T6600 vs Core i5-430M

okay, sorry for posting so many threads in NBR, but im in a kinda hurry to know everything at once. (very sorry)

as the title says, is there a massive difference between the two? i know the T6600 is older and lousier in every way (GHz, FSB/QPI, L2, architecture, TDP), but im getting a new lappy (hopefully Dell Studio 15) and the price difference is MYR/RM 600, which is rather painful. I can take the 600 damage, if its worth it.

 

well that depends on the purpose of your purchase. if you are gonna do cpu intensive tasks then go for it otherwise t6600 is still a viable option.

 

I agree, if you're really going to be loading it down, then the i5 will be a much better choice. If not, then the T6600 is still a very good processor for it's price.

 

Don't know what 600 is worth in USD, but what is the total price of the machine?

Not only are you getting an obsolete platform, but the T6600 doesn't support VT (virtual technologies) that may become important to you over the life of this machine, even if it isn't now.

My general advice: always buy when you need, but always buy as much computer as you can afford. Skimping a few $$'s when your planned ownership will be in years is always a bad move that you will almost invariably regret.

Cheers!

 

ok thanks all for your replies! RM600 is about 200USD (one third). VT is absolutely unnecessary for me. I plan to game (COD MW and MW2, Crysis) and multimedia like Flash.

 

So, knowing next to nothing about gaming - I still recall reading that the faster CPU made for better gaming - if the video card was identical.

Your call of course, but between a $600 system vs. an $800 system with these improvements, I think you're wasting $600 by not getting the 'better' system (assuming of course, that both are affordable to you, I don't want you to starve for this machine. ):

The 'better' (Core i5-430M) system offers:

• Better Battery Life
• Lower Heat
• Much more powerful CPU/Platform
• VT support - even if you're not currently 'interested'
• Automatic Overclocking
• Hyperthreading
• AES encryption enhancements

If you can afford this system with identical Video card for a mere $200, I say you are being pennywise and pound foolish if you don't.

Unless you're planning to win a lottery before you need to upgrade from this purchase, I say the $800 system will last into the 2-3 year mark and still be more than useful for things other than games at that time. The $600 system may seem inadequate in a year from now, if not less - compared to the systems that will be available in the coming months.

Cheers!

 

And if the i5 machine offers switchable graphics, then it's all the more preferable.
Nothing like being able to disable your discrete GPU and save oodles of battery power by coasting along on the one sitting next to your CPU cores.

 

TehSuigi,

That's the feature I was forgetting! Thanks.

One more thing: I may be wrong on the HyperThreading capability? Does Core i5 430M include it or not (for mobile CPU's)?

 

It does have HyperThreading

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=43537&code=430m

 

thanks tilleroftheearth! erm, okay, i found this other lappy with a P7450 cpu, but the GPU is a lot more powerful. okay, specs of the lappies im comparing:

Toshiba Satellite A500 (MYR3333 / USD999)
P7450
GT230M (lovely)

Dell Studio 15 (same price as the toshiba)
Core i5-430M
Radeon HD4570 (weak)

Dell Studio 15 (MYR 2799/ USD900)
T6600
Radeon HD4570

so now which one is better? i know for gaming that i should concentrate on the GPU part, but the CPU...

 

Obviously the i5 beats the other 2.

Compare the L2 cache of the Core 2 Duos with each other and FSB to a certain extent. If the clock speeds are similar I'd go with the 1 with the more L2 cache.

Out of those laptops though, I'd pick the Studio 15 with the i5 and 4570.

 

So, with confirmed HyperThreading (effectively 4 Cores shown to the O/S), The Dell Studio 15 at $999 is the clear winner for CPU/Platform superiority and for longevity/future proofing your purchase.

The GPU on the other hand is the weaker of the two choices here. But, the question is, is it good enough for you?

See GPU:Radeon HD4570:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html


See GPU: GT230M:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-230M.17646.0.html

So, after comparing the frame rates from one card to another in the games that you'll most likely play at, do you think the i5 is at least a possibility?

