i7 720vs 820 and 4gb ram vs 6gb (Please help)

Hi Everyone,

I bought a Dell laptop yesterday, with the following specs:
intel core i7 820 1.73
6gb ddr3 ram 1333mhz

If I buy the same laptop with i7 720 and 4gb of ram, I have to pay around £280(280 British pounds = 465.78 U.S. dollars) less.

Does anyone here suggest cancelling my order and going with the lower spec?

I will really appreciate any help,suggestion, etc.
Thanks a lot
Sina

 

What will you be doing with the laptop? The typical user would be more than fine with 4GB of ram and the i7 720. Only power users with CPU and ram intensive programs would need the boost you ordered.

 

Well, I'm a computer science student, so I do programming, developing and heavy multi tasking.
I have more than many applications open at once plus several browsers open with more than 10 pages open in each.
plus programming apps,etc. and to be honest, I spend most of my day on my computer!
so, what do you suggest?

 

I'm a fourth year computer engineer and we just run our stuff on the lab computers, which aren't as fancy as the Dell you are investing in. A 720QM and 4GB is more than enough.

 

Thanks for the reply Soviet. It is the same here since us students don't make those fantastic adobe applications but the other fact that I spend most of my day at my PC and I do heavy multi-tasking can come into consideration. do you think these 820 and 2gb more can do any help?

I appreciate more responses as well

 

No, they won't do any better in day to day tasks than the 4gb and i7 720. I have 4GB and a P8700 (dual core 2.53GHz) regularly have chrome open with 30+ tabs, msn, steam, cpu-z, HWmonitor, gpu-z, photoshop, thunderbird, windows media player and a bit more open and I never have any slow downs whatsoever.

 

2GB more isn't much. Right now, memory prices are high so I'd say hold off on RAM kits larger than 4GB. When you feel the need to add more memory, you can do so later on down the road. I'd say just streamline your OS and the software you have loaded on it and optimize your work habits. You will find that you will be trying to catch up with the 720QM and 4GB memory once you throw one of your daily routines at it.

 

I somehow agree to both of you guys.
the thing is that I have to face the fact that I never tried core i7 8 thread processing which I think is more than enough for even my heavy multi-tasking!
I think I might cancel the order.

Any more inputs on this? I'm getting convinced to lose my 820 + 6gb ram
I really appreciate more suggestions and opinions...

 

I agree with Soviet. Moreover, regardless of the performance boost to an 820qm, 280GBP is a total ripoff for the upgrade. You wouldn't notice the extra 2gb RAM (and RAM is expensive, as Soviet said), and the 820 ordinarily costs only $200 more than the 720qm (no idea how that translates with VAT and import taxes and whatever other silly stuff you soggy islanders do to electronics from overseas).

 

sina6002,

You mentioned that you'll be paying about $465 less (USD), but less than what (what's the total cost)?

Also, how long do you think you'll be using this system? Depending on the total cost, an additional $465 might be fine if you're thinking 4 years of use. Also, don't forget to take into consideration the fact that whenever you do decide to sell/replace it, the 'better' model will bring you more money at that time.

I also have to disagree with everyone (sorry!) about the RAM.

I'm assuming of course you're running Win 7 x64 on this new puppy? Well, 4GB is an insult to that machine and O/S. 6GB RAM is better, but even 8GB is not overkill for the O/S and hardware you're specifying. Why am I stressing this point? Because I like to have a balanced computer - it doesn't have to be the fastest, the biggest or the baddest - but it shouldn't be limited artificially either.

I like to build a computer that I'm using at its optimized setup (hardware-wise) from the day I receive it - not a few years later, when I'm almost ready to sell it.

There you go, some additional points for you to ponder.

 

Histidine, thanks for the reply really
just a question, are you happy with your the dumbest of the smart kids ?

