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    Which current laptop processor is better than a P8600 2.40GHz ?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by SoundsGood, Jun 28, 2010.

  1. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hi guys.

    I'll probably be buying a new laptop soon, and naturally I want it to be more powerful than my current Vaio FW laptop with P8600 2.40GHz.

    So... which current laptop processor do I need to get to insure that it'll be better than my P8600 2.40GHz ?

    A. Intel Core i3-350M

    B. Intel Core i5-520M

    C. Something else (??)


    Thanks for the help! :)
     
    SoundsGood, Jun 28, 2010
    #1
  2. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    The i3 is more or less on the same level but is technically a bit better.

    The i5 and upwards are on another level. If you really want an "upgrade" then an i5 or higher would be "better".
     
    Melody, Jun 28, 2010
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  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    What exactly are you using your notebook for?
     
    sgogeta4, Jun 28, 2010
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  4. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Mostly basic stuff, BUT I also wanna be able to occasionally edit AVCHD videos. Family videos only, not pro work.
     
    SoundsGood, Jun 28, 2010
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  5. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Doubt you'll see any benefits in a "faster" CPU.
     
    sgogeta4, Jun 28, 2010
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  6. genocidew

    genocidew Notebook Evangelist

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    definitely go for i7 series, more core for editing will benefit in time.
     
    genocidew, Jun 28, 2010
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  7. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    re an i7: for "occasional use" is a $300 increase in price and a vastly reduced battery life worth it?

    better to spend the $$ on an SSD, more ram, better screen, etc, etc, things that would get used 24/7 instead of spending $$ on a top of the line cpu that would be run at a low utilization 24/7.
     
    newsposter, Jun 28, 2010
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  8. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Nope, not to me.

    Well, I'd rather not spend the extra money at all. That's why I'm looking for the minimum processor that's at least "better" than what I currently have. But it doesn't have to be a lot better. ;)
     
    SoundsGood, Jun 28, 2010
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  9. the3vilGenius

    the3vilGenius 3vil knows no fear

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    get the core i5. its really good, my brother has it.
     
    the3vilGenius, Jun 28, 2010
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  10. trvelbug

    trvelbug Notebook Prophet

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    the i5 is really good but the i7720qm is about only 30usd more. id say thats worth if your doing some HD video editing.
     
    trvelbug, Jun 28, 2010
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  11. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    With all due respect, I think your laptop is more than enough for your present needs.

    The i5/i7 series cpu's do sport a brand new architecture in contrast to your P8600 and that's where you would notice the difference, however I'm not sure if one could consider that a sizeable upgrade.

    I would sooner suggest you wait for Intel and/or AMD to release their new brands later this/next year, then compare to what you have and make the purchase (because then, the systems in question will come with more powerful components - I'm not suggesting holding off indefinitely, just until we see some noticeable changes that sport something more powerful - which would be by the end of this year or sometime next year).

    Holding off for a bit won't really kill you, but if you do want to upgrade something on your present laptop, I would suggest getting a quality SSD of up to 65GB for example where you could store the OS and programs, while keeping the present HDD as data storage (you can easily put the HDD into a caddy and place it into the DVD slot [and for the DVD, you can get an external USB enclosure to use externally as needed - these days, I personally find myself using the DVD less and less]).

    Fresh installing the OS to x64 (which you can easily do using your present key so long as the x64 is the same edition like the x86 one) would probably work best along with the SSD in terms of 'upgrade' for your present laptop (and possibly the RAM unless you already have 4GB).
     
    Deks, Jun 29, 2010
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  12. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    @Deks - Thanks, great info!
     
    SoundsGood, Jun 29, 2010
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  13. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    if the i7 quad is 30 dollars more i would get that :D
     
    sean473, Jun 30, 2010
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  14. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    If the i7 quad was 30 dollars more I would get that too! ;)
     
    SoundsGood, Jun 30, 2010
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  15. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    CUDA-enabled (NVidia) processing would speed up video editting. Some example applications here. Just need an NVidia gpu in your notebook or a DIY ViDock to provide an external one.
     
    User Retired 2, Jun 30, 2010
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  16. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    its 40 more...
     
    sean473, Jul 1, 2010
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  17. SoundsGood

    SoundsGood Notebook Virtuoso

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    Maybe if you're building your own PC. But not if you're buying a typical laptop.
     
    SoundsGood, Jul 1, 2010
    #17