To me, they're both DirectX 10.1 cards. Both conform to Shader 4.1 spec's and both are playable on all games that the links above show. Sure, the same price system with the GT230M is faster at games, but look at the nVidia's card that is using 2270 MB shared memory vs. no shared memory for the ATI card (click on the frame rates in the links above to see the system spec's they were tested in)!

You must decide in the end what is an appropriate purchase for the main use of this computer for you, but what I look for in any system is 'balance'.

The Toshiba doesn't have this 'balance' for me at this point in time. And this will get worse the more into the future we will be comparing this system to what will be generally available then (and the O/S and software we want/need to run at that time).

Also keep in mind that the disclaimer that the site linked above posts:

So, just because you think you should be getting a certain FPS rate, you won't unless you buy the exact same system with the exact same install/drivers/OS that they used to benchmark the card with.

This is all a general guidance (even what I'm posting to you) to get you thinking about the things that matter most when considering a new computer.

My final piece of advice? If you really want the better video card, then one more option is to save a little longer and get that card with an Core i5 - then, you'll have the best of all worlds for the price you're willing to spend/can afford.

The older platforms with the T6600 and the P7450 are not even in the running for me - they were obsolete the moment Intel released the i5 platform and you were able to buy it.

Consider too that when/if you do decide to sell it, the newer platform will be worth more in a year or two than both the other possibilities put together - a 'great' video card depreciates the fastest of any component I know of.

(Again, I'm no gamer so a 'good enough' card is equal to a technically 'better' card - ie. not something I would pay extra for).

Hope some of my early morning ramblings helped?

Cheers!

 

WOW THANK YOU!!! looks like early mornings are the best time to give good advice eh? i have of course been comparing the performance of both cards closely on Notebookcheck. So ok, looks like i'll be getting the Studio 15 then

and again, thanks

 

get the toshiba... It won't have VT but you can easily swap the CPU out... if ur a real gamer , than the GT230M should own thr 4570... if u want for CPU performance , core i5 is the way to go...

 

Or not.

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-A505/removing-optical-drive-1.htm

To be honest, the P7450/T6600 would seem adequate for your requirements. The i5 would be a plus, but not a necessity. The GT230m on the other hand, is a fair bit better than the ATI 4570, and more importantly, GPUs are in most cases non-upgradeable. You might actually be able to upgrade the CPU, though I doubt you would likely see a need for it. The odds are that you would be GPU limited before you are CPU limited.

 

oh my gosh..crap. now im in 3 minds (thats worse than 2). i know the GT230M is awesomely powerful (to me, at least), and i think i should probably go that way. On the other hand, since tilleroftheearth said that i "should buy as much computer as possible", i might push the budget to the extreme and get a Studio 16, with i5 AND a Radeon 4650, but lose much mobility, coz its a 16 incher (HUGE, and i travel somewhat frequently, as an international student)

i think im a gamer, of some sort. So choices are now between mobility and power. Toshiba or Studio 16. thanks sean and dtwn for your replies!

EDIT: i found another Toshiba (customizable) that has a T9600 (2.8GHz), GT230M, 4GB DDR3 RAM, and 400GB 7200rpm HDD. at a cheaper price than any of the others! (25% off..WOW). thanks all!

 

You should look at Asus computers! Look at the U and UL lines, also at the new N series. There are a ton of laptops that would fit your needs without so much compromising. As for pushing your budget, if you plan on keeping your laptop for any amount of time over 1-2 years, you should buy what is new when you are buying, ie. the new Core i architecture. Or at least that would be the most future proof way of moving.

 

i would recommend ASUS G51 series... if u got cash , u can get a G51-VX which has Core 2 Duo P8700 and NVDIA GTX260M which is an awesome gaming GPU. And that for around $1K.... if u got slightly more cash , u can get the G51J with core i7 processor and full HD screen and same specs as G51VX... and the best one is Asus G73... Core i7 quad , Blue Ray , 8GB RAM , full HD screen and best of all ATI 5870 , fastest mobile GPU... its for $1699 and its worth spending the cash to buy it as it will last even more longer than Studio XPS 16... only problem is that its on pre order now and out in feb.

