i7-2630QM vs. i5-2410M

[HighTimes]

hey guys

I'm browsing around for a new laptop. My two best options are:

- HP Pavilion DV6-6080ee / i7-2630QM, 6gb ddr3, 750gb, hd6770 for $1,132
- HP Pavilion DV6-6050ee / i5-2410M, 4gb ddr3, 500gb, hd6770 for $960

I wanna use the laptop for gaming mainly. Is the i7 worth the price difference? I reckon the i7 model releases more heat, is heavier and uses more battery power than the i5.

so what do you guys think? Is the i5 model enough for today's gaming, keeping in mind that I wanna use the laptop for at least 3 years. Or should I just go for the i7 model, which sounds like it could last more.

 

[Jovec]

You will most likely be GPU limited in any common laptop gaming situation. Things like the 2630 or 3GB dedicated VRAM (both of which I have in my XPS17) are nothing more than marketing specs and profit makers for the manufacturers.

Unless you have specific need for a 4c/8t CPU that doesn't involve graphics/gaming, the i5 will be fine. Use that money towards an SSD or better GPU option if you like.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I'm kind of wondering what mobile GPU's will start being CPU limited. Cause you could really save some money if the gt555 and gtx560m are actually limiting a i5 2410m build.

Anyone have any knowledge about this I couldn't find anything very decisive on google.

 

[amittalkin]

If you want to buy it mainly for gaming, then i7 not worth the diff. Of cource, i7 beats i5 in other apps but not in the game..its all about GPU when it comes to gaming ( in this case ).

However, have u read about OpenGL problem in those 6770? I was about to buy HP DV6 when they had 30% off few days ago, but pulled my mind after reading compatibility issue with 6770 and OpenGL.

 

[seaotter2]

If you can afford it, it's a worthwhile upgrade. Quad core will be used by most newer games. Starcraft 2 and Battlefield BC2/BF3, for instance.

I used to own a dv6t before I returned it for the HP Envy 17 3D. Rest assured that as recently as yesterday the OpenGL problem was fixed and now you can run all OpenGL applications on the discrete GPU and you can even overclock the GPU.

I think the dv6t is hands down the best bang for your buck for under 1k. I highly recommend the 1080p matte screen upgrade.

Also the 60xx series never had any problems. It has manual (muxed) switching. The 61xx series did have the problem, which has since been fixed. You have to download a BIOS update to fix it though (it will allow you to use manual switching).

 

[VulgarDisplay]

If you want to buy it mainly for gaming, then i7 not worth the diff. Of cource, i7 beats i5 in other apps but not in the game..its all about GPU when it comes to gaming ( in this case ).

However, have u read about OpenGL problem in those 6770? I was about to buy HP DV6 when they had 30% off few days ago, but pulled my mind after reading compatibility issue with 6770 and OpenGL.

It wasn't an issue with the 6770, but with whatever is handling the graphics switching. If it's fixed it could make my decision between a dell xps 17 and a dv7tqe a lot easier.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Would the i5 2410m bottleneck a gtx 560m? Because the MSi 16f2 on xoticPC looks really nice, but the 2630qm is on back order.

 

[mnewsham]

No it would not.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

blah meant to make a new thread.