Config Advice

Hey guys I would like to know your opinion (since no one has it on hands yet) about these two choices I am considering: i7 2630QM + 4GB Hyper X 1333 ( Amazon.com: NEW 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL7 (Memory (RAM)): Office Products) or i7 2720QM + 6GB 1600 (AW site). I am more likely to buy the 2720 + 6gb, just because of the +3Ghz barrier on turbo mode since I like to play flight simulator x (not quad optimized) and other CPU intensive games like SC2. My core2 x9100 sometimes have a hard time to handle them on max (especially FSX) and it is @3.4Ghz. Thanks for any opinion. (sorry about another thread “about 2630vs.2720” I read all other threads also…)

 

So many threads on this...
but turbo'd or not, its only 300mhz (not 3ghz )

you won't see a big difference at all with the base processor still going up to 2.9ghz. What's the point of buying the extra ram though? It takes 2 pieces so if you want to upgrade you'd be better off getting two 3gbs or 4gbs

 

Actually I meant that the 2720 goes beyond 3Ghz since it goes to 3.3Ghz and the 2630 goes to 2.8Ghz, so a 500Mhz isn’t it? And specifically FSX is cpu hungry....

And about the mem I was going to sell the one that comes and use this one from Kingston because I think might perform better… Again sorry for the thread but I really can't make up my mind and would like users opinions so I can spend my money wisely... Tnx anyway

 

Well, maybe the second upgrade if you're REALLY worried, but I wouldn't be as the base processor is perfectly enough. The max CPU is a waste though. You wont see a performance increase at all and maybe even worse as the GPU may bottleneck the CPU. (The GPU is still very powerful as other people have stated, dont worry. It's just that these are crazy-powerful CPU's for a 14 inch laptop.)

Dont forget you're going up to a quad core processor from a dual. I don't think you'll see any problems with flight simulator. I don't know much about RAM though but I don't see the need to switch out ram form my view. I would wait for someone elses opinion though

 

I was wondering the same thing. Would brand name memory outperform the Dell memory (even if by just a little)? I remember reading a review a while ago, I think on AnandTech, that explained how gaming or enthusiast RAM adds almost nothing to system performance (unless you're over-clocking).


As for your question, there a few threads (each with 5 pages or so) of people debating either way. You should check those out. Here's what the consensus says:

2720QM Upgrade:
Supporters (those who think it is worth it):
- The 2630QM downclocks 1600Mhz RAM, so you would be paying for 1600MHz RAM and not getting the performance. 2720QM supports it.
- It is 0.2ghz faster at base and 0.4ghz faster when turbo'd
- It helps in CPU intensive activities like emulation or converting or encoding

Against (those who think it is a waste of money):
- In games, the GT555M is the bottleneck. The 2630QM is strong enough and the extra CPU power is "wasted" / goes unused
- For the price, the performance boost in other tasks is marginal

Pretty much everyone is against the 2820QM. The biggest thing keeping people from upgrading to the 2720QM is the $150. The number of vocal people against the upgrade far outnumber those in favor and feel that the $150 could be put to better things such as an SSD, other upgrades, or just simply saving the money.


I honestly went with the 2720QM because most of things I will be doing aren't optimized for multiple cores and a faster clock speed will help in the long run. For example, I am a CS major and will have to make programs including programs that need to process a large number of data and perform calculations on it. I remember running a towers of Hannoi solution was taking forever on my 1.8ghz Core 2 Duo, and worked far faster on a 2.2ghz Core 2 Duo. Even the savings of a minute or two, heck even a few seconds, will eventually add up to a large amount of time over several years thanks to the faster clock.

I plan to use my laptop for a long time and to prolong the longevity of my system, the DDR3 1600 boost and extra clock speed will surely help my computer. Honestly, I am not trying to make a computer for bragging rights or benchmarks; I just need my computer to last a long time (4 years) and little upgrades like this will help me do that.

 

k
Its your computer, we were just giving advice. I mean people can whine and complain all they want about how bad it is but in the end its your computer, your money, and your decision lol

 

^
This.

If you're happy with your purchase, you don't have to worry about or even listen to complaints on this forum. (Though, you might want to check back every once in a while because this forum usually offers great optimizations tips and help should you need it)