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How important is CPU clockspeed?

I plan to buy a new laptop for my incoming freshman year in college. I am currently using an older generation HP laptop that I bought about four years ago. It is Pentium 4, 3.2 GHZ, 512 mb, and 80 gb. I spent over $1500 just for the 3.2 GHZ clock speed, which I thought was going to make a big difference on how fast my laptop runs. But it still lags like my old 1.6 GHZ desktop. Now when it comes to buying the new laptop, I am wondering if I should spend almost $250 extra to configure a 2.2 GHZ core 2 duo. Is that really worth it? Also, I've come to realize that memory is a very important factor that decides how fast the applications run. So, I am definitely configuring a 2GB for the new laptop. But my second question is, will it be different if I just buy a 2GB memory kit (corsair, kingston, pny, etc.) for around $50 (on sale) to put into the new laptop, or do I have to spend the $125 to let the manufacturer upgrade for me? I'm planning to buy either a Dell XPS m1530 or Inspiron 1420 or a HP dv6500t. Please answer these two questions for me. Thank you so much!

Public Comments

1. May want to try more memory. Seems like 3.2 Ghz should be fine for just about any application, lag-free. I have an older Northwood 2.4 Ghz Pentium 4 with 2.5 GB memory, and I've never had a problem with lagging. In my opinion, Dell/HP are always going to have lag problems because of all the software and demos they shove down your throat. You may want to find a reputable local computer shop and consult them. They are more likely to build you a TRULY custom laptop that meets all of your needs. Plus, they're there when you need them, no 800 numbers for tech-support!
2. Okay, so clockspeed is pretty important, in fact it is one of the most important parts to a computer, it allows the computer to run faster with more advanced processes. Your old computer PROBABLY ran slow because there was such a low amount of Ram (there are various other reasons potentially as well). However, the new chip you are looking at, well it depends, what are you comparing it to? 2.2 is pretty fast (thats what I have in my mac) but, what is the other alternative? If its 2.0 to 2.2 then it could be a justified purchase, but not totally necessary, it depends on how much you want to spend. next, with the memory, that also depends. You need to A) make sure that when you put in your own memory chip that it doesn't violate the warranty and B) make sure the ram spec is the right kind, because you can't just put in any type or ram module. If both of these things work to your linking then yes, but I would just pay the extra 75 and have dell do it for you, then you don't have any worries. Personally I am not a huge fan of dell, they have received crummy ratings lately, from what I have read, anyway hope this has made your decision a bit easier.
3. id say the FSB is more important then the core clock speed what goods a fast cpu if its only a 533mhz fsb? ittl be a slow computer even if its a 3.0 with 3 gigs of ram with a fsb of 533-800mhz