Which Processor is Better?

[Jettatore]

Hi, I'm building a new PC and would like to ask the experts which processor to go with.

AMD Athalon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz at $219
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz at $314

Other suggestions in this price range also appreciated.

 

[Ranman68k]

The Core 2 Duo E6300/E6400 is a better comparison against the X2 5200+.

The Core 2 Duo E6600 compares closer to the X2 6000+.

As most everyone will say here... Get the Core 2 Duo. The E6300 is less expensive and will overclock very nicely if you need more throughput.

 

[apt403]

Yeah, even an E6400 @ like $180 can meet a 5200+ performance wise in some things.

 

[Jettatore]

The 6400 suggestion is good also.

Is the 4M L2 Cache on the 6600 going to do anything for me over the 2M L2 Cache on the 6400? Or is the preformance between these two cards not really worth $100 (newegg prices)?

 

[dasickninja]

Uh, you mean processors not cards, right? The difference in cache is barely noticeable for 90% of tasks.

 

[T8RR8R]

Between the 2mb and 4mb it's not really worth the 100 bucks. That's not the only difference between the e6400 and e6600 though. e6400 has an 8x multiplier and e6600 has a 9x multiplier. I'd go with the e6400 because they both OC about the same and you get to there with a higher FSB with the e6400. In a year whatever you pick be obsolete anyway. AMD doesn't offer anything that's worth it right now. AMD is a waste of money right now for the performance you get/don't get.

 

[billystringer]

Don't forget about the e4300 either! Super overclocking potential and only $169.00! (FREE shipping) 8O

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115013

Might buy one myself now that I've thought about it!

-The String

 

[joefriday]

[Sigh....]

Which CPU is better for what? Although the Intel processor is a stronger performer and can overclock better, if you're going to be using this computer for undemanding tasks it won't matter. If you'd state what it is you plan to do with your new computer, people can better recommend the CPU to buy.

 

[XrayMan]

Hi, I'm building a new PC and would like to ask the experts which processor to go with.

AMD Athalon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz at $219
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz at $314

Other suggestions in this price range also appreciated.

Go with an Intel setup. Currently AMD processors can't compete with Intel's. I have the E6600 and very happy with it.

 

[Hex]

Hi, I'm building a new PC and would like to ask the experts which processor to go with.

AMD Athalon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz at $219
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz at $314

Other suggestions in this price range also appreciated.

The E6600 will out perform the 5200+ pretty much across the board, around 10-20%.

The question you need to ask yourself is --- is 100 bucks worth the difference.

Now, when you are considering this.... price out the costs of both systems, MB, memory, and such....

Where E6600 platform is more expensive --- Motherboard
Where 5200+ platform is more expensive --- memory.

The E6600, if you are not overclocking, pairs well with DDR2-533 and gets good performance. The 5200+ requires the best memory you can afford to get the performance you will see in HW reviews, DDR2-800 CL4 is what you would likely want to shoot for.

Jack

I agree with Jack on this (as ironic as it may seem to some), as I posted something relatively close to what he stated in another thread.

1. If you are going for overall raw performance, the Intel E6600 is what you want to go with.

2. The E6600 has approximately 15% or so performace gain over the 5200+ X2. In other words, if you are looking for a rig that will play BattleField 2142, you may see 75 frames per second with the 5200+ X2, and 95 frames per second with the E6600 (assuming you use the same video card for both systems).

3. If you have a tighter budget, you have to ask your self if $100 is worth an extra 20 frames per second. If not, the 5200+ X2 is the better choice of the two.

4. The one thing I disagree with is the extra cost for the memory on the AM2 platform (i.e. 5200+ X2).

P.S. Jack, correct me if I'm wrong, but both platforms use 240 pin RAM, and in that case, wouldn't the memory be the same price?

 

[joefriday]

He's referring to the performance hit experienced on AMD's AM2 board when using less than ideal ram. Intel's C2D doesn't experience the deleterious effects of value ram as much, do in part to the large L2 cache pool. It will be interesting to see how the 512KB Core 2 Pentium and Celeron CPUs perform in light of this.

 

[Hex]

He's referring to the performance hit experienced on AMD's AM2 board when using less than ideal ram. Intel's C2D doesn't experience the deleterious effects of value ram as much, do in part to the large L2 cache pool. It will be interesting to see how the 512KB Core 2 Pentium and Celeron CPUs perform in light of this.

Ok. I was not made aware of that problem/conflict. However, I must say given the large price drop on newegg concerning the 2 X 1Gig sticks of Corsair RAM, I'd assume the price would not be too significant.

I'm not quite sure how much Jettatore is interested in spending on RAM, but at $207 with an additional $40 rebate, the Corsair memory deal is hard to beat.

CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

 

[gemini119]

Enough is better.
According to your needs.
I choose 5200+,because it is cheaper.

 

[ladic]

xcoooll

 

[snap85]

Consider the power draw and heat dissipated by the processors also.

If you are going to have your PC on for most of the day if not 24/7, the C2D processors woudl save you some $$ in your power bills over the next 2-3 years. And you wouldn't have a computer heating up your room that much too.

However for just the occasional PC user you could probably save by going for the X2 and getting value ram. Cause if you are not getting value ram for the AMD setup you probably would be spending the same amt.

Lastly if you are budget concious but still like good performace, consider the E6300-6400 instead