Does the i5 processor provide extra benefit ?

[anisin]

The standard processor provided by pcspecialist for a desktop replacement laptop is an i3 processor -- with 2 RAM memory. I am wondering if upgrading the processor (and paying £100 plus extra) will provide any additional benefit for my two objectives -- in terms of making the laptop (a) future proof a bit longer and (b) greater speed? I ask this question in the light of the low RAM speed, low cache (of the processors & the hard drive) and the motherboard chip (on which I have no data). I should hope that raising the RAM to 4 might help in both my objectives. Will it? I am a silver surfer -- don't do gaming, don't do video streaming/downloading nor watching films on the computer. Thank you.



Chassis & Display
Viper II: 18.4" HD+ LCD Backlit Widescreen (1680x945) Super Clear Matte
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™i5 Mobile Processor i5-540M (2.53GHz) 3MB Cache
Memory (RAM)
4GB SAMSUNG 1333MHz SODIMM DDR3 MEMORY (2 x 2GB)
Graphics Card
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5165 - 1GB GDDR3 Video RAM - DirectX® 10
Memory - Hard Disk
500GB WD SCORPIO BLACK WD5000BEKT, SATA 3 Gb/s, 16MB CACHE (7200 rpm)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
8x SATA DVD±R/RW/Dual Layer (+ 24x CD-RW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated 4-in-1 Card Reader (SD, MS PRO, MMC, MS)
Network Facilities
INTEGRATED GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS 802.11N CARD (AS STANDARD)
USB Options
3 x USB 2.0 PORTS AS STANDARD
Bluetooth & Infrared Options
Integrated V2.0 Bluetooth Adapter + EDR Capability
Battery
Viper Series 9 Cell Lithium Ion Battery (6,600 mAh)
Power Lead & Adaptor
2 x UK Power Lead & 90W AC Adaptor (£15)
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit - inc DVD & Licence (£79)
Office Software
FREE Microsoft® Office Starter 2010 (Limited functionality Word & Excel)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Notebook Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1.3 MEGAPIXEL WEBCAM
Insurance
1 Month Free Laptop Insurance inc. Accidental Damage & Theft
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 5 to 7 working days
Quantity
1

Price: £851.00 including VAT and delivery.

 

[Meds]

Personally I think having 4GB is well worth it and would strongly advise you to do so as the price isn't all that much more. However, by the sounds of it you will not be running very high end applications on the Laptop so moving up to the Core i5 may not be necessary. I reckon you'll be fine with the Core i3-370M as they are still very good CPUs.

 

[anisin]

Thank you for your reply. However, I am prepared to pay more (up to £150 more for a higher spec) -- if only I knew I am not wasting money for no advantage -- and that I am putting the right (compatible) parts together. I am looking for higher speed and a longer life (of the lap top). Following your very helpful comments on another thread, I have "replied" to that thread this morning -- regarding the right processor. I await your helpful advice. Thank you again.

 

[Sleinous]

For your intended use no, waste of money. Im sticking with Meds on this one.

 

[yorkshire.lad]

If you really want the best money can buy upgrade it to the best i7 for that laptop (i believe its the i7-640QM)? and change the ram to 8GB

 

[Rakk]

If you really want the best money can buy upgrade it to the best i7 for that laptop (i believe its the i7-640QM)? and change the ram to 8GB

Not needed for the intended usage though, would be a waste.
I'm going with Meds and Sleinous on this one.