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    i5 vs i7 in X201

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by j-spec, Apr 15, 2010.

  1. j-spec

    j-spec Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys, I am planning on upgrading from my C2D T61 very soon and had my eye on the X201.

    I was reading the notebookreview review of the X201 and it stated that the i5 processor is actually faster then the i7???

    Is this accurate, or am i missing something here?

    Here is are the specs I was planning on ordering:
    Intel Core i5-540M Processor (2.53GHz 3MBL3 1066MHz)
    12.1WXGA LED 2x2 WWAN Camera
    IT 5700MHD, i5-540M AMT
    3 GB PC3-8500 DDR3 (2 DIMM)
    US English Keyboard
    TrackPoint
    250GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
    5-1 Media Card Reader & Modem
    X200 6 cell High Capacity Battery
    65W AC Adapter; NA, LA, (2pin)
    ThinkPad b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe



    The most intensive programs I currently use are Serato ITCH and NI Tracktor Pro. ITCH runs really really poorly on my T61...almost to the point of being unusable. Serato products run better on Mac's but I was hoping that a shiny new i5 and 3GB of RAM would suffice. Any DJ's out there with any experience in this regard?
    Also, I do plan on running Photoshop software in the near future once I get my DSLR.

    Thanks for the help
     
  2. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    There wouldn't be a noticeable benefit in performance comparing the i5-540M with the i7-620M or even the i7-720QM. I'd put them all at about the same level of performance for almost all tasks, while consuming slightly less power and being cheaper.
     
  3. yv1650c

    yv1650c Notebook Geek

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    i think theres no longer i7 available from US lenovo web site
     
  4. Volker

    Volker Notebook Consultant

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    i7-620M is faster than i5-520M is faster than i7-620QM

    So, basically, the i5/i7 name game is a marketing joke.
     
  5. lenardg

    lenardg Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Well the quad core has lower frequencies, sure, but I would think a properly written multithreaded program would easily beat the dual cores. Not all CPUs are created equal, and you should always think about what you are going to run on them.

    Also there is no such CPU as i7-620QM - you probably meant the 720QM or 820QM?
    (Mobile Core i7 CPUs: http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyId=43402)
     
  6. thepiratebay

    thepiratebay Notebook Enthusiast

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    X201 core i7 620M is available at Canada Lenovo website. Don't know when it will show up again at US.