Best Performer for the Price

[ryder_22]

The comparison is between the cheapest Core 2 Duo processor and the D805. If both are overclocked to a stable level on air, which is the best value? Also factor in MB costs; the Mb i'm looking at for D805 is $110 CAN. I doubt the Core 2 duo MB will be that cheap.
I'm not looking at what outperforms what but what is the best deal. I'm willing to sacrifice 10% performance if price is 35% cheaper.
Basically, I'm looking to compare the D805 at 3.6Ghz with low-end Core 2 duo Oc'ed to whatever it can stablely be overclocked to.
As well another question could be, with the CPU prices coming down, which Intel CPU is the best value period, taking in mind its OC'ing ability and MB cost?
Whats the verdict?

 

[chuckshissle]

The E6600 is the best bang for the buck.

 

[pojomofo]

I see what you are saying.

I would probably go with a E6300 for longevity and performance.

I would guess more like 30% performance increase for 30% more $$$.

Think about it, a $180 E6300 beat the pants off of a $400 X2 4200+ or a $300 Pentium D 950.

If you really want the best price/performance, then maybe a AMD X2 3800+. When the price drop happens they should be about $150, and you can get a high quality mobo in the $75-80 dollar range.

 

[gman01]

If you really want the best price/performance, then maybe a AMD X2 3800+. When the price drop happens they should be about $150, and you can get a high quality mobo in the $75-80 dollar range.

That is what I plan on doing.... I love conroe, because it is bringing down the price of the AMD X2's.... I never pay more than $150.00 for any CPU.... My plan for the past 6 years is to upgrade with the best cheap stuff.... So I am always a year behind the top technology - but big deal....

 

[ewart]

805 would need watercooling to reach 3.6, and watercooling isn't cheap.

I'm running an D805 at 3.6Ghz without watercooling. Just on air, using the zalman cooler tom's reccomended. Works a treat.

I would be interested in seeing a direct comparison of an D805 and various conroe options. I'm hoping the conroe is faster (appears that way) as more speed would be good

 

[ewart]

Having now read quite a few articles on the web about this, I can say with some confidence that the E6600 @ 2.4ghz will be a better deal for you than the D805. As I've mentioned I've got a D805 already overclocked and I will be getting a E6600 and overclocking it on air in the same way. IMO I believe it will offer significantly better value than the D805.

Course it all comes down to what how you personally define value. For me, it value will be in this instance:
- excellent performance for the price (core2 setup more expensive but more relative performance
- a much cooler cpu, the D805 gets's REAL HOT. Trust me, it's winter here an I haven't needed to run the heater, I'm not kidding.
- much less power. D805 sucks the juice even more when you OC it
- more overclocking range
- the fond hope that I might future proof (lol) to some degree if I can chuck out the conroe and put in a kentsfield cpu 6 months later.

cheers

 

[Intel_King]

I think you should wait few months after price drop, so you can see the reviews on the net, which one is more efficient. Since Core 2 Duo is still new, and is still pricy, ( i already bought my intel d 930 for great price)
So, If you dont mind a hotter cpu, and want it now really bad, go for the D805.

 

[ethernalite]

The E6300 will overclock as high as the motherboard will let it (for the most part). For a quality enthusiast motherboard, around 400Mhz can be "expected", although it is not at all guarenteed. So, you could expect anywhere from 2.5Ghz-3.0Ghz depending on the mobo. At the low end, 2.5 Ghz would easily take on an 805 overclocked to 4Ghz, I would think. The E6300 at stock is only a few percentage points slower than the EE965, and it's unlikely that you can get your 805 to above 965 performance without more expensive cooling solutions.

Then again, the 805 is much cheaper - the E6300 is twice as much. But the E6300's performance will probably be 50% greater than an 805 when both are overclocked.