Is it stupid to upgrade this?

Currently I'm running the following setup:

Dell Studio 1535 (2008)
Windows Vista 32bit
1440 x 900 15.6"
Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (3MB L2, 2.1GHz)
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3450
4GB DDR2-667 (only 3.5GB recognized)
320GB 5400 RPM HDD (I'm only using 105GB)

Currently I use my laptop for the following:
-Internet Browsing (including HD video playback)
-Music (lossless storage and wireless syncing/streaming)
-Skype
-Autodesk AutoCAD 2011 (Student Version)
-Autodesk Inventor Pro 2011 (Student Version)
-Microsoft Office (Enterprise)
-StarCraft II (minimum settings, 1280x800, and cooling pad)
-KOTOR (maximum settings)

(I would like to do video editing/rendering one day and direct in my bass)


I was looking at possibly buying the Sager NP8150 but dropping $1900+ is really bothering me, even though I'd be set for a long long time if I did that (future proofing is really important to me, I'd want to run it till it can't even run games anymore on low/med) (It wouldn't bother me if I actually played more games and didn't have an Xbox). If I could just upgrade my current laptop and keep it going another year or two, that'd work too.

I'm just curious as to the thought's of other people that are more experienced with this. Based on what I can upgrade, I was looking into the following items:

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit SP1 OEM ($100 on amazon/newegg)
2x2GB (4GB) DDR2-800 RAM ($60-$70 on newegg)
250GB/320GB 7200 RPM HDD ($50-$55 on amazon)
Intel Core 2 Duo T9300/T9500, 6MB L2, 2.5GHz/2.6GHz ($120-$170 on ebay)

What would you recomend, if anything? Or is it stupid to upgrade?

 

I would go for the sager its not worthy to upgrade that notebook.

I would go simply for the

CPU: i7 2630qm
GPU: 6970m

This comes at 1500 at xoticpc, you can quote price and lower that.

For the RAM or SSD upgrade I would and install those myself, they are easy upgrade paths and ''cheap'' compared to the price that OEMs ask for them.

 

Buying faster RAM would not help at all as your system only supports up to 667. So the new RAM will be automatically throttled down to 667 and work just like your old RAM without any performance difference.

What you can do is install a 64 bit OS and add more RAM.
Faster HDD can also help, whereas I would directly put 500GB (pay attention that very often there is a speed difference between 500GB and smaller because of the number of disks inside!)

I wouldn't touch the CPU.

 

I would actually only go for the Windows 7 upgrade to 64 bit. The CPU won't make a HUGE difference. HDD speed doesn't really make a difference. And you already got 4 GB RAM?

 

HDD speed DOES make a very noticeable difference if you ask me!
I agree about the CPU.
RAM - he was going for a "faster" RAM 800 vs 667

 

Ah I missed that, yes Gracy is right, Santa Rosa will only natively support 667. 800 will be downclocked.

IMO I don't feel HDD speed makes a difference to justify a new drive, IF his works perfectly fine. I benched a MomentusXT 500 GB with Windows 7 and my Scorpio Blue 640GB with Windows XP and both are equally as slow booting up and loading applications. Now if his drive were failing, then you might as well pony up for a 7200 rpm, but just to jump to 7200 rpm IMO isn't worth it.

 

So, what if I just go with a 250GB 7200 RPM and the Windows 7 OEM? That should run me $150 on Amazon (no tax and free ship). That seems to be the recomendation.

That would give me all 4GB of my RAM and allow me to use 64bit versions of my software (like Autodesk).

Since I am already running Vista, can I even use an OEM version of Windows 7? I'd rather save the $20 from buying the upgrade version.

 

You could. In all honesty I wouldn't spend the money if the drive wasn't failing.

You technically could use OEM, but most places want a piece of qualifying hardware (HDD, motherboard). Upgrade is like ~10-20 more. Upgrade gives you both 32 and 64 bit discs while OEM forces you to choose, but the COA is different (you can't use either vice versa).

