cpu upgrade effectiveness question

Is the upgrade from T6400 to p8700 or T9600 worth the money? what is the expected improvement in performance and heat?
I have a dv4t-1400 and i am using it in some excessive computations.
Thanks

 

Actually whether a faster CPU is worth the money depends on what programs you're running. In some cases there is a significant improvement in performance; while in others the improvement is negligible. If I were you, I'd first determine the requirements of any specific tasks you might find important. Once those minimum requirements are met, a little more horse power is always advisable--but seldom results in significant gains in performance.

If you want to increase performance in most typical applications, the best place to start is RAM. I've seen few systems that even come close to their maximum; and since increasing RAM very economical, it is never a loss even if you don't frequently use labor intensive programs.

 

Excessive computations?

 

yes, it is enumeration for very large data sets, a single iteration takes hours

 

The P8700 should be much cooler than the T6400 and I think it consumes the same or less power, not sure which.

But it will indeed be faster. Does this program you use take advantage of multiple cores or no? Upgrading will help shorten those times though.

 

For your usages, the benefit could be significant depending on cost. Can you list out how much each upgrade is? If this is for work or research, a better processor can be worth the cost. In calculations (such as when I use MATLAB), usually clock speed correlates linearly. Heat won't be significantly different in any of the processors (though the higher clock speed one will generate a bit more heat, especially on load), despite different TDP since this doesn't necessarily translate into real life power consumption

The T6400 is 2.0GHz w/ 2MB cache and 800MHz FSB, the P8700 is 2.53GHz w/ 3MB and 1066Mz, and T9600 is 2.8GHz w/ 6MB and 1066MHz. The P8700 would be about 25% faster than the T6400, and the T9600 would be 50% faster than the T6400.

 

I will be using multi-core.
P8700 costs around $230
T9600 costs around $260 Engineering sample
Also Does HP Pavilion dv4t support Intel Quad core Q9000? it has PM45 chipset i guess.

 

Are you getting both after market? Just be wary that some ES don't have thermistors, so you can't read the temps. And the Q9000 might not work due to power or cooling constraints. Check in the HP forum to see if anyone has gotten their dv4t working with a quad core.

 

I'd say 9600 all the way.

And from what I've seen (and I'm hoping to be corrected by the people who would know the most - the guys on this forum ) it doesn't seem like most consumer laptops would support a quad without either a BIOS flash or a modified BIOS entirely. HP especially, as they don't offer any consumer laptops with quads. (aside from their Voodoo division, which they share no discernable hardware with in terms of chipsets/mobos, etc)

 

Yes, it also requires BIOS support. I think Insyde has some modified BIOSes for HP dv series in the HP forum, which might (haven't really dived into the thread since I don't own a HP) support quads or other nifty features. Also, I believe the HDX series do offer quads for consumers, the business lines also do.

 

DV4 is 14 inch isnt it? i really wouldnt wanna risk sticking a quad in a 14" that was never designed for it in the first place.

i'd go for a P9600 or a T9600

 

Yes, quad-core is indeed offered in the HDX. However, it should be keep in mind that quad core is still a relatively new technology, and therefore, would not offer much significance to anyone outside of graphic artists and video editors. Hardcore gamers might also find it useful, but at this point only a few (40 or so) games are have been optimized to take advantage of those extra cores.

 

While it is true that not many people would benefit from a quad core, the OP fits under the rarer category and would benefit since he has mentioned that he does work on multithreaded applications that require CPU power.

 

Your best bet would be to get a T9600 or P9600 but if u got a lot of cash get the T9900... quad won't work and could fry your mobo because their increase in power draw could cause power surge...

 

Power surge?

If there is too much power draw it will shut off if working properly. Frying would come from too much heat in the case that it was able to supply the power the cpu requires but made part of the regulation circuitry too hot in the process. I would put my money on that scenario not happening though.

 

Thanks guys

 

If you have the bucks to spare, a P9700 is worth it.
Uses 25 Watts max, and is clocked at 2.8/2.93, cant really recall it ATM.

 

It's 28W and 2.8GHz.

 

Thanks. 28 (odd..i thought P were 25...) and 2.8GHz, or the T9900 at 3.06GHz and TDP of 35W. Im sure on that one.

 

P9700 is the exception to the 25W rule.