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    Stick it out or Upgrade?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by WarrenJS, Sep 4, 2011.

  1. WarrenJS

    WarrenJS Notebook Enthusiast

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    Figured this would be the best place for the question of whether to upgrade my current notebook or wait it out for a bit longer?

    Current:
    Eurocom D901C, [email protected], 4gb ddr2, 64gb ssd boot, 2x320gb data drives, Quadro 3700m, 16:10 1680X1050
    Had this baby for 3 years now and it still holds up but I wouldn't mind a some updated hardware.

    Budget $2K -currently looking at the p170hm or its counterparts with a 2720qm and a 485m.

    Main uses are Revit, Autocad, CS5 and some gaming but not a great deal. The major issue is that the CPU seems to be showing a bit of its age when in CS5 and Autocad. I am hesitant to upgrade just the CPU and ram to a quad and 8gb as the prices seem to be better put towards a new system altogether.

    Probably looking to sell my current unit as well so that could bite into the amount I would have to shell out, not sure though how much a D901C runs for these days. [​IMG]

    Thanks in advance for any advice. Side note, I'm in Canada and have been looking mostly at Reflex and Fortnax

    W
     
    WarrenJS, Sep 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Mr_Mysterious

    Mr_Mysterious Like...duuuuuude

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    The E8400 is dual core, intel c2d?

    Mr. Mysterious
     
    Mr_Mysterious, Sep 4, 2011
    #2
  3. hanko panko

    hanko panko Notebook Evangelist

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    Good that you started with an SSD, that's the way to go. Maybe update your processor to a Q9650? Our systems are quit old and worthless (hard to sell for more than USD 500) but they still run quite strong. So let's wait for developments in 2012!
     
    hanko panko, Sep 4, 2011
    #3
  4. Mr_Mysterious

    Mr_Mysterious Like...duuuuuude

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    I agree, actually. I'm looking forward to kepler and ivy bridge :)

    Mr. Mysterious
     
    Mr_Mysterious, Sep 4, 2011
    #4
  5. d2c

    d2c Notebook Consultant

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    wait for ivy bridge and 28nm gpu's it wont be too much longer.
     
    d2c, Sep 4, 2011
    #5
  6. BenWah

    BenWah Notebook Consultant

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    yeah only 7 months lol
     
    BenWah, Sep 5, 2011
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  7. Mr_Mysterious

    Mr_Mysterious Like...duuuuuude

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    More like 12, until we see some good market penetration and have enough data to determine what is reliable and what isn't.

    Mr. Mysterious
     
    Mr_Mysterious, Sep 5, 2011
    #7
  8. WarrenJS

    WarrenJS Notebook Enthusiast

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    Alright, you guys are the bosses... I'm pretty happy with this old hog and it still runs circles around a lot of current laptops outside the high end units.

    Any ideas of where to find a q9650? I've checked ebay and the prices are alright... Would it be better to get a 9550s as it runs 65w like my current chip? Also, any good sources for 8gb ddr2?

    W
     
    WarrenJS, Sep 5, 2011
    #8
  9. hanko panko

    hanko panko Notebook Evangelist

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    I do not think the q9650 and q9550 are far apart in terms of performance and energy consumption. My Q9650 is fantastic, does not run hot. I have been running the E8400 before and that wasn't a bad processor at all...
     
    hanko panko, Sep 5, 2011
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  10. NovaH

    NovaH Company Representative

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    Stick it out, the specs on your notebook are still relevant for today's needs.
     
    NovaH, Sep 6, 2011
    #10
  11. MALIBAL #3

    MALIBAL #3 Company Representative

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    In the world of technology, there are always better things around the corner. The very fact that you are merely contemplating getting it may mean that it may be better for you to wait. On the other hand, as there are always new things coming around, there are always things to hold off buying a laptop for. So, ideally, it shouldn't be a matter of want, but rather need, because if you hold off till you need it, you will be getting the most out of your money.

    If you find that the performance in games and other intensive applications that you run currently does not satisfy your standards, then you should upgrade, as the 6990m and the Sandy Bridge CPU's are significant upgrades from your current specs. To get an idea of just how much better they are, take a look at the GPU/CPU benchmark lists over at notebookcheck.net
     
    MALIBAL #3, Sep 6, 2011
    #11