Processor Choice

[adqttr]

hey i was wondering what everyone out there thats a little smarter then me thought i should do. I want to build a computer for like 500ish so i was looking at processors in the 150 dollar range. I want to get a processor where i am going to get some good performance. I was thinking of getting the AMD 64 X2 4200+ (65 w). I am looking for osmething with good performance but i want to run cool as well. the running cool being a little more important then the performance. I like the idea of a dual core. I have an AMD right now but not a very good one. Anyways let me know what you think i should do. thanks for your help.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103741

 

[Markfw]

Right now C2D (conroe) is the way to go. Unfortunately the cheapest C2D (E4300) is $169 at newegg. Get a S3 mobo $114 shipped, that leaves $217 for memory. But I see 2 gig OCZ gold PC 7200 for $180 (a typo, but grap it) and that leaves enough for an aftermarket cooler to be quiet and allow OC'ing.

 

[adqttr]

do you think it is worth waiting till the summer for the drop down in prices? because i heard they were going to be very low then but i dunno if it is worth the wait or if i should just get it now? but the intel's are out performing the AMD dual cores? thanks for your help.

 

[Markfw]

Yes, I have 10 AMD boxes, but sorry to say Intel has them beat at the moment. As to the waiting, it up to you. Buy when you need it, they always get faster and cheaper.

 

[Agentbolt]

You definitely do not need that OCZ memory with the E4300. Just grab some Kingston ValueRam DDR2-667, it'll OC to DDR2-800 (the memory speed needed for an E4300 running at 3.6 GHZ [the hallowed Ultimate OC for that processor]) no problems

 

[Markfw]

The ram is for future-proofing. An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz, but the next processor may use it.

 

[Agentbolt]

An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz

Ummmm...my E4300 begs to differ.

 

[adqttr]

I am not that big into over clocking to be honest with you because it usually makes the computer hotter and therefore makes the computer louder. I also will probably get patriot ram because i got Kingston value in the past and have had some bad experiences with it, patriot has always been good and reliable for me.

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz

Ummmm...my E4300 begs to differ.

aah.. because your E4300 is the standard, right?

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: jlbenedict
aah.. because your E4300 is the standard, right?

It's not the only one. Clearly some E4300s can "go over 3 ghz".

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz

Ummmm...my E4300 begs to differ.

You got lucky, mine and many others can;t get over 3 ghz STABLE. I can do even as high as 3.4, but not for long. To stay at 100% load stable for more than 2 days, 2.9 is where I am at.

And as to the poster, if you get good aftermarket cooling, and don't up the vcore any (or much) a 4300@2.8 will run very cool and quiet.

 

[BitByBit]

Originally posted by: adqttr
hey i was wondering what everyone out there thats a little smarter then me thought i should do. I want to build a computer for like 500ish so i was looking at processors in the 150 dollar range. I want to get a processor where i am going to get some good performance. I was thinking of getting the AMD 64 X2 4200+ (65 w). I am looking for osmething with good performance but i want to run cool as well. the running cool being a little more important then the performance. I like the idea of a dual core. I have an AMD right now but not a very good one. Anyways let me know what you think i should do. thanks for your help.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103741

I'm running a 65W 4200+. It's not a bad chip: I've had it up to around 2.7GHz with V core bumps, and it idles (at stock speeds and stock cooling) at around 24'C. If I was building an AM2 system now however, I'd go for a Brisbane 4800+, since they clock higher than equivalent Windsors while consuming less power. Of course, if you do go AM2, you can pop in a Barcelona when they're released, after a BIOS flash.

 

[nyker96]

here's my build: choose brisbane over regular X2, they are the coolest running right now and can OC quite a bit like 2.9.
Arctic freezer pro 64: $20 (newegg)
X2 3600+ brisbane + Tforce 550 combo: $150 (newegg)
2GB Super Talent DDR667: $130 (ewiz)
Enhance 5150GH PS : $75 (ewiz)
7900GS: $140 (egg)


a total of roughly 500, if you don't need PS it's even less. all these parts are low power parts. so you finished product should be good performance with less power consumption.

OR
E4300 retail chip: $169
GA-965P-S3: $110
2GB Super Talent DDR667: $130 (ewiz)
7900GS: $140 (egg)

this is 550 or so. no PS sorry but intel a bit more expensive.

 

[Agentbolt]

aah.. because your E4300 is the standard, right?

Feel free to point out where I said mine was the standard, genius. I was simply pointing out that the statement "the E4300 doesn't go over 3 ghz" is grossly mistaken and oversimplified. In the "What speed are you getting with your E4300" thread in the CPU section, the last ten benches people are reporting are:

3.3 GHZ
3.0 GHZ
3.2 GHZ
3.0 GHZ
2.8 GHZ
3.0 GHZ
3.2 GHZ
3.5 GHZ
3.0 GHZ
3.2 GHZ

That's exactly half reporting speeds of over 3 GHZ. Please run along to your MENSA meeting now, Mr. Wizard.

