V4000T questions

I am purchasing a V4000T laptop today through hp/compaq and have a few questions about performance gains and or losses through certain parts.

Is the jump from a M Processor 750 (1.86 GHz) to the 760 (2.GHz) big enough to warrant $50?

Is Brightview better for gaming? around the forum it seems like this is the case. (i understand its more of a personal opinion but I would like to know yours since i will not be able to compare the screens in person)

What kind of networking card should i purchase? (i need an ethernet since i am at college but i also need wireless.)

Iam purchasing 2x512mb sticks of OCZ ram from new egg and wonder which is better, the DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) or the DDR 400 (PC 3200)? And will either of these work for the V4000T?

I would appreciate any help. Thank You

 

See my pictures HERE.

I got the matted screen because I didn't want all the reflections. I was worried about the vibrance until I got it! I am very happy with it. Plus now I don't have to worry when I go to LAN parties about all the lights glaring back at me. BTW, you should be able to go down to your local computer store (i.e. CompUSA, CircuitCity, BestBuy, etc...) and look at various glossy and nonglossy screens. See how those glossy screens are very apealing at first but then when you try to use them, they glare at you with all those florecent lights!!!

Focus on Hard drive speed and RAM before the CPU. I would either get the 5400rpm 80gig or buy the cheapest and then replace it with a 7200rpm Hitachi. You must use DDR2 533 (PC2 4200). I got 1gig (2x512mb) of G-skill Brand it seems to work fine. And it was super cheap! As for the increase in CPU, I really don't know. Either one would be faster than mine. I have the 1.6 with 400mhz FSBus. I think looking back at it, I might have gone with a CPU with 533mhz FSBuss if I had to do it all over again. But Mine seems to run fine for most gaming applications. BTW, both of the CPUs you reffered to have 533mhz FSBus.

As for the Network card. An RJ45 (normal eithernet) is built into the v4000t. And I would strongly recomend going with the Intell wireless. It's well worth it. I think it was only like $25 extra.

Good luck!!!

 

Click the "help me decide" next to the options for the networking and you will see that when you choose any of the wireless, you also get Ethernet and a modem too.
I suggest you do the same with the processors, since the processors don't all run at the same FSB..

*I* will suggest getting the processor with the faster FSB, because then you can take advantage of the faster RAM as well. The help me decide will tell you the FSB for the processor. The RAM will slow down to the FSB of the CPU.
And HP doesn't give you an option to buy the slower-ram for the slower-CPU... So you'll be stuck with faster-expensive RAM that is running slower for the slow CPU!
Going dual-channel is a tough choice. I eventually decided to not go dual-channel, leaving one slot free so when I want to upgrade, I can just chuck in another stick without any headaches.

I got the 2.0 Ghz with the 533 Mhz FSB with the (1x512 MB of RAM stick).


I bought my v4000T a week ago, and it shipped this morning. 4 days before the estimated ship date.
So I'm excited.

There is a coupon for like an extra $100 off the V4000T or so, but you need to click through a website.

1. If you're a student, sign in to the HP website as a student for your student discount.
2. Make sure cookies are enabled
3. Check the price on the v4000t (about $800)
4. Go through this site:
http://www.xpbargains.com/st_deals.php/HP_coupons.htm
and click on the $350 Off + Free Printer + Free Shipping w/Customizable Compaq Presario V4000T Notebook link.

And then see that the price of the v4000t becomes about $740. The student discount stacks with the coupon.

Then customize it and equip it with everything you want.
I HIGHLY suggest you get the extended service plan (3 years).
Its $50 off right now, so it's a great deal (do the math yourself). I chose not to get the printer because it adds to the amount you pay upfront, and you have to mail in the rebate. But I read about the printer that is "free" after I made the purchase, and it sounds really good. HP is known for their good printers. So I will probably regret my decision on skipping the "free" printer, even though I already own a *very* good HP printer.


