I am buy computer - help

[Rossiya]

Hi,

I am looking at buying a dell laptop. The main motive for buying is university. I just want a generally quick laptop. Furthermore, I also want to be able to play games such as EU3 and other new Paradox titles quickly and easily.

When going through the various options for the various components however, I am unsure as to what is really best. Obviously there is not a limitless supply of money for this purchase - I want to spend a maximum of around £750. The base processor of the laptop that I am looking at is Intel Core 2 Duo Processor with 2.1GHz, 2MB, 800 MHz. Is it worth spending another £50 for 2.0GHz, 3MB, 1066MHz? Or even £80 more for 2.4GHz, 3MB, 1066 MHz? Could someone explain which of the three pieces of specification is the most important?

A similar question regards the memory. Is it worth spending another £130 to upgrade from 4GB RAM to 6GB? Like I said I probably wouldn't be able to afford the most expensive options - I just want to know how much the upgrades would increase performance and whether the upgrades are good value for money.

Thanks friends,

Rossiya Rossiyovich

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Is the operating system 32-bit or 64-bit?

If it's 32-bit, the extra RAM wouldn't help any (maximum is 4gig)

Also, a general rule of thumb is a computer is as fast as the slowest component. Or so I'm told.

 

[GVBN]

2.4ghz and 4gb

 

[Rossiya]

Is the operating system 32-bit or 64-bit?

If it's 32-bit, the extra RAM wouldn't help any (maximum is 4gig)

Also, a general rule of thumb is a computer is as fast as the slowest component. Or so I'm told.

64 Bit.

 

[warpus]

750 pounds? isn't that like $2,000+ CDN ?

You could get a sweet-ass laptop for that over here, and I'm assuming in the UK as well?

edit: that's only $1,350? man, and I always thought that the pound was worth double in US$ and then some. guess i'm behind the times.

Either way, this is totally offtopic. good luck with your purchase

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

64 Bit.

Well, at least the extra RAM won't go to waste. Whether it'll be worth the cost, I can't quite say. Then again, remind me again not to post at 1:30 in the morning.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Depends on the processor. Im guessing the first is a Pentium Dual Core and the latter two are C2D's, in which case you should go with the 2.4 ghz. As for the RAM, it highly depends on the layout of the memory slots. If there are two RAM slots, then you should probably go for the minimal the company offers and upgrade it on your own. You cant really know this until you get the laptop or look at reviews.
Speaking of reviews: http://www.notebookreview.com/ is rather useful.
I highly suggest looking at the 'unknown' companies for laptops. Companies such as MSI, Sager, etc have great notebooks. I personally have a MSI EX625 which is pretty danged light for a 16", its powerful and its pretty comfortable.

 

[jono256]

130£ for 2 more gb is expensive, besides 4gb is coherent with the cpu choices you have.
RAM prices are going up right now (+30% last month, +100% since end 08) so i'd say buy brand name compatible So-Dimm soon if you need RAM, 4gb is plenty though.
I'm with Genocidicbunny on the CPU.
Get a reasonable GPU, i dunno if intel graphics will be enough, if you can only get one option, get graphics.

 

[Rossiya]

Right, so that's RAM basically sorted then.

But what do you (jono256) mean by the last bit of your post with "intel graphics"?

 

[GVBN]

Intel GMA series. They're usually slower than Nvidia's and ATI's GPUs

 

[jono256]

Apparently a GMA4500 will get you by for casual gaming, barely (Counterstrike and the like). However you'll have to lower the res to 1024 or 800, the unofficial FAQ for HoI3 says it will run slow.
As for a replacement, nvidia is better if you plan to use linux, ATI has the best perf/price ratio.

 

[Rossiya]

Yeah, the graphics card included is ATI.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Depends on what ATi card. Both nVidia and ATi have ranges of mobile GPU's not worth their weight in garbage. From ATi, a 4380 at least is good, from nvidia, 9600GT and up is decent. They're also a lot less power-hungry than previous generation GPU's and will help with battery life. If you dont plan to do any gaming, or just casual stuff, Intel 4500HD (or whatever its called) will be even better in terms of battery life. It can also handle HD video fine, so you're covered there too.

 

[Rossiya]

The graphic card is a 512MB ATI Mobility RADEON HD 4570. I suppose it will be a good one?

 

[jono256]

Yes it's a decent GPU: http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-4570.13885.0.html

 

[Rossiya]

I bought my laptop today. Your recommendations and advice was very useful - thanks.

 

[Fëanor]

I also want to be able to play games such as EU3 and other new Paradox titles quickly and easily.

Ha!, good luck with that...
I got a Core i7 920 and Hearts of Iron III plays so slowly i actually ceased playing it. Although game bugs are probably to blame and not hardware requirements....

I bought my laptop today. Your recommendations and advice was very useful - thanks.

What model did you go for?

 

[Rossiya]

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Ha!, good luck with that...
I got a Core i7 920 and Hearts of Iron III plays so slowly i actually ceased playing it. Although game bugs are probably to blame and not hardware requirements....

My Q9550 @3.4ghz runs it completely fine. Its not only your hardware that has an effect. software may do you in too.

 

[Fëanor]

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor P8600 (2.40Ghz, 3MB, 1066MHz)
4096MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x2048]

Thats a pretty nice laptop you got yourself!

My Q9550 @3.4ghz runs it completely fine. Its not only your hardware that has an effect. software may do you in too.

True, although since all other games i play have no problems i must assume that its Paradox's software thats having trouble, especially since a lot of other people are reporting the same.

I think i'll try to install HoI3 on my old 8400, i wouldn't be surprised to see it actually running faster since the game appears to do little multi-threading, let alone multi-core computing (and the 8400 is clocked higher).