HDX 18T - Which processor do I want?

I am getting ready to build an HDX18T with essentially all the bells and whistles. 4GB DDR3 RAM, 320GB 7200 SATA Hard Drive, Blu Ray, HP integrated Hybrid TV Tuner, geForce 9600M GT.

I am still trying to decide on two things
Processor-
Core 2 Duo T9600 2.80Ghz vs. Core 2 Duo T9400 2.53Ghz vs. Quad Q9000 2.00 Ghz
Graphics Card -
geForce 9600M GT with 512 MB vs 1 GB

How much difference would I see between the choices above? I'd like to soup this thing up as much as possible, but I don't want to throw money at the wind either. Why when you are selecting the RAM do you have to specify for the 512 Graphics card or the 1 GB Graphics card?

Any input would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Josh

 

The Q9000 is a pretty good deal and will set you up for the future.

1GB will hardly make a difference for the 9600, if at all. A DDR2 motherboard can't fit DDR3 memory, so the $250 upgrade is for the different motherboard. But it's really not worth it. DDR3 memory is near identical to DDR2 (due to latency), and the extra GPU memory won't matter. I highly doubt the GPU is upgraded to GDDR3, but if it was it would be more worth it.

 

Hi josh and welcome.
I have the quad QX9300 with 512 Mb gpu and the dual 320 Mb 7200 rpm drives. The 1 Gb card was not available when I ordered it.
Such is life. No looking back. It all depends on your budget, applications and intentions.
The difference is ddr2 vs ddr3 memory with the 512 vs 1 gpu. I was going to order the 2.53/2.80 or quad at first and the Q9000 was not an option.
Then I got a great 30% coupon and ordered the quad. One thing I will suggest is getting the dual hard drives from the start.
You can always upgrade them. I'm confident you will get a few other replies.
Happy hunting.

 

I am in agreement with anothergeek with respect to the quad.
However, I'm not sure if the motherboard is changed.
I would call HP and confirm it's the memory on the GPU.