EDIT: Actually, from what I'm seeing on my order, it doesn't look like the $350 went through at all with the student discount..
Instant discounts you received:

$50.00 PC/Extended Service Plan instant rebate
$24.99 Notebook accessory discount
$300.00 Notebook discount

Mail-in rebates you qualify for:

$50.00 Notebook rebate (print form)




- Compaq Presario V4000T CTO NB
- $50 OFF!! Windows(R) XP Professional for $29.99!!
- Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 760 (2.0 GHz)
- 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
- 128MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON(R) X700
- 512MB DDR2 SDRAM (1x512MB)
- 80 GB 5400 RPM Hard Drive
- DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
- Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 2200BG WLAN
- 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
- Microsoft(R) Works/Money

$1287.65

 

Regarding the RAM and the Hitachi HD you suggest to add... adding mem or other niceties makes your warranty go void? I plan to buy a v4000t and I would like to go all the way with 2GB ... however, it costs a lot in Compaq's website... do you think that if I add my own RAM chips the laptop's warranty would not apply? I can't find the terms and conditions on the website

Thanks!

 

no no no... definitely not.
As for "other niceties"... You need to me more specific. The RAM slot is reasonably easily accessible. Same with the battery. Usually if you have to completely disassemble the laptop to add this "nicety" or whatever, then that will void your warrenty. HP gives instructions for installing RAM, changing the CD-drive, etc.. If HP gives instructions for you to follow, then I'd tend to believe that following their directions won't void your warrenty.

 

Heh... sorry for not being that specific. I would like to add 2 GB RAM and a 7,200 RPM hard drive. Is the hard drive more problematic? I understand that the RAM can be easily swapped.

By the way, I already asked HP... so if anyone has the same question, HP DOES NOT make your warranty go invalid: however, in case of any problem, you need to reinstall the original parts for them to repair your computer when you send the laptop back to them

 

By the way, I already found some memory chips, but I'm not sure which ones would be the best:

Kingston:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.a...03739&Type=PE&Category=Comp&Gad=0&dcaid=15890
(This one is supposed to be designed for HP laptops... the Kingston Memory Finder suggests the use of this one)

This is another Kingston...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144183

And a G-SKILL...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231042

This would be the first time in which I'm actually going to change laptop parts so I would really appreciate your help on this guys

 

I am, like I said, also getting the V4000T, and would also like to know a couple of things. One is which one of the 3 links jazzpirin gave would be the best for RAM (and can you tell me what kind of RAM this laptop uses so I can find RAM for it without having to ask here). Also, is it hard to put RAM into a laptop? I have done it with a desktop many times, but never a laptop. Does anyone have some sort of link to some pictures or something where there is a step by step guide to putting it in. I never really had a laptop, so I don't really know how to open it and stuff. Thanks!

 

Hey v4000t owners!

Can any of you tell me how fast this notebook run on games. I mean are the games playable or enjoyable?

Thanks

 

Hey guys, I thought the RAM went in rather easily. When you push the little silver tabs to the sides the DIMMs just pop up auto matically. I don't have any pictures of this, at least not yet. But do be careful. And make sure you don't touch the gold contacts. I got two 512mb G-Skill 533 DDR2 DIMMs from Newegg.com. So far they have really worked well.

My current configuration is as follows...
V4000T
1.6 P-M 725A
x700 128mb
1gig (2x512) g-skill 533 DDR2
80gig 5400rpm
6-cell
matted screen
$1159 + ~$70 (RAM upgrade) = ~$1229

With Ati driver 5.13, I was able to score 2669 in 3dMark2k5

WOW (1280x800): ~50 - 60 FPS
BF2 (800x600 medium detail): Don't know the FPS. But it seems very playable and enjoyable.
HL2 (1280x800 low detail): Don't know the FPS. But it also seems addequately playable and enjoyable at these settings. ...CS Stress Test ~115 - 125 FPS ...I can't quite remember. Will have to run the Stress Test again.
UT2004 (1280x800 high detail) Runs great until you try to host a server with LOTS of bots (i.e. CPU intensive)
DC Final (1024x768) runs pretty good, even with bots.
Serious Sam (1280x800 low detail) runs fine unless the CPU gets hot.

I am planning on possibly getting a Laptop cooler.

 

Installing ram on (most) new HP/Compaq laptops is easier than doing it on a desktop. I believe they have easy access to it on the bottom too. Just open it up and pop em in

Of course you should always make sure to be careful to not touch anything you aren't supposed. Just make sure you gound yourself and don't sneeze