Compromise's

Hey All, I'm new to the forum but I love the site. I'm looking into buying a dell Inspiron 1520, or a Vostro 1500 (whichever comes out cheaper) maybe even an hp dv6500t. But I have to keep the price under 1100 dollars (right now i have it configured to about 1200-1300 with the $325 off coupon). So i need to cut the price somehow, and i need some input on what to cut. I will be using the computer for surfing the web, filesharing, some gaming (americas army, farcry, etc), and recreational photoshop use. The specs i have right now are:

Dell Inspiron 1520
Jet Black
Intel Core 2 Duo 7300, 2.0ghz, 800mhz FSB, 4mb L2cache
Windows Vista Premium
WXGA Display with Truelife 1280x800
256mb Nvidia Geforce 8600M GT
1gb 667mhz DDR2 Memory (+2gb 667mhz DDR2 Aftermarket memory)
120gb 5400 RPM Sata Hard Drive
DVD+/-RW Drive
ntel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Built-in Bluetooth
2.0M Pixel Webcam
6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy HD Software Edition

- Based off what i told you above, what do you think would be the smartest choice of what to downgrade is?

- Is there any other way to cut the costs without downgrading?

- would the 1.8ghz core2 duo processor a sufficient speed, for gaming, or running multiple app's?

- Is it easy to replace the CD drive because by buying an aftermarket dvd writer i could save $20?

- do you think buying the more expensive "wireless N" card is a good idea to prepare for the future? (i myself dont have a wireless N router)

- And lastly does anyone know anything about the integrated sound blaster audigy hd software edition? what does software edition mean? and is it necessary/desirable/waste of money?

Sorry for so many questions but this is my first Laptop, and im fairly lost. Thank you all for your time and wisdom.

-Local

 

I think your best bet would be to cut the CPU first, as I think the graphics card will become a performance bottleneck long before the CPU does. Plus the extra move up to the T7300 does add on a fair chunk of change.

Gee, you could even consider going down to the lowest CPU, and upgrading the hard disk to a faster (for gaming) 7200RPM drive, and still have adequate power (and save some $$).

P.S: I'd recommend losing the Audigy software - It's a software solution and I don't think it helps games any.

 

First cut down the sound card to the minimum option (High Definiton Audio 2.0), unless your a professional musician who can tell differences in recording quality (CDs sound better than (regular-quality) mp3s, for example). The cheapest sound card is very good for regular usage, and for the vast majority of people upgrading it would be a waste of money. $25 saved there.

I'd cut the Wireless N second. You said you didn't have a router, so it's useless right now. And Wireless G is probably fast enough for all your Internet needs. That's another $50, almost down to $1100.

And if you don't plan to use it, you might as well make the webcam the third cut. It's $50 right now (it was free when I got it, $30 before that), and won't effect performance. But that depends on if you use it - if you know you will, it's a must-keep.

And after that, consider cutting the processor. The T7100/T7300 difference is a lot less than the 8400 GS/8600 GT difference. That's another $75 in savings.

You also could switch down to Vista Home Basic instead of Home Premium. I've yet to find a real use for Media Center (as far as I've seen Media Player can do everything Media Center can), and Aero is eye-candy only. Aero isn't even displaying right for me right now while using Opera. But if you've got XP MCE (Media Center Edition) now and like its features, Home Premium would be worth it. Also check into stuff like Windows Movie Maker - it might be a Premium exclusive. But would you ever use it? $29 could be saved by switching to Home Basic.

With a total of $229 cut, that should get you under $1100. And you probably won't have to cut all of the above.

I wouldn't bother with the aftermarket DVD burner scheme. I don't know the prices, but I doubt you could get one for less than $40 including tax and shipping, and it'd be more convenient to get the laptop with it in the first place, anyways.

 

I've read throughout the forums that the integrated sound blaster actually slows down the computer -- it's not physically enhancing the speakers or anything, but a software that fiddles with the sounds and thus uses RAM.

I know it won't help you now, but for your configuration, you could have gotten it for about $1000 (and bigger HD) when the free RAM and HD were around =\

 

I'd keep the processor, that's the lowest with the 4MB L2 cache, my changes would be ditch the Audigy and the Intel Wireless-N. Then depending on your use, you most likely don't need the cam. Now the only other thing, is if you are an occasional gamer the 8400GS is PLENTY of power. 8600GT is only for insane gamers who plan on keeping up with games for like 2 years from now <_<

 

ChanchoWancho - My first urge was to cut the CPU as well, But like Doubleback Said the 7300 is the lowest CPU that still has 4mb of cache. How much would the decrease to 2mb cache effect my performance? also would the 7200rpm drive really improve gaming quality significantly? yeah i was confused with the audigy i thought it was a different sound card, i think i will get rid of it.

Apollo13 - I'm getting rid of the sound card, but the wireless N, if i have wireless G can i still connect to networks setup with a wireless N router? I plan to use the web cam (or at least thats what im telling myself) I'm in college and have a girlfriend back home. i get get the dvd player for 23ish dollars off newegg and its not a piece of ****, its just refurb, but its probably not worth the 17 dollars of savings. and it seems to me like there is no point in upgrading to Vista if you dont get the Premium with Aero and all that.

Chyeah - Yeah i was looking into buying a dell when the free Ram and 160gig HD were around and then the next day it was gone. Yeah teh Sound blaster is DEFINETLY OUT.

Doubleback - You make a good point with the processor argument, i dont know very much about FSB or L2 cache so im not sure how much that will effect the comp's performance. I have read that the 8400gs is a lower end Graphics card, and the 8600GT is about Par for todays cards. Anyone care to clarify??

