Are any of these processors good?

[mostafa179]

I've been looking around and I wanted to know if the following processors are good. They are the Core 2 Duo X7900 and the Core 2 Duo T7500.

[George Hallam]

The X7900 is an "extreme" costing a lot more. But seems as laptops cant be OC'ed (with ease) if you have the budget get the X7900. If you want "bang for buck" get the T7500

But it all depends on what you will be doing with the laptop?

[mostafa179]

I'll be doing some basic things, like homework, casual gaming, watch videos, and listening to music. But I would love to have a really fast processor. I have been using a MacBook with the T7500 and it's speed has been remarkable. I plan on using the processor in a desktop.

[George Hallam]

I plan on using the processor in a desktop.

:D you need a lesson on computers :p

mobile PC's and desktops use completely different "types" of CPU's in fact the T7500 in desktop terms in low mid range ;)

desktop CPU's are 2-3 times faster (even more so with the release of i7)

what is your budget?

[mostafa179]

Yes, I really do need lessons. :P
My budget is about $900. I would really like a fast processor because I'm really use to my MacBook with the T7500 (2.2GHz w/ 4MB L2 cache).

[George Hallam]

do you have a monitor, keyboard etc?

If so you can get a nice fast dual core system there (please note you will have to have windows ;))

[mostafa179]

As of now I don't have any of the peripherals, but I'm willing to increase my budget if I need to. I want to start off with a good processor and then base my build around that.

[George Hallam]

I want to start off with a good processor and then base my build around that.

you love your fast CPU dont you ;)

with that budget i would say

either spending a bit more (maybe $600 extra) and going all out with an i7 build or stick to the "older" technology and keep within budget the performace loss (in CPU terms) will be 35-40% but even then it will beat the t7500 twice over... up to you?

[mostafa179]

Thank you. Yes, I really do love my fast CPU. Before my MacBook I was running Vista on a 2.0GHz, Pentium 4 processor with 1.5GB RAM. But now I'm running Vista (as a virtual machine) with a 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM and I can really notice the difference. I just recently made the switch to Mac, but I still have a lot of Windows in me and I don't want to become 100% Mac. So, I really need Vista to run with ease without relying on my MacBook.

[George Hallam]

and gaming on mac = :(

vista it is ;)

so would you you rather get the more expensive i7 or the older core 2

[saphalline]

I'm really use to my MacBook with the T7500 (2.2GHz w/ 4MB L2 cache).That CPU is 18 months old! Didn't Apple tell you that? :p 7000-series is old news! 8000-series and 9000-series are current! T8100, P8600, T9500, etc. We're on 45nm with 3MB/6MB cache now! Up to 2.8 GHz! Turn in that old MacBook for a glass touchpad version!! ;)

But a $900 USD budget? Seriously!? How much did you pay for that MacBook? $1800? $2100? You want the power, you gotta pay for it. Especially if you want to stick with a "fast" CPU like your T7500. :p

[mostafa179]

and gaming on mac = :(

vista it is ;)

so would you you rather get the more expensive i7 or the older core 2

I think I'll go for the i7 core. I've found the processor on newegg.com: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
Would this version of the core be good? Also, wouldn't a Core 2 Duo/Quad processor be just as fast?

That CPU is 18 months old! Didn't Apple tell you that? :p 7000-series is old news! 8000-series and 9000-series are current! T8100, P8600, T9500, etc. We're on 45nm with 3MB/6MB cache now! Up to 2.8 GHz! Turn in that old MacBook for a glass touchpad version!! ;)

But a $900 USD budget? Seriously!? How much did you pay for that MacBook? $1800? $2100? You want the power, you gotta pay for it. Especially if you want to stick with a "fast" CPU like your T7500. :p

I have been considering to buy the new MacBook Pro 17" but I haven't been able to come up with the money :p. Also, I heard that the 17" will have an upgrade early January.

[George Hallam]

Also, wouldn't a Core 2 Duo/Quad processor be just as fast?

nah. The fastest Core 2 Quad (Qx9770 @ 3.2Ghz $1200) can be beaten by the slowest i7 (920 @ 2.66Ghz ~$259) by about 10% :p

[mostafa179]

Okay thank you so much for your help!
Do you think you can come up with a PC build for me? You seem to know a lot, so it would be helpful if you came up with the build. I am willing to work what you give me, and from there, if needed, we can change some of the hardware. I'll be using the computer for basic things like homework, casual gaming, watching videos, and listening to music. However, I would also like this PC to last for a while as I plan on using it throughout and after college.

Thank you so much for your help! :)

[halovivek]

how about the AMD processors?

[George Hallam]

how about the AMD processors?

They are no way as good as intel....

only reason to get AMD is for budget or if you love AMD

[jlreich]

However, I would also like this PC to last for a while as I plan on using it throughout and after college.
How many years left in school?

I ask because if you want the system to last 4+ years that is unrealistic. Particularly at your budget. If you plan well and buy good components, and a couple upgrades along the way, 2-3 years is more realistic. After that you will be so far behind the curve you will be forced to upgrade to keep up with current software requirements. ;)

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but a 2-3 year life is about what you can expect for a computer as a main system. After that they are good for secondary systems, running Linux firewalls, just browsing the web, hand me downs for the kids...

[mostafa179]

I think I will have to reconsider this. I have 4 years left, I just started. Maybe I should just buy a really powerful computer and upgrade it half-way through college.

[Ajmukon]

mine was powerful when i started college, but now is... underpowered.

Alas, computer power doubles every... what.. 14? months according to Moore's law., so, A computer 14 months old it is A dinosaur, and more than that it might as well be older than time itself..

[mostafa179]

Thank you for your help! I guess I'll just purchase a MacBook Pro with the new Penryn processor and see how long that lasts me. Thank you!

[jlreich]

Whether a MAC or a PC the same time line applies. Actually MAC's have even less longevity because they are more difficult and expensive to upgrade.

I am not trying to talk you out of building a system, I only want your expectations to realistic. ;) If all someone does is surf and email then a system can theoretically last quite a few years. But if you do much more than that, particularly play games, then it isn't going to happen. Two to three years is about what you can expect to get out of a system before a core upgrade is necessary. Or you just have to suffer with poor performance.

[mostafa179]

Thank you. I will think about it. It seems that either way I'll have to upgrade.