CPU Clock Speed v's RAM

ChipRivers · 07-08-2006, 01:25 PM

I am in the process of selecting a new Laptop and am considering various different options in spec. I am not over conversant with the ins and outs of spec and I am hoping somebody here may advise me.

I am looking at the different customisable options of a Dell machine and would like to weigh up the benefits of clock speed and ram for performance. I have always assumed that the more RAM you have the faster the machine will be but I have never really paid much attention to CPU clock speed.

The website is offering various combinations with varying prices but which would be better for performance:

2.0GHz Duo Processor with 512 MB RAM

or

1.86GHz Solo Processor with 1024 MB RAM (or even 2048 MB RAM)

May be some other combination would be better? Any comments would be much appreciated.

[-0MEGA-] · 07-08-2006, 01:40 PM

Well the 2Ghz Core Duo is significantly better, I would say about twice as good. Since it's a dual core, and it's clocked higher.

512MB of RAM will work fine, as long as your not running too many apps at once, or playing newer games. I would try to get 1GB of RAM however, and if you can, lower the CPU to 1.86Ghz Core Duo.

ChipRivers · 07-08-2006, 01:45 PM

They do:

Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2250 (1.73 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)

would that provide a good balance with 1 GB RAM ?

m0nk3ys1ms · 07-08-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipRivers

They do:

Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2250 (1.73 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)

would that provide a good balance with 1 GB RAM ?

Yes it would.

LaptopExtreme · 07-08-2006, 05:29 PM

I'd recommend getting the 2.0 since upgrading RAM is much easier and cheaper in the future.

[-0MEGA-] · 07-08-2006, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaptopExtreme

I'd recommend getting the 2.0 since upgrading RAM is much easier and cheaper in the future.

I agree, however if those are the only options he can choose from, then I would go with a slightly slower dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.

ChipRivers · 07-09-2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [-0MEGA-]

I agree, however if those are the only options he can choose from, then I would go with a slightly slower dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.

There are various different options available at Dell, which is where I have been looking, but I have not decided where to purchase from. Has anyone any experience with Dell machines and would you buy one, or perhaps you can recommend a differen manufacturer!

[-0MEGA-] · 07-09-2006, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipRivers

There are various different options available at Dell, which is where I have been looking, but I have not decided where to purchase from. Has anyone any experience with Dell machines and would you buy one, or perhaps you can recommend a differen manufacturer!

Well a few months back I purchased a Dell Inspiron E1505 with a Core Duo 2Ghz, 1GB DDR2, and an x1400 video card (among other things). It was built fairly sturdy, but isn't as strong as some IBM Thinkpads, however compared to the rest it was fairly sturdy. In terms of features and performance, it played games on par with my old Sempron 2800+ and 9600XT. Games aside, it was an excellent performer and I had virtually no slow down due to the dual-core processor and 1GB of RAM.

07-08-2006, 01:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
ChipRivers New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4	CPU Clock Speed v's RAM I am in the process of selecting a new Laptop and am considering various different options in spec. I am not over conversant with the ins and outs of spec and I am hoping somebody here may advise me. I am looking at the different customisable options of a Dell machine and would like to weigh up the benefits of clock speed and ram for performance. I have always assumed that the more RAM you have the faster the machine will be but I have never really paid much attention to CPU clock speed. The website is offering various combinations with varying prices but which would be better for performance: 2.0GHz Duo Processor with 512 MB RAM or 1.86GHz Solo Processor with 1024 MB RAM (or even 2048 MB RAM) May be some other combination would be better? Any comments would be much appreciated.

07-08-2006, 01:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 19 Posts: 26,897	Well the 2Ghz Core Duo is significantly better, I would say about twice as good. Since it's a dual core, and it's clocked higher. 512MB of RAM will work fine, as long as your not running too many apps at once, or playing newer games. I would try to get 1GB of RAM however, and if you can, lower the CPU to 1.86Ghz Core Duo. __________________ Desktop // Laptop Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.0GHz // Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 // Intel PM965 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 // Dual 512MB GDDR3 8600M GT's SLI 4GB (2x 2GB) DDR2 940 // 3GB DDR2 667 DC 750GB SATA 3.0Gbps w/32MB // 400GB (2x 200GB) 7200RPM Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 21366 // 7394

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07-08-2006, 01:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChipRivers New Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4	They do: Intel® Core™ Duo Processor T2250 (1.73 GHz, 2 MB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB) would that provide a good balance with 1 GB RAM ?

07-08-2006, 05:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
LaptopExtreme VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 880	I'd recommend getting the 2.0 since upgrading RAM is much easier and cheaper in the future.