioned im currently using the 160GB WD Scorpio Blue (judging by the model number) so I think anything new that I get 5400RPM or 7200RPM will be quicker in most if not all aspects.

I had my eye on the Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS but if 500GB drives are going to be comparable then i'll definitely hold back and wait for them

 

There's not really much you can do with that laptop. You could put in a top-of-the-line processor, but that'll run you $800 or so just for the processor alone, plus, of course, installation. So, more or less, leave the processor. The new processors really aren't much faster.

The 4gb RAM is pretty much a no-brainer. I'd also go with Vista64 personally, which you should be able to do in conjunction with your new hard drive (when you re-install, use 64-bit media).

Save the rest of your money for an eventual laptop replacement.

 

Forget the processor upgrade, not wort it.
4GB Ram and maybe a 7200RPM HDD is all I can suggest.

 

I know this is kind of going off topic but at a guess how long do "we" think the 8600M GT will continue to be a middle of the road graphics card?

I'm really trying to fight the urge to buy a new laptop now (seems like such a waste after only a year)

 

I don’t think it is anymore (especially the one in 1520, the DDR2 version). BUT if you can play all your games at a decent level then why upgrade? Geforce 9000 series is not a very big step forward. I’d wait for the next generation.

 

Yeah I guess you are right, it can play Team Fortress 2, Company of Heroes, NBA 2K9, PoP etc etc pretty well so i'd be spending more money for not much better (sense do i make? /yoda)

 

I'd say it actually is still middle-of-the-road. Not high-middle anymore, but still definitely middle class. It still beats recent integrated and low-end dedicated cards by a decent amount and can handle new games well (except possibly GTA4). Next year it probably won't be, but GeForce 9 isn't really revolutionary. Once we start seeing Radeon 46xx cards though, that may be the end of it being middle-of-the-road. It's on par with Radeon 26xx and even 36xx, but ATI's making big strides recently. Since 4850 is the lowest right now, though, it's still decently close to more recent midrange cards.

The hard drive is the best upgrade if you need more space, and is remarkably cheap these days. You could actually go up to 8 GB of RAM on the 1520, but you'd need a 64-bit OS to take advantage of it. And you'll know whether you need to upgrade that from Task Manager.

If getting a new notebook seems like a waste, it probably is.