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    Differences between low end Core 2 Duos?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Dest, Dec 7, 2006.

  1. Dest

    Dest Notebook Guru

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    I have seen topics that debate over the low and the high end, such as Core 2 Duo T5500 vs T7200

    However, My question is a little different. I'm on a tight budget, so would it be worth $50 to upgrade from a Core 2 Duo T5200 (1.60 GHz) to a T5500 (1.66 GHz) ? I will be gaming with 1GB ram and GeForce 7400 128MB ded/128mb shared
     
    Dest, Dec 7, 2006
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  2. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Depends on what you want to do. If its mainly just word processing and surfing the Internet, then the T5200 will do just fine. If, on the other hand, you want to do a little bit of encoding and slightly more intensive tasks, then an upgrade to the T5500 will be helpful. This is because the T5500 has a slighty larger bus at 667 Mhz, which will mean it can handle that extra data flow.
     
    Zero, Dec 7, 2006
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  3. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The difference between the T5200 and the T5500, besides the 60MHz clockspeed gap, is that the T5200 has a 533MHz FSB versus a 667MHz one on the T5500 and up. It's not a difference most users are going to notice; what are you planning to do with this notebook?

    $50 is a fairly cheap upgrade.

    Edit: Zero beat me to it.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Dec 7, 2006
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  4. Dest

    Dest Notebook Guru

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    The most intensive tasks are probably compiling computer code and gaming (BF2142, Half life 2, FEAR). So will $50 be worth it for an enhancement in gaming?
     
    Dest, Dec 7, 2006
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  5. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Personally I'd save the $50 but that's just me. I can't see there being much difference in performance between the two despite the FSB differences.
     
    moon angel, Dec 7, 2006
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  6. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    As Chaz has mentioned, a $50 upgrade isn't all that much, and it will the ability to the processor to transfer and recieve more data fom the system. Gaming is FSB saturating, so, yes, it should be worth the extra money.
     
    Zero, Dec 7, 2006
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  7. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    I personally would pay the $50 for the upgrade. But if it's a squeeze, you can definitely do without it. The T5200 is plenty capable in its own right.
     
    chrisyano, Dec 7, 2006
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  8. Dest

    Dest Notebook Guru

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    Would I need 667 ram to use the 667 in the processor? Because I don't know if the ram is 533 or 667.

    And if I do get the upgrade, do you think the gain would be noticeable such as 5-10 fps difference?
     
    Dest, Dec 7, 2006
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  9. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    Do you have a link to the system you're considering?

    If the RAM is PC4200, then it's going to be 533 MHz. PC5300 is 667 MHz.

    I don't think it will make a 5-10 FPS difference in most scenarios.
     
    chrisyano, Dec 7, 2006
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  10. DTX

    DTX Notebook Evangelist

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    You can use 533 RAM for a 667 processor and vice versa.
     
    DTX, Dec 7, 2006
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  11. Gator

    Gator Go Gators!

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    No it's fine. You don't have to match up the FSB speed and RAM, and for particular reasons you don't need to worry about the 667 will actually perform similar to the 553.
     
    Gator, Dec 7, 2006
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  12. Dest

    Dest Notebook Guru

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    It's a customized dv6000t from hp. Price: $878.99

    Operating System FREE Upgrade to Genuine Windows XP Media Center!!

    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo processor T5200 (1.60 GHz)


    Display 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)


    Graphics Card 256MB NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) Go 7400


    Personalization HP Imprint Finish + Microphone


    Memory FREE Upgrade to 1024MB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)


    Hard Drive FREE Upgrade from 40GB 5400RPM to 80GB 5400RPM


    Primary CD/DVD Drive DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive


    Networking Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network w/Bluetooth


    TV & Entertainment Experience No TV Tuner w/remote control


    Primary Battery 6 Cell Lithium Ion Battery


    Productivity Software Microsoft(R) Works/Money
     
    Dest, Dec 7, 2006
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  13. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    I think your hardware questions have been answered. I think that configuration looks to be pretty good for what you will be using it for.
     
    chrisyano, Dec 7, 2006
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  14. Dest

    Dest Notebook Guru

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    Thank you very much!
     
    Dest, Dec 7, 2006
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  15. Mimino

    Mimino Notebook Communist

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    Hey, guys I'm considering buying a new laptop with core duo or core 2 duo in it. So far, i found a good laptop with core 2 duo running on 1.6Ghz with geforce 7900 gs. Is that enough processor power for gaming? Also, there are a couple of option with Core processors running on 1.7-1.8Ghz speeds. Is it still a good investment for gaming or not?thank you,

    BiG_V
     
    Mimino, Dec 22, 2006
    #15
  16. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    The 1.6GHz Core 2 Duo T5200 is fine for gaming, but considering how powerful the Go7900GS is, it can take advantage of a faster CPU. The Core 2 Duo T7200 (2.0GHz/4MB L2) would be a great match for that card.

    What laptop are you looking at?
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Dec 22, 2006
    #16
  17. Mimino

    Mimino Notebook Communist

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    yeah, u're right, but i'm looking at dell's outlet laptops, so i don't really have that much of a choice, just the best deal available... at the time of buying a new laptop.
     
    Mimino, Dec 22, 2006
    #17