Which CPU option for my PC?

[Santa Claws]

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5600+ 2.80GHz
or
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66GHz (1333FSB)

I am thinking of buying a new computer (base unit is coming pre-built, I just install the software on it) and the above is one of the options for processor.

If any of you super-helpful people wish to help me out - you can spec me a rig! Baseunit only, Maximum cost of about £500 (inc vat and delivery).

[LukeBird]

Any preference on where it comes from?
If I get a chance I could have a look for you tomorrow if you like.
My personal preference out of the two above CPU's would be the AMD, although the Intel is a better chip.
AMD CPU's and motherboard's tend to be cheaper though...

[Santa Claws]

Don't care where it comes from (obviously not back-of-lorry.com )

As for prices, the two systems I looked at were more or less evenly matched in terms of price - the CPU was the difference between them though.

I am tempted to go for the Intel chip because, as you say, it is the better chip in the end.

[LukeBird]

If the prices are similar, then the Intel chip is the way to go

[superlightr]

The E6xxx cpu are being replaced with E8xxx now. ie E8500 at the same price, see if you can get the latest chips

[wolves_wanderer]

LukeBird said:

My personal preference out of the two above CPU's would be the AMD, although the Intel is a better chip.

Then why would you prefer AMD? Genuine question btw, this attitude just fascinates me.

[ginettag27]

Interestingly (well almost..) I've never had an Intel CPU in any desktop, from an 8088 up to a Opteron.. But the Core 2 Duo range are looking good value for money now. On the flipside I've only had an Intel CPU in my laptops..

Intel are winning at the moment. But AMD aren't too far behind, of course you set yourself on a path (Socket type) with either and then follow it..

[LukeBird]

wolves_wanderer said:

LukeBird said:

My personal preference out of the two above CPU's would be the AMD, although the Intel is a better chip.

Then why would you prefer AMD? Genuine question btw, this attitude just fascinates me.

Like supporting the underdog, that and if AMD goes bust, Intel will be charging £1k for their base CPU's!
Don't like the way Intel does business either, back in the dark old days of Prescott & northwood they bullied OEMs into using their CPU's even though the AMD stuff was faster, ran cooler and was generally cheaper.
That and to me, the difference between CPU's is negligible, so I'd sooner spend a little less on an AMD mobo & CPU and spend more on graphics. Think I may have my first ATi (AMD) card soon as well!

But basically, like the underdog

[Jinx]

Looking at the retail prices on overclockers the AMD chip is £75 the Intel £105 so if similar systems I'd go for the Intel (better chip). As an aside the AMD phenom quad core 9500 is retailing at £110 - so a bang per buck comparison would probably put AMD back into the frame....

[LukeBird]

Where is the Phenom at that price?
On OCUK, that's ex VAT, or are you looking at somewhere else?

[ginettag27]

LukeBird said:

But basically, like the underdog

Agreed, out of interest which OS have you got installed...?

[LukeBird]

ginettag27 said:

LukeBird said:

But basically, like the underdog

Agreed, out of interest which OS have you got installed...?

Aaah for me, there is only once choice...






ing XP as my PC is for gaming...!!
Aaah it's not so bad, as long as you keep an eye on it, it's ok. That and a good reformat every now and then

[wolves_wanderer]

LukeBird said:

wolves_wanderer said:

LukeBird said:

My personal preference out of the two above CPU's would be the AMD, although the Intel is a better chip.

Then why would you prefer AMD? Genuine question btw, this attitude just fascinates me.

Like supporting the underdog, that and if AMD goes bust, Intel will be charging £1k for their base CPU's!
Don't like the way Intel does business either, back in the dark old days of Prescott & northwood they bullied OEMs into using their CPU's even though the AMD stuff was faster, ran cooler and was generally cheaper.
That and to me, the difference between CPU's is negligible, so I'd sooner spend a little less on an AMD mobo & CPU and spend more on graphics. Think I may have my first ATi (AMD) card soon as well!

But basically, like the underdog

Fair enough. I've used intel and AMD as and when each is the best but I remember how much AMD suddenly managed to drop the price on their X2s when the Core line came out. I agree that competition benefits us all, I just wish AMD were close enough to make them worth using (although if you aren't planning to overclock the price/performance ratio is fairly close already.)

[That Daddy]

wolves_wanderer said:

LukeBird said:

wolves_wanderer said:

LukeBird said:

My personal preference out of the two above CPU's would be the AMD, although the Intel is a better chip.

Then why would you prefer AMD? Genuine question btw, this attitude just fascinates me.

Like supporting the underdog, that and if AMD goes bust, Intel will be charging £1k for their base CPU's!
Don't like the way Intel does business either, back in the dark old days of Prescott & northwood they bullied OEMs into using their CPU's even though the AMD stuff was faster, ran cooler and was generally cheaper.
That and to me, the difference between CPU's is negligible, so I'd sooner spend a little less on an AMD mobo & CPU and spend more on graphics. Think I may have my first ATi (AMD) card soon as well!

But basically, like the underdog

Fair enough. I've used intel and AMD as and when each is the best but I remember how much AMD suddenly managed to drop the price on their X2s when the Core line came out. I agree that competition benefits us all, I just wish AMD were close enough to make them worth using (although if you aren't planning to overclock the price/performance ratio is fairly close already.)

If you plan on overclocking then the Core Duo will blow Amd away,its not even close

[mackie1]

Get an E8200 2.66GHz (45nm Wolfdale) Core 2 Duo for about £115. You'll be able to overclock it to 3.6GHz with ease I reckon.
I have a 65nm Q6600 G0 and it's solid at 3.6GHz.

If you have no interest in overclocking then the Intel chip is still the best option IMO. Do you have any specs on the motherboard in the system you are looking at?

[LukeBird]

That Daddy said:

wolves_wanderer said:

Fair enough. I've used intel and AMD as and when each is the best but I remember how much AMD suddenly managed to drop the price on their X2s when the Core line came out. I agree that competition benefits us all, I just wish AMD were close enough to make them worth using (although if you aren't planning to overclock the price/performance ratio is fairly close already.)

If you plan on overclocking then the Core Duo will blow Amd away,its not even close

Since building my own, I've used AMD, and i think i'll continue to!
I have no desire to OC (although I'm tempted to dabble with one of the 5000+ BE's), so for me, buying the fastest CPU I can afford is what I want to do!
In day to day use, my work machine (with a QX6850 @ 3.0GHz, that costs £600 retail) is no faster than my 6000+ and for gaming, a fast dual is probably still a better bet than a quad.

[Santa Claws]

I can't be bothered in overclocking either. i like to have a nice, fast pc that can do what i want it to do.

at the moment, i got me an athlon 64 3500+ (skt 939). bought because it was good and fast. prior to that, i had an intel 3.2 ghz (prescott) which was actually OK!!! prior to that, i had a 3.0 ghz northwood p4, which i managed to overclock to 4ghz stable. lovley, but short lived - it wasn't as stable as i thought and died like a year later.

now, i cant be arsed overclocking. i just want a fast and stable pc to game and surf with. this rig has lasted me well for like 3+ years without an overclock, but has finally died due to the pixies leaving home.