intel i7 920XM (extreme) vs. 720QM vs. i5 520M vs. i5 540M

So i'm stuck on which processor will give me more performance per dollar

My plan:

I'm wanting a laptop for a multipurpose reason. Be it entertainment, school, research (either school or independent) or gaming (as i might not take my PS3). So this is what I'm planning to do:
What I know I will be doing is 3D modeling, simulation, physics simulation, HE Physics (might take a double major), Quantum Mechanics, Data crunching, Algorithms, Programming (both High and Low Level), image/video analysis, conversion of natural algorithms (Image, Audio, Video into pure data), research/analysis maybe on the unknown/unseen/beyond (hard to explain ), being able to customize and create specialized functions, hacking/cracking/modifying, etc. Now i don't want any flame wars, but i wanted to do my own research, even though i know for a fact we might have to use the supercomputers and such for projects in university. So i believe some nice people here told me that just get a powerful cpu and gpu to handle your personal research but don't depend on it or something like that

Also these are the programs I plan to utilize in uni

So which cpu is better? or should i buy a desktop XD

also does the nvidia Quadro's perform better for my task then ATI fire pro?

 

Nvidia Quadro got better GPU support, also their CUDA system is better supported.

The performance per dollar would always be the one with the new CPU architecture and not pure speed as such, as the increased clock rate is going to yield minor improvements as compared to larger cache, improved SSE support, etc.

For AutoCAD and other design program, it is essential that you buy a good workstation grade graphics card, as they are more GPU dependent.

But for Matlab and related softwares, you would get more performance with more cores rather than just speed increase. But that would depend on how you optimise your programs.

So get the cheapest Quad Core CPU that you can lay your hands on, and get a half decent workstation graphics card.

if you need more graphics card performance for cad, consider DIY vidock and get a ATI4870 or related graphics card, then firmware flash them to the Fire series equivalent workstation graphics card. For example a second hand ATI 4870 can be bought for around 80 USD at some places, if you get the Fire Series equivalent it is usually in the 1000 USD.

There are many tutorials for these firmware flashing procedures.

 

Before we can give you a value, we need to know the cost of each upgrade...

 

wait what?

Sorry so let me get this straight, when u mean cheapest quad core, u mean the i7 quads? so extreme is not needed? Also flashing the gpu? Does that mean your flashing the bios to read a gpu as a different GPU? huh? Well all these parts can be build by lenevo. So thats why i posted it here. Idk if lenevo sells ati firepro

Anyway bro these are the cost for upgrade and stuff for a lenevo thinkpad W510

yeah they don't have firepro XD...unless u guys can give me another mobile workstation to look at

 

1. Yes i am talking about the cheapest i7 Quad Core. Most of the performance increase are related to the CPU architecture not just clock improvement. Extreme brand also has extreme pricing, but not lot of actual speed benefits, compared to the basic i7 Quad Core.

2. I am talking about getting a desktop graphics card, and flashing into a workstation card.

Radeon 3870 to FirePro v7700 softmod howto - Guru3D.com Forums <--- this is a starter.

another interesting article that you should read. http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=288801

My friend said the ATI 3870 works best with the softmod.

3. This is the DIY vidock, but you will have use an external LCD. http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...7667-lets-figure-out-how-make-diy-vidock.html

 

1). hmm never knew that

2). Does it function like an actual ATI firePRO card? Also what happen's when u flash it? The link tells me how to do it, thanks im gonna save it

3). I believe u can get a DIY vidock with a lenevo thinkpad

 

2) Yes it does from what i can gather. Most of the Workstation cards are the same as the Gaming cards equivalent, some people say the quality of the components are better, as the card would usually undergo intensive operation during much of their life. However, most of the cost of the workstation cards lie in the need to get certification from various softwares and hardware agency.

While, not all gaming cards have workstation equivalent or are able to be cross flashed, there are cards that is able to undergo this operation. Since, you are only using the workstation when you do CAD and other operations, there is no real need to go out and pay over 1000 dollars for a high end card, when a second hand gaming card can be cross flashed to an equivalent workstation card.

Personally, i have not yet attempted to do this, but according to my friend whom does for a living for many people. The ATI 3870 has the best stability out of all the recent high end gaming cards. He said if you do a lot of intensive CAD some of the ATI 4870 firmware flashed card may freeze in the middle.

Even if you don't get the vidock, you can get a half decent desktop with say i5 quad core CPU and install this card for your more intensive cad designs.

 

oh, yeah i did some research after my last post, and i believe u can get a workstation card that is like 2 gen behind then the current, will it be enough. Also wait, are you talking about desktop hardware the whole time? I though this forum was about laptops

 

i am talking about the possible use of desktop workstation graphics card in the DIY Vidock in order to boost your laptop performance.

That is the top of the line workstation card 2 generation old, which is still going to beat the current mid-range workstation card that is available on the market. Also, you can get a used 3870 for around 60 USD easily, and even a mid-range workstation card on the market costs above 400 USD. So i think the economic benefit speaks for itself.

I got 2 Nvidia Quadro Fx 1700 which is one generation old, and it still costs around 200 to 300 dollars on ebay even for a second hand example, Lenovo sells them for around 700 dollars new last time i checked.

 

oh, i see, but i mean having a external GPU usign DIY, isn't it gonna be hard to move around with? note im going into university. I mean its a good idea, saves the money bro.

 

you can leave the diy dock in your dorm room. If you get the W510, the onboard GPU should cater for your normal need. If you need more graphics power, i.e. you can use the vidock.

It is optional upgrade path that you can consider, it is not an absolute necessity.

 

yeah true say So does the thinkpads offer ati firepro?

 

Thinkpad W510 uses Quadro GPU, the last Generation W500 uses mobility FireGL V5700, however it did not offer the quad core cpu.

 

Can do a portable DIY ViDock. Consider

1. a 12V/80W HD5750 DIY ViDock

2. use the internal LCD-only setup so don't need an external LCD.

While the Win7 windowed cloning makes the response slower than when used with an external LCD, it's still substantially faster than an Intel IGP.

 

huh i don't get it