In terms of the price being a good deal, the 6gb + 820 is definitely a good deal, but I'm wondering how much it worth the price!

tilleroftheearth, well, thanks for the input first.
what I'm thinking of is having the laptop for around 2 years, but I'll definitely buy a PC by then!
This is a very hard decision to be honest.
The fact is that I'm on the same boat with you in terms of RAM.
I'm personally a ram killer(?!), and I have usually over 3gb using while having just few applications open. and I'm always near that 4gb boundary !
And we should face the fact that every day more apps are coming that take more and more ram for no good reason!

and yes, I have(and I'm going to have) win 7 x64 probably professional or ultimate.
And another thing I have to mention is that I never sold a laptop, and I dont think I can even get half of what I'm paying on ebay!

So, please help guys! now I'm more confused, as based on tilleroftheearth, I didn't think of future and probably next 1-2 years which I might get bored with that 4gb of ram!

What do you guys think? in terms of time, can this setup actually worth the price I'm paying now?

 

sina6002,

you still didn't state the prices of those two configurations.

If you're looking at two years use, without selling it, just what would you do with that system at that time? Even if it was only worth $500, it is still worth something towards your next system.

BTW, don't buy a computer as an investment, buy it because you'll use it - fully!

 

sorry forgot to mention that. the actual cost is around $2025 (the expensive one).

And I'll definitely use it every day, more than 5 hours! (can lead to 24 hours!)

Just a question came to my mind, since the CPU (720 one) does not make too much difference and I'm just wondering about that 6gb of ram, does anyone here know if I can upgrade the ram later?

I mean for example next year I upgrade the ram to 8gb for example as ddr3 prices will drop until the next year. but I'm not sure if rams on dell studio 17 can be upgraded. anyone has any info here? and tilleroftheearth, what is your opinion about this decision?

 

Is that $2025 US dollars or pounds?

 

USD. I would use £ for pound. it is around 1220 pound with the student discount...

 

Thanks! Just checking.

 

Yep, I'm very happy with my 720qm. It's leaps and bounds ahead of what I had previously, and it's better than all but the top Core 2 Extreme models in almost every respect.

I'm not sure how you're using that much RAM, though. I'm doing just fine with only 2GB. Still, RAM is crazy easy to upgrade. More or less, you just take off a back panel, pop out the old stick, pop in the new one, and you're good to go. If you're worried about screwing something up, there are guides written in language simple enough a literate baboon could follow. I fully expect the price of RAM to be dropping in half a year, as sticks bigger than 2GB are currently pretty expensive.

 

thanks a lot histidine.

So, guys, if you think that I can later change my RAM and upgrade it to 8gb around next year, do you think its a wise decision to go for the cheaper model and then upgrade it when I want around next year?

cause I know that I dont need 6gb of ram right now, but as programs use more and more ram, I think 4gb is not going to be enough.

So what you guys think? its a wise decision to do it this way and save loads of money ?

 

I would say yes. Even if you find out you need more RAM after you buy it, as everyone else has said, RAM is very easy to upgrade, and, oftentimes, you can buy new RAM sticks for cheaper than they're asking you to upgrade them for (even now). Also note that the RAM used can be deceptive; if you're using Vista or Windows 7, Prefetch automatically loads a bunch of programs into RAM for faster loadup times for those programs, even if you haven't actually tried to run them yet. Using less RAM just means it'll loadup fewer programs "pre-emptively", as it were.

 

sina6002,

Here (Dell, Canada), I could add 4GB (so, 8GB total, from 4GB RAM) for $315 CDN - this is quite a deal here - each stick is at least $400, so I'm saving about $485 if I buy the RAM at the time I purchase the notebook.

(Of course, the 4GB of RAM is worth something too, but if you buy it like this (4GB RAM total, now), you have to ask yourself - will you be able to buy two 4GB sticks of DDR3 RAM for $315 - probably not while the notebook means anything to you, most likely!)

I tried to use (Dell, UK), but the prices there are nuts! To add 2GB is £510!

If the RAM usage is that high for you (and your prices for RAM are as high as I found), then it seems to me the 6GB RAM system is a bargain - the CPU upgrade is basically free!

So, tell us... how much does it cost to take the i7 720 system to 6GB of RAM and also how much to take it all the way to 8GB of RAM?

