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Participant
November 22, 2023
Question

Old cpu + gpu vs new cpu only

  • November 22, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 742 views

Hello,

Im shoping for a new laptop which I need for a class. Im limited what i can get.

Would something like i5 11th with 3050 would be better than i5/i7/i9 13th without dgpu? Would raw cpu power be enough or gpu would give significant boost in workload?

Thanks

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1 reply

Community Expert
November 22, 2023

Others might feel different, but I can't live without some of the GPU-accelerated features in Adobe Illustrator, such as animated zoom. I can use animated zoom in outline mode on my Alienware notebook since it has a 120Hz UHD resolution display. I'd recommend getting at least a somewhat decent NVidia GPU. It doesn't have to be a top of the line graphics board. A good CPU and healthy amount of RAM is also important. 8GB of RAM isn't going to be enough to cut it and 16GB is about the minimum stable amount now. Most people buy new computers expecting to use them for at least several years. A minimal amount of RAM is going to cut the useful lifespan of the device a great deal; and it's really BAD if the RAM is baked onto the notebook's motherboard providing no room for future expansion. To many notebook makers pull that nonsense these days. Gotta be careful what you buy.

Buying a notebook computer (and doing so on a budget) is tough these days. It can be really difficult getting the right balance of power, portability, battery life and price all in one notebook computer. Most notebooks these days require all sorts of tradeoffs. I really like my notebook, but it's big and heavy, really expensive and the battery life sucks compared to more portable notebooks. It stays plugged into a wall outlet much of the time.

Participant
November 22, 2023

Thanks for the response. That's a shame, I had my eye on nice i9 but with 16gb and no gpu.

Due certain factors I'm limited to my mobile provider. Their list isn't the greatest, not counting most expensive range, most is i5 11th. 

That's why I did ask as I wasn't sure whether something like I did mention previously would be enough. Majority of my work will be done at my desktop, R7/64gb, but I need something which without hiccups will let me start the projects which we get in class. 

I'm just uncertain whether is good going for 2 years old tech compared to newest chips. I would pay it in price difference, around a 1000€ more for i7 13th with 4060, compared to the one with i5 11th. That's a two generation gap. 

The laptops are Asus TUF G15 2021 and HP Omen 2023. Asus is half price of Omen, have decent spec for the price, I would need to just check which screen is used as only 240Hz model have 100% srgb coverage, but overall could be a good solution.

Omen ticks all the boxes, good cpu, gpu and 16gb with normal dimm slots but twice the price.

Now I'm torn whether I want to save money and buy the Asus to use for the next two years or Omen and have it for longer period.

Thanks

Community Expert
November 22, 2023

I think a notebook with an 11th gen Core i5 CPU can run Adobe Illustrator effectively if it has a reasonably decent GPU and enough RAM. Again 16GB is a minimal amount. 32GB would provide more headroom if such an option is available.

 

Computer companies like to force customers into entirely different price tiers if one piece of hardware is upgraded. Very often if you want a notebook that has 32GB or more of RAM the option will only be available with a higher end CPU and graphics board. Or they force you into a different higher end product model. If you're looking at Apple notebooks anything over 16GB of RAM will force you into the MacBook Pro line for maximum $$$$ spent. And the RAM is baked onto the motherboard to add insult to injury. Currently the only Apple product that has removable/upgradeable memory slots is their ultra extreme priced Mac Pro tower. A growing number of Windows PC makers are copying this same anti-customer stunt.