My config, some doubts about the graphic card and HD

The config i´m planning to buy:

Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS
17.0" WXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1440 x 900)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
8 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support
HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
​

Doubts:
- Is there much difference between the 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS and 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS? I´ll use it to edit movies (adobe premiere and encore dvd) and maybe to develop some 3D graphics. What card would be better for me?
- What about the 250GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive and 240GB 7200RPM SATA Dual Hard Drive (120GB x 2)? Does it compensate?

Thank you!

 

Yes, trust me after having the 8600 and being temporarily stuck with the 8400 you do want the 8600.

Hard Drives...I have the Duals for the 240gb. They are fast plus down the line for the same price your gonna pay to upgrade to the dual 7200 120GB drives you spend getting the parts to ad a drive (not including the $$$ of the drive).

Just my 2cents

 

I would Definitely stick with the 8600m GS, because with HP's laptops, you can't change the video card. I always tell people to go with the best video card available because you never know what you will be doing with the laptop down the road.

If you don't know a lot about HDD's the RPM speed determines how fast your HDD can find the data. Since data is stored on platters (think of them as a dinner plate) the faster the RPM is, the faster your HDD will retrieve your data and allow you to access it. Personally, I always go with the 7200RPM HDDs.

 

that looks like quite a good system there. And even if you don't game much, I would still go with the 8600 just in case you ever find a game that you like, because you can never change it.
Well 2 hard drives does have its benefits but the major downside is that 7200rpm will use more battery than 5400rpm and you have two of them, so probably more than double power consumption. And 7200rpm hdd's will also create more heat. Though the 7200rpm hdd's will be faster and you can use one of them to backup important info too.
Personally I would go with 250gig 5400rpm due to better battery life, but if you are doing video editing you may be best off with the 7200rpm hdds.

 

there is a big difference in the 8400 and the 8600.
8400 has 8 stream processors
8600 has 16 stream processors
i can only speak for the 8600m gs because i have one i would tell anyone dont go less. even though you wont play games this card should suit your needs.

i would get the 120gbx2. 7200
the dual hdd spins faster cause less load times(alot less)
you can onstall the os on one and games, movies, muisc, etc. on the other.
this will cause less hard drive clutter.
you will need to get a cooler because sometimes the hard drives feel alittle warm.
also hp config for the hdd for the 120x2 is c.d.e
c is the main with the os about 112 gb
d is the data about 118gb
3 is the recovery (partitioned from the c drive)
just to give u heads up

 

Will i need the cooler if i keep the 250gb 5400rpm?
I´m not sure about getting the 7200 rpm ´cause of the money.

Thank you for all replies!

 

you need a cooler regardless for your laptop's "health"

 

I agree, if you are going to keep the laptop on a desk all day, you should buy a notebook cooler to help prolong the life of the laptop. All the major laptop components (motherboard, CPU, RAM, HDDs, Graphics, etc) are on the bottom portion of the laptop. Even though they have fans to help the heat dissipate, it is very helpful to have a cooler always pushing the air away from the laptop to keep it cooler. When you keep your laptop and computer parts in general at a reasonable temperature you help prolong the life of the components.

 

Could you help me to find some coolers?
Is this a good option? http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Ther...91591/catOid/-15021/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Is there something better or someone that is good and cheap?

=)

Just one thing more, could someone send me a screenshot?
I´d like to see the 1440x900 resolution.

 

okay i got one, but i don't think snagit took it in 1440x900 res but close to it...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd288/veitch911/jjjjjj.jpg

 

I'm assuming you're looking at the 9700t? I bought the exact same model 2 weeks ago with the 8600GS upgrade (was 50$) and the 120gb x 2 7200 rpm harddrives upgrade as well.

Let's just say I'm extremely happy about the laptop considering it cost me 1225$ + taxes. Look elsewhere and you ain't gonna find many configs which are similar for such a low price, ESPECIALLY if you want the 7200 rpm drives. I would definately upgrade because slow load times is usually good


I wouldn't really worry about cooling solutions to be honest.

P.S. I hate the small shift key on the keyboard wtf hp? =p