Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale+4GB RAM vs AMD Athlon II X3 425+4GB RAM

WINNER: Athlon II X3 425

LOSER: Intel Pentium E5200

I'm wondering if the following set-up will be good for gaming (Games like cod4,5 and 6, Flight Sim 9/10 etc.

The Following Set-up has been edited 2 or 3 times:

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard (Combo with CPU below)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128394

AMD Athlon II X3 425 Rana 2.7GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Processor (Combo w/ Mobo above)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726

WINTEC AMPX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 3AXT6400C5-4096K
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820161183

^They cost a total of $276.99 Canadian (With Tax)

Just to clear up some confusion.. This post was about the E5200 vs the Phenom X3 earlier. Now I replaced the Phenom with the Athalon II x3 425.

Message edited by fuddy12345 on 01-26-2010 at 05:27:49 AM

i cant believe im saying this, but get the intel :pfff:

cant you just get a better amd offer like a x2 250 with 4 gigs ddr3, ddr2 will cost an arm and a leg soon

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------------------------------ Athlon X2 5800+|ECS A740GM-M|Kingston 2GB DDR2
Reply to xaira

The original Phenom processor was the biggest waste of money ever.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ E8500 @ 3.8 (Normal settings)
E8500 @ 4.5 (Benchmarking settings)
Reply to werxen

xaira wrote :

i cant believe im saying this, but get the intel :pfff:

cant you just get a better amd offer like a x2 250 with 4 gigs ddr3, ddr2 will cost an arm and a leg soon

The X2 250 with 4GB DDR3 costs more than the current set-up options.. But I will take it into consideration.

Reply to fuddy12345

werxen wrote :

The original Phenom processor was the biggest waste of money ever.

So do you recommend the Intel?

Reply to fuddy12345

Frankly though the core2 cpu there is very easy to overclock the Phenom II triples are probably a better bet as newer software makes better use of the extra core.

The E5's do overclock very well - mine goes to 4Ghz with a push and is stable at 3.46 under stock voltage.

The Phenom there you listed is an old one ... not a good idea to consider.

Tell us what you want to be able to do with the system and we will help you.

Welcome to teh forums

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to REYNOD

REYNOD wrote :

Frankly though the core2 cpu there is very easy to overclock the Phenom II triples are probably a better bet as newer software makes better use of the extra core.

The E5's do overclock very well - mine goes to 4Ghz with a push and is stable at 3.46 under stock voltage.

The Phenom there you listed is an old one ... not a good idea to consider.

Tell us what you want to be able to do with the system and we will help you.

Welcome to teh forums

Thanks for the welcome =) I want to be able to play games like Call of Duty (4,5 and 6), Flight Simulators etc. Although from what you can see, i have a tight budget. Trying to keep it under $300 (Including a motherboard).

Reply to fuddy12345

The e5200 with 4gb ram is better. x3 is garbage.
There are x4 for $110 right now so think about that. And 2gb is NOT enought today.
The e5200 is also a CRAZY overclocker (:

------------------------------ Gigabyte GA-P43-ES3G--Intel e5200 @ 2.93ghz--6gb DDR2 800--WD 320gb--Sapphire HD 3870--Coolermaster 310 Elite
Reply to crazy359

So $300 ca for a mobo, cpu, and ram? Or are there other parts you need also? Monitor resolution?

For $80 ($10 more than the E5200) you can get the Athlon II 425 x3.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] -_-Product

If you use the link in my sig on how to ask for build advise, there are other questions where we can spec out all the parts you need. If you can answer all the requested info, we'll be able to really give you some good advise.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by skora on 01-23-2010 at 07:03:12 AM

------------------------------ Use this format when ASKING FOR BUILD ADVISE

Reply to skora

What PC bits do you have to start with?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to REYNOD

E5200+4gb+gigabyte ga g31m es2l. . . . .U can get it for almost $200

Reply to dj_beggar

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0ga%20g31m

cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

in the future you can buy another stick of this ram
do you have a psu or case

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811154094

psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817170017

Subtotal: $304.45

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by mrhoshos96 on 01-23-2010 at 11:59:40 AM

Reply to mrhoshos96

REYNOD wrote :

What PC bits do you have to start with?

