Need help deciding: RAM vs CPU for IM business

6 replies
Hiya

Hope this is the right place to post this if not don't yell at me

Need to buy a new desktop. Decided on a HP Pavilion but I'm stuck between too models. One offers 6gb of RAM and i3 intel processor whilst the other has 4gb of RAM and a i5 intel processor.

Both of them are the same price so no issues there. I'm leaning towards the 6gb/i3 because I know with all my IM work I tend to have loads of windows open and will be making use of lots of applications. I really do need as much memory as possible.

Given the choice, which one would you go for and why?

Also do you guys bother with win 7 professional or does win 7 home premium do the job for you?

Thanks in advance
#business #cpu #deciding #im business #ram
  • Profile picture of the author tampaprogrammer
    The old adage goes "when in doubt, buy more ram". Ram is ALWAYS the way to go first when trying to get more performance out of your computer.

    However, you are in a different situation. You are buying a NEW computer first. I suggest you purchase the i5 because you can always add more ram to it later on (a couple more gigs should be under $100).

    But if you buy the i3 with more ram now, you would have to buy a new CPU (or even a new motherboard?) to get the same i5 performance.

    Buy the i5 now and just add more ram when your money allows.

    Rod
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    • Profile picture of the author tamiro1992
      Originally Posted by tampaprogrammer View Post

      The old adage goes "when in doubt, buy more ram". Ram is ALWAYS the way to go first when trying to get more performance out of your computer.

      However, you are in a different situation. You are buying a NEW computer first. I suggest you purchase the i5 because you can always add more ram to it later on (a couple more gigs should be under $100).

      But if you buy the i3 with more ram now, you would have to buy a new CPU (or even a new motherboard?) to get the same i5 performance.

      Buy the i5 now and just add more ram when your money allows.

      Rod
      i have to agree. more ram is always preferable but ram can always be upgraded unlike the i5. get the i5 and if possible in the near future, upgrade your ram. if its not possible get the i3 with more ram, that would be my suggestion.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ross Dalangin
    Same as Rod, I'll buy i5 if I am you. With win 7, I go for professional but I doesn't matter whichever is available.
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  • Profile picture of the author mojojuju
    I'd get the i5 because RAM is cheaper & easier to upgrade later on.

    As an example, if you bought the i3, it would cost you $175 to upgrade to this i5 processor Amazon.com: Intel Core i5-650 Processor 3.20 GHz...Amazon.com: Intel Core i5-650 Processor 3.20 GHz...


    But, if you bought the i5 machine & you wanted to upgrade the RAM to 8GB you could do it for just $50 if you buy this RAM Amazon.com: Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2 x 4GB) 1333 MHz...Amazon.com: Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2 x 4GB) 1333 MHz...
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    • Profile picture of the author Mena Jo
      Cheers guys, you've all made a very good point I didn't think about. I'm going to go with the i5 model.
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    If it were me, I would buy the i5 and instead of Win 7 Pro, use the upgrade price to buy more RAM instead. Win 7 Home Premium is fine unless you specifically need the other capabilities of Pro.
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