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HP laptop upgrade advice

post #1 of 3
12/26/08 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 
I got the HP dv5z for christmas and have 15 days to look it over and send it back if needed.

The specs are:
AMD Athlon(TM) X2 Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs QL-60 (1.9GHz)
15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
ATI Radeon(TM) HD 3200 Graphics


This is good for what im using it for, school work, internet, small design projects. I have a desktop for gaming and music editing.

I am planning on spending 100 bucks to upgrade one of the parts. Heres my choice

Processor- 75$
AMD Athlon(TM) X2 Dual-Core Processor for Notebook PCs QL-60 (1.9GHz)
to
AMD Turion(TM) X2 Dual-Core Mobile Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz)

OR

Display- 75$
15.4" diagonal WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
to
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1680 x 1050)


The display seems key because im used to a high desktop resolution so thats my first choice.... but...

i guess what im really wondering is if the processor upgrade will be significant enough of an upgrade to forfeit higher resolution?



i could ALSO do both but would like some advice first because its more $$ obviously! thanks in advance!
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post #2 of 3
12/27/08 at 5:33am
not as up to date on AMD processors as i used to be but the difference likely isnt that huge.

as for the screen, if its only a $75 jump i would go for it.
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post #3 of 3
12/28/08 at 1:45pm
I agree with Fidget. I do not see the cpu upgrade as being very noticeable. Although it will benchmark out a bit better, in real-life usage. I doubt that you'd tell any difference at all. IMHO, cpu upgrades have to be pretty "major" before the benefit becomes perceptible. For example: I have the DV 6625us with a Turion TL-58 (1.9ghz), I have access to a Turion TL-60 cpuu (2.0ghz)...I would not even THINK of tearing apart my notebook (everything up to and including removing the motherboard is involved in this model!) to make this upgrade, even though it would cost me nothing!

Edit: Of course, I am talking about a DIY upgrade, I assume you are talking about HP doing this? However, I still do not believe that I would pay $100 for what may be a un-noticeable upgrade...

On the other hand, I could see, perhaps, upgrading the lcd...although I would say consider this: How good is your current screen layout at 1280X800? But, if you have the option, and you like the higher-res screen, then that may be a a decision to your liking, especially if you intend to view any HD on it, as the 1280X800 only gives you 720 dpi. (correct me if I am wrong anybody, but I believe that this would be the "max" viewing?)
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