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Topic: intel Processors i5 vs i7 ? Which One Iz Better For Djing ?

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right now i DJ with my dell XPS 17'' L702X. with a Intel Core i7-2630QM (Quad Core Processor) 2.00 GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 2.90 GHz. which has suited me just fine for the last 3-4 years of Djing with no problems. i use VDJ & serato itch on my NS7. but i've been thinking about buying a backup laptop, just in case of that 911 ohh crap situation @ a dj function. so i've been looking on the dell website & i see some kool deals on laptops with some very low prices. but they are intel core i5's not i7 like my current laptop. so any of my fellow dj's on here dj with a laptop that has intel core i5 cpu's and if so how are they. i would like to stick with i7 cause thats what i got now, but the $ is the bottom line issue. and if ya do dj with i5's what's your cpu model #. the ones i see on dells website iz i5-3337U (Ultra low power processor) and i5-3210m (mobile processor) and i5-3630QM (Quad core mobile processor). and b4 certain dj's comment and say get a mac,hp,asus,toshiba,sony,ect,ect. i have a dell credit card so all i have iz dell stuff: home pc, printer, laptop, ect,ect. and i've never had probs with none of my gear so far.... thanx for any info help guys. ohhh yeah the i5 cpu's that have a (U) at the end means Ultra low power processor. do any of ya know if that means they are cheaper quality cpu's. cause i see a lot of newer laptops having an (U) at the end of there specs even the newer core i7's ?
 
Posted Sun 16 Jun 13 @ 8:43 pm
I have the XPS15 with the same processor. Go to http://www.cpubenchmark.net/ and compare the benchmarks of what you have and what you are looking at. The 3rd Gen i5 is supposed to as fast as a 2nd gen I7. With the low voltage processors expect lower ratings.

i7-2630QM benchmark score 5632
i5-3337U benchmark score 3198

I think it should be "fast enough" to DJ with, depending on what hardware you are using.

My last system was a T9500 Core2Duo 2.6GHZ score of 1800, It was just fast enough to play 720p videos on the NS7 but not 1080p.
I had to get a new system to reliably play on the Ns7. With timecodes, it could play anything just fine or standard button type midi controller it was more than enough.

One thing you do have to worry with the low voltage processors they are built for speed when needed, but not speed all the time. I had a Dell Adamo (Macbook Air alternative) and the thing would overheat due to not having a large enough heatsink / small fan since it was so thin. I've been reluctant to buy any ultrabook due to this reason.

thanks,
David
DJ Kavika
 
yk23 wrote :
I have the XPS15 with the same processor. Go to http://www.cpubenchmark.net/ and compare the benchmarks of what you have and what you are looking at. The 3rd Gen i5 is supposed to as fast as a 2nd gen I7. With the low voltage processors expect lower ratings.

i7-2630QM benchmark score 5632
i5-3337U benchmark score 3198

I think it should be "fast enough" to DJ with, depending on what hardware you are using.

My last system was a T9500 Core2Duo 2.6GHZ score of 1800, It was just fast enough to play 720p videos on the NS7 but not 1080p.
I had to get a new system to reliably play on the Ns7. With timecodes, it could play anything just fine or standard button type midi controller it was more than enough.

One thing you do have to worry with the low voltage processors they are built for speed when needed, but not speed all the time. I had a Dell Adamo (Macbook Air alternative) and the thing would overheat due to not having a large enough heatsink / small fan since it was so thin. I've been reluctant to buy any ultrabook due to this reason.

thanks,
David
DJ Kavika


i don't do any video period. my hardware is my numark NS7, dell 17'' xps, mouse, laptop cooler, and 2-yamaha dsr115's and thats it. i know its just for backup reasons. but say if im forced to dj with the new backup laptop longer than expected. i also want to make sure its real good to go. hate to spend more $ on i7 if its not gonna make a big difference
 
The Laptop with the i5-3210m Processor will be enough. You don't need to get a i7 etc for Just audio.
 
FYI: I have a 6 year old Dell E1705 that works just fine even WITH video mixing (granted a lot of SBDJ's plugin's I can't get to work but...)

Processor: Intel T2500 2.0GHz Core Duo
Motherboard Chipset: Intel Calistoga i945GM/PM
Graphics: nVidia GeForce Go 7800 256MB

I'm sure you'll have no trouble mixing audio only with what you are looking at.
 
I'm also on the lookout for a new lappy, and I'm tied between two machines. These are my two options:


LENOVO IdeaPad Z500 15.6" Laptop
•Intel® Core™ i7-3632QM processor
•Windows 8
•Memory: 8 GB
•Hard drive: 1 TB
•Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 640M

The processor gives a benchmark of 7138, but apparently the video card, while it has dedicated memory, is pretty average according to reviews. On the other hand, there's this:


LENOVO Y580 15.6" Laptop - Metal
•Intel® Core™ i5-3210M processor
•Windows 8
•Memory: 8 GB
•Hard drive: 1 TB
•Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M

With a benchmark score of 3822, it's obviously nowhere near as fancy as the i7, but on the other hand the graphics card is better. I'll be DJing with my trusty VMS4.1 alongside karaoke and music videos (granted not hi-def on the output, I tend to run my second video output at the lowest possible res anyway), so which would be my best bet, given that these two machines are the same money? Looking for an option that will stand me in good stead for the upcoming VDJ8 as well, so any input from you PC gurus out there would be much appreciated!

Cheers,
John
 
If you are doing video then go for the better video card for sure - with a decent video card the i5 will be idle most of the time!
 
Well the GT640M card gets a benchmark score of 1750, while the GTX660M scores 2460, according to the Futuremark site I've been looking at. As a comparison, the standard Intel HD 4000 mobile graphics scores 600. Do you think the difference between 2460 and 1750 is worth the sacrifice of a i7 to an i5 processor? You'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge here Scott, I don't go computer shopping very often! ;)
 
He is Not doing Video. Just audio.
 
Nah, he was replying to my post above - I'm doing video, and had a similar question, so I joined this thread rather than start a new one.
 
I say go as Big as you can afford but it has to have a done video card, future proof yourself, Why go cheap cause you might have to fall back on it for awhile.......
 
For audio only any i3 or i5 will run fine have at least 4 gig of ram

For video Any i5 with a decent video card

Why break the bank with an i7 it really doesnt help that much more with video.

Imho with technology the way it is plan on selling and replacing your laptop every 2 years.

Look at the computers from a couple years ago some werent even the i series processors some still had core 2 duo
 
Well the general consensus seems to be that the i5 with a decent video card is a better bet than an i7 with an average video card. There's my answer then! Thanks for the input folks, time to open my wallet then! ;)
 
....aaaaaand, they're out of stock. Arse. *goes and sulks in a corner*
 
This isn't directed at the OP as he stated he wants a Dell, but I've been on the hunt for a new laptop for awhile now and I'm looking seriously at a Sony E series. I originally wanted the S series, but I can't get close to these specs for the price.

- Intel Core i7 processor (3632QM - quad core) with 16GB ram
- 1TB hard drive
- AMD Radeon graphics (HD 7670M) with 2GB of dedicated video memory
- 14-inch non-touch screen
- 2 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports

...and a backlit keyboard to boot. $899 at all the local electronic shops.

I keep waiting to find a catch, because it seems like a helluva deal.
 


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