I just want to replace my motherboard, RAM and Processor. I already have a computer.. so it isn't a fresh build.

Reply to fuddy12345

mrhoshos96 wrote :

mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0ga%20g31m

cpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

gpu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

in the future you can buy another stick of this ram
do you have a psu or case

case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811154094

psu: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817170017

Subtotal: $304.45

First of all, I have to use newegg.ca.. so the price is much higher.. I just need to replace mobo, ram and cpu.

Reply to fuddy12345

skora wrote :

So $300 ca for a mobo, cpu, and ram? Or are there other parts you need also? Monitor resolution?

For $80 ($10 more than the E5200) you can get the Athlon II 425 x3.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] -_-Product

If you use the link in my sig on how to ask for build advise, there are other questions where we can spec out all the parts you need. If you can answer all the requested info, we'll be able to really give you some good advise.

Just need to replace my CURRENT mobo, ram and cpu with new mobo, ram and cpu.

Reply to fuddy12345

Stop spamming, idiot.

Message quoted 2 times

------------------------------ E8500 @ 3.8 (Normal settings)
E8500 @ 4.5 (Benchmarking settings)
Reply to werxen

werxen wrote :

Stop spamming, idiot.

Sorry...

go with the intel

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to SAAIELLO

SAAIELLO wrote :

go with the intel

I will take that into consideration. I think Im crossing the Phenom off the list and replacing it with an AMD Athalon II X3 425 and 4GB RAM. Do you think that is better than the intel?

Yea its better but I just dont feel that x3 is right. Its eather 2 or 4. Yea sure a AM3 setup is more futureproof.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Gigabyte GA-P43-ES3G--Intel e5200 @ 2.93ghz--6gb DDR2 800--WD 320gb--Sapphire HD 3870--Coolermaster 310 Elite
Reply to crazy359

crazy359 wrote :

Yea its better but I just dont feel that x3 is right. Its eather 2 or 4. Yea sure a AM3 setup is more futureproof.

What do you think of the AMD Athalon II X3 425? Some say its better than the phenom.

Thanks for the help so far everyone.

If all you want to be able to do is play games I don't think a tri or quad core will matter that much for most games. A faster dual core might get you better performance. How about an Athlon 2 250 or the phenom 2 550?

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Reply to gomi

gomi wrote :

If all you want to be able to do is play games I don't think a tri or quad core will matter that much for most games. A faster dual core might get you better performance. How about an Athlon 2 250 or the phenom 2 550?

AMD Athlon II X3 425 Rana seems better than the 250 but If I need to save $10.. I will go for the 250.

Here is a little list from AMD and you can compare all of the specs of the various models your interested in fuddy.

http://products.amd.com/en-us/desk [...] =&f12=True

Message edited by REYNOD on 01-24-2010 at 02:03:22 AM

Reply to REYNOD

WTF?????? Who the heck is recommending an e5200 over the Athlon II x3 425?????? The Athlon destroys the e5200 in both gaming and other tasks. Just look at any benchmarks...

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ *AMD Phenom II x4 955 BE
*8 gigs OCZ gold amd ddr3 1600
*Nvidia Geforce 295 GTX
*Creative SB X-Fi xtreme gamer
Reply to yannifb

[quotemsg=2049210,26,444131]WTF?????? Who the heck is recommending an e5200 over the Athlon II x3 425?????? The Athlon destroys the e5200 in both gaming and other tasks. Just look at any benchmarks...[/quotems

You seem to be right. Is this a valid benchmark list: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by fuddy12345 on 01-24-2010 at 04:37:45 AM

fuddy12345 wrote :

Could you please provide me a link to benchmarks?

