I have the opportunity to purchase a new computer and I was looking at three options 1. HP Pavilion 15.6 Intel Core I7 with Intel 4400 series Graphics (6 GB, 750 GB HD) 2 .HP Pavilion 17.3 Intel Core I5 with Intel 4400 series Graphics (4 GB, 750 GB HD) 3.. HP 15.6 AMD A8 series AMD Radeon HD 8210 Graphics (8 GB, 750 GB HD) I'm not a big gamer so I will not be gaming. And I've always trusted HP (Still have a ten year old machine going strong) Suggestions are welcome.. Thanks, Matt
Unless you're doing seriously CPU-intensive stuff, an i5 should be fine. I've also had good experience with AMD CPUs. But do go with quad-core. RAM is still inexpensive, so get at least 8 GB, and get a board that will hold at least 32 GB. I routinely use Linux software RAID, so I get boards with 4-6 SATA ports. Good ventilation is crucial, especially if you'll be running multiple HDDs, so get a box with a real from grill, and a slot (at least) for a front fan.
See I have never had any AMD processors...do they just run slower then when doing resource intensive things perk up? The second one I mentioned worries me just slightly, just due to 4 GB/ram, but with that being said it does have the larger screen...(My goal is this to last 4-5 years)
Should be noted, these are laptops, not desktops. (obviously you know, but for everyone else). Read reviews on Amazon, Newegg or whatever for each model to get a feel of how people are liking them, obviously. That's always your best bet. Not at all. Only in high level benchmarks do the high end Intels outperform. Granted your specific CPU isn't going to be on here (and it's going to be a laptop version), here's some benchmarks to give you an idea: http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_fx_8370_and_8370e_processor_review,11.html My point is, unless you're playing demanding games with multiple graphic cards, Intel or AMD- it don't matter. They're both great. Ram, ram is one of the few things you can easily upgrade on laptops. You could always max out what the board could take years later if you need it.
Sorry, I didn't see that these are notebooks AMD has been the underdog for years, trying to beat Intel. And sometimes they've been ahead, for a little while at least. Mostly they undersell, so are often a much better deal. See <http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-3210M-vs-AMD-A8-4500M> for example. We'd need more information (like model numbers) about the CPUs in these machines to say anything specific. A larger screen is most always better, unless you travel a lot and need to work in cramped places. More important than the RAM included is the maximum installable RAM, because RAM is so inexpensive. Also, it's better to add RAM sooner than later, because old RAM tends to cost more, especially if it's no longer being manufactured.
@sportsfan7700 personally I would not buy an HP, and get a Lenovo Thinkpad because the quality should be a lot better, and the ongoing support from Lenovo in terms of BIOS and driver updates is far better than for just about any other brand of laptop.
Hi mir: HP - Pavilion 15.6" Laptop - Intel Core i7 - 6GB Memory - 750GB Hard Drive - Processor Speed2.0GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) Intel® HD Graphics 4400 or: HP - Pavilion 17.3" Laptop - Intel Core i5 - 4GB Memory - 750GB Hard Drive - 1.7GHz (with Turbo Boost up to 2.7GHz) Intel® HD Graphics 4400 or: HP - 15.6" Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD A8-Series - 8GB Memory - 750GB Hard Drive 2.0GHz (with Turbo CORE up to 2.4GHz) GraphicsAMD Radeon HD 8210
Thanks, but URLs would be better If the two with Intel CPUs are dual core, and the prices are comparable, I'd say that the third is the best deal. I also like the form factor.
That's a shame. For $325 you can get a refurbished T500 with a 750GB hard drive. But, the processor may be slow for you needs though.
Mir, they are and the 1st one is offically out of my budget at $549 (Thought links would be stripped per TOS)
Here are the links if they will not be stripped per TOS: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9065377.p?id=1219389051972&skuId=9065377 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9925484.p?id=1219450404858&skuId=9925484 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-15-6...lack/9189066.p?id=1219398343122&skuId=9189066
Thanks The third one is definitely best. It has more cores, and more RAM. It costs less only because Intel is the market leader.
or one I found today that is cheaper. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9925484.p?id=1219450404858&skuId=9925484
I would go with an i5 or i7 over an AMD. But also I would look into specifics about exactly what model# the CPU is... like not just 4400 series, but is it a 4410... 4420... 4460... etc... ? And look at what integrated functions come with it. That is important to me and can be a deal breaker. Especially if you're using virtualization. Does it have VT-d? Or just VT-x & EPT (which pretty much all i5's & i7's have). Trusted Execution Technology? Even my Core 2 Duo E8300 has these 2 things while many i5's & i7's don't. AES New Instructions too, if you use FDE. Unless speed is you're only concern, then forget everything I said.
I completely understand Lucid. Speed is a concern plus having the 17.3 " (since i'm legally blind a larger screen helps) Mir, yes 4th gen core I5 here are the specs: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9925484.p?id=1219450404858&skuId=9925484
Well then, find one with the larger screen and the AMD CPU and graphics, plus 8 GB RAM. Also, look for one with an SSD. Those 5400 rpm HDDs are pretty slow.
Mir agreed, but when I was writing this off it's back to $499 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9724649.p?id=1219431368730&skuId=9724649
Even laptop SSDs are usually cheaper variants. Like the ram, that's a thing you can always replace. Watch for the things you can't and you're stuck with.
This was my final decision. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-pavi...lver/9925484.p?id=1219450404858&skuId=9925484
