New
#1
Buying laptop... need component advice.
So, my wife is looking to get a new lappy and asked me to find her the best deal. Since her work is going to foot half the bill, I want to go as all out as I can so that I can game on it when she is not using it. I need something professional looking since she will be taking it to work (i.e., no Asus), so I have set my sights on HP. I have heard issues about their reliability, but then again I have heard pros and cons for all laptop mfrs out there. They are offering decent deals right now in the form of instant rebates and coupons which makes it even more enticing.
My issue right now is I am confused about whether going "whole hog" on some of the components may be such overkill that it will create a negative experience (too much heat/noise). So, I am looking to those who know more to fill me in on what choices I will not notice any added benefit and should therefore save on budget and ultimately headache. So, here are HP's options (dv6t Select Edition):
CPU
i5-450M (2.40GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.66 GHz = Included
i5-520M (2.40GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz = +$100.00
i5-540M (2.53GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.06GHz = +$150.00
i7-720QM Quad Core (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz = +$200.00
i7-740QM Quad Core (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz = +$350.00
i7-840QM processor (1.86GHz, 8MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.2 GHz = +$550.00
I was originally going to go for the i7-720, but then read the following over at notebookcheck that gave me pause (I know it refers to the 740, but the thought it conveys I think holds true for both):
So, should I look at the i5-540? Or since I am stepping down to the i5, should I go lower (since the savings of the 540 is only $50)?Judging from the system benchmarks, it seems as though it's not worth investing in a quad core 740QM- A look at our benchmark chart even goes beyond that and shows that almost all our i5-520M notebooks achieve a better PCMark Vantage rating. For example, HP's Envy 14-1010eg (Radeon HD 5650, 6.914 points); Toshiba's Tecra S11-11H (Quadro NVS 2100M, 6.411 points); Sony's Vaio VPC-B11V9EB (Intel HD, 6.180 points). Many applications seem to like the higher basic clock rate of 2.4 GHz better than eight threads with 1.73 GHz.
Graphics
Intel(R) HD Graphics [HDMI, VGA] = Included
512MB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 switchable graphics = +$75.00
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 switchable graphics = +$150.00
1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5650 Graphics - For Quad Core Processors = +$150.00
Obviously the last option is for choosing an i7, but looking just at the differences between the 5470 and the 5650, is the 5650 that much better to warrant the added $75 investment?
HDD
640GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive = Included
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive = +$0.00
750GB 5200RPM SATA Hard Drive = +$50.00
1TB 5200RPM SATA Hard Drive = +$150.00
160GB (Solid State Drive Flash Module) = +$270.00
I was thinking of opting for the 500GB due to the faster spinrate, but then read that it may cause more noise even when idle (can't find the quote now, sorry). I was wondering how come they only offer the larger capacities in the slower speeds. Since we don't need a ton of space, wouldn't it be better to get the faster drive? Or not?
RAM
4GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) = Included
FREE Upgrade to 6GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) = +$0.00
8GB DDR3 System Memory (2 Dimm) = +$100.00
Due to the special on 6GB, the upgrade to 8GB is only $100, so I figured I might as well jump on it (given the whole dual-channel thing that I read in another review, sorry no quote again). But is that unnecessary? Should an unmatched 6GB be fine?
Well, I guess that covers all the basics. If I had gotten in on their free BD-ROM upgrade from ~2 weeks ago, I wouldn't even be asking this, so now I have time to overthink everything.
TIA! I appreciate your insight. If you happen to know of a different mfr with a deal that would realize all that I am looking for at a comparable price (~$1000 with instant rebates and coupon), then let me know.
VSP