Thanks for the wisdom guys, I'm definetly going to get rid of the Audigy, and possibly the wireless N (i still dont understand the different kinds of wirelless that well) I'm keeping the webcam, and i'd like more input about the processor and the wireless.

thanks all,

-Local

 

The 8400GS is NOT a low end card at all, I think most would agree that the best classification is the best "mid-range" card out there. It's fully DX 10 compatible, and can play any of todays games. Now whether or not you want to play for performance or quality, that's up to you...but it'll play any game today on at least Medium settings. If you get the 8600GT, you'll be able to play any game on High settings, but is it worth the possible increased battery life, and the $100 justification if you are cash strapped?

I got the 8400GS for only for one reason, I got the 1420 and that's the only option. I'm not going to lie, if I could of gotten the 8600GT I would of...because I needed it? No, just because I always want the latest and greatest and best of the best

The 8400GS is plenty for my uses, basically the only game I play is CSS and I get 80-100fps with no overclocking...another thing about the 8400GS, is if you are comfortable with overclocking you can get it almost as fast as the 8600GT <_<

Wireless-N is the second draft of 802.11n which is a refresh of the current standard of 802.11g (with it's little sister 802.11b). It like quadruples speed, and doubles range...but of course would require hardware on BOTH ends to work. Hardware is just entering the marketplace for home environments, you can buy them easily...but you won't find it at places like schools and coffee shops for a while, it's really only for power users who want to future proof their system

 

Also, are there any noticeable differences between the inspiron 1520 and the vostro 1500, besides the vostro's lack of bloatware?

 

The 8600GT is the last thing you should cut. Sense dictates that.

The dude has absolutely no idea what he's talking about. Simply because you've got a particular card, you don't have to turn into a fanboi, and go about making false statements trying to convince people that it's the best. the 8400M GS is a low end dx10 card. End of Story.

@local... You wouldn't notice any difference in the tasks that you mentioned, b/w the t7100 and T7300. The wireless N is a little more dicey, but I'd suggest going for a/b/g. You can always put in a Wireless N card without voiding your warranty. If you wish to spend a little more money, choose the processor(T7300) over wireless N.

 

It's not the 8400 GT, it's the 8400 GS. I don't see how you're gonna overclock it that much.

Anyways, I'd dump the soundcard and the wireless N. Wireless G will work fine for many many many years.

 

but if i have a wireless g card can i still connect to wireless N networks? that is my main concern, the extra range would be nice as well.

 

I am running my 8400GS on 900/700 RIGHT NOW! I'm looking at my frequencies on MY SCREEN and it says 900/700!

Going to the OP's questions...a 802.11g card cannot connect to a Wireless-N network, but that doesn't necessarily mean it cannot connect to a Wireless-N device. Wireless-N devices can run 802.11b AND 802.11g as well, but in order to get optimal speed and range it'll need to be set to Wireless-N ONLY. But you can have one device run all 3 kinds of networks, if I understand correctly. Hope this answers your question

 

thanks doubleback, that did answer my question. I will be going with the wireless G network. Would you recommend a wireless G or wireless A/G???

Also is the decrease in L2 cache between the 7300 (4mb) and 7100 (2mb) going to cause a significant decrease in performance?

 

I assume you are talking about the Dell Wireless Card of the Intel Wireless Card (3945ABG), so I'll go off of that...

The Dell card is a different chipset, and also has MANY more features for it in the Device Manager. It however, doesn't have *nix support if you plan on using anything other than Windows. The Intel one has very few features in the Device Manager, however has support for almost any OS and also the general consensus is it gives you better speed, reliability, and range because it is more of a standard compliant device.

The difference in L2 cache won't make a difference for 90% of computer users, but for about 1/3 of the users of this board it would make a difference. It dramatically increases the processing speed, so not sure what kind of applications you are running...but if you are encoding audio or video, are a heavy multitasker, or running other resource intensive programs it would be recommended. But basically, if you are looking for this system to perform better 2 or so years from now, definitely get it

 

No, I would cut the processor to the T7100. The difference in the cache shouldn't matter too much. I would recommend the wireless G since most wireless routers are using G... By the way, you should cut the webcam and buy an external one... I just got my 1520 yesterday and the webcam is horrible at motion. DO NOT CUT THE nVidia 8600 GT!

Leon

 

Most of them will have G broadcasting as well. And speed? Maybe a bit faster due to the range.

 

The extent of my multitasking would be something like Gaming/Music/Filesharing/Internet or Photoshop/Music/Filesharing/Internet. That is probably the max i would multitask. But In the future I may be ripping and encoding DVD's (I have begun to research and experiment around with this on my desktop).

 

would the 1.8ghz/800mhz FSB/ 4mb L2 Cache be sufficient?

 

The 1.8Ghz is only 2MB L2 Cache, the 2.0Ghz is the 4MB L2 Cache

The 1.8Ghz will be fine for the next 2 years or so with that somewhat limited use, but if you plan on keeping your system for more like 4 years then the T7300 would be the way to go

 

how much of a decrease in performance will i see, between the 2.0ghz 4mb L2 cache core 2 duo 7300 processor and the 1.8ghz 2mb L2 cache core 2 duo 7100 processor?

 

if you had both next to eachother, you would notice very little if anything at all.

 

Well again, it depends on your uses. Like I said, you are fine with the T7100 for the next 2 years or so...but if you want to future proof your system so for the next 4 years, then you'd want to get the T7300. So another way of putting it, is you won't see too much of a decrease in performance WITH YOUR USES RIGHT NOW - but there are other tasks where you would see a increase in performance, and throughout time the T7300 would perform better than the T7100