Which Intel Core 2 Duo?

Im about to pull the trigger on a new Dell E6400; thanks to all who have helped me thus far.

This laptop will be used for a small business; Office 2007, Vista Ultimate (possibly 64 bit), CRM software, music and some video. NO GAMING.

Id pair the chip with 2gb of RAM (1 DIMM)

Id like to save a little cash, but I do not want to sacrifice performance or future scalability. Of the following, which would you think best suits my needs?



Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8400 (2.26GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [Base chip]


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P8600 (2.40GHz, 3M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $60]


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9400 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $130]


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo P9500 (2.53GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $190]


Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T9600 (2.80GHz, 6M L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB) [add $390]

 

P8600 2.4GHz offers the best performance to dollar ratio in my opinion. It's also 25 watt TDP.

Although P8400 2.26 may already be enough for your needs.

 

yeah, p8400 is enough with the business stuff. and get 2 x 1 gb dimms unless u plan on going to 4gb .

 

agree,either 8400 or 8600

 

for your use, the base config should be more than enough. use the savings on hdd and/or a high-res screen.

 

tianxia is correct, he gave the correct answer. I would say as the other two/one did. But that is me. Base is more than enough for you.

I do have issues with 2GB one DIMM? Not a bad deal but one DIMM is not the way to run. How about 1GB DIMM and buy a 2GB DIMM giving 3GB's?

 

AKWIT why did you open this new thread?

For Vista you will be more than fine with the intel graphics.

The nVidia line of graphics card is designed for intensive applications. The Quadro NVS series is optimased for 2D application such as AutoCAD and Photoshop. The Quadro FX in the other hand will be better for 3D applications such as MAYA and 3DS MAX.

I like the latitude series even though it is designed for businesses. What I like about it the quality and the solidity of the built.

If you're going to use the laptop mainly for internet, email and office applications, and you don't think that your needs will change in the future go with the following:

P8400.
Vista business 32bit.
14.1 WXGA ----> I think that the text is too small in the 14.1 WXGA+
2GB 800MHz DDR2
120GB 7200rpm Hard drive as a minimum or the 200GB serial ATA HDD 7200RPM if you can afford it.
8x DVD+/RW Drive.
Intel X4500HD graphics
6 Cell 54WHr LI-ION Primary Battery if you dont use your laptop in the move a lot. 9 Cell 85WHr LI-ION Primary Battery if you'll be using it in the move a lot... more cells = laptop havier a bit = more battery live
acessories and else it's apt to you.
The above configuration will cost £841 including VAT and Postage. This price includes about £200 discount.

Now if and only if you like the look and feel of Vista ultimate, then I would suggest Vista Ultimate 64bit as the cost of the upgrade is the same either you select the 32bit or the 64bit one.

Now if this laptop was for me I'll buy it only with 1gb of ram and buy more ram from elsewhere as dell memory is expensive and you don't have a say on the made.

 

P8400 or P8600 are a good choice for money, becuase the 25W energy saving will make your laptop work longer.

One major concern, why do you choose Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M? Are you running AutoCad or some graphic design program? Why choose a PC-Card, but not an Express card with $0 upgrade?

The money you spend you can buy a much better laptop if you do not choose Nvidia Quadro NVS 160M.

 

NATON-thanks again for the help-but where do you see me mentioning getting the NVIDIA QUADRO?
This thread only talks about what chip I should get.
No mention of a graphics card...

Im confused- Onesueh asks about the graphics card too.

Am I missing somehting here?

Back to the subject: So getting a 6mb cache/9000 series is only for very intensive CPU tasks?
The money I would be saving by not going with the 9000 series; should I then just get the 4gb 2dimm or do what a previous poster suggests and buy memory elsewhere?

 

You didn't mention the graphics card. It is simply because the E6400 is a business laptop and thus comes with both the integrated Intel graphics and the dedicated nVidia graphics.

The intel GPU is more suited for longer battery life and office application.
The nVidia GPU is more suited for intensive 2D applications such as photoshop and drawing 2D plans in AutoCAD. The downside with it is a shorter battery life... well unless if it uses the hybrid technology.

 

yes save money by buying the P8000 series CPU.

and

yes save more money by buying only 2gb since with what you attend to use the laptop for you'll never need more.

With the money you'll be saving from the memory and the CPU you coulg buy a a faster harddrive (i.e. 7200rpm).

Now if you insist on getting 4gb of ram, then you have to buy Vista Ultimate 64bit.

4gb needs 64bit Vista
2gb needs 32bit Vista

 

The E6400 comes with either an integrated GPU or a dedicated GPU. The Lenovo T400 / T500 come with both and can switch between them.

The real benefit of the dedicated GPU comes with 3D rendering. There is little or no benefit provided by the dedicated GPUs for normal 2D graphics.

John

 

NATON-thanks again-you have been a big help.
Im going to get the 8600 with a 2gb RAM/1 dimm and then buy an extra gig somewhere else. And yes, with the money im saving I will get a 250gb HD at 7200rpm.
Also, our confusion i think has been cleared by John's response below as I have a choice between the Intel graphics card or the Nvidia Quadro.
I will go with the former.

Lastly, I dont see any reason to go with the 64 bit...where can I get good quality memory outside of dell?

EDIT: Just saw your response to my other thread with the RAM links. Those prices are incredibly low! Maybe I should just get 1gb RAM/single dimm from DELL and then buy the other two from NEWEGG or CRUCIAL?

John-thanks for the clarification.

 

I was not sure regarding whether the E6400 uses the hybride technology... so thanks for the clarification.

Well, the quadro NVS will boost 2D apps but I don't think it will perform better than a gaming GPU in 3D apps since it is only optimised for 2D.

3D apps will need the Quadro FX series which is not available for the latitude series. It's only available on the Dell Precesion series.

Definitively use one Newwgg or Crucial as Dell will charge you at the highest price.