 

I upgraded the 5400 drives of both my previous and current PC and I do feel quite a difference. Don't know how you benched (momentus xt also isn't really a good example of a fast 7200 drive, besides it's cache...!), but my original 5400 was doing 50 MB/s average, whereas my current 7200 - 80 MB/s. This is quite a difference and it is noticeable on daily basis.

Upgrading to 7200 RPM is usually the first thing I do on a new laptop. I'm still not convinced about an SSD though.

I would definitely upgrade on his place. It does make a difference if you choose the right 7200.

 

As for the RAM, Dell offers the 800MHz as an upgrade for my laptop's service tag on their site? Although now thinking about it, they did let me buy 4GBs of RAM on a 32bit OS without mentioning anything.

As for the Sager, I would feel the need to at least get the 2720 CPU for the performance increase and extra features. Especially when the upgrade is only $160 vs $400 on newegg right now.

 

What should they say? You still benefit from having 4 instead of 2, even if you can't (directly) use all 4....
Most laptops nowadays are sold with min 4GB even with 32bit OS, as this allows them to use the max supported RAM.

 

Well I wasn't even talking about copy speeds, but overall responsiveness. That's why I've stuck with larger capacity 5400 rpm drives and get SSDs for my non-work laptops.

32 bit Vista/7 will see 4 GB but only utilize 3.25-3.5 GB.

32 bit XP will only see 3.5 GB and utilize 3.25-3.5GB.

Going to 64 bit will allow you to use all your RAM.

 

My experience is definitely different

 

I see 2 options:

1. only changed to a 7200rpm HDD, around 80-100 bucks and do nothing else this is an old machine and the price of 4GB+ RAM doesn't warrant it. not even the W7.

2. switch to a 120GB SSD but that bumps the cost to 200-250 and is assuming you don't need more than that. Note this does have the benefit of using the page file to 'extend' your RAM.

and I don't think you need 64 bit OS.

EDIT:
I have a similar machine 1737 which I switch one of the 2G module to a 4G module and was a bit regret on that due to the cost. And only did it because I can reuse the 2G module in another old machine which has 2.5G RAM. If not because of that, I simply would not pay the price for the RAM.

 

i am an enthusiast video editor.
if you plan on doing some HD video editing, even at 720p 5mbps, get a new system.
the 'bottom line' sb quad, 2630m will do.
get the 6970, but if you plan on using ppro cs5 or other adobe video editing programs in the future, do take note that adobe is in partnership with nvidia and ppro is cuda only. depending on market reaction, i can very well see them moving the entire suite to support cuda only (and not open-gl) in the future.
get at least 8 gig ram which you can install yourself
get a fast 7200rpm hdd and short stroke it as an o/s and programs drive. prsonally i think ssd's are too expensive.
swap out the dvd drive and put in another hdd with an odd caddy.
oh and finally, get the sager, you wont regret it.

 

After seeing all the different opinions. I don't think I'm going to touch this laptop. What bothers me is that the plastic surrounding the monitor is coming apart and the GPU is so hot idle (which eventually leads to my fan kicking into high when only browsing the internet).

I usually stick around 63*C (145*F) idle for my GPU. I just got off of playing some StarCraft II (in a mission with a lot of units on screen), I remained in a playable fps but my GPU got up to 91*C (195*F) [If I wasn't using my cooler, I'd be boiling water]. My CPU only got up to 70*C (157*F) while it's already back down to an idle 40*C (105*F).

I'm leaning toward just getting the Sager NP8150. Not sure when though. I have $1900 right now, and am continuing to save up. Maybe a month or two from now (depending on my budgeting) I should have $2400+.

The thing is I've been fighting myself on desktop vs laptop for a long time. I really value my mobility. If I get another laptop, I want to really future proof myself so that I can hopefully run it for 5+ years (10 years wishfull thinking). I'd run it until it can no longer handle games on med/low settings or handle the processing. I look at what my dad has; an 8 year old desktop and 5 year old laptop that still suit his needs.

