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What Processor would you choose buying a new MBP?

  • 2.66GHz

    Votes: 13 29.5%
  • 2.8GHz

    Votes: 14 31.8%
  • 3.06GHz

    Votes: 17 38.6%

  • Total voters
    44

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
1,050
0
Australia
So, the last decision I'm trying to figure out is, 2.66GHz, 2.8GHz or is 3.06GHz really worth it? At least on the Australian Apple Store website the cost of going from 2.8GHz to 3.06GHz is almost prohibitive at about $430 :eek:

What I plan to use on the MBP:
-iLife and iWork
-VLC / Quicktime video
-Web Surfing
-Sims 3 (but no other gaming really)

Not overly taxing I think. Right?! :confused:

I also plan on buying an 2010 iMac, when it comes. Which may do some audio or video encoding.
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,257
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
2.80GHz is fine and more than plenty, 3.06GHz is just overkill if all you do is basic web stuff, or normal users. If you are trying to encode audio or video faster, then yes, go higher.

However, remember higher performance is gotten by getting an SSD.
 

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
1,050
0
Australia
2.80GHz is fine and more than plenty, 3.06GHz is just overkill if all you do is basic web stuff, or normal users. If you are trying to encode audio or video faster, then yes, go higher.

However, remember higher performance is gotten by getting an SSD.

How about games, Sims 3 for arguments sake. Would it matter if it's a 2.66GHz or 2.8GHz, 3.06GHz?!
 

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
1,050
0
Australia
2.66GHz will be fine, although games always benefit from a higher clocked CPU

Sure, I get that. Just that I'd have to spend about $800 AUD more to go from a:
- MBP, 2.66GHz, 9600M GT 256 to a,
- MBP, 2.80GHz, 9600M GT 512 :eek:

Would rather save the money and buy an iPod Touch 3G - when it's released. I think... ;)

@ vanc That's an important factor, we get some extreme temperatures during summer here - so cooling / or TDP is an important factor.
 

Lone Deranger

macrumors 68000
Apr 23, 2006
1,894
2,133
Tokyo, Japan
I went with the 3.06 on mine. Not just because it's the fastest, but also because I thought it would be cool to finally have that coveted (and long overdue) 3GHz Mac! :)
I'm also planning on adding two SSD's (just don't know which ones yet) in a RAID 0 configuration, alongside the 8GB of Ram, to turn it into the fasted MBP attainable. :D
 

Lone Deranger

macrumors 68000
Apr 23, 2006
1,894
2,133
Tokyo, Japan
I'd like to get 256GB models but have been a bit apprehensive because of all the problems people are reporting with the drives performing poorly with small read/writes and performance slow downs when the drives are filling up. So I'm going to wait a while and see how the technology evolves.

Intel's at the top of their game with their SSD's right now! I'd hop on there bandwagon if you have the $$.
 

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
1,050
0
Australia
Which MBP 15-inch to buy? Is the 2.8GHz, 512MB 9600M worth $300 over a 2.66GHz, 256MB 9600M? :eek:
 

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reallynotnick

macrumors 65816
Oct 21, 2005
1,249
1,193
Go with the 2.66ghz, really if you have to ask then it's not for you. Might as well just save that money for a newer MBP down the road.

The processor speed is a drop in the bucket and the VRAM will show no real world improvement for all practical uses, if you really want a speed improvement buy a SSD.
 

vanc

macrumors 6502
Nov 21, 2007
458
131
The extra 256MB ram on the GPU might come in handy when more apps start using GPGPU/OpenCL. Other than that...seeing your list, I'd say you'd be fine with the cheaper option.

OpenCL should not be so dependent to the VRAM size. PS3 has 256M VRAM and it's bleeding fast to handle graphics. :)
 

MacAndy74

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 19, 2009
1,050
0
Australia
Ok. MBP 15-inch 2.66GHz / 9600M GT 256 / 500GB is it.

Really appreciate all the help I've received at MacRumors during my time of indecision. :eek: Thanks for putting up with my questions.
 

jav6454

macrumors Core
Nov 14, 2007
22,303
6,257
1 Geostationary Tower Plaza
Ok. MBP 15-inch 2.66GHz / 9600M GT 256 / 500GB is it.

Really appreciate all the help I've received at MacRumors during my time of indecision. :eek: Thanks for putting up with my questions.

No problem, we are here to help:)

I went with the 3.06 on mine. Not just because it's the fastest, but also because I thought it would be cool to finally have that coveted (and long overdue) 3GHz Mac! :)
I'm also planning on adding two SSD's (just don't know which ones yet) in a RAID 0 configuration, alongside the 8GB of Ram, to turn it into the fasted MBP attainable. :D

I'm guessing you are going to remove the Super Drive to have 2 SSDs. Also RAID 0?! Pretty risky, I hope you have a great back up plan.
 
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