The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Dell Studio 17 - which cpu?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by uv2008, Dec 5, 2008.

  1. uv2008

    uv2008 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi all. I'm thinking of buying a Dell Studio 17, that would be used as a desktop replacement- everyday and computationally intensive stuff (including some gaming and graphics).
    I thought of having it with 4GB memory, LED screen, 7200RPM hard drive.
    Now my dilemma is which cpu to choose- the 2.26GHz P8400 or 2.53GHz T9400. I think that I know about the main differences between the two, and my question to you guys is if T9400 is producing more noise than P8400 in a Studio, does it make the computer hotter, and if in general it could make the whole laptop (software and hardware) less stable or less reliable. Also, are there games (or any highly demanding tasks) that I would not be able to do with P8400 and could do with T9400?
    And the million dollar question- if you had unlimited budget (for your Studio...) - which cpu would you get for yourself?
    Thanks a lot for any thought!
     
    uv2008, Dec 5, 2008
    #1
  2. cjcerny

    cjcerny Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    7
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    CPU's don't make noise. It's the fans that cool them that do. :)

    Seriously, the T9400 is a hotter chip, and will likely require that the fan run longer to cool it down when under heavy use. It likely won't be louder, it will just be on more often.

    Unlimited budget always says get the faster CPU, especially if you plan on keeping this machine a long time. If you purchase a new laptop every year or two, stick with the slower CPU--it's certainly more cost effective.
     
    cjcerny, Dec 5, 2008
    #2
  3. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

    Reputations:
    3,867
    Messages:
    8,218
    Likes Received:
    72
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Since the P8400 uses less power, im guessing it will run cooler/quieter.

    The T9400 wont give you any huge performance inccrease.

    I would get the T9400. ;)

    Games are reliant on the graphics card, not the CPU. Invest in a better GPU, before a better CPU. ;)
     
    ahl395, Dec 5, 2008
    #3
  4. uv2008

    uv2008 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for your answers. Just one more question for today, also about performance/noise/reliability - any significant difference between the 5400rpm and the 7200rpm hard drives? It seems that the 7200rpm is not a poplar choice for laptops and I'm wondering why.
     
    uv2008, Dec 5, 2008
    #4
  5. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

    Reputations:
    3,867
    Messages:
    8,218
    Likes Received:
    72
    Trophy Points:
    216
    7200rpm's will run faster. Mainly in boot time and loading things.

    The noise and vibration is slightly more, but it depends on the actual HDD.

    No reliability difference.

    I have a 7200rpm. My boot/loading time is fast, no more noise/vibration than most 5400's ive used. 7200rpm notebook HDD's cost more though. In my opinion = worth ~$40 extra.
     
    ahl395, Dec 5, 2008
    #5