1720 T7500 santa rosa vs. M1710 T7600

Someone I know is facing this decision so any and all opinions welcome.

1) If we were referring to CPU's alone, does the T7500's newer "santa rosa" design and 800m/t FSB make it an obvious slam dunk over the T7600 despite the slightly slower clock speed?

Would you rather have the T7500 2.2 or T7600 2.33?

2) Now let's say as a gift, you were given the choice of one (new) unit listed above, the somewhat dated XPS M1710 T7600 or the newer 1720 T7500. Let's also give both the same ram and hard drive, etc. The superior GPU of the XPS is acknowledged but not necessarily a deciding factor.

Would your choice be the 1720 or M1710?

Also, which one would tend to hold more of it's resale value?

Much appreciated.

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1) no, the faster clockspeed will still be more powerful, even with the slower fsb

2) if it was purely between those 2 cpus, I would choose the t7500 due to it's future expansion/possible upgrade to a faster cpu or the new penryns

 

M1710'S GPU is much better than M1720's so I would pick the XPS.

 

The cpus are so similar you wouldnt be able to notice the difference. I personally would rather have the T7500. I have still not tried mine out. If would still have the M1710 because of its GPU.

 

i see why you'd choose the 1720. upgrading down the road to penryn is nice insurance.

do you know if the M-socket meroms are now as fast as they'll ever be produced and what is that speed?

 

I believe you can't upgrade the GPU's of the 1720.

Are the GPU's of the M1710 also proprietary? Are they upgradeable beyond what Dell may offer in the future?

 

Real Dilemma!

 

Yep, the weather vane points one way and then another. But with the help of a few sage opinions I'm sure we'll make the right decision.

If these two were offered to you, which one are you going with?

... any and all opinions welcome.

thx.

 

I believe the T7500 would have a slightly better edge than the T7600 because of the FSB.... Hmm if I am a gamer I would go with a M1710 otherwise I would choose a 1720...

 

M1710's 7950GTX is most upgraded GPU you can get in the system.

For example nvida's GPU rankings in most recent generations are

7800GTX (was best GPU w/ XPS Gen2)

7800GS

7900GS/1500M (was used by M1710/M90/E1705)

7900GTX/2500M (M1710/M90)

7950GTX/3500M (M1710/M90)

As you can see 7950GTX was highest GPU series on M1710.

Santa Rosa platforms carry 8X00 series cards, and 8700M GT SLI is used by M1730, with 8800M SLI following near future from I've read.

 

...appreciate the input.

We'll probably go with the M1710 for the reasons listed up thread and despite it's age, the nameplate and list price should tend give it more initial equity.
Oh, and of course the recent realization that the 1720 has NO DVI port.

OTOH, if this were a purchase the 1720 T7500 Santa Rosa would be my choice. The CPU upgrade ability, hot swapping backup hardrives in the second bay and the numerical keypad make it really attractive.

Though it's a clear warranty violation, I wonder if there's a way to mod the 1720's case to accept the SLI line of cards that the 1730 uses. Dangerous ideas.

 

I am pretty sure you can't. That's why the SLI configuration is exclusive to the XPS 1730. It's not a matter of modding the case but replacing the entire mainboard itself.

I could be wrong but I don't think I am on this.

 

If I were going to play a lot of games on the laptop, I'd go with the M1710.
Not only does it come with a faster video card than the 1720, the case of the M1710 is designed to better cool the graphics card than the 1720.

 

That looks to be the case. Badly put, rather that looks to be the situation especially when the heat sinks are incorporated into the card as they would be for the XPS 1730, plus the way Dell has split up the video ports across two different sides of the case.

Pin for pin, it may be possible but I agree, not at all practical.

Looks like it's going to be red as we have no choice in the matter. Any way to change the color of the lid at the consumer level?