Choosing a new CPU - and getting confused
Discussion
It has been about 4 years since I did any CPU/MoBo upgrading on my main desk PC. Just wondering what I should be looking and considering for next processor but I am behind on what is what.
I have a new notebook running an Intel Core 2 Duo 5600 which I assume is 2 cores running 64 bit, even though the Windows Vista upgrade appears to be 32 bit. Is it defo 64 bit CPU?
And for desk PC - should it be Core 2 Duo or AMD? If AMD, should it be an Athlon 62 X2 socket AM2? I know squat about CPUs as they have moved on so much, and just trying to get a handle on which maker has the upper hand, what is the state of the art, how does one manufacturer's range compare within itself, what is overclockable, and what is good value for money?
Personally, I would not like to spend more than £200 + VAT on a CPU as we all know that they shed money faster than a Vauxhall Vectra.
I have a new notebook running an Intel Core 2 Duo 5600 which I assume is 2 cores running 64 bit, even though the Windows Vista upgrade appears to be 32 bit. Is it defo 64 bit CPU?
And for desk PC - should it be Core 2 Duo or AMD? If AMD, should it be an Athlon 62 X2 socket AM2? I know squat about CPUs as they have moved on so much, and just trying to get a handle on which maker has the upper hand, what is the state of the art, how does one manufacturer's range compare within itself, what is overclockable, and what is good value for money?
Personally, I would not like to spend more than £200 + VAT on a CPU as we all know that they shed money faster than a Vauxhall Vectra.
AMD's AM2 socket is the one thats supposedly going to be going on for a long time, like hte previous Socket A, while Intel seem to bring out a new socket every 5 mins.
personally - i've always been an AMD man - so it would be a AMD AM2 Athlon 64 5600 + Dual Core 2.8GHz, 2x 1MB Cache, for your £206
personally - i've always been an AMD man - so it would be a AMD AM2 Athlon 64 5600 + Dual Core 2.8GHz, 2x 1MB Cache, for your £206
AMD have been left trailing by the Core2Duo/ Quad Intel CPU's, there is no way I would consider an AMD CPU at the moment.
Also where as Core2Quad use the same motherboards (BIOS upgrade may be needed) and socket 775 as Core2Duo AMD's quad core solution utilises the new 2 x Socket F not AM2 (at least not yet anyway, and will have lower performance on AM2).
Also where as Core2Quad use the same motherboards (BIOS upgrade may be needed) and socket 775 as Core2Duo AMD's quad core solution utilises the new 2 x Socket F not AM2 (at least not yet anyway, and will have lower performance on AM2).
So no consenus then!
My last couple of desk PC CPUs have been AMD Athlon and Athlon XP. The XP is 2600 overclocked to 3200 and has been running smoothly for 4 years. I am therefore a bit of an AMD fan when self-building. On the otherhand, I have been an Intel fan with my notebooks where tinkering is not something that can be done.
What would be nice, is to go for something that could be upgraded further in the future by virtue of a CPU swap out. Thing is, if I only ugrade every 3-4 years, things have often moved on alot in that time to render the Mobo, memory and graphics all obsolete.
My last couple of desk PC CPUs have been AMD Athlon and Athlon XP. The XP is 2600 overclocked to 3200 and has been running smoothly for 4 years. I am therefore a bit of an AMD fan when self-building. On the otherhand, I have been an Intel fan with my notebooks where tinkering is not something that can be done.
What would be nice, is to go for something that could be upgraded further in the future by virtue of a CPU swap out. Thing is, if I only ugrade every 3-4 years, things have often moved on alot in that time to render the Mobo, memory and graphics all obsolete.
Looks like you really are confused.....
Ok. There are basically two simpe options to start AMD or Intel. AMD is cheaper but slower and less power hungry. Intel is faster but more expensive and uses more power. If you go for a core 2 Duo or a AMD 64 x2 they are both 64bit cpu's. However that doesn't mean they are using the 64 bits as that depends on what operating system you have installed. Vista and indeed XP both have 64bit versions and 32bit versions and generally they are the 32bit versions installed. I wouldnt worry about installing the 64bit versions yet anyway as for the average user you will not notice any difference and they problems with drivers etc still remains.
So, back to the point in hand. AMD's New socket 'AM2' has just come out and will be around for a while so if you want an AMD go for an AMD64 X2 that fits the AM2 socket not the 939 socket. With regards to Intel they are certainly the CPU of choice at the moment as price/performance is better but again to notice this you will have to push it to the max. The only real choice with intel is the Core2 Duo as that is the best CPU and the slower ones are still excellent performers. In the end comes down to what you want it for and how much you want to spend. That'll be clear as mud then.
