HP dv2000t config advice

I have decided that I like the dv2000t and am about to pull the trigger but I am trying to do some last minute research to decide what I need and what I don't.

I have built 2 systems at both ends of the spectrum: one coming out to $1000 and one to $1400.

The main differences in the systems are:

1.60 duo vs. 1.83 duo.
80 gb vs. 120 gb.
1gb vs. 2gb RAM.

The difference in price for the processor speeds is $125. It lists on HP's website that the 1.83 and the 2.0ghz core duos are 64 bit but it does not mention 64 bit for the 1.6 and 1.73 models. Is the 1.6 duo 64 bit?

Also, what is the Real difference between those two speeds. I know the 1.83 has the 667 FSB speeds as well but am I really going to notice a difference for the type of things that I plan to use for this notebook? What kinds of processes would I notice an increase with the 1.83 duo?

Also with the 1 vs 2 gb or RAM I am trying to decide if 2gb is really necessary.

The types of things I will be running are:
Microsoft Office - all apps
Java Applications - NetBeans 5.0
Encoding/Decoding software
Torrents/p2p apps
Some gaming - Warcraft 3
Playing DVDs
*Multi-tasking between these as well*

Any insight would be greatly appreciated as I want to order this notebook as soon as I can figure out these last details!

Thank for your help.

 

No, only the 1.83 and above so far are 64 bit. Core 2 duos are their name there. Opt for one of those (1.83Ghz) and stick with 1g of ram but get the bigger HD. Also , be sure and get the geforce card for any gaming. Just my two cents...

 

If your somewhat computer savy i would suggest going with 512MB RAM and the 40GB hard drive and then upgrading the RAM and hard drive yourself as you can buy better and cheaper from Newegg.com. I would pick the T7200 processor myself instead of the T5600 but that's just me.

 

Burning:

For the amount of money it costs to upgrade to the 7200, am I really going to see that much of a difference in speed for the applications I plan on running?

What is your reasoning for wanting the 7200?

 

If you're going with the 64 bit processor, step up to 1 gig of RAM (especially if you stick with the integrated graphics; I don't game, so the Intel graphics have been great so far, movies play great, etc). You may want to save a few bucks and go with the Core Duo instead of Core 2 Duo, however. Go with the larger hard drive. Reasoning: it's a heck of a lot easier to upgrade RAM than to go thru hassle of cloning your hard drive should you need a bigger one in the future.

 

I am definately going with the dedicated video card. The only things I am thinking about is the processor, ram, and hard drive. I think the 120 gb HD will ultimately be my choice there but the others I am still trying to decide on.

Cost vs. increased performance.

 

For the hard drive, I would take a look at what you currently have and how much you are using of it and go from there. RAM is definitely cheaper after market. I also would get the video card as you cannot upgrade this later.

 

Yup, splurge on processor and video card and screen. The rest is upgradeable as your needs grow.

 

Get the most expensive processor you can afford which would be the T7200 in the dv2000t. Then wait and upgrade the RAM and hard drive yourself if you think you can handle installing the components and just reinstalling the OS clean with your drivers. There are guides here on the forum for reinstalling on the dv2000t. It's not very hard, you just have to follow a few steps. If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself you can pay for the larger hard drive from HP but it's going to cost you more then buying one later from Newegg or ZZF.

 

I am willing to go to the 1.83 core 2 duo processor but I don't know if the extra money for the 2.0ghz is something that is worth it. Will I really see that much of a performance upgrade from the 1.83 to the 2.0 core 2 duo?

Any suggestions to the hard drive? I have installed some hard drives in desktops and then redone everything but never in a laptop. Also, for what I am doing will I really notice a difference over the HP HD and a 7200rpm on newegg?

Do you know how much cache the HP laptops have?

I have not read the reinstallation guide yet so sorry if I am asking redundant questions. I see that you should copy the drivers from the hard drive but is there any way to get HP to send you everything you need for a reinstall?

 

The T5600 and T7200 Core 2 Duo are the only ones that are 64 bit. The T7XXX series has 4mb of L2 Cache instead of 2mb on the T5XXX series. I think both would be fine for what you're doing. HP does charge a bit more for core 2 duo than the normal core duo, but not by whole lot. The T5600 cost a few bucks more than the T2400 when it was available, so are the T7200 and T2500.

If you're not using 64 bit and want to save money, then just get the T2250.

As for the hard drive, get a 7200rpm aftermarket one, it's better and cheaper than any that HP is offering. And for the memory, get those aftermarket too, from what I understand, they're really easy to install.

 

dvOwner: What kind of things do you need 64 bit for, other than being about to upgrade to vista when it comes out?

I am thinking about doing the after market hard drive. Are there any installed hp applications I might want to consider keeping? Do they send you everything the install on the computer on discs? I've hard the bloatware is pretty bad on new HP's so a fresh start might not be so bad.