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    i5-3210M vs i7-3610QM (Envy 15)

    Discussion in 'HP' started by kantk2012, Jun 10, 2012.

  1. kantk2012

    kantk2012 Newbie

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    Hi,

    I'm planning to buy an Envy 15 for college and was wondering whether the i7-3610QM upgrade is worth it for its 100 dollar price upgrade. i will probably be gaming a bit (skyrim, GTA4, crysis etc.) and using photoshop. How much of a performance boost would the i7 be? I'm wondering whether the i5 would be better because it takes less power, meaning more battery life and a cooler laptop. However if the i7 has a noticeable performance boost then I'd probably go for that.

    Thanks for any help.
     
    kantk2012, Jun 10, 2012
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  2. ForeverZen

    ForeverZen Notebook Deity

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    The 3610qm gets way too hot imo. I hit like 85c playing d3... seems unnecessary. If I could have gotten my computer with an i5 I would have. You can set your processor not to overclock but that's stupid.
     
    ForeverZen, Jun 11, 2012
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  3. kantk2012

    kantk2012 Newbie

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    so the i5 would be the better choice? I think the i7 would futureproof the laptop though as programs use 4 cores to its potential.
     
    kantk2012, Jun 11, 2012
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  4. gnat_

    gnat_ Notebook Guru

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    Whoa, that's 185 in Fahrenheit! ForeverZen, is that on the Envy 15? When it's that hot inside, does the case get hot to the touch also?
     
    gnat_, Jun 11, 2012
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  5. ForeverZen

    ForeverZen Notebook Deity

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    An Ivy Bridge i7 is the same thing as a sandy bridge i7. Unless you will need 8 cores for multi-threaded applications you wont know the difference.

    Yes the left side of the laptop keyboard, specifically where you put your hand to play games using WASD gets too hot to touch. The gpu stays a balmy 65c under load in most situations but the i7 just gets way to hot. I have the new dv6, but I assume the envy has the same exact layout on the inside. Just like a toyota and a lexus have the same exact frame.
     
    ForeverZen, Jun 11, 2012
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  6. jrmtz85

    jrmtz85 Notebook Consultant

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    I don't actually know from experience, but people here who have (had) both An Envy and a DV claim the DV line runs much hotter than the Envy. I believe that's part fo the premium for the Envy. Better internals to dissipate heat better.
     
    jrmtz85, Jun 11, 2012
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  7. Kopes

    Kopes Notebook Consultant

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    This is exactly why people were mostly returning the dv6. Much better build in the envy for heat, I would go with the i7 if you're looking at the envy line.
     
    Kopes, Jun 11, 2012
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  8. gnat_

    gnat_ Notebook Guru

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    Oh, DV6. Yeah, I heard that had a heat problem.

    My Envy 17t-3200 is coming in this week with a i7-3610QM, so I really hope it won't get anywhere near that hot to the touch.
     
    gnat_, Jun 11, 2012
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