If I go Sager NP8150 (I'd get the S1 right now), I know I want at minimum the following:
-Windows 7 Home Premium
-Blu-Ray
-I'd stick with the minimum 7200rpm drive (I'd upgrade later down the road probably for SSD)
-2720QM (since it is only a $160 upgrade (compared to newegg's $400 for retail) for the 15% performance increase, not to mention it has more features)
-8GB RAM (again, I could always upgrade later, and $270 for 16GB is way overpriced)

The parts I'm not sure about:
-If I should spend the extra $190 (on top of the $160) for the 2820 (again future proofing and newegg sells it retail for like $600). I'm know the 100MHz increase isn't worth it but is the 2MB larger L3 Cache worth it? What exactly would be the performance difference?
-Glossy or Matte Type Screen? I have a Glossy on my current, and I like it a lot, but I don't know if I'd like Matte better.
-And most importantly the GPU, again future proofing, but 6970M or 485M? I understand the 485M is more powerful but it seems the benchmarks are really close. Are both using the MXM platform? I have an AMD and to be honest I want to go nVidia but the $250 price difference.
-Last would be the warranties, just not sure.

It would be a lot easier if I were just rich.

 

id get the base model not the s1
stick witht the 2720.
get the base 4gb model and order 8gb ram from amazon or newegg. that will net 12gb for the same price as an inhouse upgrade to 8gb. thats what i did.
the glossy screen is quite good and very bright. but i wouldve gotten the matte screen if i lived in the states.
only get the 485m if physix and cuda is impt to you, or if you just really want an nvidia.
buy from a reseller like xoticpc or malibal as they have better pr and warranty claims could be easier thru them.
also if you have made up your choice on the 8150 there is a multitiude of info on the sager subforum. good luck

 

The Sager is a very user upgradeable machine. If your into vid editing, listen to Trvelbug, put your money into the nVidia, the CPU won't have that much effect, but the GPU will, if you intend to use any of the Adobe Suite. Ram and hdd/ssd are all much more affordable if you upgrade yourself, and the Sager is an easy upgrade laptop. You said you could upgrade for $160 to the 2720, and then said another upgrade to the 2820 for $160... that is $320 to upgrade. Unless you have a specific need to upgrade the CPU, use that instead on the GPU. Or not. It depends on what you need to use it for. As for the Matte screen, some love it, some don't. Go look at the Matte screen and determine for yourself what you like. Most everything is upgradeable on the Sager, so that is your futureproofing. So don't spend on anything that won't help you immediately. Spend on what you really need now, and then you can upgrade later, as needed. Unless you really need CPU power now, don't spend on the cpu. Again, look at what Trvelbug has said.

 

Ok, appreciate all of your help, one last question, the wifi card. I noticed a few people in their sigs with the Ultimate and some with the Advanced. Is there any added benefit on getting the Advanced or Ultimate over the stock other than the 5GHz A band?

Edit:
Oh and for vid editing, I'm as entry level as it gets. I do have Adobe Premier Elements 4.0 (from 2008) and I hate it. It turned 500MB of screens and audio into a 5GB video (that was only 2 min long) and took 2 hours for my computer to render. Any recomended entry level programs such as for capturing gaming from an Xbox/PC or for a video camera and for recording music? I'd love to be able to some how direct in my bass amp and record on my computer.

 

elements from 2008 was 32-bit for sure. it would only allow you to use a max of 4gb ram.
for pc game capture you could stick to fraps. note however that it will capture this in hi bit rate 1080p.you could convert that yourself or use a video editing program to convert the output to something more reasonable to upload.
for consumer programs you can try power director 9 ultra. very easy to use, quite powerful, and renders fast.
and i thought that you should know, the gpu is only used to accelerate transitions and effects in almost all video editing programs. most rendering work is still done by the cpu because gpu rendering, although fast, produces vastly inferior quality ouput.
so for video editing, it is still much more cpu intensive than gpu.
the only gpu rendering solution that produces both excellent speeds and quality results is intels quicksync which is found in all igp chips on sandybridge cpu's.
unfortunately, quicksync is disabled in all laptops with high end gpu's atm.
im also telling you now that quicksync will change video editing when it is fully implemented. it is revolutionary. if that is important to you and you can hold off for a some months, it could be better to wait for a laptop that supports it.
both the high end sagers and alienwares do not have quicksync functionality atm.