If, for 8GB total RAM, it costs less than the £280 you're considering - then do it. If, it costs considerably more, as I've found above, then the i7 820 system is your best value with the needs you've stated.

 

The thing is that currently its not 1x4gb stick. its 2x2gb. so I have to remove both and get 2x4gb.
And what I mean by upgrading is getting new sticks like next year. I'm nearly sure that price of 4gb next year will be half of what its now. so by then I think that is affordable.
And about the price currently, you are right. from 4gb to 6gb costs around £400 which is more than the price of 6gb + 820.
but what if I dont need 6gb now and I upgrade the pc in 1-2 year when ddr3 prices are about £100-150 for 2x4gb sticks?
What do you think?

 

I do a lot of CAD, ArcGIS and illustrator, and I only have 3gb of RAM, I have never once even gone over 2.5gb used, should be just fine with 4gb.

 

No amount of simple multitaking will stress either of those machines...

The only thing that will be noticably different on either will be encoding of video/audio for large files. There is no amount of browsers or simple programs that will slow that computer down.

Heres a test. Hold windows+e (in some systems you have to tap e) and open 50+ instances of explorer. Any decent PC wont mind much, at least after they are all open. (My PC opens them all instantanseously and is still functioning fine the entire time).

Narsnail is right too, keep task manager open and see if you even cap out 4 gigs of your RAM when doing your multitasking.

 

The one thing that does not appear to be mentioned (quick scan of the posts) is if you have any processor intensive tasks that may only use one or two cores. If you have any programs that meet that criteria you will see a 10% to 20% increase in performance with the 820 over the 720. This is from the faster single core and dual core clocks in turbo mode. On programs that use more than 2 cores the difference is smaller as the clocking difference is a smaller percentage between the 820 and 720.

Just something else to be aware of.

 

It would be worth it at maybe £100 - £150.. but £280 is ridiculous. Send it back!

 

sina6002,

I'm not trying to convince you one way or the other, really.

What I'm trying to help you with is your logic and some basic economic principles.

I'll continue assuming that an i7 XXX is wasted with 4GB RAM - not just specifically for you, but in general, and especially if we're using the Win 7 x64 O/S.

Also, you state that you do enjoy multitasking, so taking advantage of more RAM by purchasing a x64 O/S will not be wasted either.

This is the key here:

You think that RAM will fall to 1/2 price next year (I hope so!), but even if it does, this is what you're failing to consider:

For 1/2 of this computer's lifetime (you stated keeping it two years, right), you'll be running it at less than an optimal configuration. To me, (in a business setting) I'll get more from a year of using a 10% faster processor and 50% more RAM, than the 'mere' cost of an additional £280 now.

Even if it's half price, it won't be half price of the Dell prices - these will be full retail prices. I searched, but have not seen a 1x 4GB DDR3 1333 Mhz notebook RAM module for sale, so I don't even know what the price is currently in the UK. I highly doubt though, that you'll be able to buy it anywhere close to £280 for two 4GB modules. I may even doubt that you'll be able to buy it for £280 for a single 4GB RAM modules of equal quality - even in a year of waiting.

Lets assume the best of all worlds. You do find it for half price of the Dell £400 current price (which I'm highly doubting) in a year. So, for £200 you are at 6GB and, with the i7 720 which means in a year you have saved £80 - but at the expense of a 10% slower processor (over the notebooks lifetime) and 50% less RAM available for your previous year's worth of use.

Lets now assume the worst. In one years time, you decide you need more RAM, but it costs £280 or more to go to 6GB. You not only lost any price advantage, but you've also lost by limiting yourself artificially for the next year - of a better optimized/balanced system from the get-go and one with a (slightly) better CPU - all for what? Maybe £80. At the most.

To summarize, find the price of a retail RAM module that will match what you're buying - that's the cost/price we're comparing our future RAM to - not Dell's prices which are part of their computer upgrades at time of purchase.

Be truthful (to yourself) about your RAM requirements. Also keep in mind that an x64 based system needs a minimum of 4GB to stretch its legs, but with this hardware, you are certainly not buying at any minimum or entry level stage.

