How does my current processor compare to new processors?

[Gidget]

I'm at the point where my laptop needs upgrading and I'm trying to decide whether I'd be better off just buying a new one. I need a new battery, a new CD drive, a new adapter and I want to ditch Vista. For all that, I can buy a low end computer, but the Intel chip designations just confuse me. What I really want is a convertible laptop, but when I started looking at i7 and an SSD, it starts to get pricey. I'm looking at the Lenovo X220t, but am open to other options.

 

Currently, I am using a Dell Inspiron 1720 with a Core2 Duo T8300 2.4 GHz with 3GB of ram. Am I going to kick myself 6 months from now if I spend $1K on an i3 tablet? Is it worth the cost to upgrade to the i7? A BestBuy salesperson told me that new touchscreen technology should be coming out which will make touchscreen laptops possible and that new models should come out with touchscreens. (This is the same guy that told me that you couldn't have a touchscreen with windows -- only with android, so I kind of stopped listening.) Is there really something new on the horizon? If so, I may want to get a low end laptop (if the i3 would be a noticeable improvement over my current specs) or try to make my current laptop last a little bit longer.

 

Basically, what is the difference between the Core2 Duo and a low end i3? And is there new technology on the horizon which will make a sweet convertible tablet more reasonably priced in the near future?

 

Thanks!

[TheDespite]

Hello there Gidget.

 

Are you sure you want to go with a laptop? If your budget is limited, it is almost always recommended to buy a stationary PC.

I am no enthusiant with laptops, but I recently built the top market PC for myself for a really sweet price.

Of course you should note that the recomended hardware varies depending on what you are going to use the laptop for. If it's going to be Rendering video and Compiling large projects, it is advised to spend in the CPU and Memory. But if you are mainly playing with it and not planning on working any heavy tasks, you are safe to put some money in the graphics.

 

As an example; for my PC I chose to put all the money in the CPU and the memory in order to cut the rendering times from AE and 3Ds max. I chose the new i7-2600k Sandy Bridge processor which is topping the lists when overclocked properly. Attached a 24GB 1666MHz ram to that and a value graphics card: GTX 560Ti.

I am really happy with my choises and yet haven't regret a single piece.

 

Now back to the laptops:

You should note that not all the processors codenamed likewise are even remotely similar. For example most of the 'i5' series for PCs are Quad Core, but for laptops they are Dual Core.

Same applies to the i7 series, there are various of different editions and even chipsets. If you are going to be doing any heavy tasking on it (this does not include playing games), altho not suggested to: you should take a look in the processor spesifications - not the name.

 

Good Luck choosing!

[ChuckTesta]

Hello there Gidget.

 

Are you sure you want to go with a laptop? If your budget is limited, it is almost always recommended to buy a stationary PC.

I am no enthusiant with laptops, but I recently built the top market PC for myself for a really sweet price.

Of course you should note that the recomended hardware varies depending on what you are going to use the laptop for. If it's going to be Rendering video and Compiling large projects, it is advised to spend in the CPU and Memory. But if you are mainly playing with it and not planning on working any heavy tasks, you are safe to put some money in the graphics.

 

As an example; for my PC I chose to put all the money in the CPU and the memory in order to cut the rendering times from AE and 3Ds max. I chose the new i7-2600k Sandy Bridge processor which is topping the lists when overclocked properly. Attached a 24GB 1666MHz ram to that and a value graphics card: GTX 560Ti.

I am really happy with my choises and yet haven't regret a single piece.

 

Now back to the laptops:

You should note that not all the processors codenamed likewise are even remotely similar. For example most of the 'i5' series for PCs are Quad Core, but for laptops they are Dual Core.

Same applies to the i7 series, there are various of different editions and even chipsets. If you are going to be doing any heavy tasking on it (this does not include playing games), altho not suggested to: you should take a look in the processor spesifications - not the name.

 

Good Luck choosing!

I built basically the EXACT same PC lastnight on newegg... gaming up for the diablo 3 release.

 

The only difference was i chose 8GB ddr3 memory. My total price was less than 1k! This included a case, motherboard, processor, power supply, RAM, SSD, and 560 Ti GFX Card.

 

Def a sweet rig. I'm looking forward to getting it.

 

OP, if you are not tied to traveling with a computer, i'd suggest looking into a Desktop as well. However, if you travel and need the portability, i'd suggest an i5 or i7. You won't regret the upgrade. The i3 you may regret in a few months.

[tosaytheleast]

I built basically the EXACT same PC lastnight on newegg... gaming up for the diablo 3 release.

 

The only difference was i chose 8GB ddr3 memory. My total price was less than 1k! This included a case, motherboard, processor, power supply, RAM, SSD, and 560 Ti GFX Card.

 

Def a sweet rig. I'm looking forward to getting it.

 

OP, if you are not tied to traveling with a computer, i'd suggest looking into a Desktop as well. However, if you travel and need the portability, i'd suggest an i5 or i7. You won't regret the upgrade. The i3 you may regret in a few months.

I built basically the EXACT same PC lastnight on newegg... gaming up for the diablo 3 release.

 

The only difference was i chose 8GB ddr3 memory. My total price was less than 1k! This included a case, motherboard, processor, power supply, RAM, SSD, and 560 Ti GFX Card.

 

Def a sweet rig. I'm looking forward to getting it.

 

OP, if you are not tied to traveling with a computer, i'd suggest looking into a Desktop as well. However, if you travel and need the portability, i'd suggest an i5 or i7. You won't regret the upgrade. The i3 you may regret in a few months.

 

I am also gearing up for Diablo III release and I have an triple core AMD processor with 2GB graphic card and 4GB DDR. Do I need to upgrade my DDR into 8GB or this set-up is already enough for Diablo III? What do you think mate? Thanks. By the way I am talink of my desktop here.

[Fallace]

I am also gearing up for Diablo III release and I have an triple core AMD processor with 2GB graphic card and 4GB DDR. Do I need to upgrade my DDR into 8GB or this set-up is already enough for Diablo III? What do you think mate? Thanks. By the way I am talink of my desktop here.

 

That'll be fine for Diablo 3, don't worry about RAM, it won't help you much for gaming, it's really more for multi-tasking.

[KevinN]

God I am looking forward to D3. Think my copy should be shipped by Monday morning!

[1ufakin]

Man i jacked up the specs on my computer just for D3, i pre-ordered the game 6 months in advance and now i am loving my game on max graphics =D.

Edited May 18, 2012 by 1ufakin

[Thomas]

Please keep on topic set by the Original Poster.

[tetutato]

That CPU is getting pretty outdated but it should be fine if you don't do heavy gaming/photo & video editing. If you're still considering an upgrade though, go with at least an i7 so you don't regret it in the future

[psufootball]

Is it really necessary to make your machine all buffed up for a game like Diablo III? I didn't think it used any crazy amount of resources, it's not like it's Witcher 2. Haven't played D3 yet so I can't speak from experience but the second one didn't take a lot of system resources in its time...