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Need help chosing a processor for a laptop

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

jp_bl_68

Soldato
Joined
3 Jan 2009
Posts
8,037
Currently looking into buying a new laptop (mainly for the internet, movies, and possibly some very, very light gaming) and I need some help choosing a suitable processor.

So far I've been looking mostly at some Dells (Studio 17) and a few Acer Aspires (mainly the 5920g). My first instinct was to get the most powerful looking processor available, which on a Studio 17 seems to be the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9400 - 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 6 MB L2 Cache. But I'm not sure I'd ever need that kind of power. I might be better off going for a cheaper processor (like the Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T6400 - 2.0 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 Cache) and spending more money on RAM (4gb) and a better display (LED, rather than CCFL).

Any thoughts?
 
Yeah. Although it's nice to have a fast CPU, it's better to spread your cash over the rest of the machine and make it an all-rounder. You'll see more benefit from 4GB of RAM and a good screen than a better CPU.
 
That's what I was thinking.

It's really hard choosing a new computer, not really sure what to go for. Do you have an opinion on Dell's Studio 17 range? Do they offer good/acceptable value for money?
 
I've had five Dells and have had quite a good time with them. The new Studio 17s are good lookers and due to Dell's massive economies of scale are well specced for the money.

Personally as a hardware nerd/gamer I'd go for the fastest CPU I could afford, but for your uses I would suggest just going for the T6400. You're not going to see much, if any, tangible difference in speed compared to the faster models.
 
Just to add that if you play games or even use Vista's Aero then you will also benefit by getting a decent graphics card, either nvidia or ati. Remember that RAM and hard drives in laptops are usually easy to upgrade, whilst the cpu and gpu in a laptop are usually very difficult to do so.
 
Cpu is possible to upgrade, but hard, gpu is not possible.

Go for a reasonably high end cpu, but remember they got a lot more expensive the higher you go.
 
The laptops I'm looking at all have the Radeon 3650 256mb, which seems OK for my needs. As for RAM I intend to get at least 3gb, preferably 4gb. I'm trying to save some money on the processor so I can spend more on the screen and RAM, obviously I'll get the best CPU I can (within my budget).

Thanks for all the help.
 
If you want to save now, as someone mentioned CPU isnt easiest/cheapest to upgrade, RAM would be.
How about getting 3gb (or even 2gb) ram, and a better CPU, but in a few months get another 2gb of RAM which shouldnt be very expensive and much easier to upgrade, would spread the cost out a bit better.
 
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