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Benchmark scores vs real world performance

  • 07-01-2015 11:48pm
    #1
    gn3dr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭


    Hi There
    I'm looking for some feedback on real world performance vs benchmark scores. I'm not familiar with the scores or how they are calculated but was wondering for real world use how to guage the difference.

    It's a long time since I bought a laptop (2007 ish) and have recently started looking around at what's available. I didn't stay in touch in any way with the market and what's available since my last purchase so am pretty much starting from scratch again.

    My current laptop is a Dell 6400 with Core 2 Duo Centrino T5600 processor at 1.8 Ghz, 2G RAM and ATI Radeon X1400 graphics

    I dont do any gaming - the laptop is used for all standard stuff like MS Office programs, iTunes , Internet but also a fair bit of CAD / CAM for cnc work.

    Looking at benchmark scores my processor scores about 1000 - is this considered dog slow today or is it still a decent score?

    i3 cores like the €379 Toshibas in Argos seem to score about 2400 and then the i5's like the €519 HP in Currys running an 4000.

    Is a cheapish i3 with a score of 2400 going to be (or feel) twice as fast as my T5600?(I assume not). Will an i5 show a noticable difference to an i3 with what I use the laptop for?

    Ideally I'd like to future proof myself as much as possible by buying a good laptop - but cash is an issue right now so I'm looking to see what cheap solutions will give me a noticable boost in performance.


    Input would be much appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    TerrorFirmer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    For those uses, GPU is irrelevant, so focus on the processor. Any 4th gen i3, i5 or i7 will show a marked improvement.

    Your current laptop is still perfect for casual use, but for the applications you've described, you would benefit from a new laptop.

    What's your budget?


  • #3
    gn3dr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 909 ✭✭✭gn3dr


    Thanks for that.
    Budget is a problem, this is going on the credit card so I was hoping to stay under 400 but it seems hard to find any i5 for that price.


    I wonder should I just wait until new procesors come out for the current range to drop a bit in price.


  • #4
    Alanstrainor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,157 ✭✭✭✭Alanstrainor


    gn3dr wrote: »
    Thanks for that.
    Budget is a problem, this is going on the credit card so I was hoping to stay under 400 but it seems hard to find any i5 for that price.


    I wonder should I just wait until new procesors come out for the current range to drop a bit in price.

    You could be waiting a while to notice any difference to be honest, I don't think I'd wait. But then again if you have no real urgency then by all means.

    If you want to see drastic improvement, the only way to do it is with an SSD. Which unfortunately is not possible in your budget. You could upgrade cheaply in a couple of months however!

    In the real world, given your usage, I think you'd be happy enough with your average 400 laptop seeing what you're coming from. Youtube in full HD is not bother at all and wont cause your laptop to throw a hissy fit. Multiple windows/tabs open at the same time wont cause system slowness, and you'll be happier with Windows 8 as it's a much more refined OS.


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