i7 processors, which one should I get?

Hi,

Im customizing a new HP laptop and everything is great except for the processor as I have tow options:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-820QM Processor (1.73GHz, 8MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz FSB)

the price difference is 400$ ,,, my question is: is it worth it? i am planing on keeping my laptop to 3 -4 years.....kindly advise


regards

 

it's probably worth saving the money for a SSD instead. The 720qm will probably be powerful enough for next 3-4 years, it's just that battery life may be half in 2 years, and i7's can be very power-draining, so your 1.5-2 hours of battery life now may be 0.75-1 hours in a couple of years.

However if you're thinking of spending that much on a hp laptop I'd suggest checking the Sager i7 laptops, they may end up in same price range for better specs and craftsmanship.

For other people's advice, I'd suggest listing the key activities you expect to be using this laptop for.

 

Which HP?

The 720QM is overkill for 90% of users.
Can I ask what your usages are?

 

I agree that any i7 is most likely an overkill for most people, so if you're insistent to get one, chances are the 720QM is already overkill for your tasks(assuming you're not using the laptop as a workstation or something of the like).

Btw, even if you needed the brute power of an i7, the 820QM isn't worth a 400$ difference.

 

The 820QM is not worth the 400 HP asks for, not even the 350 Dell asks, nor the 200 xoticpc asks.

The i7 720QM is one of the best CPU's out there, IIRC it outruns the Q9000 and Q9100, and is between the Q9200 and QX9300 in some tasks, while on single threaded tasks, it outruns the C2Q.

But yes, unless you are fully utilizing the CPU, the i7 is not worth it.

 

The 720 seems to be the only CPU anyone is going with (i think intel isnt going to be selling many 920's or even 820's for that matter)

Its plenty fast for multi threaded apps (8 x 1.6 threads) its more then enough to handle dual threaded apps (2 x 2.4) and will beat all but the most powerful CPU's out right now in single threaded apps (1 x 2.8) So really you should never need anything more than that with in your time frame.

Honestly the 820 seems to be the sweet spot for this generation of CPU's, but i doubt many of them will sell because the 720 is such a great CPU that its usually not going to be worth the money.

 

Indeed. The price difference for the performance is abysmal. It has a +10-15% increase but at a 50-70% increased price. At least for me, it was not worth it. And I know most people will only get the 820 just because it sounds better.

 

Thank you all for the quick replies,

my used will be waching HD moviesand tv shows, gaming (leaft4dead, GTA..etc). some rare times I edit MKV movies (HD)

 

SAVE your money then!
The 820 is not worth it for that.

Even a C2D is an overkill! What laptop are you after?

 

if he's playing GTA IV, then the i7 would definitely be a great improvement.

 

A C2Q can be had cheaper, but true.
But for only one game such a expense? ok...

 

he wasn't really clear on what all games he would be playing. to be futureproof the i7 720qm is actually /cheaper/ than C2Q (at least, thats Geared2play said).

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5413547&postcount=12

 

Im thinking of: HP Pavilion dv6t Quad Edition series.

my used will be waching HD moviesand tv shows, gaming (leaft4dead, GTA..etc). some rare times I edit MKV movies (HD)

 

Oh, I say that laptop too. Sweet deal BTW.
And HP is having thru bing 25% cash back.
Use it and you can get an awesome deal on this.

 

So yes, I believe the general consensus is now "you'll be very happy with the i7 720qm"

 

Yes. The 720 is more than enough.

 

is bing cashback for america's resident or the whole world?

 

USA only. Sorry if you are outside, wont work.

 

great, i was about to throw money down the drains.

 

no worries my friend, I will find someone in America to buy it and sent it to me.

btw, when is it goint to expire??

 

Bing cashback is just one day deal bcos of w7 launch.

Not a bad deal for 1350

HP Envy 15 Premium Laptop, $1349.25, Quad Core i7-720QM, LED 1080p, 6GB DDR3, 500 GB HD, 1GB ATI HD 4830

 

I have no idea. I myself am tempted to cancel the Dell and order an HP

 

How do I use the bing?

I went through the bing site and searched for hp... took me to the site, put together the laptop, but I didn't get the 25% off..

what am I doing wrong?

 

1st you need to register for bing cashback(you need hotmail/live account). Then search for "hp mini" in bing search. That should return a link at top with cashback link besides it. Use that to navigate into hp shopping site and order the laptop within 2 hours(links expire after that).

 

I am already registered. and I did the search like you said nothing.

there is already a $200 rebate on it. and i did that one without the bing.

So can someone walk me through this? please...

i've never used bing before.

 

1) Ensure you are registered for bing cash back. Go to https://cashbackaccount.bing.com/cashback/welcome.aspx and register your hotmail/live account.
2) Open browser(preferably IE) and go to bing.com
3) Search "hp mini". it will show hp shopping as 1st result with bing cashback link(check attachment).
4) click on the link. it will prompt you to enter your hotmail and letters in the image if you are not logged in.
5) go to hp shopping and make your purchase.

 

How will I know that the 25% off is applied?

 

At checkout it comes that you have "earned" X amount thru your purchase in Y place.

 

Okay thanks. But it does not say that at all though for me.

 

If you did it ok, you should see it when purchase, if not, you will receive a mail confirming it 1/2 days later, if it didnt work, just cancel your order.

 

when you click on bing cash back link I pasted above you should see 25% cashback page. Please see attachment.

 

Ok thanks. I guess I'm just slow because I have seen that screen.. Sorry about that guys

 

This thread started off interesting, then ended up being some nonsense about getting cashback in the US... a little off topic methinks, YAAAAAAWWWWN!

 

The 720 is enough. (back to topic)
The 820 is overkill.
The 920 is overpriced.

 

Grooving with your new profile pic, Sergius! BTW, how are things in Angouleme? Used to spend quite a lot of time there; liked the BD Museum!

Back on topic; Dell Europe have got a supply problem with i7 QM processors; anything you order today with an i7 will take a month to arrive! Wah-wah-wah-waaaaaaaaah!

 

Really you where here?? NICE!!!

Back to topic, yes EU has normally that kinda thing, and it gets more expensive here too....grrrr

 

Well you guys helped me out. I got my i7 question answered and my HP for 25% off. cool.

 

thank a lot Serg, unfortunately I cant buy it now but ur help is very much appreciated

 

Sure, no problem

Is there anything else we can help yo with?