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/1.html

Here. In every single one the II x3 beats the e5200. Usually by a significant amount.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ *AMD Phenom II x4 955 BE
*8 gigs OCZ gold amd ddr3 1600
*Nvidia Geforce 295 GTX
*Creative SB X-Fi xtreme gamer
Reply to yannifb

yannifb wrote :

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/1.html

Here. In every single one the II x3 beats the e5200. Usually by a significant amount.

Thanks! Im definately gonna try to get the Athalon II x3 250

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by fuddy12345 on 01-24-2010 at 04:40:43 AM

C2D e 7400 is equal with Athlon II X2 245. Hihi, so i choose the x3.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to tjane

fuddy12345 wrote :

Thanks! Im definately gonna try to get the Athalon II x3 250

Ok good im just glad i noticed this thread. Because honestly, all biases aside, there is no reason on earth to suggest the e5200 over that II x3

------------------------------ *AMD Phenom II x4 955 BE
*8 gigs OCZ gold amd ddr3 1600
*Nvidia Geforce 295 GTX
*Creative SB X-Fi xtreme gamer
Reply to yannifb

Well I haave an E5300 here that goes to 4Ghz easy and if I put the old water rig on it for stability an X3 would be hard pressed to beat it.

It also runs sweet on std voltage at 3.46 too ... once again ... it would wipe an X3 unless it was overclocked.

Having said that, many don't want to overclock ... or do so moderately.

In terms of value for money the X3 45nm Phenom II's are great buys ... and in the right space in terms of performance for the money.

If the OP had a low end core2 system I would have no hesitation in recommending they upgrade to a faster core2 quad (just swap the chip) and overclock it ... since the path is simpler ... and an overclocked Penryn beats a Phenom II on many fronts.

Once you start having to transplant with a new mobo etc ... then an upgrade to a Phenom / i3 / i5 / i7 becomes a better alternative, as socket 775 is now EOL.

De remember though ... that a core2 Quad (12Mb caache) still beats a Phenom II in most things (IPC is slightly better) and overclocks just as well.

Both AMD and Intel produce good product ... the trick is getting the best value for money ... at least for many of us.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to REYNOD

Here's a base AM3 tri core setup:

$80 AMD 425x3 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
$75 Biostar AM3 785g http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813138167
$79 OCZ DDR3 1066 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227346

Not sure what delivery and taxes will hit you for, but its a start. Biostar and 1066 ddr3 are what I'd consider tier 3 choices. If you're not OC'ing, the biostar should be just fine at stock speeds.

A few upgrade options into tier 2 would be:
+$16 Adata DDR3 1333 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820211410
+$5-$15 ($10 rebate if you count it) Asus AM3 770 mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131603
+$11 AMD 435x3 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] k=435%20x3

To go tier 4, heres an AM2+ setup:

Combo
$135-$145 (rebate if you want) AMD 425 and Asus AM2+ 770 mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Combo [...] mbo.317062
CPU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
You can upgrade to the 435 for another $11 or the 620 for $25 with that same mobo combo'd.
mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131618
$80-$110 (rebate if you want) OCZ DDR2 1066 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227289
If you don't do rebates, 4 gigs of DDR2 800 went for $81-$85.

If you really want to skimp but be functional, any AM2+/AM3 mobo will work at stock speeds and can be had for $50-$75.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Use this format when ASKING FOR BUILD ADVISE

Reply to skora

REYNOD wrote :

Well I haave an E5300 here that goes to 4Ghz easy and if I put the old water rig on it for stability an X3 would be hard pressed to beat it.

It also runs sweet on std voltage at 3.46 too ... once again ... it would wipe an X3 unless it was overclocked.

Having said that, many don't want to overclock ... or do so moderately.

In terms of value for money the X3 45nm Phenom II's are great buys ... and in the right space in terms of performance for the money.

