Which cpu/ram combo gives better performance?

[drake123]

Which one gives better performance?


OPTIONS:

A) quad core SB cpu with 4 gb ram
((Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz))

vs.

B) dual core SB cpu with 6 gb ram
((Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz))

THANKS!

 

[buwish]

The amount of RAM won't make much of a difference, unless you happen to use a lot of programs at once or programs that use a lot of RAM. For standard use, even gaming, 4GB is all you'll need. In regard to the processor, have a look at this link to better help you make up your mind:

http/www.notebookcheck.net/Mobile-Processors-Benchmarklist.2436.0.html

 

[UniqueName]

You've got them mixed up. QM is the quad core. M is the dual core. I would go with quad. You can usually upgrade RAM in the future as long as 4GB isn't the max.

 

[drake123]

You've got them mixed up. QM is the quad core. M is the dual core. I would go with quad. You can usually upgrade RAM in the future as long as 4GB isn't the max.

I think you misread my words..

and thanks for the suggestion.. hmm.. I'm still thinking.

 

[lostandwandering]

I think you misread my words..

and thanks for the suggestion.. hmm.. I'm still thinking.

No he didn't. Option A says Quad Core, but the CPU you have listed is a dual. Option B says Dual Core but the CPU is a Quad. Unless you are using some really intensive applications, the Quad with 4gb of RAM is going to do just as well as the dual especially since the clock speeds aren't all that different.

 

[WR2]

I'm agreeing with lostandwandering;

(1) You did list the wrong dual/quad nomenclature with the CPU models you listed.
(2) Overall performance is too close to call without detailed knowledge how you'll use the laptop. For 90% of what most people do the dual core (2@2.4Ghz) will outperform quad core (4@2.0Ghz). It's that 10% and now knowing if you will do enough of that kind of work to make the quad core CPU stand out in the crowd.

 

[WR2]

I see this is related to your other topic:
Dell XPS 15 SB OR Sager NP5160
http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/66719-35-dell-sager-np5160

You did mention there what you would do with the notebook:
Usage: Computer Science, Computer Programming, or Computer Engineering

I think you got good advice in that topic. Especially the part about getting a higher resolution screen. Upgrading from 1366x768 to 1600x900 or 1920x1080 will help you be more productive that splitting hairs over with CPU is 'faster'.

 

[drake123]

I see this is related to your other topic:
Dell XPS 15 SB OR Sager NP5160
http/www.tomshardware.com/forum/66719-35-dell-sager-np5160

You did mention there what you would do with the notebook:
Usage: Computer Science, Computer Programming, or Computer Engineering

I think you got good advice in that topic. Especially the part about getting a higher resolution screen. Upgrading from 1366x768 to 1600x900 or 1920x1080 will help you be more productive that splitting hairs over with CPU is 'faster'.

I don't plan on upgrading anything that involves the screen resolution.
^^
I also don't plan on overclocking my cpu at all.

 

[lostandwandering]

I don't plan on upgrading anything that involves the screen resolution.

I believe what he means is that both the Dell and Sager come with a rather low standard resolutions of 1366x768 compared to the 1920x1080 option that you can choose. My 10 cents says go for the Quad Core with 4gbs of RAM and use the money you are saving over the Dell and choose the Full HD screen.

 

[WR2]

I also don't plan on overclocking my cpu at all.

No one has said anything about overclocking.
You asked about better performance. And a large part of that is how your interact with the notebook.
If you can see more on the screen you spend less time scrolling around to go the parts you want to work on. Getting work done faster which is increasing performance by making your more efficient.

 

[drake123]

I believe what he means is that both the Dell and Sager come with a rather low standard resolutions of 1366x768 compared to the 1920x1080 option that you can choose. My 10 cents says go for the Quad Core with 4gbs of RAM and use the money you are saving over the Dell and choose the Full HD screen.

I have no use for a 1080p screen.
😉

I'm already use to low end stuff... being stuck with this sloww Dell Dimension 3000 desktop for 6 years straight already... so yea.. no need for 1080p... even if it's default (which is not) , i wouldn't even use it..

but thanks for suggestion! 😀

 

[randomstar]

You will in fact user the higher resolution screen - it is not a matter of performance or anything, even browsing the internet with the higher resolution is much better.

Which one gives better performance?


OPTIONS:

A) quad core SB cpu with 4 gb ram
((Intel® Core™ i5-2410M processor 2.30 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz))

vs.

B) dual core SB cpu with 6 gb ram
((Intel® Core™ i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz))

THANKS!

 

[drake123]

You will in fact user the higher resolution screen - it is not a matter of performance or anything, even browsing the internet with the higher resolution is much better.

so quad core + 4 gb ram BEATS a dual core + 6 gb ram? in terms of performance overall...

 

[WR2]

In some cases it will. In others the dual core will have better performance.

 

[WR2]

Here is a comparison of a fast dual core CPU vs a bit slower quad core CPU. It helps explain why one or the other isn't always best in every case.
Phenom II X2 565 BE-3.4GHz vs Phenom II X4 920-2.8GHz
These are desktop CPUs but the same principal holds up for notebook CPUs as well.

 

[drake123]

Here is a comparison of a fast dual core CPU vs a bit slower quad core CPU. It helps explain why one or the other isn't always best in every case.
Phenom II X2 565 BE-3.4GHz vs Phenom II X4 920-2.8GHz
These are desktop CPUs but the same principal holds up for notebook CPUs as well.

ok.

which one is overall MOST fastest
1. quad core + 4 gb ram + 1 gb graphics
2. dual core + 6 gb ram + 2 gb graphics

Most of the time fastest overall

 

[randomstar]

In most of the usage scenario that users encounter, the quad and the dual will be almost identical. the quad will outperform much more often when you have a fully configured system. (antivirus, browsers, CAD or other heavy apps open.
to me the quad with 4 gig is the better buy. you can always add memory later if you need to.

 

[UniqueName]

You need to specify what the graphics cards are. Graphics memory is irrelevant.

 

[drake123]

NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 540M 2GB graphics with Optimus

nVidia GT 540M 1024MB PCI-Express GDDR3 DX11 with Optimus™ Technology

 

[UniqueName]

The Quad is still better. 540M is not powerful enough to need 2GB video ram.