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    Whats more important: Processor or RAM?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by gotcountry, Jun 2, 2010.

  1. gotcountry

    gotcountry Newbie

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    Looking at 2 NEAR identical laptops, and the main difference between them is the processor and RAM.

    One has NEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i5-520M 2.40GHz (2.93Ghz Turbo Mode, 3M cache) with only 4GB of RAM

    While the other has NEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i3-330M 2.13GHz (3M cache) with 6GB of RAM.

    I am curious to know which would have a greater effect on the computers performance?

    Thanks
     
    gotcountry, Jun 2, 2010
    #1
  2. woofer00

    woofer00 Wanderer

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    4gb is already plenty if you're looking at window 7. Might as well get the i5, then think about going to 6gb if you really need it later down the line.
     
    woofer00, Jun 2, 2010
    #2
  3. TheWahbinator

    TheWahbinator Notebook Guru

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    Think of it this way:

    ram is easier to upgrade and doesn't void your warranty (check your OEM but very sure most allow this)
    cpu is tough to upgrade and will void your warranty.
     
    TheWahbinator, Jun 2, 2010
    #3
  4. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    what are the prices of the two machines?
     
    newsposter, Jun 2, 2010
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  5. gotcountry

    gotcountry Newbie

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    $889 for the 1st machine,

    $899 for the second machine (laptops obviously)

    the first also comes with a 1080p screen over the 780 in the second.
     
    gotcountry, Jun 2, 2010
    #5
  6. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    Not necessarily. The warranty thing is dependent on the brand, and the upgrade thing is dependent on the individual laptop.


    Get the first, it's a no-brainer.
     
    Trottel, Jun 2, 2010
    #6
  7. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Honestly, that would be the clincher there. The processor and RAM in both are quite adequate, but the 1920x1080 screen, especially for the price, is well worth it. 768 vertical pixels is annoyingly limiting (slightly less so the 1366 horizontal), especially with dialog boxes and such. I used to barely deal with 800 on my old machine.
     
    Pitabred, Jun 2, 2010
    #7
  8. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    what laptop is selling with an i5 and at full 1080p screen for less than $900-??
     
    newsposter, Jun 2, 2010
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  9. gotcountry

    gotcountry Newbie

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    the dell studio 15. Just found out the company I work for gets a discount. It actually has more added features then the $899 studio...i just wasnt mentioning them all. Heres the exact breakdown of the one I will get (the $889 one)

    All the upgraded features that I am getting extra...for $10 cheaper....are in bold:

    Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
    Black Chainlink
    NEW 2010 Intel® Core™ i5-520M 2.40GHz (2.93Ghz Turbo Mode, 3M cache)
    4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
    320GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
    1 Year Basic Service Plan
    ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5470, 1GB
    15.6” Full High Definition ( 1080p) High Brightness LED Display with TrueLife™ and Camera
    Intel© Centrino© Advanced-N 6200
    Standard Keyboard
    85 Whr Lithium Ion Battery (9 cell)
    8X Slot Load CD/DVD Burner (Dual Layer DVD+/-R Drive)
    Soundblaster X-Fi Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled
    My Accessories
    McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months
    1 Year Limited Warranty and 1 Year Advanced Exchange Service
    Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
     
    gotcountry, Jun 2, 2010
    #9
  10. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    the only bleh is the soundblaster x-fi audio. Not too many people care for them. If you can delete it for money off, it's something to consider. other than that, not a bad machine for a good price.
     
    newsposter, Jun 2, 2010
    #10
  11. Trottel

    Trottel Notebook Virtuoso

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    The soundblaster x-fi software you can install for free. You can download it from dell support.
     
    Trottel, Jun 2, 2010
    #11
  12. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    that machine is great as long as u don't plan to game on it.. and if u can get the software free , i wouldn't pay for it.
     
    sean473, Jun 3, 2010
    #12
  13. Phil

    Phil Retired

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    Nice system.

    Personally I'd spend less money on the CPU and more on the SSD.
     
    Phil, Jun 3, 2010
    #13