Is this Vostro Configeraton ok ?

danno7 · 29-03-2008, 01:07 AM

Hello

I have configured a VOSTRO 1500 for my 11yr old daughter and have a query ?

I have a budget of £400 - £450.
I managed to get a free upgrade on the Battery (9 Cell from 6) and
I upgraded the Graphics card.
But i left the CPU as a 1.4GHz.

Would this be ok ? or by sticking with the Slower CPU am i wasting my time with the better Graphics ?

This all comes out at £457 , including vat and Del..

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5270 (1.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English
1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected
15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display
Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera
2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024)
120GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive
256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT
Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive
Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr)

Thanks.

danno7 · 29-03-2008, 10:40 AM

I could downgrade the GPU to the 128mb 8400GS and upgrade the CPU to a 1.6 ??

Would this make a difference ?

spannerzone · 29-03-2008, 12:36 PM

If casual gaming is required the lower spec will probably be ok (online games) but it won't be much use for any fairly modern games. The 8600 is a better card but only really mid range and would probably allow modern games to be played, albeit on low detail settings.

I suspect that the slower cpu with better graphics would play games better than a faster CPU with low spec graphics.

If it we me, I'd probably go for faster cpu and lower graphics, but then I'd not likely play games on a laptop.

Paul · 29-03-2008, 03:32 PM

What will be the main use of the laptop?

If it is for internet and general school work I would go with what spannerzone suggests, a higher spec cpu and a lower spec graphics card.

Also if playing games is not a high priority have you thought about the Inspiron 1525? This laptop is a bit lighter and thinner than the Vostro 1500 and would be a bit easier to carry around. Downside is that it is only available with integrated graphics.

danno7 · 29-03-2008, 10:10 PM

My daughter will primerally use the Laptop for INTERNET, SCHOOLWORK (using MS Office 2003), MUSIC and Some GAMES (Sims, Girly ones etc).

Would the X3100 intergrated graphics handle my needs ?

I have considered the INSPIRON range and spec wise i could probably get more for my money but the VOSTRO swayed me because of it's dedicated graphics and in this deal it includes a 9 CELL battery.

Also i was thinking of going for XP Pro over Vista as i've heard there are gliches with Vista ?

Also i've read the Vostro has a superior build quality to the Inspiron ?

Thanks.

Paul · 30-03-2008, 06:55 PM

To be sure of getting decent performance in The Sims 2 I would go for the Vostro 1500 with a dedicated graphics card. I am pretty sure the 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS will be sufficient.

You can find the minimum computer system requirements here: TheSims2.com - Help - Detail

Also if you decide to go with Windows XP maybe the Vostro 1500 Evalue system N0415018 offers better value?

29-03-2008, 01:07 AM	#1
danno7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is this Vostro Configeraton ok ? Hello I have configured a VOSTRO 1500 for my 11yr old daughter and have a query ? I have a budget of £400 - £450. I managed to get a free upgrade on the Battery (9 Cell from 6) and I upgraded the Graphics card. But i left the CPU as a 1.4GHz. Would this be ok ? or by sticking with the Slower CPU am i wasting my time with the better Graphics ? This all comes out at £457 , including vat and Del.. Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5270 (1.40 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2-cache) Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium - English 1Yr Basic Warranty - Next Business Day Included - No Upgrade Selected 15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280 x 800) Display Matte Jet Black with 2.0 mega pixel camera 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM (2x1024) 120GB (5400rpm) SATA Hard Drive 256MB nVidia® GeForce® 8600M GT Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive Primary 9-cell Lithium-Ion Battery (85 WHr) Thanks.

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29-03-2008, 10:40 AM	#2
danno7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I could downgrade the GPU to the 128mb 8400GS and upgrade the CPU to a 1.6 ?? Would this make a difference ?

29-03-2008, 12:36 PM	#3
spannerzone Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If casual gaming is required the lower spec will probably be ok (online games) but it won't be much use for any fairly modern games. The 8600 is a better card but only really mid range and would probably allow modern games to be played, albeit on low detail settings. I suspect that the slower cpu with better graphics would play games better than a faster CPU with low spec graphics. If it we me, I'd probably go for faster cpu and lower graphics, but then I'd not likely play games on a laptop.

29-03-2008, 03:32 PM	#4
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 271 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	What will be the main use of the laptop? If it is for internet and general school work I would go with what spannerzone suggests, a higher spec cpu and a lower spec graphics card. Also if playing games is not a high priority have you thought about the Inspiron 1525? This laptop is a bit lighter and thinner than the Vostro 1500 and would be a bit easier to carry around. Downside is that it is only available with integrated graphics.

29-03-2008, 10:10 PM	#5
danno7 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My daughter will primerally use the Laptop for INTERNET, SCHOOLWORK (using MS Office 2003), MUSIC and Some GAMES (Sims, Girly ones etc). Would the X3100 intergrated graphics handle my needs ? I have considered the INSPIRON range and spec wise i could probably get more for my money but the VOSTRO swayed me because of it's dedicated graphics and in this deal it includes a 9 CELL battery. Also i was thinking of going for XP Pro over Vista as i've heard there are gliches with Vista ? Also i've read the Vostro has a superior build quality to the Inspiron ? Thanks.

30-03-2008, 06:55 PM	#6
Paul Administrator Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 271 Thanks: 1 Thanked 14 Times in 12 Posts	To be sure of getting decent performance in The Sims 2 I would go for the Vostro 1500 with a dedicated graphics card. I am pretty sure the 128MB nVidia GeForce 8400M GS will be sufficient. You can find the minimum computer system requirements here: TheSims2.com - Help - Detail Also if you decide to go with Windows XP maybe the Vostro 1500 Evalue system N0415018 offers better value?