2.26 Vs. 2.4Ghz , 7200rpm vs 5400rpm

Just wondering if I should get the 2.26ghz or 2.4ghz processor. Will the performance be worth the $50 price difference? What about the hdd speed 7200 vs 5400 is also a $50 difference.

 

Depends if you run a lot of CPU-intensive tasks. If not, then stick with the P8400.

Also, better to go for the base HDD configuration, and upgrade it yourself. As that will give you the freedom to choose the model, etc, and HDDs are pretty cheap, esp the new 7200RPMs....

 

You probably won't notice the difference between the two processors but I'd definitely get the faster hdd.

 

I'd say go all out with the 2.4ghz and 7200RPM or just the 2.26ghz and 5400RPM.

 

I agree with Andy about the CPUs and the HDD, but to add, for the HDDs, that would depend on the size of the hard drives. Just because one is 7200rpms and the other 5400rpms, that doesnt mean the 7200rpm hd is faster.

 

the p8600 outperforms the p8400 by maybe 1% at most.

 

more like 5-7%

 

The faster CPU is only .14GHz faster. Its pretty unnoticable.

The 7200rpm HDD is worth it. It will make booting faster and loading programs/games faster.

 

Have to agree with you on this one. Upgrades from the manufacturer are hardly ever worth it.

 

Most of the time, I prefer fast hard drive than fast cpu.

 

HDD is easy to replace, CPU is harder. CPU you dont really notice but $50 for me is worth the look of seeing 2.4ghz hahaa.

Higher RPM hdd definately has better returns on overall computer performance.

 

i say get the highest on both. its only 100 dollars, but if your on a tight budget get the faster HDD instead

 

Big memory is important. I just buy the cheapest, then update my memory and hd.

 

to the people who say that 7200rpm is faster, have you actually read or done any testing? as someone said, some 5400 are just as fast as 7200 and run cooler. the latest gen seagate 5400 320gb is a pretty **** fast hdd.

 

Well your point is right,but the example is unfortunate because I remember reading the Seagate 5400.5 has acces times of >20 ms.

Transfer rates are good but acces times are also important for overall drive speed.

But yeah you can't say that 7200rpm drives are faster than 5400 rpm because it depends on the brand/model you're comparing.

The WD3200BEVT (5400rpm/320GB) outperforms the Seagate 7200.2 (7200rpm/160GB) in most situations.

So I would go with the advice of Andy, buy the cheapest hard drive from Sony and upgrade yourself.

 

Arent we comparing the HDD that built from Sony? 5400rpm version to a 7200rpm version? Seems we are pulling it all outta context now by saying in very general terms that a cheapo 7200 drive is slower than a top high performace 5400rpm drive. Well obviously coz most cases you pay for what you get. Again also agree with Andy, get a hdd you like and upgrade. If not get what your budget allows.

 

We are, but it is uncertain what hard drives Sony uses. It can change at any time.

 

if it helps this is what Sony is currently using for 320gb 5400rpm drives (this was in my pre-configured z)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822149072

 

Ive tested two simmilar computers... the 7200 booted ~45 seconds faster

 

thanks Phil to point that out. I got confused on brands. but 20ms is a negligible time for a human being. Just think about it, 20ms, oh yeah it was already over even before I could think of it...LOL

 

Personally for only $50 there's no way I wouldn't upgrade the CPU.

 

But think about it, if Vista (or Firefox) is being loaded do you know how many files are being loaded from disk. For evey little file there's the penalty for the acces time.

That's why SSDs with 0.1ms acces time and even lower transfer rates than hard disks can launch applications faster.

At $50 yeah me too.