I am not sure if this belongs in the tech issues forum, but seeing as that seems to be for problems and this one for discussion I posted here. If it is in the wrong place then I would like it moved.


Anyway, I am getting a new laptop with some student loan money to use for college stuff as well as playing New Vegas, Fallout 3, Oblivion, and later Skyrim. I have a couple choices I have narrowed it down to.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834215004


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230089

The major thing is that one of the laptops has a i7 processor versus a i5, but the one with the weaker CPU has a 7200rpm HDD and 6GB ram versus a 5400HDD 4GB ram. (yes I know ram is easy to upgrade)

Also the Acer has a better sound setup and costs more which MAY mean there are other things better to it that I am not seeing.

The Asus however is the best rated laptop on Newegg overall.

I like the Acer for most of it's features but am concerned about the 5400rpm hard drive versus a 7200rpm. Some people have said they would rather shoot themselves before using a 5400rpm hard drive so it makes me wonder. My question is how major of an impact the rpm has on games like New Vegas and other similar Bethesda titles, and whether the disadvantages that come with the Asus vs the Acer are worth the faster HDD.

I have learned that the big difference between the i7 and i5 processors is that the i7 can automatically overclock itself to 2.9ghz when needed, where with the i5 you can overclock to 2.9ghz but must do it manually whenever you want that extra power.

You could save some money, buy an xbox and get New Vegas.

But since you are getting a laptop regardless, I have no clue as I don't know the difference

Get the Acer.

That would be a horrible idea! Why would you suggest the console version? It's trash. If it doesn't have the ~ key, don't buy it!

OP, I wish I new about compurters but I don't know jack. ALl I know is, more ram=beter more better.

Yeah if you're only comparing the two machines, get the Acer for the i7. Personally, I wouldn't want an i5 or i7 because I don't like the Sandy Bridge chipset, but if those are your choices, the Acer wins.

So would you say that having a 5400rpm Hard Drive versus a 7200rpm Hard Drive is not a very big deal?

If you are asking if it would matter to me, yes, I would care. Do I think the difference in RPM offsets the core differences in the processors? No.

Ultimately, I don't think your average user will care, or even notice the difference, plus the HDD is a part you can much more easily swap out in the future if it bugs you. Really though, I feel like the HDD cache makes a bigger differences than RPM, but you're not going to find an >8MB cache on a 5400RPM HDD.

Does that make sense?