More Ghz, more cache, or more graphics ram??

[Erin]

Hi, I'm buying a new notebook. Can anyone help? I want speed most of all. (I'm not a gamer - and the heaviest graphics I do is Photoshop But I might watch DVD movies.) Mostly I run Office and various other similar level biz software like that - but I move fast and want my notebook to keep up with me! I want speed!!

So the question is: what do I spend my $ on first.
More Ghz? 1.5? 1.7? ...?
More processor cache? 1mb? 2mb?
Or more graphics card ram 32mb 64mb?

Which is the most important.

thanks,
Erin

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Based on what you do:

I would say get a Pentium M (Dothan). Preferrably the 'fastest' you can afford.

You'll want > 256MB of ram, preferrably 512 or greater.

processor cache isn't relevant as it'll be the same.

VidRam, for what you're doing, isn't really that important.

 

[PingSpike]

More RAM for photoshop. Everything else, 256mb of ram and any CPU over 1.5ghz and any recent video card is plenty.

I'd get 512mb for photoshop, 1 gig if you use it a lot (sounds like you don't particularly).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Also, don't spend a lot extra to get a faster CPU speed -- 1.6 - 1.8 for a Pentium M is actually very fast compared to a P4. Spending $300 (wild guess) extra to move from 1.8 to 2.0 GHz isn't worth it unless you already have 512 MB RAM and a good sized hard drive in your budget.

 

[Erin]

Thanks - yes 512 ram is a given. I suppose my question simply is -- assuming I'm at a general mid-level spec [1.5gHz 1mb cache Pentium M + 512ram] and I have the money to ramp it up in one way. Should I go to 1.7 gHz first; or should I get the graphics card with dedicated ram first? Or should I get 2mb cache as a priority? How important is hard disk speed relative to all this?

In other words, how do I rank what gives me the most speed bang for my buck?? so I know what to spend my hard-earned $ on first ...

many thanks
E

 

[Mrvile]

The most important component in your case would be RAM. Get as much as you can afford of it, get an average Pentium M CPU (1.6ish), probably the lowest vid card you can get, as DVD playback really isn't determined by your vid card.

 

[charlie21]

Another vote for plenty 'o RAM. As long as you're not gaming, integrated video will be fine. And you really wouldn't notice much difference between 1.5 and 1.7 GHz.

 

[Tarrant64]

Just a note, integrated video takes away from your orignal memory, so 512 you would be looking at 448(assuming 64mb shared vid memory).

I have previously owned a 1.6ghz P-M with integrated vid, and i didn't like the performance as much as i did dedicated vid card and memory.

As far as disk speed, I sometimes find it hard depending on who you're buying it from to find 7200 rpm speeds, few still come with 5400rpm, but if you can spring for 7200rpm, go for it.

I would try to get 1.7-1.8ghz.

Good Luck!!

P.S.: Also about disk speed. I realized I didn't really say anything about how important the disk speed was. AFAIK, 5400rpm should be just fine. Just think of 7200rpm for a notebook as high-end and a bonus if you do get it.

 

[Arcanedeath]

For the tasks you described, I'd make sure I got deciated video so it doesn't steal system ram and then at least 512mb of ram more if possible, if you have a choice to upgrade the cpu or ram go for more ram, also make sure that you get at least a 5400rpm hdd or if you do get a 4200rpm one upgrade it to a 7200rpm one.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Go for a good Pentium M at least 1.5 Ghz (1.5 Ghz is over a 2.4 Ghz P4)
Dedicated Video to keep your RAM (32mb would be fine for no games)
1 gb of ram if you can
also try for a 7200 rpm hard drive

 

[Tarrant64]

Aren't there different models of the Pentium M? I mean, isn't there an old 1.6ghz Pentium M that doesn't have an increased cache vs the new ones with the 1mb cache? I am almost positive that it's important to pay attention to the Pentium M that your getting. Not to completely confuse anyone or anything, just wanted to be sure. I wouldn't want you to get a 1.5ghz pentium M that's crap. I know the newer ones( Dothan?) are awesome performance wise. I got one before the dothan's were out there and i'll say it again, performance was shaky. too much waiting for somet things to load. I've used a friend's laptop with the new 2.0ghz dothan, and it's pretty quick. Just some FYI.

 

[tweeve2002]

I just got a 1.5 P4 M (Dothan) it has 2MB of cache. All I cna say is that it is fast. Not as fast as my P4 3.0 Ghz but fast enough...Mine has 512MB of RAM and it also have intels Extreme Graphics 2 for graphics...The amazing part is that this laptop is powerful enough to play CounterStrike:Source :Q

 

[Tarrant64]

I did some more looking around at some other posts and so far it looks as if the Dothans are the way to go and it doesnt' amtter what speed Dothan you get. Thanks for the post tweeve!

 

[magomago]

hmmmm...mobile scsi...ooh that would be beautiful if that existed!