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    which to upgrade for a gaming laptop?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by fawku, Jul 16, 2007.

  1. fawku

    fawku Notebook Enthusiast

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    hi
    well my situation is that i'm unsure of which to upgrade.
    i'm for sure getting the new dell vostro 1500 due to my budget
    i'm using the laptop for some gaming and college work

    and i have the option of updating the processor from intel core 2 duo T5470/800 Mhz to the T7100/800Mhz

    or

    upgrading the video card from the 128 MB Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS to the 256MB 8600GS

    which is better to make it more of a gaming laptop?
    the ram is gonna be 1gig (gonna update it to 2 gig later. dell overprices the ram upgrade >_< )
    the OS is windows xp home edition
    thanks in advance :)
     
    fawku, Jul 16, 2007
    #1
  2. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    video card
     
    Thomas, Jul 16, 2007
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  3. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    Upgrade the video card for gaming.
     
    odin243, Jul 16, 2007
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  4. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    Yeah go for the 8600m GT since your priority is gaming.
     
    Kdawgca, Jul 16, 2007
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  5. fawku

    fawku Notebook Enthusiast

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    thanks for all the replies :)
    i will do that
     
    fawku, Jul 16, 2007
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  6. fawku

    fawku Notebook Enthusiast

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    o and another question say i can also upgrade the processor
    is it wrth it? the cost to increase it is $115
     
    fawku, Jul 16, 2007
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  7. odin243

    odin243 Notebook Prophet

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    It's probably not worth it if you're on a budget. Also, if you want to save money get the cheapest RAM configuration from Dell possible, and buy whatever other RAM you want aftermarket. Dell marks up their RAM a bunch.
     
    odin243, Jul 16, 2007
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  8. fawku

    fawku Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok then thanks again

    but yeah definately not gonna upgrade it to 2 gig at dell
    way overpriced
    gonna go buy it somewhere else
     
    fawku, Jul 16, 2007
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  9. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    Look at the Hot Ram deals thread for great prices on ram
     
    Kdawgca, Jul 16, 2007
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  10. Jerome22690

    Jerome22690 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Greetings,

    I also would like to know if I should upgrade RAM:

    Dell Inspiron 1520 - Duo 2.0 ghz CPU , 2 gb of Ram, and 8600 GT 256 MB. I will be running Vista and i've heard that it uses up to 50% of your RAM...would that not leave me with 1 GB of RAM able to be used? Should I upgrade to 4 GB of RAM?

    I will be using AutoCAD, Photoshop, Oblivion, and Medieval 2: Total War.

    Would the RAM upgrade maximize FPS in gaming?

    Thanks for your time.
     
    Jerome22690, Jul 16, 2007
    #10
  11. Jeff

    Jeff Notebook Retard

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    2gb will be plenty. Vista only wull use 50% of the ram if nothing else is. it won't use 1gb while you are playing oblivion.
     
    Jeff, Jul 16, 2007
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  12. hlcc

    hlcc Notebook Evangelist

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    upgrade the video card, CPU have very little impact on gaming performance unless you play at very low settings.
     
    hlcc, Jul 16, 2007
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  13. Jerome22690

    Jerome22690 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks. That saves me a few hundred dollars!
     
    Jerome22690, Jul 18, 2007
    #13