Memory vs Processor speed

[Ouroboros]

Memory vs Processor speed

In the hunt for a new Laptop, and I am technologically not that savvy so lend ur $0.02 :smug:

Should I get more RAM over processor speed?

The combinations within my price range are as follows:

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P7450 (2.13GHz)
Memory 8GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)

OR

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53GHz) edit
Memory 6GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)


Thanks for your input. Its an HP by the way.

 

[AeroJonesy]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Definitely the second one. 6GB is more than enough for RAM, those dollars are better spent on upgrading the processor.

 

[Garbad_the_Weak]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Neither, upgrade your GPU!

 

[nicro tower]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Why would you need a labtop with 6GB of RAM? But ya 6 gigs is more than enough, especially if you dont have a 64-bit OS.

 

[bladesyz]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

You know, if it was 2 or 3 gb RAM vs 4 gb, then I'd say go for 4 gb. But 6 gb? That's more than you'll ever need in all likelihood, unless you're doing some really specialized work.

And if you want to play games, a video card does a lot more good than either cpu or ram.

Of course, if you're willing to tamper with your computer, I believe upgrading ram is a lot cheaper than upgrading cpu. Then again, this could be tricky on a laptop.

 

[Glurin]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

You know, if it was 2 or 3 gb RAM vs 4 gb, then I'd say go for 4 gb. But 6 gb? That's more than you'll ever need in all likelihood, unless you're doing some really specialized work.

Yeah, like we've never heard that line before... :whistling:

Never need more than 128MB. Never need more than 256MB. Never need more than 512MB. Never need more than 2GB.

Having said that, upgrading RAM is cheaper than CPUs, and a bit easier. 6GB of RAM is plenty for now. If you aren't getting a 64-bit OS like nicro mentioned though, everything above about 3.5GB is wasted.

 

[PFSS]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Yeah, like we've never heard that line before... :whistling:

2, 4, 6, 8, 10 Gig of Ram - you'll never manage to future proof your computer. Although there will be a time when 4Gig is obsolete and just won't cut it anymore that time will also probably come at a similar time to the processor, hard disk and the rest also becoming obsolete too - by the time it comes to upgrade the RAM you may as well also upgrade the rest rather than make a return trip to the store a month or so later. Or just buy a new laptop.

Surely the most economical way is to go for mid range specs today and upgrade every 2? years rather than go for the top specs today and upgrade every 3? years.

 

[Johnny]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Get the second and just ask them to throw in some bigger ram sticks.

 

[bladesyz]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Yeah, like we've never heard that line before... :whistling:

Never need more than 128MB. Never need more than 256MB. Never need more than 512MB. Never need more than 2GB.

Having said that, upgrading RAM is cheaper than CPUs, and a bit easier. 6GB of RAM is plenty for now. If you aren't getting a 64-bit OS like nicro mentioned though, everything above about 3.5GB is wasted.

You do realize that CPUs become obsolete faster than RAM, right? RAM is only useful if your commit charge regularly runs pretty high, and that happens only when: 1) You run a really high end program, or 2) You always have a lot of applications running in the background.

In the first case, you probably need a better CPU anyway, as I'm pretty sure any normal program that regularly requires more than 4gb of ram is going to require a higher CPU than a two-core 2.53 ghz.

Also, like I said, a laptop is trickier to upgrade than a desktop.

 

[Ouroboros]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Hey thanks for all the input. Here's a little more info.

It will be running Vista 64 bit.
I'm getting the 1GB Nvidia Graphics card (drool).

I'm essentially trying to build a gaming laptop.

 

[AeroJonesy]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Why does it seem like everyone wants a gaming laptop these days? Do people really take it around from one place to another?

 

[Ouroboros]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

No its not that. Its just my lifestyle is pretty mobile, so a desktop is impractical. But I'm a solid gamer, hence the gaming laptop.

 

[bladesyz]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

No its not that. Its just my lifestyle is pretty mobile, so a desktop is impractical. But I'm a solid gamer, hence the gaming laptop.

Personally, I prefer to play on my 24" LCD.

 

[Glurin]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

You do realize that CPUs become obsolete faster than RAM, right?

Not so. There's been a half dozen computers I had to upgrade the RAM in in the last month because the person who bought them figured they'd never need more than 512MB-1GB. They aren't very old either. Between one to three years. They didn't need super fast CPU's, just more memory.

RAM is only useful if your commit charge regularly runs pretty high, and that happens only when: 1) You run a really high end program, or 2) You always have a lot of applications running in the background.

3) You use windows. :wink:

Software grows over time. Especially the OS, assuming you keep it up to date. (And if you don't, you're likely to get something else that will take up that space and then some.) The impact from running out of RAM is significantly greater than the difference of 400MHz worth of processor speed. Even when you have plenty of ram, a better video card will often give you a significant improvement in performance over upgrading the CPU.

Also, like I said, a laptop is trickier to upgrade than a desktop.

Overall, yes, but it really depends on how its designed. I've had some that were really easy to upgrade, and some that weren't. There was one that I had to take the whole damn thing apart to upgrade it.

 

[TheOgreMan]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Why does it seem like everyone wants a gaming laptop these days? Do people really take it around from one place to another?

Yes, people really do. I used to have one when I pet/house sat for people a lot and was in a WoW raiding guild. It wasn't a great idea to cart around a desktop so having a gaming notebook was great. It helped when friends wanted to hang out but play games together, too.

Some college kids also prefer them because not all dorms are roomy; laptops fit better and allow gaming during class.

 

[SaroDarksbane]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Not so. There's been a half dozen computers I had to upgrade the RAM in in the last month because the person who bought them figured they'd never need more than 512MB-1GB. They aren't very old either. Between one to three years. They didn't need super fast CPU's, just more memory.

"This one time, this guy bought an 8-core processor, but only 16Mb of RAM. Since he then had to immediately buy more RAM, I can safely conclude that RAM becomes obsolete faster than CPUs."

Wait, what? How does your anecdotal evidence that people make poor choices when purchasing computer components invalidate his statement that CPUs become obsolete faster than RAM?

To the OP:

Go for the faster CPU. By the time 6 GB of RAM is your bottleneck, you'll want a completely new computer anyway.

 

[Glurin]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Why do you think RAM is the indicator for when you need a whole new computer? You have less RAM than you need, you go get more RAM.

Seriously. You're going to notice the difference in 2GB v.s. 4GB of RAM long before you notice the difference between 2.5 and 2.7 GHz. Especially since the market focus right now is on multi-core processors and very little software is actually written to take advantage of it.

Get the faster CPU when you first get the computer if its cost effective to do so. Buy RAM later when you need it. (The place you get the computer from will probably greatly overcharge you for the extra anyway.) The video card will also come into play at some point, probably more than once. Get a new computer when the CPU doesn't cut it anymore. You'll get much more life out of your computer that way.

 

[AeroJonesy]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

A faster processor will do more to future-proof your machine than more RAM will. That is, it's easier to upgrade RAM later. And cheaper too.

 

[bladesyz]

Re: Memory vs Processor speed

Seriously. You're going to notice the difference in 2GB v.s. 4GB of RAM long before you notice the difference between 2.5 and 2.7 GHz. Especially since the market focus right now is on multi-core processors and very little software is actually written to take advantage of it.

Right, and you're going to notice the difference between 2.13 ghz and 2.5 ghz long before you notice the difference between 6gb vs 8gb RAM.

(Which is, you know, what the thread is all about.)