i3-2310m + ssd vs i5-2410m + hhd

Quick one hopefully.

Which do you think would perform better? The laptop will be used mainly for CS5 design work(no video editing).

Obviously the i5 is faster but is it going to be more noticable that a reasonable ssd?

Cheers

 

i would be in a huge conflict. i told myself to never get something below i5, and never something that is not ssd based.



in computational tasks, the i5 can provide you with up to 40% more performance, which can help for cs5. and it has more snap thanks to turboboost.

but if i HAD to chose, i would take the i3+ssd, definitely. i don't ever get a system without ssd anymore.

 

Agree with dave, i5 + SSD would be the 'min' for me too.

However...

Assuming 8GB RAM or more:

The storage subsystem will not make CS5 perform faster (it will speed up the Scratch disk though... but that means you're RAM limited).

The CPU and the RAM will.

Definitely the i5 with as much RAM as possible, a 7200 RPM HDD properly partitioned and keep everything running as smooth as possible with PerfectDisk Professional 12.

See:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-hitachi-7k500-benchmark-setup-specifics.html


Good luck.

 

I'd go with the i5. You can ultimately make the SSD decision at a later date, maybe a sale? If you go with the i3, you're stuck with it.

 

I would take i5 + HDD. CPU is more important for CS5

 

Thanks for the quick response guys,

I think I'll go for the i5 and try and scrape together some cash to swap the hdd for the ssd at a later date.

 

If you can only have one HDD/SSD in your computer, it is better to get a 500GB-1TB HDD instead of a SSD. CS5 work will take a lot of space (2-5MB per photo), a SSD will be too small for CS5 work if you do not have an external HDD.

 

*hug*

yes

i realized that i forgot the fact that cpu's switching: hard. hdd switching: easy. based on that, getting an i5 with hdd is fine.
but i would never suggest perfectdisk. better save that money for the sdd.

hdds and all their myths about partitioning, defragmenting, and that..

right, i forgot about that.

 

so a typical small ssd (80gb) can only store about 12000 to 30000 fotos? yes, that is definitely a problem.

 

Thanks again,

I'm mainly doing web design in fireworks,flash,illustrator and dreamweaver. Not too much photoshop. I have a 1tb external drive which I can archive stuff off to when I'm finished so I think the ssd should be fine.

 

80GB SSD will not have the entire 80GB for photos

5GB OS
10GB CS5
10GB apps
= 55GB

55GB is not much for photos, especially if your a professional photographer/editor.

My collection of holiday photos is well over 100GB (2003-2011 = 8 years collection)

 

Okay, that definitely changes things. Even a smaller SSD would make a difference (but the better cpu will still be more important overall and better to get first).

I hope you have at least two external HDD's that basically backup each other - with all/most of your data on a single external you're simply waiting for a catastrophe to happen (data-wise).

 

well, i calculated with 60gb free space. and yes, it might not be much to archive data for ever, but that's not the idea for ssd. that's like getting a ferrari to drive over the street to the mall you live vis-a-vis of.

but it's definitely PLENTY to have all your active data on. recent photos of the last weeks / months, projects you work on, etc. and the rest belongs into the backup/archive solution of your choice that you have to have ANYWAYS. because backup is not optional, backup is the most important thing. you should buy the backup before considering to buy the laptop.

 

i5 + Seagate XT 500GB, buy SSD when they're cheap

 

No worries tilleroftheearth, I'm a bit freaky with backups and I have 3 external harddrives stored at differrent locations(you can never be too safe).

I'm definately going to go with the i5 and judging by what everyone has been saying about the ssd performance improvement, I've almost decided to push the budget and get the ssd now (i'll have to check my bank balance ).

Thanks.

 

If this is for work (and that's how I read your original post) then don't check the bank balance - get the i5, 8GB RAM or more and at least a 160GB SSD or larger (I would only recommend the Intel 320 Series or the 510 Series (250GB model - along with the Intel RST drivers and the Intel SSD Toolbox set to weekly).

With this setup, you should be able to fill up your bank balance much quicker or at least with putting in as little work time as possible.

Good luck.

 

That was my plan this whole time..

My case was a bit different, I had to choose between a i3-2310m and i7-2630QM because there was no i5-2410M model available in my country.

So, I went with the i3-2310M and yes I'm stuck with it for 2 years until the laptop's warranty is done.

However, in my case I know I can upgrade the CPU since I've dissembled dozen of laptops including netbooks in the past so the CPU upgrade will just have to come at later time.

The money spared was meant for an SSD but I don't think I'll be buying one anytime soon. I'll wait for 2nd gen consumer based mSATA SDD's next year, by then I'll probably be able to get a faster 120GB model for the same price as a 80GB model this year.

@ tetley123

I'd also go with the i5-2410M by choice and go for a SSD upgrade at a later time.

 

Before anyone buys Intel 320 I would recommend to read this:
Intel 320-Series SSDs Affected by Firmware Bug That Causes Data Loss - Softpedia
SSD power loss report updates: Intel Communities
New SSD Dead ??? - MacRumors Forums
MBP'11 / Intel 320 SSD Cautionary tale - MacRumors Forums
MacRumors Forums - View Single Post - Intel 320 Series SSDs Affected by Firmware Bug That Causes Data Loss
MacRumors Forums - View Single Post - Intel 320 Series SSDs Affected by Firmware Bug That Causes Data Loss

Intel 510 is ok, although Crucial M4 is cheaper and has better random performance.

 

i5 + HDD agree also. Good 120-128GB SSD's can be found for < $200 now, so just save up and while you're saving hopefully a good deal will surface and can snatch one up. I never thought I could live with a smaller SSD, but realized how much junk I'd download and just keep on my system. Just learn to clean up on occasion and archive as needed an you can easily remain under 100GB.