If the OP had a low end core2 system I would have no hesitation in recommending they upgrade to a faster core2 quad (just swap the chip) and overclock it ... since the path is simpler ... and an overclocked Penryn beats a Phenom II on many fronts.

Once you start having to transplant with a new mobo etc ... then an upgrade to a Phenom / i3 / i5 / i7 becomes a better alternative, as socket 775 is now EOL.

De remember though ... that a core2 Quad (12Mb caache) still beats a Phenom II in most things (IPC is slightly better) and overclocks just as well.

Both AMD and Intel produce good product ... the trick is getting the best value for money ... at least for many of us.

I don't really want to overclock anything. I just want whats best right outta the box. I think the AMD II x3 defeats the E5200 on that.

What do you think of this set-up (i think it has all I need):

http://www.newegg.ca/Shopping/Shop [...] 6820161183
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128342

skora wrote :

Here's a base AM3 tri core setup:

$80 AMD 425x3 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
$75 Biostar AM3 785g http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813138167
$79 OCZ DDR3 1066 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227346

Not sure what delivery and taxes will hit you for, but its a start. Biostar and 1066 ddr3 are what I'd consider tier 3 choices. If you're not OC'ing, the biostar should be just fine at stock speeds.

A few upgrade options into tier 2 would be:
+$16 Adata DDR3 1333 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820211410
+$5-$15 ($10 rebate if you count it) Asus AM3 770 mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131603
+$11 AMD 435x3 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] k=435%20x3

To go tier 4, heres an AM2+ setup:

Combo
$135-$145 (rebate if you want) AMD 425 and Asus AM2+ 770 mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Combo [...] mbo.317062
CPU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
You can upgrade to the 435 for another $11 or the 620 for $25 with that same mobo combo'd.
mobo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131618
$80-$110 (rebate if you want) OCZ DDR2 1066 ram http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227289
If you don't do rebates, 4 gigs of DDR2 800 went for $81-$85.

If you really want to skimp but be functional, any AM2+/AM3 mobo will work at stock speeds and can be had for $50-$75.

hmm.. I save $30 if I buy this set-up, what do you think of it:

http://www.newegg.ca/Shopping/Shop [...] 6820161183
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128342

Message quoted 1 times

tjane wrote :

C2D e 7400 is equal with Athlon II X2 245. Hihi, so i choose the x3.

Ok. What do you think about this combo;
http://www.newegg.ca/Shopping/Shop [...] 6820161183
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128342

Don't mind more help but I think AMD set-up wins =)

Message quoted 1 times

werxen wrote :

Stop spamming, idiot.

Stop being a dick to newbies, moron.

------------------------------ Phenom II 955@3,808GHz HT-2380MHz, NB-2380MHz|6GB OCZ Gold DDR3 1600Mhz|Powercolor Ati HD4890|1TB WD Black Caviar|M4A78T-E
Reply to Cryslayer80

--

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Cryslayer80 on 01-24-2010 at 08:40:01 PM

------------------------------ Phenom II 955@3,808GHz HT-2380MHz, NB-2380MHz|6GB OCZ Gold DDR3 1600Mhz|Powercolor Ati HD4890|1TB WD Black Caviar|M4A78T-E
Reply to Cryslayer80

Cryslayer80 wrote :

If there weren't for these idiots it would have won in the first place... Who, -in the world-, could have recommended an outdated dual core over a triple core with new architecture just because it is from Intel? You need to fix your complexes, my friends...

Well.. Some of the earlier posts were about the E5200 vs the AMD Phenom X3 8750 Black Edition.. but later on I got rid of the Phenom X3 and replaced it with the Athalon II X3 245 Rana which seems to be A LOT better than the E5200 (as of some benchmarks).

