MSI GT80: Intel Core i7 4720HQ or 4980HQ ?

Hello.

I'm going to buy a MSI GT80, but I don't know if I should go for the one with Intel Core i7 4720HQ or the one with the Intel Core i7 4980HQ ?

Is the 4980HQ really better than the 4720HQ?

It seems the 4980HQ has a slightly higher operating frequency than the 4720HQ : 4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz.

But the 4720HQ is more recent than the 4980HQ : January 2015 vs July 2014.

I’m not going to play any video games on this computer.

But I’m going to play chess and backgammon on it, and use powerful chess and backgammon softwares.

I'll also use interactive development environments such as MatLab and SharpDevelop.

I’m going to watch a lot of videos, series and movies on it.

And on Firefox I’m a massive tabs user: I always have a few hundred tabs open at the same time. So the laptop better be able to handle all of these tabs without making Firefox crash too often.

So which CPU do you think I should go with: the 4720HQ or the 4980HQ ?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

It is not really that important when the CPU was release so don't worry. From what you describe, you might use the extra power the CPU brings to the table. The 4980HQ is exceptionally good at short bursts of very fast CPU speed. With intel XTU it can achieve higher speed.

With the extra speed, and I would advise getting more RAM if you plan on fully loading firefox, the 4980HQ. It is simply a faster CPU in general and even more so in quick uses, and at its worst, it will be just as fast as the 4720HQ anyways.

 

Do any of your programs need a quadro for GPU acceleration, the workstation series may be more appropriate for your needs.

 

And should I go for one with a storage of 256 Go SSD or one with a storage of 512 Go SSD?

The only thing I believe I'm certain of is that 128 Go SSD is too small.

And will the 512 Go SSD make my computer faster than the 256 Go SSD?

 

Bump.

 

Generally, larger capacity SSD tend to go faster throughout every SSD manufacturer.
So the answer is yes, but if you are going to do RAID then you can start with 256GB.
However, if you have more money to spare, then you can go with 512GB instead.

 

Where exactly speeds level out in terms of capacity depends on the tech involved (and how many NAND cores are used to get the required capacity).

Since the 850evo has very high density NAND for instance then 512GB is where it stops getting faster in small files/writes. Though turbo cache helps the smaller drives by using some TLC cells in SLC mode.

 

Right, so 512GB is the best one to get whether you go for Evo or Pro.

 

The pro uses different NAND and the 256GB drive is just as fast as the larger ones actually which is the point I was making, it depends on exactly the model.

 

I'd personally go for 850 evos. I don't really need the Pro.

I was a fan of the cheaper drives like the BX series of crucial, but to be honest, the samsungs cost the same, for better performance/features.

 

I went for two 500GB EVOs in my own system They are very good drives.

 

Evo's fine, by the time it's that time again to replace your PC there will be something else.