Finally, know that in two years, you may well decide to continue using this (optimized) configuration you decide on today - add a monitor, an external keyboard and mouse - you will have a desktop.

Myself? If I was living in the UK currently and seeing the prices you're facing - I would keep the i7 820 + 6GB configuration. Why?

Because you've ordered it, I'm assuming you can afford it:

Let me share the best advice I've ever received:

When buying a computer, don't buy based solely on what you need - buy what you can afford.

Another thing to consider; if you'll take a vacation where RAM prices are not so insane, then the £1,200 or more may be used for a vacation and an upgrade to 8GB RAM. Although the benefits are not strictly computer related - it is one more thing to keep in mind. After all, money doesn't care how you spend it - that is up to the individual to maximize his/her return for a given amount of $$$$ or, (sorry!) ££££.

Please read the above carefully, there is a lot of ideas and information to absorb. Good luck!

 

Personally, I agree with tilleroftheearth. First of all, don't translate prices to $, keep it in £. It does not matter how much anything costs in US since you live across the pond! Second, if you keep the system for 2-3 years, that's what, £95-140 per year? That's nothing, really, if you think about it.

Plus, when you upgrade you only have to buy single memory stick of 4GB instead of 2. If you are going to run some VMs with VirtualBox, VMware, or Microsoft VirtualPC, then this is even less of no-brainer.

Now, if £280 will make a big difference to you right now or over next month, then yes, go with the lower config model. Otherwise, IMO, might as well spring for the better equipped one.

 

Thank you sooo much guys for the replies. Specially tilleroftheearth who wrote that long long reply which I know took time.

Few things to mention and probably argue about is first of all, £280 has a meaning to me and I cant just say it doesn't matter. it does. And basically, I spend money carefully.

tilleroftheearth, I currently have windows 7 64bit professional, and I usually have around 3gb being used. (different messengers, browsers, IDEs, etc.)
What I'm thinking about 6gb is that over the time, programs need to use more and more ram, so probably next year programs will take more ram than they currently do as their graphic ui will improve.

So, What I'm considering 6gb for is next year's new applications. I currently know that I will not use 6gb of ram. and just to mention that I'm not a gamer!(maybe occasionally)

So, for example if by next 1/2 years the price of a 4gb ddr3 1333 ram decrease to around £80, I can upgrade my laptop to 8GB of ram with £160 which compared to this £280-90 ,it is still worth it.

What I don't know and want real suggestion is that if I dont do A/V encoding, heavy 3d processing, etc. will the 820 come practical or I won't even feel it?
Same as for 6gb of ram.
What I mean is also time wise. so in 1 year or 2, am I going to feel any difference with 820 or the 6gb ram?

One thing I have to mention about 6gb ram is that its not tripe 2gb, otherwise I would go for it. 4gb + 2gb decreases the performance! as its dual channel and performance will be maximized if channels be balanced. So, this is why I dont think about 6gb and I keep saying if someday sometime I want to upgrade to 8gb(4gb+4gb config).

This is a really hard decision for me to make.
I will really look for your replies and I think I'm going to make the decision tonight, and will release finally why I made that decision. But please still contribute to help me make the best decision and be sure I'm not going to waste £280-90 on something that I might not even feel.
Thanks a lot again.
Sina

 

Well if you don't plan on using the RAM now, then tiller's logic doesn't apply to you because the partial lifetime of the laptop wouldn't be "wasted" since you wouldn't be using it either way. If you plan on buying hardware for the future and you're sure you won't need it now, then by all means buy it when you need it. Tiller's logic is based upon the fact that you'll need/use the hardware now; if you won't, then it's moot.

Personally, I can't fully agree with tiller's logic simply because the term "what you can afford" is a relative term. What people are willing to pay is what they can afford so it's not really an objective thing.

 

Sina,

do you really think that in 6 months you can get a 4GB stick for £80 in the UK? When dell is offering this RAM module to you now for £400 plus the cost of the existing 2GB stick?

