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Lookin to buy a V4000T

post #1 of 29
1/30/06 at 5:37pm
Thread Starter 
I am SERIOUSLY considering getting a Compaq V4000T with these specs:

– Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
– Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz)
– 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
– 128MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON(R) X700
– 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)
– 60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
– DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
– 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/125HSM
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Any concerns, recommendations, or point of views welcome

Thanks
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post #2 of 29
1/30/06 at 5:43pm
Get the 5200RPM HD
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post #3 of 29
1/30/06 at 6:22pm
Get 256mb and then order 2x512 DDR2 533 from NewEgg. You'll save a bundle!

Also get the Intel wireless. Then you will have the total Centrino package which will increase the battery life and a few other things.
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post #4 of 29
1/30/06 at 6:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by WonderDude
Get 256mb and then order 2x512 DDR2 533 from NewEgg. You'll save a bundle!

Also get the Intel wireless. Then you will have the total Centrino package which will increase the battery life and a few other things.
I would have to disagree with both of your recommendations (sadly, I know).

Instead, of getting 2x512MB of DDR2 533Mhz RAM, I'd say, just go for 1GB stick now, and get another 1GB stick later. Dual-channel isn't worth going through the pain of selling a 256MB stick no one will really buy (unless you go on eBay, but still...). And NEVER buy more than the minimum allowed from an OEM. It is much cheaper to get it from a place like newegg. Just so you know, you can BUY 2 1GB sticks from newegg for $160. I don't think spending $200+ for an upgrade is worth it to me.


Another thing is that I have heard the Intel "branded" chipset has some problems with certain wireless routers. I personally haven't experienced any problems with my Intel Wireless chipset, but my dad can never get a decent connection on his IBM T42. I've heard much better of the Broadcom chipset HP also offers but it's your call.

And another thing, 4200RPM HDDs and gaming do NOT mix. You MUST upgrade to a 5400RPM HDD. You will thank yourself later.
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post #5 of 29
1/30/06 at 7:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darth2006
I am SERIOUSLY considering getting a Compaq V4000T with these specs:

– Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Home Edition with SP2
– Intel(R) Pentium(R) M Processor 740 (1.73 GHz)
– 15.4" WXGA BrightView Widescreen (1280x800)
– 128MB ATI MOBILITY(TM) RADEON(R) X700
– 1.0GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x512MB)
– 60 GB 4200 RPM Hard Drive
– DVD+/-RW/R & CD-RW Combo w/Double Layer Support
– 54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/125HSM
– 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
– Microsoft(R) Works/Money

Any concerns, recommendations, or point of views welcome

Thanks
let us know how it goes
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post #6 of 29
1/30/06 at 8:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dagamer34
I would have to disagree with both of your recommendations (sadly, I know).

Instead, of getting 2x512MB of DDR2 533Mhz RAM, I'd say, just go for 1GB stick now, and get another 1GB stick later. Dual-channel isn't worth going through the pain of selling a 256MB stick no one will really buy (unless you go on eBay, but still...). And NEVER buy more than the minimum allowed from an OEM. It is much cheaper to get it from a place like newegg. Just so you know, you can BUY 2 1GB sticks from newegg for $160. I don't think spending $200+ for an upgrade is worth it to me.


Another thing is that I have heard the Intel "branded" chipset has some problems with certain wireless routers. I personally haven't experienced any problems with my Intel Wireless chipset, but my dad can never get a decent connection on his IBM T42. I've heard much better of the Broadcom chipset HP also offers but it's your call.

And another thing, 4200RPM HDDs and gaming do NOT mix. You MUST upgrade to a 5400RPM HDD. You will thank yourself later.
Then get one 256mb from Compaq. And then upgrade to one 1gig from Newegg. I'm telling you! You will save like $60 - $70!

BTW, I think 2gigs is over kill. But that's just me.
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post #7 of 29
1/31/06 at 12:53am
Thread Starter 
thank you for input and opinions, probably gonna go with the 1 gig (2*512)for RAM anyway but your points will defintley be considered.

Also i was wondering if the 12 cell battery makes the notebook unstable and cumbersome.

