Which is more important in a laptop - Processor or RAM?

lilstrum

Hi,

I was wondering which is more important in a laptop around the £550 mark processor speed or RAM. Basically i'm looking to but a new laptop for the internet, video and a few games (nothing to serious though). Im looking at getting a dedicated graphics card and wondering what the best combination of other components is. i.e will a Intel Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz processor with 3 or 4gb of RAM do the same sort of job as 2GHz and 2/3gb RAM?

So basically im wondering if anyone has any advice on which of these three
laptops is most suitable? Is it worth saving up for a bit/waiting for a good deal and getting the XPS?

Any other recommendations greatfully received.

Asustek X50SL-AP124C
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/144182

Samsung R700
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/143912

Dell XPS m1530
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/xpsnb_m1530?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs

Thanks for any help

Lilstrum

Hungerdunger

From my own (limited) experience, I would say that you will notice very little difference in performance if you go above 2Gb of RAM, unless you are working the machine very hard.

unrich

If faced with the choice, more memory or faster processor.
Take the processor, as you can (possibly) upgrade the memory.

It is 99% not viable to upgrade the processor even if possible.
You should (check first, memory supplied, slots available and maximum ram) be able to add more memory.

lilstrum

Thanks for the help so far people, the processor seems the way forward.

Just saw a XPS m1530 on the Dell outlet with 2ghz processor, 2gb RAM and 256mb graphics card for £514, I think I might have to go for one of those if one comes around at the right time

tradetime

I would say overwhelmingly if faced with 2 comparable computer, as regards quality, reliability etc, difference being one has a better/faster processor and less RAM whilst the other has an lesser processor and more RAM, I'd go with the processor. RAM is cheap and easy to add, I'm not even sure if you could upgrade a laptop processor, but it surely wouldn't be easy for us novices.
Having said that don't get a computer with less than 2GB with Vista, ie if you see a computer with a great processor and only 1GB RAM,then plan on buying more RAM and price it into the equation. Most decently spec'd computers are coming with 2GB now.

tradetime

lilstrum wrote: »

Thanks for the help so far people, the processor seems the way forward.

Just saw a XPS m1530 on the Dell outlet with 2ghz processor, 2gb RAM and 256mb graphics card for £514, I think I might have to go for one of those if one comes around at the right time

Increasing the RAM, if you wanted to of course, on a Dell system through their website from 2GB - 4GB costs about an extra £30 inc VAT

vyseyboy

Just bear in mind that with processors, higher MHz / GHz does not necessarily mean better all of the time.

Look at reviews / L2 cache - or average retail prices - of exact models to get an idea of how good a proc. is.