What prices (other than at Dell) did you find for a 1x 4GB DDR3 1333 Mhz notebook Sodimm module? That's the price you should be expecting to drop, not Dell's prices.

Not trying to force you to spend money. I understand that £280 is worth something (even a lot) to you. It is to me too.

I also understand that this is a hard decision - that's why I'm trying to help. Please consider re-reading all my responses (and your original questions too).

What I feel you may not be considering fully is the fact that if you spend £1500 over the life of the system ( on the system), you may as well be enjoying that optimized configuration for the whole time you have it - not for a short period, just before you get something new.

Also remember that RAM prices are not predicted to go down in the next couple of years (see other threads in this forum) - this summers past awesome RAM deals may well be a one time thing that we won't see too often again in our lifetimes.

Finally, just want to point out that if 1x 8GB modules appeared (even if they were at a good/great price) the chipset in the notebook you're buying probably won't support it - ever.

Again; a little summary...

If you're saving the £280 (in the bank) just to offset that expense by a few months, I feel that is a gamble not worth taking right now.

If you're saving the £280 and will purchase items for basic survival with it - then eat first! Having the best/optimally configured Studio 17 will not make your tummy less hungry - and 6/12 months is a long time to ignore your tummy!

 

Forever_Melody,

no, my logic is not based simply on use - its also (more importantly) based on what the price of RAM in the UK might be in a years time.

And, yes, 'afford' is an objective thing - if you're truthful with yourself and know how to quantify your needs and your desires and place them in perspective to your actual (financial) situation.

 

Well there's the issue I have trouble with your logic; your first mistake is assuming most people can truthfully and correctly gouge the extent between need, want, and afford in concert with other elements in a budget. That's why normally we ask for a given budget to what a person is willing to pay and even then, sometimes people overgouge/undergouge what they need for a computer purchase. Just because they give a budget doesn't eman we have to hit that budget all the time, even in a business environment.

And a big point I saw in your logic about the decrease of RAM prices was the fact that he'd be using it between now and the hypothetical time RAM prices would drop(hence why buying it now would be advantageous). Unless I'm wrong, you mentioned that waiting for prices to drop would be bad since in the time it dropped, he could be using it for being productive yet the OP stated he clearly wouldn't be using/needing that much and was merely buying in preparation for the future. Therefore, if he doesn't need it in any way or form, I see no wrong in waiting for prices to drop or for when the need does truly arise(whichever comes first).

 

Well, if the OP is not running AV/3d Video/heavy Photo/Gaming/Virtualization/Scientific App, then the Op should just stick with lower cost version. What's the point of quadcore with hyperthreading if you are not doing this? In a year we'll probably see DDR3 hit that $100 mark anyway and if he does not need processing power for the life of the box and memory for a while, what's the point of spending more cash?

I was "assuming" OP was going to be doing either gaming or some heavy processing of some sort. Heck, OP could probably get by with Core2 easy and save even more.

 

Well 4GB is fine for what you seem to be doing, what more is there to say really.

 

Thank you so so much again guys for your replies. I really appreciate the way you guys try to help and I have to thank you for trying to help.

Finally I decided to cancel my current order and after the cancellation I will go with the lower spec model.

My Reasons:
- I understand that the price for i7-820qm + 6gb ddr3 1333mhz ram was very good and reasonable, but the difference between this one and the i7 720+ 4gb ram was inevitable with was around £280-290.

- As I dont do A/V or heavy 3D works and not much gaming(just occasionally play a game to see the latest development in game engines ), I thought that I might not feel the difference between the power of the 820 cpu, so whats the point then? If it was a desktop, then everything was different...

- In case of RAM, as I mentioned, programs are going to use more and more ram every day. I currently have more than 3gb ram usage, which is still under 4gb and will remain the same until new programs come after a while, but as far as I know, ddr5 and the other generations are coming, and ddr3 prices are falling markedly! So, I thought if in worst case I need more ram, it will be next 1-2 years at least and by then the prices are cheap enough to let me buy something affordable. (2x4gb modules will be a kit by then for like around £100-150 probably!)

