One has a better processor, slightly, one has more GB. which is better

starlight

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From this

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/282705-28-computer-school-specific-requirements#t2115848

I'm really looking at two things now:

http://www.officemax.com/technology/computers/laptop-computers-and-tablet-pcs/product-prod2980302?history=wn78ypnm|categoryId~10004^categoryName~technology^parentCategoryID~category_root^prodPage~25^region~1@cei93by1|categoryId~283^categoryName~computers^parentCategoryID~cat_10004^prodPage~25^region~1^refine~1@kqhvdy1k|prodPage~15^refine~1^region~1^categoryName~Laptop+Computers+and+Tablet+PCs^categoryId~325^parentCategoryID~cat_283@bfngt3rt|prodPage~15^sort~Price+%28Low-High%29^refine~1^position~1^region~1

That jumble of a mess lol and the previous computer had written about buying that was $400.

Few slight differences between the two. I just can't figure out if giving up a newer processor for more memory and higher RPM is worth it.

FIRST has
3GB memory
250GB 5400RPM

SECOND has
4GB memory
320GB 7200rpm SATA hard drive

Processors are:

FIRST: Intel Pentium Processor T4400 2.20 GHz, 800 MHz Front Side Bus, 1 MB L2 Cache

VS

SECOND: Intel® Pentium® Processor T4300 (Dual Core) (2.10GHz, 1MB L2 cache)

So does having the less updated/upgraded processor with more memory and faster RPM matter or make it better than a more upgraded processor with less memory and less RPM?

 

starlight

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One has a processor that is a little newer but with 5400RPM and one has the slighltly previous model with a 7200RPM. I don't really know what RPMS do anyway. So I know common sense yes a processor that is more advanced is better, but with the other specs does it outweigh the processor?
 

Computerrock1

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The processor you have is so slow, it really doesn't matter. haha... Just to put into perspective, my old AMD Duron which is (i think) two years older, runs much faster than this processor. If you went for a core2 or core i or turion or even a sempron you would be much better off.
 

loneninja

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You do realize the processors he is looking at are Core2 processors with less L2 cache right? They would run circles around a P4 and defineatly run circles around your old AMD Duron.
 
Alright, there is not enough speed difference in between those 2 processor's that you will ever notice a difference in them, at all. None, no difference, nada, period.
You will however notice a difference in a dog slow 5400rpm drive and 7200rpm drive.
If my choice was those 2 systems, I would take the very, very slightly slower processor and faster hard drive, and more memory.
And if you get more memory and a faster drive now, if you do feel you need to upgrade, all you have to replace is the processor. Changing a drive can be a huge pain.
 

panto

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Assuming no planned upgrades in the near future I'd go with option two. Simply because in any computer, IO time accounts for most of your actual wait time, so that's what you'd be wanting to minimize. The difference in those two processors really is minimal, I'd be going with the faster disk and more memory.
 

lordszone

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hi
both the systems have same technology processors but one is just 100mhz clocked higher. i think you should take the second choice because im sure that you will feel that it is faster than choice 1 because of higher rpm hdd. if you dont game and have win 7 then i dont think you will feel much difference between the 3gb and 4gb ram. but u will certainly feel a difference of faster hdd. you can do two things that buy choice 2 or buy choice 1 and sell its hdd and buy a 7200 rpm. that will be the best. but trust me that you will feel the difference between 5400rpm and 7200rpm. hope i helped
 

starlight

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thanks!! :) for all the help!! although i really need to stop looking cuz i discovered this for $600. which clearly hands down is the best processor right?

Intel Core i5-430M processor
2.26GHz (with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.53GHz)
4GB DDR3 system memory (8GB max)
250GB 7200rpm SATA hard drive

so now its for $130 more i can get a much better processor. sigh. why are there so many computer options.
 

Raidur

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I was actually going to say to go for option two, until you found this new/better one.

The 2nd one is only taking a 5% performance hit on the CPU. Where as the first system's ram gets a 25% hit, and the HDD gets a 30% capacity and ~35% RPM hit. Hard drive speed is going to be the main factor in performance on most things you do on a laptop.

However this is irrelevant now. :)