New Laptop Processor Help

[sheryaryo]

I'm considering buying a new laptop and I wanted to know which processor would be best:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-580M Dual Core Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.33GHz
or
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Quad Core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz ($50 extra)
or
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM Quad Core processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz ($150 extra from the i5)

Price is not a big factor...just wanted to throw them out there to see what the best value was. Thanks.

 

[sheryaryo]

I'm considering buying a new laptop and I wanted to know which processor would be best:

Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-580M Dual Core Processor (2.66GHz, 3MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 3.33GHz
or
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-720QM Quad Core processor (1.6GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) with Turbo Boost up to 2.8 GHz ($50 extra)
or
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-740QM Quad Core processor (1.73GHz, 6MB L3 Cache) w/Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz ($150 extra from the i5)

Price is not a big factor...just wanted to throw them out there to see what the best value was. Thanks.

 

[darkoduck]

If you run multiple applications at once a quad core would be better processor. Honestly there isn't a huge difference between 1.6 and 1.73 in terms of clock speed. I have a i7-720QM for my w510 and I'm happy with it. But if cost is not a big factor you should upgrade to a laptop with a i7-940xm. lol

 

[darkoduck]

If you run multiple applications at once a quad core would be better processor. Honestly there isn't a huge difference between 1.6 and 1.73 in terms of clock speed. I have a i7-720QM for my w510 and I'm happy with it. But if cost is not a big factor you should upgrade to a laptop with a i7-940xm. lol

 

[superflyinchopstickninja]

id get that second one overclocked up to the 2.8ghz. really depends on what youre doing with it though. most people would be fine with that dual-core.

 

[superflyinchopstickninja]

id get that second one overclocked up to the 2.8ghz. really depends on what youre doing with it though. most people would be fine with that dual-core.

 

[animal fries]

You're not posting enough information. What will you be using the laptop for?
If you're going to be doing nothing out of the ordinary, stick with the i5. It'll be faster than those i7 processors 100 percent of the time where the 4 cores aren't utilized.. Currently, most software doesn't do that. If you really want to notice faster speeds, look into upgrading the harddrive to a solid state drive.Also, the i5 will generate less heat and be easier on your laptop battery.

 

[animal fries]

You're not posting enough information. What will you be using the laptop for?
If you're going to be doing nothing out of the ordinary, stick with the i5. It'll be faster than those i7 processors 100 percent of the time where the 4 cores aren't utilized.. Currently, most software doesn't do that. If you really want to notice faster speeds, look into upgrading the harddrive to a solid state drive.Also, the i5 will generate less heat and be easier on your laptop battery.

 

[sheryaryo]

i really won't be doing anything out of the ordinary, but i plan on having the laptop for at least 3-4 years so i want to make sure it'll still be working nice a couple years down the road...would i5 still be a safe choice for that?

 

[sheryaryo]

i really won't be doing anything out of the ordinary, but i plan on having the laptop for at least 3-4 years so i want to make sure it'll still be working nice a couple years down the road...would i5 still be a safe choice for that?

 

[darkoduck]

I would wait on a SSD cause the $/GB isn't desirable at this point unless you don't mind using a external hard drive to store your media. But I really want a Intel x25m. lol. 
i5 is definitely a safe choice but like I mentioned earlier if  you usually run multiple applications at one time then a quad core can be better utilized 

 

[darkoduck]

I would wait on a SSD cause the $/GB isn't desirable at this point unless you don't mind using a external hard drive to store your media. But I really want a Intel x25m. lol. 
i5 is definitely a safe choice but like I mentioned earlier if  you usually run multiple applications at one time then a quad core can be better utilized 

 

[dathbgboy]

Originally Posted by DarkoDuck

I would wait on a SSD cause the $/GB isn't desirable at this point unless you don't mind using a external hard drive to store your media. But I really want a Intel x25m. lol. 
i5 is definitely a safe choice but like I mentioned earlier if  you usually run multiple applications at one time then a quad core can be better utilized 

And w/ that said, u can probably find a Intel Core II Quad for a better price than the i7 Quad Core, but then again, u did say money is not an issue. 
U could also spend $$ on the processor and $$$ on a SSD like Darko mentioned. They're more secure in terms of failure rate. Better than disc HDDs

 

[dathbgboy]

Originally Posted by DarkoDuck

I would wait on a SSD cause the $/GB isn't desirable at this point unless you don't mind using a external hard drive to store your media. But I really want a Intel x25m. lol. 
i5 is definitely a safe choice but like I mentioned earlier if  you usually run multiple applications at one time then a quad core can be better utilized 

And w/ that said, u can probably find a Intel Core II Quad for a better price than the i7 Quad Core, but then again, u did say money is not an issue. 
U could also spend $$ on the processor and $$$ on a SSD like Darko mentioned. They're more secure in terms of failure rate. Better than disc HDDs

 

[its that dude]

intel is coming out with new cpus in january...so you might wanna hold off.

it will have more power, while using less battery.

google intel sandy bridge.  otherwise, you'd be good with the i5.  the i7 uses more battery and creates more heat and you probably would never use its extra features anyway...

and if you want the most noticeable speed change, go with an SSD.  either a sandforce 1200 ssd or an intel.  but both are supsoed to be coming out with new generations in february....

what laptop are you buying though?

 

[its that dude]

intel is coming out with new cpus in january...so you might wanna hold off.

it will have more power, while using less battery.

google intel sandy bridge.  otherwise, you'd be good with the i5.  the i7 uses more battery and creates more heat and you probably would never use its extra features anyway...

and if you want the most noticeable speed change, go with an SSD.  either a sandforce 1200 ssd or an intel.  but both are supsoed to be coming out with new generations in february....

what laptop are you buying though?