Processor Decision! 1.83GHz vs. 2.0GHz

I'll be ordering my dv6000t soon *w00t* and I have a slight dilemma. To beef up the processor from 1.83GHz to 2.0GHz is +$100! I know it's only $100 but I'm a college student, 'nough said. Am I missing out if I get the C2D T5600 over the C2D T7200? Speed-wise I mean. It's only 0.17GHz that I'm losing.

I plan to use this notebook for doing work, playing a few games, and movies. I want to be able to play Guild Wars comfortably, and maybe other games like Supreme Commander. It'll have 2GB RAM and a 7400 Go no questions asked.

 

No. Spend the $100 on something else like a TV Tuner. NEVER EVER spend money like that on an upgrade for something that might amount to a few FPS here and there and nothing else. This is Intel playing the numbers game on you to get you to spend money where it has little value. CPU is rarely a bottleneck in anything you do in real-time, so save your money pal.

 

Nah, use the money elsewhere. You don't need that sort of power for what you will be doing with the computer.

 

99.9% of most people on the face of this earth don't need all that power and can "make do" with the lower processor of choice.

 

Wow, thanks guys. That frees up some money.
Another quick question: I've read the 6-cell Batteries aren't any good (only like 2 hrs), any of you have a 12-cell Battery? Is it really bulky/heavy? I'm gonna be carrying this thing around.

 

It is really bulky get two 6-cells instead they are much easier to carry around. The 12-Cell has a lot of power but it's a BEAST!

 

Yeah, you don't need the T7200. You would only need that one if you were planning on doing video editing and so on.

 

I would say get the extended battery...nothing like your laptop running out of juice and you having to change your battery in the middle of a lecture.

 

Yeah, I was considering that. Is the angle the 12-cell lifts the back up a good thing or bad thing?

 

its better to have the laptop at an angle in my opinion as it makes typing easier and allows better air circulation from the vents therefore making the cooling of the notebook more effiecient
cheers,

 

Aside from HP just overcharging for processor upgrades, the T7200 does have 4MB cache instead of 2MB that the lower C2D's have, so there is a fair size jump in price caused by that. As to whether you should spend your money, I would say if you're on a budget, probably not. The speed increase would be around 16-20% (10% clock speed increase and a 6-10% variable increase due to the increased cache). But that's only when you're pushing the processor at max... which in very rare for most people. For your use, I would imagine you can find a better use for the cash. Speaking of a better use for the cash, how much RAM are you configuring the system with? Going from 1 GB to 2 GB of RAM will improve performance on Vista MUCH more than the processor upgrade would.


As for the 6-cell vs. 12-cell battery, doesn't HP now offer an extended 6-cell that gets an extra 16% or so battery life over the standard 6 cell? That's the one I would have gotten if they'd offered it when I got my machine. The battery life with the standard 6 cell is just a little too short (2 1/2 hours or so with wifi on), and I don't like the extra size and weight of the 12 cell.

 

The angle though is much better for long term typing...I've got a battery on my nc8430 that tilts the laptop and I love it.

 

I already knew about the whole Vista/RAM situation , I said I would have "2GB RAM and 7400 Go no questions asked" in my first post. The processor question was the problem I was more or less unsure of.
On the battery 16% more charge? Erm...And the orignal 6-cell's only capable of 2.5 hrs. I think that's enough to sell me on the 12-cell, bulk and all. That pretty much eats through half of that $100 I saved but hey, it'll make me a happy camper.

 

I have the 12-cell ultra for my NX9420...could not live without it. IN fact it was one of the reasons I opted for an HP. I can ahve two batteries in the system and get anywhere from 6-10hrs on a 17" laptop. You should get even better results with the dv6000...

I also like the typing angle with the battery installed. I it's about the same as a desktop keyboard. But it really is a matter of personal preference.

as for weight, it's only about 1.5lbs. Just leave the mid-day 12-pack outta your bookbag.