VPCEB390X i5-580m v.s. i5-460m

I'm looking at this VAIO as the new laptop that I want:
VPCEB390X | VAIO® EB390X Configure-to-Order | Sony | Sony Style USA

It's the VPCEB390X. However, since I'm looking for more than just a regular laptop (gaming capabilities, longevity, etc.), I want to CTO it to meet my needs.

Notable upgrades I'm already gonna make are:
Default 2GB RAM to 4GB
320GB 5400rpm HD to the 500GB 7200rpm
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator to the ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 GPU

I also plan on upgrading the processor but I wasn't sure if I should go for the i5-580m or the i5-460m. Although right now, the only games I'm playing are SCII, COD:MW2, The Sims 3, and sometimes CS:S, like I said I need this laptop to last me a while, which includes throughout the next four years of college as well as games to come out in the future.

So, with this in mind, do you think the difference between the i5-580m and the i5-460m warrants the $100 price tag? Also, are there any other upgrades that I should be making?

And just a couple of side questions but should I shell out for the blu-ray player? And what color do you guys prefer? Leaning towards the White but I read it actually gets dirty so I'm not sure.

Thanks for all the help.

 

Do get the i5 580m. It is the second fastest dual core processor for 2010.

Bluray player depends on you, do you watch blu ray movies on your laptop/or plan to? If yes then go for it.

I think white looks good, but yeah you need to take good care of it. Black is the one to go for if u don't want it to get dirty often (matte not glossy)

 

Thank you. And are there any other upgrades I should make or should the i5-580m plus all the other upgrades I've made suffice?

 

yeah... do not buy their memory upgrade. Going from 2 GB to 4 will still yield an ugly WEI Windows Experience Index score. That WEI all together is silly/debatable anyways. But you will see this score every time you go to the System page and that may or may not annoy you. Your processor, HDD, video, etc scores will now be pretty good after upgrading. The best way is to go with 6 or 8GB for a higher score but their memory upgrade is pretty expensive. My silly suggestion is just take the standard 2GB and buy a 4GB module from elsewhere/cheaper and plug it in to make it 6GB total. Have fun...

 

Uhh, sorry I'm really not that knowledgeable when it comes to computers but WEI? Does it actually matter? I just want to know if the 4GB RAM, along with the rest of my upgrades, will give me a laptop that will last for a good amount of time and play most games at a good level.

 

ok don't worry then - just go with the 4 GB and you should be ok.
This WEI thing is located at Start - Control Panel - System. The number/score will show up there. Coming to think about it the 7200rpm HDD should be around 5.8 or 5.9 (normally higher for SSD). The 4 GB should be around 5.8 or 5.9 too. Moving to 6GB will make it around a 6.8 score. But the drive's score will stay at 5.8 or 5.9 - so... maybe just stay with your original 4GB plan and everything will be balanced around that 5.9 number. (that nice/fast i5 580m upgrade might be in the 7's) Thanks. bye.

 

Do not get anything less than 4GB of RAM. I suggest you CTO with 2GB and buy 8GB though newegg(for example) for 90 dollars. Keep the 2GB for backup or sell.

Dream BIG! CTO with "320GB Hard Disk Drive (5400rpm)" and then tell your family "My college success rides of me getting an SSD". Cry, pout, have a tantrum, whatever you have to do, after getting the funds find one of the good deals recently for them and do a clean install. Once you go SSD, you can never return. Keep the 320GB HDD and get a cheap external enclosure for it.

 

Don't rule out the iridescent blue - It's an awesome color.