T7100 vs T7300

I am debating which processor to get. I am aware of the 4 MB cache which can increase perfomance in video/music conversion and editing. I do not know if $50 is worth the price difference if I am not going to see or have a need for it.

My needs are: Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon with XP Pro running in the background. I also do video game creation (sort of like CAD but for games) and will be doing mild real-time video effect (2d-near 3d) animation while editing level design. I will do some picture editing as well but my current processor (T5500) can perform such task with out any hiccup. In fact, my current processor can perform any of the task above just fine despite the T5500 does not support VT (for XP Pro). Thanks for any input.

 

If the T5500 can do it then the T7100 will also be able to do it without any hiccup. Dont bother wasting your money the extra cache is only needed for the most cpu intensive programs out there and even then they run fine on the T7100. Stay with the T7100

 

The T7300 does have the best price to performance ratio, but as manzi said, the extra cache over the T7100 isn't worth it, if your not using processor heavy applications. Spend the money saved on other components such as the hard disk or RAM, as they have more of an effect on general speed. What is the price to upgrade from the T7100 to the T7300, anyway?

 

It is $50 which I think is a good price for that upgrade. I would do it. But it is correct it apears you do not need it.

 

I'm not sure what it is, maybe it's that i"m using Vista, but media player is pretty slow for me and I have the 7300. Sometimes to load the videos, decode it etc. Or maybe it's always been slow regardless.

I'd recommend it, like Zero said, it's the best buy for processors. And on the whole scope of things the $50 isn't all that much in terms of other upgrades which are usually a hundred or something.

 

there are not that many difference between the t7100 & t7300 except for the cache and 200mhz, but first and foremost based on what you'll be using the system for if it's to remder/graphic design, the most important decision, it not between the two close in series cpu but the vpu, I would basically make the choice between having a good ati or nvidia gpu with dedicated memory (hypermemory ect. ), istead of an intel integrated (in my experience all talk and no work vpu).. the best GPU should offer great if not superb processing even with a t5500 .

current system have a few different:
my current cpu on this machine, I'm embarrassed to say, to not let intel lose any money someone has to pay for all those commercials lol.. but it doesn't support virtualization as a hint .. currently I'm running winxp os, with 3 MS-VM, VM1 MS Server 2003, VM2 & VM3 both Winxp my OS plus the two VMs are on the domain of the VM-MS Server 2003 which all have internet accessthough my non-VM XP ...

point being that it depends on what you'll be using your system for that way you spend the right amount on the right/necessary hardware