Okay, I apologize as I wasn't checking the forum out from the start. Anyway that triple is a great choice.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Phenom II 955@3,808GHz HT-2380MHz, NB-2380MHz|6GB OCZ Gold DDR3 1600Mhz|Powercolor Ati HD4890|1TB WD Black Caviar|M4A78T-E
Reply to Cryslayer80

Cryslayer80 wrote :

Okay, I apologize as I wasn't checking the forum out from the start. Anyway that triple is a great choice.

Its ok. Now my only challenge is to get my parents to agree...

i would still go with the intel but thats my opion

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to SAAIELLO

SAAIELLO wrote :

i would still go with the intel but thats my opion

Look at these benchmarks and compare the E5200 with the 425. Then tell me why you think that the intel is better:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/8.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 25/10.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/6.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/7.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 425/5.html
... and theres more on the site..

fuddy ... time to buy the bits and put it together ... then get back to us for some help overclockingthe cr@p out of your new rig.

Good luck ... oh yes ... the techpoweru article is not too bad.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to REYNOD

REYNOD wrote :

fuddy ... time to buy the bits and put it together ... then get back to us for some help overclockingthe cr@p out of your new rig.

Good luck ... oh yes ... the techpoweru article is not too bad.

lol. Thanks. Now my challenge is to get my parents to agree to buy them.. Im only 13 -.-

fuddy12345 wrote :

hmm.. I save $30 if I buy this set-up, what do you think of it:

http://www.newegg.ca/Shopping/Shop [...] 6820161183
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103726
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813128342

That would be the skimping tier 4 that I mentioned. At $212 for parts, I'd really push for the tier 3 DDR3/am3 setup for the extra $22. It leaves more options open later and will have better performance. The 740g has a couple of deficiencies that may end up biting you later. Its only a PCIe x16 1.0 slot, so only has half the bandwidth of the 2.0 slot on the 770 mobo. Probably not an issue now (depending on the video card you have, which is? for what monitor resolution?) but future mid level cards might saturate that, especially with fast DDR5 ram moving a ton of data quickly. Also, the MTS is only 2000 instead of the 5200 that the 770 mobo has.

If you can't talk them into the extra $22, see if they'll go for the rebates as the AM2+ 770/ DDR2 1066 system is only $3 more after rebate. If not, then the AM2+ 770/ 425 combo without the rebate and the DDR2 800 ram would be $13 more than the 740g based system. I think that 770 mobo with better ram will make a difference well worth that small amount of money.

Message quoted 2 times
Message edited by skora on 01-25-2010 at 07:41:30 AM

------------------------------ Use this format when ASKING FOR BUILD ADVISE

Reply to skora

skora wrote :

That would be the skimping tier 4 that I mentioned. At $212 for parts, I'd really push for the tier 3 DDR3/am3 setup for the extra $22. It leaves more options open later and will have better performance. The 740g has a couple of deficiencies that may end up biting you later. Its only a PCIe x16 1.0 slot, so only has half the bandwidth of the 2.0 slot on the 770 mobo. Probably not an issue now (depending on the video card you have, which is? for what monitor resolution?) but future mid level cards might saturate that, especially with fast DDR5 ram moving a ton of data quickly. Also, the MTS is only 2000 instead of the 5200 that the 770 mobo has.

If you can't talk them into the extra $22, see if they'll go for the rebates as the AM2+ 770/ DDR2 1066 system is only $3 more after rebate. If not, then the AM2+ 770/ 425 combo without the rebate and the DDR2 800 ram would be $13 more than the 740g based system. I think that 770 mobo with better ram will make a difference well worth that small amount of money.

The 770 doesn't come in Micro ATX so I canno't get that. If it does, please send me a link.

What do you think of this motherboard:

ASRock K10N78M AM3/AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813157160

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by fuddy12345 on 01-25-2010 at 01:48:08 PM

fuddy good luck with that.

Drizzt

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to REYNOD

REYNOD wrote :

fuddy good luck with that.

Drizzt

What do you mean?

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