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    How much does a processor matter?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Ausens, Aug 2, 2007.

  1. Ausens

    Ausens Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need to know how does a processor affect performance, how will it affect gaming and programs like AutoCAD? A better processor (T7300) but Nvidia 8400gs or T5250 with 8600gs? Why? :confused:
     
    Ausens, Aug 2, 2007
    #1
  2. kickace

    kickace Notebook Deity

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    something like autocad is more cpu intensive, meaning the t7300 will perform much better than the t5250 in a program like that

    i think you will notice a difference either way between those 2 processors, even in everyday things - but between the t7300 and t7500, u might only notice in autocad and not in everyday use
     
    kickace, Aug 2, 2007
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  3. jetstar

    jetstar Notebook Deity

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    Performance is governed mainly by the amount of RAM and the GPU. So the T5250 with 8600GS will outperform the T7300 with 8400GS, assuming same amout of RAM.
     
    jetstar, Aug 2, 2007
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  4. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    AutoCad, alot. Gaming, none or very little. In every day use, none.

    AutoCad is mostly CPU (yes, the gpu helps render, but it's still the CPU that does most of the job).

    Processors today have more than enough power for most games. While the
    T7300 will be better, often it's not noticable. Instead, it's the GPU that's important when you game, since games are strongly GPU bound. A stronger GPU+A weaker CPU (T520+8600M GS your case) is >>> than a stronger CPU+a weaker GPU (T7300+8400M GS).

    Everyday tasks will not be any difference. It uses very little power to surf and chat and wordprocess. My CPU is on 1GHz while doing this and it's still more than enough. Much more.
     
    fabarati, Aug 2, 2007
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  5. Romanian

    Romanian Notebook Evangelist

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    If you want to do AutoCad and play some games, get the T7300. It still has the nice 4mb cache, and if needed you can overclock it to higher speeds.

    By the way, what is the T5250?
     
    Romanian, Aug 2, 2007
    #5
  6. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    AutoCard/Video Encoding/Decoding/Audio Encoding/Decoding/Picture Processing in PS CS2 or CS3 and CPU speed and power will matter a lot.
     
    usapatriot, Aug 2, 2007
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  7. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    T5250 is I believe a santa rosa platform cpu, with 667MHz FSB, 1.5GHz and 2MB L2 cache
     
    moon angel, Aug 2, 2007
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  8. Wu Jen

    Wu Jen Some old nobody

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    Also if your notebook has SLI...having a faster processor helps and some games..i.e. Supreme Commander are very CPU intensive.
     
    Wu Jen, Aug 2, 2007
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  9. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Supreme Commander is indeed very cpu intensive. It can use three of four possible cores on a quad core cpu to their full extent. However, most games are less cpu intensive and much more reliant on the graphics card.

    AutoCAD would benefit from a pwoerful cpu like the T7300.
     
    moon angel, Aug 2, 2007
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  10. slowdive

    slowdive Notebook Consultant

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    Had the chance to work with autocad on a T5xxx and T7xxx for several days.
    Not much difference between them. And even working on my P4 college desktops didn't notice much difference. Increasing ram... that really make the difference. But i only work with basic autocad (2D)!
    For games GPU always made the difference for me.
    To be honest small CPU upgrades (from the same generation) never gave the performance that ram, GPU and even HD provided.
     
    slowdive, Aug 2, 2007
    #10