 

[Markfw]

The C2D is more expensive, but is is MUCH faster.

 

[traderonline]

Originally posted by: adqttr
I am not that big into over clocking to be honest with you because it usually makes the computer hotter and therefore makes the computer louder. I also will probably get patriot ram because i got Kingston value in the past and have had some bad experiences with it, patriot has always been good and reliable for me.

true... i think it's not worth the risk. i already fried 1 motherboard

 

[Rottie]

Originally posted by: adqttr
I am not that big into over clocking to be honest with you because it usually makes the computer hotter and therefore makes the computer louder. I also will probably get patriot ram because i got Kingston value in the past and have had some bad experiences with it, patriot has always been good and reliable for me.

Patroit memory is no good. I had one for my laptop and it caused too much crash. I should get Kingston memory for my laptop soon.

 

[adqttr]

are the C2D running at the same heat as the AMD X2 because the AMD X2 has a 65w version which is supposed to run cooler and more productive. Coolness and Low noise is a concern of mine with the Intel model.

 

[BitByBit]

The 'Energy Efficient' 65W X2s generally run cooler than Core 2s, which in turn run cooler than regular X2s. The same is true for the new 65nm X2s.

 

[adqttr]

which would be better 65W or a 65 nm X2?

 

[ineedaname]

If you really want an AMD you're best bet is the opteron 1210. That thing overclocks really well and is pretty much the same price. I always like opteron amd's the best. It also has double the cache of your 4200 windsor core which is always an added bonus. Opteron's in general just run so much better.

I used to have an opteron 165 and that thing would overclock to 2.8ghz easy and maxed out at 3ghz.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819105015

I personally will take my E6600 anyday just take a look at the sig.

 

[ineedaname]

Who said an E4300 won't go past 3ghz? I used a 4300 on my buddy's computer and it easily hit 3.3ghz with decent air cooling. I'm confident that most of them can hit 3.3ghz if you go look over at xtremesystems.com many ppl are hitting that range.

I also did 12 hours of orthos with it.

Originally posted by: Markfw900Right now C2D (conroe) is the way to go. Unfortunately the cheapest C2D (E4300) is $169 at newegg. Get a S3 mobo $114 shipped, that leaves $217 for memory. But I see 2 gig OCZ gold PC 7200 for $180 (a typo, but grap it) and that leaves enough for an aftermarket cooler to be quiet and allow OC'ing.

Incase you really do choose intel.

Personally for the motherboard I would get a P5N-E SLI or the MSI equivilant that's cheaper. These 650i chipsets have really nice performance and excellent memory tweaking.

As for the processor hold out until April 22nd because there's gonna be a big price drop and the introduction of the XX20 series of chips that have double the cache.

For ram I can honestly say your best bet is just to get some 2x1gb PC5300 Kingston Value ram for $137.49. I have a review of this stuff over at xtremesystems and they can easily overclock to 900mhz 4-4-4 timings. If you're lucky they can even clock to 1000mhz if you push them.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: Agentbolt

An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz

Ummmm...my E4300 begs to differ.

You got lucky, mine and many others can;t get over 3 ghz STABLE. I can do even as high as 3.4, but not for long. To stay at 100% load stable for more than 2 days, 2.9 is where I am at.

And as to the poster, if you get good aftermarket cooling, and don't up the vcore any (or much) a 4300@2.8 will run very cool and quiet.

My 4300 does 3.25 ghz stable all day long.

From what I've seen its a 50/50 crapshoot whether your E4300 will do more than 3 ghz. To say that most wont do it is not correct.

 

[BitByBit]

Originally posted by: ineedaname
Opteron's in general just run so much better.

Do you mind elaborating on that statement? As far as I know, Opterons are identical to their desktop cousins, aside from 1MB per core and higher frequency headroom.
I may upgrade to a Brisbane Opteron if/when they are released since it looks as though Barcelona won't be avilable on the desktop until late this year.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
The C2D is more expensive, but is is MUCH faster.

Translation: If C2D is in budget, get it over A64. If not within budget, why argue - just get what is within budget and be done with it.

Originally posted by: Markfw900
An E4300 won't even go over 3 ghz

Originally posted by: slag
From what I've seen its a 50/50 crapshoot whether your E4300 will do more than 3 ghz. To say that most wont do it is not correct.

The most appropriate term? YMMV.

Funny that... most of the time we have fanboys claiming "that CPU is GUARANTEED to overclock to ?.? GHz!!!" Almost refreshing to see naysayers.