Upgrade Processor or HD in New Config

I have a dilemma. I've currently got a T9300 in my HP laptop I'm getting rid of (complete specs in sig). I'm a light gamer (Sims 2, Oblivion) and I also edit home videos.

I can spend $300 to upgrade a Vostro from a T8100 to a T9300 and get the standard 120GB 5400 RPM or I can subtract that $300 to keep the T8100 and upgrade the HD. I don't mind adding a second HD down the road so I'm not concerned so much about storage but games like The Sims 2 do read the HD a lot when you're going in and out of lots. As a sidebar: Is there a way to buy a better HD, install it as the primary and transfer the factory shipped OS onto the new system legally? It would still be the same computer, just a different HD.

Anyway, what should I get right now, better processor or better HD?

Here are all the HD options:

160GB Free Fall Sensor Hard Drive, 7200RPM, for Dell Vostro 1700 Notebook [add $150]
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [Included in Price]
160GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [add $50]
Dell Recommended
Dual Hard Drives, 240GB (2x 120) 5400RPM Hard Drives [add $200]
Dual Hard Drives, 320GB (2x 160) 5400RPM Hard Drives [add $350]
250GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [add $150]


For the heck of it, here are all the processor options:

Intel® Celeron M® M550 (2.0GHz, 1M L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB) [Included in Price]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5270 (1.4GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) [add $20]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T5470 (1.6GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB) [add $80]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7250 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/2MB cache) [add $150]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache) [add $200]
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB/6MB cache) [add $500]


Thanks in advance for the help.

 

You should probably grab a nice hardrive.
The difference in processing power in T8100 to a T9300 probably wont be knowticiable in applications only in benchmarks.

Thats just my opinion, I'm sure others with chime in.

 

owch..$300 to upgrade from the t8100..id just keep the t8100 and get dual 200gb 7200 rpm drives, you should be able to get a pair for $300 ~ raid those and you'll get a huge bump in performance from where your at now

 

I'd stick with the 8100, $300 is to much.

 

And the T8100 can handle games and video editing (rendering) well? I've had aT7500 with 4MB of L2 Cache and the T9300 with 6MB L2 Cache but I'm a little skittish about dropping to 3MB based on absolutely nothing.

Edited to add: I mean my concerns are based over nothing not everyone's advice is based on nothing. Oh geez! I've been in front of the computer too long today.

 

Here is the problem, DeLL is giving you a $500 discount so everything is overpriced. The T8100 is not worth $200 and T9300 is not worth $500.

Dual Hard Drives, 320GB (2x 160) 5400RPM Hard Drives [add $350]
250GB 5400RPM Hard Drive [add $150]

A single 320GB from New Egg is $140 so two 160 for $350 is so absolutely over priced and if you are running in a RAID 0 to get a speed advantage you are a risk taker. Doubles the chance of a catastrophic HDD failure. Not worth it in my opinion. And if a 320GB can be had for $140 a 250GB is not worth $250. Remember they are giving you a $500 gift. I would spend on CPU because all is over priced. You can get two 320GB's for $280 do the math, the price structure screws you no matter what you do.

 

Hmmm. That's very interesting and I'm just the kind of person that Dell is looking for when they offer a $500 coupon and bump up other prices. (READ: SUCKER! )

So powerpack, are you saying you would spend the $300 on the T9300 and then buy better HDs later? With the T8100 (not the T9300) and the lowest HD they offer, I can bring down the price to under $1,000 and that includes our outrageous 10% sales tax.

I don't mind the HD included in the price being a secondary drive for my personal files so is there a way to buy a better HD, make it the primary, move the OS (legally) without the OS disks -- I'm assuming they won't slap an OS disk in there with the build.

 

On this issue yes I go with the CPU not because I think I have to have it but what would it cost to upgrade to a T9300 on my own and HDD upgrades are easier. They are forcing you to pick between two bad choices and I think the CPU is the less obnoxious choice of the two. If you do not chose either you don't get the $500. I would consider $50 for 160GB as an external. You could also get it and put a 160GB at NewEgg for I don't know (guess) $80 meaning you get their 2X160GB for about $130 plus a bracket. I would assume they would provide Disks. HDD are upgradeable, the MoBo is not I believe for OS licensing purposes.

 

With the T8100 and the low end HD, I can get the total high enough to make these specs get me the $500 off.

With that info, should I skip the top processor and HD selection? Sorry this is such a difficult decision for me.

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
17.0 in Wide Screen WUXGA LCD Display with TrueLife™
1GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM Upgrading this to 3GB myself
8X CD/DVD+RW Read and Burn CD and DVD
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
WI-FI WIRELESS CARD IntelJ PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g Wi-Fi Internal Card

This system would be $963 after the coupon and then adding tax in. I've got about $300 to play with but pocketing it is a nice thought too.

 

I just used this deal on a 1500. Pocket your money, add a 320gb HDD after for $180 (the 320gb drives are faster than the 200gb 7200rpm drives!) T8100 is enough for pretty much anything. I doubt you'll notice a difference.

 

Get the best CPU you can, as this wont be easy to upgrade and not worth it.

Get the cheapest for all the other upgradable parts, as you can get better value for money buying it aftermarket

Does the Vostro range have the infamous grainy screens?

 

Heya flipfire! Great to see you.

I'm completely conflicted on what to do and flat out torn up on giving up the DV9700T. I just love it but I'm worried about it going in for repair so early.

Anyway, I've been reading threads about the grainy screen on the Dells but only a few people have complained about Vostro grainy screens. I do like the 30 day money back guarantee with no restocking fee on the Vostro line in case I get a bad one.

I just want a computer that works. Is that so wrong?

 

Yea it can be frustrating when your laptop just fails. Im gonna settle for a desktop computer if my current one pre-maturely fails.

You might wanna check out the laptop first in a retail store. DeLL Australia dont seem to sell them anywhere else! only at the actual dell store and online so its hard to check out.

At least now you can compare both HP and Dell

 

The only Dell I've been able to find here that's anywhere comparable is an Inspiron 1520 locked up in a case and turned off with the touchpad mouse keys broken in a Wal Mart. I don't think Dell being in Wal-Mart is a good thing for them!

I can't find a Dell store anywhere near me so it's going to be a leap of faith in the end. I'm going for the Vostro line before the sale ends tomorrow ($500 off) and then I guess I'll have both side by side while I make my final decision.

It's been really tough because my heart wants to keep the HP but my mind is telling me, "DON'T DO IT!! THIS IS YOUR THIRD ONE SINCE DECEMBER." (Yeah, my mind's a screamer, sorry about that. )