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    What can I do with the i3-370M processor that I can't do with a regular Pentirum dual-core?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by iflyboats, Jan 16, 2011.

  1. iflyboats

    iflyboats Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm not a gamer and don't use my PC for anything too demanding. I am a mostly a heavy internet user, but also want to be able to use my PC for music and movies. Will I notice a significant difference with the i3-370M over the regular pentium dual-core processor?
     
    iflyboats, Jan 16, 2011
    #1
  2. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    It really depends on the price difference. If it's like 200 dollar difference I would say no, but 50-100 you may want to consider the Core i3.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Jan 16, 2011
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  3. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    No. For internet, music, and movies, any current new processor is going to be more than enough. Spending money above and beyond that would be entirely superfluous and a waste of money. More RAM and possibly a faster HD would be better upgrades for the money.
     
    Trottel, Jan 16, 2011
    #3
  4. jerg

    jerg Have fun. Stay alive.

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    If you're gonna be encoding/converting some vids now and then (especially HD videos), you'll notice a drastic difference between newer core-i and older C2D processors. Same with heavy-resource flash / java apps you encounter online sometimes. Also for absolutely smooth HD video playback make sure a competent video card is there (a last gen discrete or a current gen integrated would both suffice).
     
    jerg, Jan 16, 2011
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  5. iflyboats

    iflyboats Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry what does it mean to encode/convert videos? I just download them on iTunes and watch them. I don't edit videos or anything of that nature.
     
    iflyboats, Jan 16, 2011
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  6. nX3NTY

    nX3NTY Notebook Consultant

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    Question is which Pentium dual core CPU? Is it Arrandale base one (P6x00) series? I used 2GHz P6100, good enough for some games (with a dedicated card of course). For your requirement, I would take Pentium based one, since you could save more power and cooler running laptop
     
    nX3NTY, Jan 16, 2011
    #6
  7. iflyboats

    iflyboats Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry what does it mean to encode/convert videos? I just download them on iTunes and watch them. I don't edit videos or anything of that nature.
     
    iflyboats, Jan 16, 2011
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  8. HRK

    HRK Notebook Consultant

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    For example, say you have a 35GB Blu-ray movie and you want to make it fit on a 25GB BD-R disc (23.5GB). That's encoding (actually re-encoding, but you'll get an idea). You have some Avi, DivX, WMV video clips and you want to watch them on a stand alone DVD player. So, you need to convert one format to DVD. That's converting videos. Or DVD to other formats.

    Anyway, unless you are doing a x264 Blu-ray encoding, the Pentium Dual core should be just fine.
     
    HRK, Jan 16, 2011
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  9. alexUW

    alexUW Notebook Virtuoso

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    You get what you pay for. I think that rule applies too.
     
    alexUW, Jan 16, 2011
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  10. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Notebook Virtuoso

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    Sounds like you'd be fine with the pentium. The i3 will be marginally better for multitasking/ watching HD movies.
     
    Hungry Man, Jan 16, 2011
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  11. Panther214

    Panther214 Notebook Evangelist

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    i would get the i3.. heard too many bad stories about pentium dual cores..
     
    Panther214, Jan 17, 2011
    #11