Ram and processor speed comparison

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Any chance you’ve got the model number or the i5 and i7 you’re talking about?


But if you’re talking about performance for streaming, there’s likely not a big difference between the two- network connection will matter more. If you had to pick the more important factor, assuming you’re talking same generation i5/i7, you’ll probably see a bigger difference in RAM. but at 16gB, you won’t necessarily see a huge performance increase going to 32, unless you’re doing a bit more than you’re letting on.


So, if there’s a simple answer, “probably the RAM,” but for the intended purpose, probably no real difference between either that’s noticeable unless you have 50 browser tabs, a plex server, a HomeAssistant VM, a PiHole VM/Docker, and you’re streaming 2-3 different things at once.

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thanks so much for your help...

to be honest, I don't have a list yet. my current laptop is an HP Pavilion x360 (core-i5 with 16GB RAM/512 GB storage), and I've been searching tirelessly for months for an affordable upgrade with specs of core-i5 w/ 32GB RAM/1 TB storage, but then I ran across an i7 w/ 16GB RAM, and thought, that since the processor is an upgrade, that might be faster and can accommodate higher speeds that I need (live football games). that's why i asked, since my ultimate goal is to upgrade the processing speed

obviously, my ideal scenario would be to get a core-i7 w/ 32GB RAM/1TB storage, just so I could future proof it, but that's almost impossible to do under $1k (not to mention, I don't like 15.6 inches, i prefer 14-15 inches w/ front facing/on-top-of keyboard speakers as compared to speakers that are on the underside)

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Buy you one with the I7 and add additional ram/storage as needed.

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is every single laptop's RAM upgradeable? any exceptions?

Amazon - This is one i'm considering

could I upgrade this to 32 or 64 later on? also, pretending that I'm 5 years old, where do threads/processors figure into the processing speed/memory of a laptop?

thanks

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Korkstand

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thanks a lot

i guess I wasn't articulate enough in my original post. I'm kinda annoyed at the fact that my laptops last about 4 years, at which point they really slow down and aren't as snappy compared to the first several months of usage. most people I know tell me that their laptops tend to last 6-8 years, which has always baffled me

i really want my next laptop to last me at least 5 or 6 years (if not more). that's why I'm a little anal about future proofing it as much as possible and trying to really get one w/ great specs, so that it'll have longevity

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i guess I wasn't articulate enough in my original post. I'm kinda annoyed at the fact that my laptops last about 4 years, at which point they really slow down and aren't as snappy compared to the first several months of usage. most people I know tell me that their laptops tend to last 6-8 years, which has always baffled me

i really want my next laptop to last me at least 5 or 6 years (if not more). that's why I'm a little anal about future proofing it as much as possible and trying to really get one w/ great specs, so that it'll have longevity

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When a computer "slows down", it's typically not due to anything wearing out, it's because they end up doing more stuff. Some of that is due to software updates which sometimes end up suffering from "bloat", but most of it is just all the junk that gets installed over time. Most computers have a factory reset option, which should restore it to day 1 performance.

I can think of only 2 ways that a computer can actually slow down for a real physical reason yet continue to mostly work. One way is hard drives might have a couple of failure modes that result in slow reads and writes for a period of time before eventual failure. The other is thermal throttling of the CPU due to a failed fan or dislocated heat sink. There may be others but these are the two that come to mind.

I'm typing this on a 10 year old laptop which streams video just fine (though it does struggle with 4K content).

As a techie who dismantles laptops frequently, my only advise is to avoid HP. Go with a Dell or Asus, HP takes every shortcut possible, if they can use a clip instead of a screw, they use a clip, if they can use tape instead of a clip, they use tape. HP's keep repair people in business.

There are many i5s considerably faster than many i7s. You have to go to a cpu benchmarking website to compare the actual models.

you need to post specific model numbers.

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on a broad level, i'm not gonna doubt you, but a few things:

1) in my experience, Dell laptops have given me a lot of problems
2) Dell and Asus laptops are considerably more expensive than HPs when comparing similar sizes/specs
3) i've had a few HPs, and the only times I've had issues were self-inflicted (dropped water on the keyboard; dropped it due to my laziness, and it was easily fixed at a local shop)
4) i'm very picky when it comes to certain features and specs on a laptop, and HPs are the best in terms of checking off the most boxes almost every time I'm in the market for a laptop

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I don't doubt that everyone has different experiences, it is unusual for me to get a Dell to fix unless it's a software issue or an upgrade to an SSD, although they did have an Inspiron that the top's hinge wore against video wire, had a few of those, but have not seen one in a while.

I had some HP's with LCD screen issues, the damn screen was taped into the lid, getting it off was a real bitch. The same model is Win 11 ready, but when you upgrade the wifi goes out, that is the kind of shite that drives me nuts.

Yes, HP usually has better features, but I'd rather pay more for the Dells. I have a client with 15 or so Dell Laptops and about 10 Surface Pro, I rarely have to touch them. That's good, because there is nothing on a SP I can fix except software.

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At work, my company only uses DELL laptops. I'm on my 3rd in less than a month because of hardware failures (Precision 7670). My company also has an open ticket with DELL regarding mass failures for a new laptop model (not the same as mine, I think it is precision 5xxx series) because the majority of the other laptop model (5xxx) are failing catastrophically within weeks after first issue.

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I feel like this is an issue with any of the major players "Business class" line of laptops