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    i5-2410m vs i7-2620m, 4GB vs 6GB vs 8GB RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Qaenos, Aug 23, 2011.

  1. Qaenos

    Qaenos Notebook Consultant

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    Will be buying a new Vaio Z2 laptop this week.

    Laptop specs:
    OS: Windows 7 64-bit
    Screen resolution: 1920x1080 (!!!)
    Graphics card: ATI 6650M graphics card with 1GB VRAM.
    Hard Drive: Intel Gen III SSD.

    I'm wondering how much of a difference will I see in performance with the following options:

    CPU: i5-2410m or i7-2620m
    RAM: 4GB vs 6GB vs 8GB RAM

    Obviously, I'd like to play World of Warcraft at native resolution (1920x1080), but I am also doing programming and computer simulations, sometimes all at once.

    Thanks in advance!
     
    Qaenos, Aug 23, 2011
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  2. anseio

    anseio All ways are my ways.

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    In that case, I'd go for the i7 and the 8GB. Simulations can be RAM heavy, right?
     
    anseio, Aug 23, 2011
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  3. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    What is the price difference? This is the most important factor for me.

    If they ask an additional $1000, it is definitely not worth it. If they are asking $100, it is well worth it even though you don't need more power. :)


    --
     
    ramgen, Aug 23, 2011
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  4. Qaenos

    Qaenos Notebook Consultant

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    It's around $200 to upgrade the CPU and around $250 to go from 4GB to 8GB.

    The thing is, it's all about real world performance and actually noticing the difference. I'm not talking about benchmarks, I mean if I were to use a i5-2410m with 4GB RAM and the same machine with i7-2620 with 8GB RAM, would I actually notice feel the difference without running benchmarks and turning on the FPS meter in a game like WoW. To me, even if the benchmarks are different, if I can't see/feel the difference, it isn't worth it.
     
    Qaenos, Aug 23, 2011
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  5. ramgen

    ramgen -- Morgan Stanley --

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    CPU upgrade may worth it if you plan to use the machine for 3+ years (for future proofing). RAM upgrade is a totally rip-off. You can buy 2x4GB DDR3 RAMs for less than $45 (in newegg).

    Depends on what apps you use. If you run CPU and mem bound simulations you will notice it. If you play minesweeper or solitaire you won't.


    --
     
    ramgen, Aug 23, 2011
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  6. tijo

    tijo Sacred Blame

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    The RAM upgrade is indeed a rip-off. Get the CPU upgrade if you need it and do the RAM upgrade yourself.
     
    tijo, Aug 23, 2011
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  7. Qaenos

    Qaenos Notebook Consultant

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    Unfortunately, the RAM is hardwired and not replaceable. This is not a typical laptop.
     
    Qaenos, Aug 23, 2011
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  8. Karamazovmm

    Karamazovmm Overthinking? Always!

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    for running VMs the SSDs and RAM will be god send.

    and since you are programming the i7 might be worth it, depending on how large or intensive the compilations are.
     
    Karamazovmm, Aug 23, 2011
    #8