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    Sony FE670G versus FE680G - which one?

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by Jaskom, Aug 13, 2006.

  1. Jaskom

    Jaskom Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just ordered the Sony VGN-FE680G notebook. However, I've noticed that the Sony FE670G has a 100GB 5400rpm hard drive, whereas the FE680G has a 4200rpm 160GB drive. Notwithstanding, the FE680G has the faster processor - T2400 (1.83GHZ) - versus the FE670G's T2300 (1.67GHZ).

    Would I be better off to get the faster processor or faster hard drive? Thanks. :confused:
     
    Jaskom, Aug 13, 2006
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  2. Valkyrie

    Valkyrie Notebook Consultant

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    I think faster HD is better.
    I don't think there will be any noticable difference between 1.67GHz vs 1.83GHz
     
    Valkyrie, Aug 13, 2006
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  3. jav1856

    jav1856 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Depending on what you’ll be using your notebook for should probably be the biggest factor in deciding weather or not to go for the faster hard drive or processor.

    If most of the applications you will be using are more CPU intensive then you would want to go with the faster processor. And on the other side if most of the applications you use are frequently accessing data from your hard drive the faster hard drive may be the better option for you.

    One thing too consider is that you could upgrade either of the components, but upgrading the hard drive is probably easier and definitely cheaper than upgrading the processor. At newegg a 1.83Ghz Core Duo is going to run you around $250, while a 100GB, 5400RPM HDD is going to cost around $100, and in theory should be a much simpler upgrade.

    Personally I would go with the processor, because I have yet to see any conclusive data that proves that a faster hard drive is substantially more valuable to system performance than a faster processor. This is just my opinion, and I am no where close to being a computer expert. From all the discussion I have read it seems like you’ll find 10 people who think a faster drive makes a huge difference and 10 people who think it makes a nominal difference. So you have to make up your own mind, but make your decision based on the type of applications you’ll run most often.

    Here’s an interesting article on 4200RPM, 5400 RPM and 7200RPM drives that has much better technical information than I could ever give. It’s from December 2004 so it may be out of date, but I think the general principal still holds true.

    http://www.powernotebooks.com/articles/index.php?action=fullnews&id=5
     
    jav1856, Aug 13, 2006
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  4. Jaskom

    Jaskom Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks much for the explanation, as well as the link - good stuff.
     
    Jaskom, Aug 13, 2006
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