What I am just wondering is that I might do something wild and get another monitor and do dual monitor as it will be a heaven for a developer having 2 monitors.
What I'm currently wondering is that is it possible to do dual monitor? does the laptop support that? can I dual monitor with a 24" monitor?
This way, I put my money on something much better and much more useful! that I can even use with a PC as well...

will appreciate more info on this.
Thanks a lot again
Sina

 

Forever_Melody,

If most people cannot do an objective self assessment on their wants, needs and means, then it is not a fault of my logic. Is it?

As a matter of fact, based upon the decision the sina6002 made, I think I made him be more objective in those areas as witnessed by the fact that he willing decided on a system that was a more appropriate fit for him.

For the RAM - you are dead wrong. I never said that prices would drop. Actually, I said that RAM would probably stay the same or even go up. Why? Because he was basing his decisions on Dell's upgrade prices for RAM (at time of computer purchase) instead of on the Retail cost of the RAM modules themselves.

How do you know the prices will drop for him? And I'm specifically asking about a price drop in the next year (as he originally suggested he would upgrade then) and also, specifically a price drop compared to what Dell was offering him today?

I then further explained that if he did need the RAM - he would not only have spent the same or more amount of money in the lifetime of this computer - he would also have bought it just before he was going to sell it too (not to mention not using the extra RAM for most of his ownership).

This is a far cry from what you stated above.

Also, the details of his computer usage came out in bits and pieces, he did not state them as explicitly as he did in the last few posts than in his first few posts.

This is an ongoing conversation and for you to jump in the middle is not very conducive to furthering it, without first understanding it.

 

Sina,

I'm glad you came to a decision you'll be happy with. Congrats!

Just want to point out that I really do hope that 1x 4GB DDR3 1333 Mhz RAM modules do drop in price for all of us (and I hope you get your 8GB of RAM for around £100-150) , but reality and the current economic situation tells us otherwise.

Memory producers will simply not stock RAM modules like they did for the last couple of years (which ended by the way last summer - this huge stockpile). Why? Because they want to sell their inventory for as high as they can. If their inventory is overstocked then there will be another 'fire sale' on RAM, but my hunch is that we're not going to see this willingly (on the sodimm manufacturer's part), if they can help it.

Anyway, the price will settle down, no doubt about that - but I seriously doubt £1200 value RAM modules in your part of the world to drop to 1/10th its price in a year. I just don't see it happening.

For the monitor though - simply connect a second monitor and Win 7 will allow you to extend your desktop to that monitor automatically.

Even better, if you bought two monitors - you may be able to use both external monitors at the same time (I helped someone else on this forum and that is exactly what they achieved). However, that depends if your new computer will have more than one display output (VGA and HDMI for example) and also what inputs your monitors will have (they need to match the notebook's display outputs of course).

I doubt that you'll be able to use two externals and your notebooks display at the same time, but any configuration you want - make sure you try it first with your notebook - then order the external monitor(s) you like.

Again, enjoy your new computer!

 

I'm not saying your model is wrong; however, you have to take note of the flaw in the people and as long as it's an element, it's all good. The only thing I was pointing out was that it wasn't as objective as you seemed to have put it. There are difficult lines to draw and one has to take into accounts those lines and who's drawing them.
It's like voting polls: it's representative but at the end of the day probably half the people on the poll vote without a decent reason, but the logic behind the whole thing isn't wrong per say.

And look, it's an ongoing and open conversation so yes, I can and did drop in the middle. And yes, I did mistake what you were saying and I am sorry about that.

However, the basis of half your earlier post was on the hypothesis that RAM might drop in price(hence the initial proposition of the OP waiting on the RAM upgrade). Whether you thought this idea true or not wasn't the point since the rest of your post was relating to the fact that the OP would wait for price drops(regardless of their arrival or not). You asserted that him waiting on a RAM drop in price would be futile if he needed said RAM now and could actively use it now. Am I again wrong? I'm sorry if I made the whole idea about the RAM price dropping as an assertive fact; it was more of a speculative thing in conjunction with another idea and my wording twisted it wrong. I did not mean to jump any gun nor in any way criticize your way of thinking; I simply wanted to object to the key thesis of your earlier post and the variations ensued; I'm sorry if the whole thing was irrelevant and useless.

