Is Dell screwing me??

Ok, here's the sitch:

My Dell Inspiron E1405 had to be replaced because of water damage (I had the completecare warranty).

They don't make that model anymore, and they said that whatever they give me will be just as good or an upgrade from what I had (they are shipping me an Inspiron 1420).

I noticed online that they are shipping it with an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2390 processor @ 1.86GHz, 533MHz, 1MB Cache.

The processor in my E1405 was an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2330E @ 1.66GHz, 667MHz, 2MB Cache.

I realize that the clock speed on the new processor is higher, but being somewhat computer inclined, I know that the bus speed and cache memory matter as well. What do you guys think, which is faster?

EDIT: Upon further review, my old processor was an Intel Core Duo, and the new one is an Intel Pentium Dual-Core. I've heard that the Pentium Dual-Core line is a cheaper version of the Intel Core line... any truth to this?

 

Based on what you said and my own prior experience with dell, I'd say yes they are. However, I would wait to see what some of the other posters on this board say before acting.

 

use cpu-z to get the model of the CPU you have. core duo means nothing, now T2xxx, T5xxx T7xxx. that tells us something.

 

Old Processor: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2300E (1.66MHz, 667MHz, 2MB)
Replacement processor: Intel® Pentium® Dual-Core Mobile Processor T2390 (1.86GHz, 533MHz, 1MB)

 

There won't be much difference between the T2300E ans the T2390. They are both pretty much the same processor, except for the clockspeed and FSB. Both the processors will spend much of the days at a lower clockspeed anyway, unless you push them to 100% load.

 

Intel's site has better specs for the 2390 than the 2330. However, I couldn't find the 2330E on their site, or even on google other than a few laptops that came with it.

 

This is more appropriate for the Dell section, but whatever. Dell technically is screwing you over, it is NOT true that "the Pentium Dual-Core line is a cheaper version of the Intel Core line". They are all now dual cores.

The higher clock speeds do in fact matter. Though to be honest, your previous processor is better with a higher FSB and cache despite the slight increase in clock speed.

I just looked at the options available and the next one higher is definitely better than your old one. Dell was most likely trying to match your processor based on equal value. The value of your processor back them is about the same as the current processor you got in the new notebook.

So in one way of thinking, yes you got one of equal value, though you could think you were slightly jipped since Dell doesn't have a model that is equal to your model. You can't just ask Dell to give you the next up 2.0 ghz one as it would be definitely much better.

The "Mobile" the the dual core simply means that it is meant to save more power than the other processors of the same line, which mainly is because of the lower cache, fsb, etc. Its really not a big deal.

 

Sorry for the cross-posting.

I realize that the difference between the two are not so great, but in the spirit of good customer service (and considering how little $ it would cost them), I would think they would bump me up instead of bumping me down (however little it may be).

 

T2390 vs. T2300E....not T2330E

http://processorfinder.intel.com/Li...55,47,48,56,50,51,52,&ProcFam=0&SearchKey=t23

 

Its a totally valid thing, but the fact is, performance wise, bumping you slightly down is better than bumping you noticeably farther up, even if it is just a step up from the lowest.

Dell wouldnt want everyone to throw their laptops in water just to get the better up processor and you as the harbringer of laptops soaked in water. Since the difference is just slightly lower, its really not enough of a problem that you can argue with them about.

 

I don't think you are being bumped down the CPU is faster. More clocks and and same chip as Core 2 just less L2. With increased clocks and more efficient at least as fast even with less L2. And not that it matters but it is 64 bit CPU 2300 not.

Now while I think it is fair. I also think you have every right to say. Look you are giving me a slower FSB I will lose memory bandwidth. That is not acceptable. That is fact so you at least have a real demonstrable issue.

Tips for talking with them. Do not get frustrated if they act like "what but", frustration/anger works against you. They have nothing to lose for you it is personal. They act like well so? And 3 out of 4 people give in DeLL is ahead so they are trained to not give it all away at once. But if you can do the dance and stay cool even if you have to talk to different people or calmly hang up and call back to get a different rep. If you do I almost guarantee they will give you the upgrade.

You let them frustrate you and lose your cool they say they don't have to take the abuse and they hang up, you don't win. Calm and cool got me a hundred off a $900 desktop from them two weeks after I had received and the machine was not defective it was fine.

 

It's not your fault that there isn't an exactly equal processor to your old one. If Dell is going to live up to their great reputation of top notch customer service then they should round up in the favor of the consumer, not down ( even if slightly ) in their favor. You and many others paid a good deal of cash for extra coverage on pcs through Dell, most of which won't be used to cover loss such as yours. Just remember patience and persistence, but not belligerence. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to ask to talk to managment personally if you're not getting anywhere with the service reps.

 

You are within your rights to ask for a similar or higher clocked CPU.

My brother-in-law's old Inspiron 17" with a 128MB ATI video card just bit the dust, and given his prior cases with Dell Support, they compensated him with a new XPS M1730. Now that's a serious upgrade!

 

Just to restate that CPU is better faster so do not even stress that. The problem is that CPU runs on a slower FSB and will impact memory bandwidth. If you get into a CPU discussion on performance you might as well not even bother as they are offering you a more powerful one. The negative is the RAM. Oh and it is minor as the increased speed of 667Mhz (20%) is offset by higher latency (20%) if they try and say this tell them you plan on getting PC5300 CL4. But anyway I want you to be happy so I am not going to let little things like it is basically a fair exchange get in the way of you upgrading. I mean that, good luck.