Check My 17" Build Stats? (Inspiron and Vostro)

I'm a light gamer (Sims 2, Oblivion) but I also edit home videos, photos and burn DVDs. I would appreciate any recommendations you have on these specs for both the Inspiron and the Vostro. I'll be upgrading the memory myself to 3 GB.

A few quick questions, please:

• I currently have a T9300 (HP DV9700T that's already in for repair one month after purchase). Will I miss the 6MB L2 Cache by going down to 3MB Cache? I'm not sure if the price difference will be worth it to me ($300 for the Vostro to be upgraded and $125 for the Inspiron).

• Can the 8600M GT handle everything okay with the 1920x1200 high res screen? I don't play games with a lot of FPS but just curious before I buy.

• I'm not sure what the difference is between the "Integrated High Definition Audio" and the "Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™HD Software Edition." They mean a Sound Blaster card plus software, right? Just want to make sure!


Vostro 1700:

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8100 (2.1GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Genuine Windows® Vista
Microsoft® Works 9. Does NOT Include MS Word
17.0 in Wide Screen WUXGA LCD Display with TrueLife™
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz, 2 DIMM
8X CD/DVD+RW Read and Burn CD and DVD
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ 8600M GT
120GB 5400RPM Hard Drive
Dell Exclusive MediaDirect™ Instant Play Software Application
Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Wi-Fi Internal Card
No Webcam
Integrated High Definition Audio
56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Price $1422 (before $500 off coupon)



Inspiron 1720
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T8300 (2.4GHz/800Mhz FSB/3MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 17.0 inch display (1920 x 1200)
256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
250GB SATA Hard Drive (5400RPM)
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card
No Webcam Option
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™HD Software Edition

Price $1594 (Before 30% off coupon, which would be $478 off)

 

AS I see it, if you do the math, both configurations w/ T9300 CPU would cost about the same after discount. So, it just resumes to the design and your taste.

So:

1. After stated above, it's well worthed to get the 9300

2. 8600M GT will handle anything for quite a while.

3. I know it's just a software emulating the Audigy.

If you say you do a lot of video editing and photo, I would definitely suggest a 7200 rpm HDD. You wouldn't believe the overall speed increase.

Also, you should get just 1 GB of ram from Dell and upgrade it yourself after purchase. Ram memory is very expensive from Dell. Consider buying a bluetooth module from Dell, maybe you will find it useful (transfering music or photos from a mobile device).

 

let me not agree with you!

@ 1. not worth it,you want notice the difference,unless you do hard multitasking.
@ 2. 8600 gt has ddr2 memory in your selected laptops and it will play-
Old games-at high res and high details!
New games- at medium setting with ~1440 res and at high with ~ 12... res!

and i agree at the rest!