Thank You
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post #8 of 29
1/31/06 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 
...Also was wondering the average battery life for both the 6 cell and 12 cell while gaming, thanks again
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post #9 of 29
1/31/06 at 9:46am
6 cell gaming about 1 hour
12 cell gaming about 2 hours
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post #10 of 29
1/31/06 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 
hmm...thats not very long but it will be in the adapter most of the time anyway. Also i found out the 12 cell makes the laptop sit at an incline, does this make gaming or anything difficult.
P.S. Wonerdude, you have a pretty beefy laptop and i was wondering what it costed you cause my config right now will cost me about $1500, but thats with 1-year accidental damage warranty, hopefully im not getting ripped off
P.S.S Also i am not very computer savy as far as installing hardware goes, so i will need to order the system straight from HP
Thanks
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post #11 of 29
1/31/06 at 3:12pm
Thread Starter 
Also which is better an ATI X600 or X700?
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post #12 of 29
1/31/06 at 3:55pm
x700 is much better for gaming!

I ordered...
Compaq v4000t with
1.6 P-M 725a
2x256 DDR2 533
x700 128mb
80gig 5400rpm
xp home
Intel WiFi
6-cell
Standard one year warrenty
Subtotal: $1159

I then replaced the original RAM with 2x512 G-Skill DDR2 533 from NewEgg for ~$70

Total: $1229 ...This is not including case, cooler, mouse, joystick, etc...

P.S. Ram is not that hard to install.
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post #13 of 29
2/1/06 at 6:57am
I have a v4000t with a Celeron and a 4200rpm HD. Ordered base model. It works great for WoW and Battlefield 2. The 4200rpm I have has 8mb of cache, Ive seen plenty of 5400rpm's with inferior 2mb cache. Upgraded to 1gb of ram. Im very happy with it for the $ I paid. I get a good 2hrs of websurfing from the 6 cell, and about an hour gaming. I do love my v4000t, but I must say. For $1500 you could get the new Inspiron 9400, single core with the geforce 7800 video.
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post #14 of 29
2/1/06 at 8:07am
Oh my gosh! Wow! Yeah that would really blow the socks off of the x700 lappies!
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post #15 of 29
2/1/06 at 9:06am
Thread Starter 
Though the Inspiron would be great i will still stick with the v400t. However i was wondering what was the most advanced next gen game you have played on it. Ando f course how ssmooth that game ran at high graphics settings.

Thanks
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post #16 of 29
2/1/06 at 1:53pm
v4000t has alwasy sparked my interest. Its one of the few laptops i check out daily just to configure and see price. You can get your hands on simlar modles in any Best Buy to see the build quality of them. As for upgrading. just go with the minimum on ram and HD....and later on upgrade ^_^.
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post #17 of 29
2/1/06 at 5:17pm
I have run BF2 at 1024x768 at medium settings and it's fairly smooth; HL2 at 1280x800 high settings and it run very well with little hesitations every now and then. But it also does that with low settings. So I don't think it's the graphics card; Serious Sam2 1280x800 medium settings. Runs great!

You need a cooler though.
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post #18 of 29
2/2/06 at 12:52am
Thread Starter 
whats a cooler and where do i get one? Again...not very computer savy
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post #19 of 29
2/2/06 at 8:23am
Here's a start...
COOLERS
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post #20 of 29
2/2/06 at 9:14am
Thread Starter 
Ty fo info and i am thinking of getting this Antec Cooler:

Antec Pearl Notebook Cooler
Antec Aluminum USB powered notebook cooler with pass-through connector included.

Notebook Cooler Cooling system for Notebook/laptop computers. Overheating laptops are a bigger problem then most people realize, as heat reduces system stability and harms the lifespan of your electronics. To combat this problem, you need the Antec Notebook Cooler . Increasing the cooling your laptop gets can help it last longer and may reduce or even eliminate system crashes. Aluminum surface helps conduct heat away from laptop, Fans draw cool air in and exhaust hot air out.

...2 questions though, is this a good coolerfor the 25 dollar price, and does it attach to the laptop directly and stay connected during transport and what not? ty
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