 

melthd,

Don't want to add to your '3 minds' and confuse you anymore than I have already, but consider the following:

My line of thinking goes something like this; Always buy the most current platform you can. Always buy as much as you can, while keeping the computer as 'balanced' as possible. Always buy more than you need currently (as long as you're not throwing affordability out the window). Finally, the age old saying that 'you get what you pay for' is always true in the end.

What am I hinting at? Well, your last suggestion (Toshiba + T9600) seems to be the best to you, but what I see is that you're still getting a two year old platform. That's why it's 25% off - you get what you pay for because it really is only worth that much.

There is no such thing as 'deals' - there is a need on your end and a solution on the other. Your budget and specific requirements will make you decide which is the best 'solution' to your current needs. No right or wrong here (it's only money! ).

What I am suggesting is to try to also take into account future needs that you don't even know exist yet. That distinction will make you either use/love your new system for years, or, from the moment you get it, you'll be thinking of the next one you'll have to get (because you can already see the compromises you've made on this one).

First, get the right platform. Next, make sure each discrete component is above your minimum requirements, now and in the foreseeable future. Then, with the cost of such a system discovered, you'll know if saving up a little more is the way forward (usually the best plan), or, if purchasing a 'good deal' is the compromise you want to make with both eyes open.

Yes, 'good deals' are compromises - if money is no object - nobody would consider them.

Cheers!

 

alright alright...looks like some form of mobility has to go then . theres no way a powerful GPU and CPU can fit in a 15 inch, it seems. sean, from what i know, the P series are weaker than the T series, only advantage of having better TDP. So im trying to avoid any P series CPUs.

The Asus lappies are real good for their prices. prob is, its not too easy to obtain Asus PCs of any kind (desktop, laptop) in the South East Asia region. and 1699 is INSANITY to me (of course, after having used budget systems all my life)

 

well there's still the 1000 system... ASUS G51VX.. if u get the proper model of G51VX , it supports quad cores and its around $1200 or less..

 

can't get that despite really nice prices and specs. it weighs as much as an elephant >.< 7.3lbs/2 (3.6kg) is too heavy to bring around in the airport. but thanks for all the replies, going for the Studio XPS 16 (without RGB LED )

 

Depending on your budget, have you considered the Envy? Beefy GPU and CPU options, pretty light because it drops the optical drive and has a magnesium case...

 

OP is in Malaysia, note the MYR tags in prices.

The Envy is something along the lines of 2.3K USD in the area for the basic config last I checked, unless you went with the Ebay route.

 

When having a look at the past, a wait for 3 months is better for anyone planning to buy a good machine.

Hardware refreshes are sure to take place across all brands with the release of the Core i's. Also the DirectX11 support graphics cards are getting announced too. The price of the current DirectX10 graphics cards are sure to go down by the time. And by the time Intel would come out with some cheaper (minus VT/HyperThreading just like what happened with the P and T series) core i's but with optimal performance. Core i's are hot in laptops right now and so too on prices.

So if someone is not in dire need of a laptop right now, give a pause and buy later.

[Refer to the laptop price of T series core2duo and Nvidia 8600GT during its launch]

JMT

 

thanks all for your feedback and replies! i already made up my mind to go for the Studio XPS (envy price is just inconceivable to me ). can consider this thread closed.

THANKS EVERYONE!!

 

Good choice!
And if I recall correctly, the Dell system are built in malaysia 8D You could find yours sooner than you expected! :O
Congrats!

 

Surprising, not particularly. lol

I've seen complaints by M'sian users about the Dell waits.

 

hmm my family and friends all have very good Dell experiences tho. those complaints must have come from East Msia (across the south china sea), where shipping is necessary.

 

Whats your config again?

 

U shouldn't get the dell without RGB display...it makes the laptop ordinary without that

 

Soccerthierry: I5-520M, everything else is stock (HD4670, 320GB HDD, 4GB RAM)

Sean: ah i wish i could. but unfortunately the XPS is already stretching the budget can't go further than that.

 

Awesome! Tell me how you like it when you receive it, i almost bought one of those =o

 

heheh..sure will. check ur inbox for unread messages in 2-3 weeks