Anyhow, glad the OP finally managed to get a decision concerning his needs and I doubt our bickering ended up productive and I doubt neither your nor my goal was to actively attack(for lack of a better term) the other so let's just call it a truce and be happy for the OP ok?

 

Forever_Melody,

Don't worry, we're still friends. Truce!

You are still wrong about the RAM thing though - but doesn't matter - the OP made a good decision (for him) with as much support as we could give him over the 'net.

I also have to apologize to you - after just now re-reading my posted reply to you - I didn't mean to seem so short tempered with you (or your response). I too am sorry.

But, do note that I like being wrong - really. You know why? Because it means I learned something.

Now, reading the first sentence of your quoted post above - I agree 100% - because I see the angle from which you were saying those same words before too (in your original post).

And that, is what I learned today.

Thank you.

Cheers!

 

Although this topic seem to be over, but I just wanted to add something.

tilleroftheearth, you actually made me to think more about what I want and I thank you for that. But I think you are wrong about that I based my decision on dell's ram upgrade price!
I'm thinking that next year or two, I will take a look at the price of 4gb ddr3 1333 ram modules, if they be affordable at that time, I will buy two(any available brand) and will upgrade my ram.

Forever_Melody, I might use even that 6gb ram, but £280-90 vs 2gb more ram
, I think money wins in my case.
Cause I decided to get another monitor instead of paying that money and I will still save some money...

tilleroftheearth again, I have a suggestion. I think it is better to decide based on priorities.
Lets say you come across these two: -money -performance
in this case, performance is desirable but not necessary, money in this case is more important.

If I want to give advice to another person, I just mention that take money into consideration. is money important to you? no? then go for performance! no matter what! yes? then decide how important is money to you compared to the performance

 

Sina, you should be able to run 2 x 24" monitors (not using your laptop screen). To run 2 monitors and use internal LCD you would have to look into either USB display cards or Matrox DualHead2Go device (you can also get TripleHead2Go).

 

oblomschik, I want to use my laptop screen + 1x24" monitor.
Using VGA or HDMI.
So far I just heard its possible, so what do you say, do you have any experience?
will appreciate any advice...

 

Yeah, that's fine. Pretty much any laptop can drive 1900x1200 (or 1920 x 1080) and internal screen. I thought you wanted to run 2 external monitors and an internal screen at same time. Now, that can't be done without separate device.

 

It is my experience that you are wrong on this point. Dell Canada charges you $750 CAD to upgrade from 4g ddr3 1066 to 8gtb ddr3 1333.

In contrast, you can buy 8gb (2x4gb) ddr3 1333 RAM from many retailers for under $500 CAD

(all prices are on the studio 17)

 

First, we were talking about Dell deals and RAM prices in the UK.

Second, I have not seen any retail (UK) prices that would offer a 4GB DDR3 1333 Mhz module for 280 pounds (instead of a 2GB one).

 

When talking about aftermarket upgrade of ram, why limit yourself to UK only?

http://www.memorydepot.com/details.asp?id=MDD3-13S4GS

Samsung DDR3-1333 SODIMM 4GB Notebook Memory $247.18 CDN or
141.894 GBP (xe.com for conversion)

 

I'm not, the OP is/was.

 

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT51264BC1339

 

Thanks rb420, this £210 module although is expensive at the moment, but the price will hopefully get under £150 by next year. maybe less than £100 in two years!

tilleroftheearth, I'm not limiting myself to UK and Dell ram upgrades! I will buy from any shop on the earth that in the end( (price+shipping)x (VAT Rate+Import Rate) ) cost me less than others! Also, ebay is also a friend sometimes you can find real good deals on it...

 

the price of ram dosent behave like other components, it dosent just go down continuously. once ram is obsolete, prices actually start going up.

so dont get your hopes up.