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[Diablos]

I'm not looking to get high-end dual core stuff. I game on consoles, and I don't even have Vista yet, nor do I really care about it right now. In other words, I have no need for dual core. I need to upgrade now. A couple of the caps on my current mobo (A7N8X Deluxe) are starting to burst; as a result the L2 cache on my CPU has either been damaged or can't function properly. I don't really care either way because the T-Bred is extremely outdated and it needs replaced anyway.

So I've narrowed it down to two AMD CPU's, the Athlon 64 3200+ and 3400+. The 3200+ is 2.0GHz and has 2000MHz HT, the 3400+ is 2.2GHz and has 1600MHz HT. PR ratings aside, which CPU is best? They are both ~$55. If the 3400+ is ranked higher despite the fact that it only has 1600MHz HT, does this mean HT speed isn't that important or are the PR ratings misleading? Keep in mind, I do not intend to overclock.

 

[Jewbacca]

I cant give you a direct answer... but you may want to check Tomshardware.com they probably have some old benchmarks putting the 2 up against each other with some intel chips or something.

 

[Nicodimas]

Why buy obsolete technology when theres affordable stuff within reach?

I know you said no. But you could use this for longer and more effectively. the only problem is motherboards are still $$.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030R

thats my thoughts :{.

with those two.
id go with this: 30 bucks more.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103037

im helpful!

 

[White Man]

I thought you were a techy guy. Why do you want a granny computer? There should be some sub-100 dollar Pentium Ds out there. Hell, if you for some reason irrationally hate Intel, I know there are AMD 64 x2s for roughly 100 beans.

From this point on, everything is going to be optimized for multiple cores.

 

[Nicodimas]

Id say stay single core just an Athlon, if hes going Duel in any way he has to invest in the Duo 2.

 

[White Man]

Id say stay single core just an Athlon, if hes going Duel in any way he has to invest in the Duo 2.

AMD 64 x2s are very nice processors, and although the Core 2 Duo is king, the AMD x2s cost like half as much.

 

[Diablos]

Actually the Core 2 E6300 is like only $60 more than a Windsor X2. But I'm looking to go really cheap here.

You suggested a Pentium D? I'm looking at an 805 Smithfield, it's $79. Don't these things get super hot?

edit: Nicodimus, if I'm gonna spend $83 on single-core when I can spend $79 for dual core, isn't that a waste of money? I know many AMD's outperform pre-Core 2 Intel's, but, a dual core Pentium D surely outperforms a single-core Athlon 64.

 

[White Man]

Actually the Core 2 E6300 is like only $60 more than a Windsor X2. But I'm looking to go really cheap here.

You suggested a Pentium D? I'm looking at an 805 Smithfield, it's $79. Don't these things get super hot?

As hot as P4s do.

 

[Diablos]

Ick.

I don't hate Intel, but I don't mind supporting the underdog. If I could manage to get a Core 2, I would. But since I don't really have a need for that much power right now I'd rather not, and combined with the fact that this rig is failing (it now will simply not POST on a random basis), I don't have much of a choice but I can't spend a whole lot.

 

[White Man]

I used to avoid heating my apartment by keeping my Pentium 4 turned on. It was awesome. Almost makes me feel like I'm not getting value out of my 4 cores that run at 1/3rd the temp of it.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

What's the bestest most fastest processor you can stick in a PC right now?

 

[White Man]

What's the bestest most fastest processor you can stick in a PC right now?

Depends how you measure. This doesn't have the fastest cores (although they are still very fast), but it has 4 of them:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115012

There are also some nice quad-core xeons that max out at like 2.6 Ghz.

 

[Diablos]

I used to avoid heating my apartment by keeping my Pentium 4 turned on. It was awesome. Almost makes me feel like I'm not getting value out of my 4 cores that run at 1/3rd the temp of it.

:lol

That's not a bad idea... until summer, at least!

 

[White Man]

:lol

That's not a bad idea... until summer, at least!

Luckily by then I had switched to AMD Seasonal computing! Right now I use that P4 to keep some kitchen drawers blocked so my cat can't open and shut them. 2.8Ghz!

 

[Diablos]

Back when I was a total n00b and used the hideous AMD stock cooling fan with the waxy thermal crap for this T-Bred, it got pretty toasty depending on the time of year. But not anywhere close to as hot as some of the P4's out there, I'm sure.

 

[Gorgie]

If you ever plan on, in the future, to watch high defination movies, you'll need dual core. Personally, if you already have a socket 939, or AM2, motherboard, I'd go with a X2 3800+. If you have a socket 754, I'd get the higher clocked Athlon, as the HTT is like a 8 lane superhighway, but the majority of the time, only two lanes are used. (How I understand it.)

If you are interested in gaming, stay way from the NetBurst architecture (Pentium 4/D). They're just not that great in 3D applications.

 

[Diablos]

If I go dual core, I'm getting a Core 2 E6300. The difference in price between the AMD and Intel dual core configurations I was just toying around with is about $45. It would be foolish at that point to not invest in a Core 2, since even the low end E6300 outperforms Athlon 64 X2.

I don't care about hi def movies. I don't even have a hi def display beyond this tiny 17" DVI LCD (widescreen looks pretty undesirable on a screen this small and not to mention 4:3).

Also, I was thinking it would probably be wise to spend under $150 on a minor upgrade, and then maybe a year and a half from now when Core 2's hopefully come down in price, I can build a better rig. Long-term, I'm really not losing much money if I watch what I spend and do a single-core AMD rig. I was actually willing to wait another year or so to replace this machine, but since it's failing, I have no choice. This is more of an emergency than building some l33t rig.

 

[Nicodimas]

if you get a 6300. Get this:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16835185027

Over clock your computer to 3.6ghz on Air!

See I totally have violated all your conditions now.


Aww, i see! I would also like to own two computers.

 

[Diablos]

Awesome HSF... but I don't really like OCing unless the CPU is so gimped that an overclock is absolutely necessary (see: 2400+ T-Bred).

Quick question: I'm using an Antec 300W PSU that I've had in this machine for a little under a year now. Surprisingly, even though it's Antec, it has not failed. Is this enough power for an A64 3200+ rig? I'm not using a high end video card.

The specs will prolly be:

-Socket 939 Micro ATX mobo (VIA chipset)
-3200+ or 3400+
-1GB DDR
-WD Raptor
-Two optical drives
-Crappy low-end 2D video card

 

[element]

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

+

MSI P965 Platinum LGA 775 Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130055

OC the crap out of it, and you get speeds faster then E6600 Core Duo.

If you really want to go super cheap and have a Fry's around you, they have a AMD 3800 x2 with ECS 6100SM-M for $139. (has on-board video)

 

[Diablos]

If you really want to go super cheap and have a Fry's around you, they have a AMD 3800 x2 with ECS 6100SM-M for $139. (has on-board video)

Shit, are you kidding me?

No Fry's around here