Ok. There are basically two simpe options to start AMD or Intel. AMD is cheaper but slower and less power hungry. Intel is faster but more expensive and uses more power. If you go for a core 2 Duo or a AMD 64 x2 they are both 64bit cpu's. However that doesn't mean they are using the 64 bits as that depends on what operating system you have installed. Vista and indeed XP both have 64bit versions and 32bit versions and generally they are the 32bit versions installed. I wouldnt worry about installing the 64bit versions yet anyway as for the average user you will not notice any difference and they problems with drivers etc still remains.
So, back to the point in hand. AMD's New socket 'AM2' has just come out and will be around for a while so if you want an AMD go for an AMD64 X2 that fits the AM2 socket not the 939 socket. With regards to Intel they are certainly the CPU of choice at the moment as price/performance is better but again to notice this you will have to push it to the max. The only real choice with intel is the Core2 Duo as that is the best CPU and the slower ones are still excellent performers. In the end comes down to what you want it for and how much you want to spend. That'll be clear as mud then.
sneakyneil said:
Thanks for that. That is a marvellous resource.
I have used AMD processors for years. I recently bought an Intel E6600 Core 2Duo CPU and I am very happy. You could get the E6300 CPU for about £130 and a suitable motherboard for around £80.
These processors offer amazing desktop performance and at low cost.
Add a decent CPU fan (£30) and you can overclock them slightly to yield even better performance.
To be honest, the PC world changes significantly every two years so if you want to upgrade after 3/4 years it makes sense to buy a new system.
These processors offer amazing desktop performance and at low cost.
Add a decent CPU fan (£30) and you can overclock them slightly to yield even better performance.
To be honest, the PC world changes significantly every two years so if you want to upgrade after 3/4 years it makes sense to buy a new system.
Thanks everyone - I feel upto date again now 
. Shall now start to have a look at the motherboards out there. I am not a gamer, but like something that would be good for doing video work, have loads of SATA sockets, possibly built in WiFi, and will run nice and quiet. I don't want much do I?!
. Shall now start to have a look at the motherboards out there. I am not a gamer, but like something that would be good for doing video work, have loads of SATA sockets, possibly built in WiFi, and will run nice and quiet. I don't want much do I?!lord summerisle said:
personally - i've always been an AMD man - so it would be a AMD AM2 Athlon 64 5600 + Dual Core 2.8GHz, 2x 1MB Cache, for your £206
I'm an AMD fan as well but I couldn't recommend one at the moment with the Core 2 Duos so cheap and overclockable. Maybe the new AMDs will change that but at the moment it is Intel all the way.
To the OP - a Core 2 Duo for £93, good 965 chipset motherboard for £80-100 and 2GB of PC6400 RAM for about £150 will get you a good PC at stock speeds and potential for a lot of overclocking. Tomshardware also has some fantastic overclocking guides.
last i read (since my 7 year old Athlon XP machine has finally fallen over (and can i find a socket A board????? 
) and i've been bringing my knowledge upto date) was that AMD are soon to be bringing out processors based on (i think) 65ųm core...rather than the 90ųm winchester core they are currently using which is being streached to its limits
) and i've been bringing my knowledge upto date) was that AMD are soon to be bringing out processors based on (i think) 65ųm core...rather than the 90ųm winchester core they are currently using which is being streached to its limitslord summerisle - had similar problem few months back - told same story , ended up with k7s41gx - which took my 2.8g Athlonxp very nicely . Aria have at least two types of socket a boards in stock.(www.aria.co.uk)
[quote=who me ?]lord summerisle - had similar problem few months back - told same story , ended up with k7s41gx - which took my 2.8g Athlonxp very nicely . Aria have at least two types of socket a boards in stock.(www.aria.co.uk)[/quote]
you know i bought one of them from dabs last weekend, but on plugging it all in it would boot/POST get to starting windows when i'd get the blue screen of death and restart boot up sequence... ask if i wanted to go go to safe mode, or start windows normally... either option would result in a blue screen to restart... tried 2 different harddrives with a windows installation - both the same... while both would work in the other computer...
so brought a spare drive home from work to find the k7s board wouldnt POST now.. just power on. so sending it back to dabs this week.
you know i bought one of them from dabs last weekend, but on plugging it all in it would boot/POST get to starting windows when i'd get the blue screen of death and restart boot up sequence... ask if i wanted to go go to safe mode, or start windows normally... either option would result in a blue screen to restart... tried 2 different harddrives with a windows installation - both the same... while both would work in the other computer...
so brought a spare drive home from work to find the k7s board wouldnt POST now.. just power on. so sending it back to dabs this week.
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