System requirement (CPU) for software upgrade

[Sam577]

Hi there,

I need to upgrade my software (to Adobe InDesign CS5 from CS3) and am now looking into the options.

My laptop runs Intel Core 2 (2.00GHz), but Adobe recommends Intel Pentium 4 as a system requirement (my laptop, Dell Latitude D620, matches or exceeds all other requirements, XP Pro, Service Pack 3, 3GB RAM).

I don't know much about processors so was wondering if my current laptop would be good enough to run the upgraded software, or would I need to buy a new one?

Many thanks,
Sam

 

[Noway2]

Up to date comparisons may be a little hard on older processors but see the following link:

http://forums.devshed.com/cpus-104/pentium-4-vs-core-2-duo-387931.html

It also points to a site that I had not heard of before, but seems really good called tomshardware.com.

The question of whether whether or not the core 2 or P4 is more powerful was discussed in that thread and it looks like the core 2 is more powerful and has much better power (wattage) specs for a laptop.

 

[BadBigBen]

Simply put, the Core 2 CPU was introduced to replace the P4 CPU, and does surpass it per MHz (a 2 GHz Core2 has a better performance than the equivalent 2 GHz P4)...

Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[kjv1611]

I'll vouch for Tom's Hardware as a good resource. I don't think it's as good as it used to be, but it's good.

 

[kjv1611]

Also, the P4 is just mentioned as the minimum requirements.

There was the Pentium 4, Pentium 4D, Core Duo, and THEN the Core 2 Duo.

I can say that the Core 2 Duo should handle anything with Indesign, I'd imagine. I've done some pretty heavy audio and video editing on a few different Core 2 Duo systems. One as low a Mhz count as 1.6Ghz.

 

[cdogg]

Simply put, the Core 2 CPU was introduced to replace the P4 CPU, and does surpass it per MHz (a 2 GHz Core2 has a better performance than the equivalent 2 GHz P4)

In fact, it completely outperforms. A 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo (looking at the E6400) will even outperform a 3.4GHz Pentium 4 across the board by a significant margin. The 3.8GHz Prescott would simply flop in its presence. The Pentium 4 is no match even to the slowest of Core 2 processors.

Bottom line: You've easily met the processor requirement!

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Einstein
[tab][navy]For posting policies, click [/navy]here.

 

[kjv1611]

I know from all I've read, as well as personal experience, the Core 2 Duo platform was one of the biggest improvements in processor architecture in a VERY long time. I know it's been my preferred CPU ever since. Well, now I suppose I'd rather a Core i7, but I'm not exactly "in the market" to buy new hardware, myself. I just drool when I get to do so for others.

 

[Sympology]

The only thing that may slow it down is the Video Card, but little you can do about that. I knwo people taht run CS5 on lower spec machines and it's fine.
Unless you need it to render an image in 3 seconds instead 5, then you should be ok.

Robert Wilensky:
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