FX-4100 vs Phenom II x4 965 Please Help!!

Maxx_Power

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Deneb C3 if you must AMD it. Per core performance is much better as well as more total full function cores. Even then, I noticed a lot of lagging when things get busy running StarCraft 2, something you might consider if you play CPU intensive games.

If you OC though, you will need a better cooler, which can cost up to 100 dollars (if you go that route). Consider adding that cost to the CPU cost. If you add that heatsink price to the base CPU price, so the total ranges from about 150 to maybe 200 dollars, you might as well get an Intel Sandy Bridge based CPU on a new Z77 motherboard.

No amount of overclocking that old Deneb will get you Sandy Bridge like performance.
 

mousseng

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Apr 13, 2012
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While I'll admit that you'll definitely not be able to match Sandy Bridge performance at $160+, the 965BE (being only $110) is a definite competitor to something like an i3-2120 ($125). That said, a Hyper 212 EVO ($35) will be able to keep the 965 cool under an overclock. So that'll total about $145.

Considering Intel has nothing at that price point, if you're looking to spend no more than $150, that'll be your best bet.
 

stant1rm

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The 965 is far better then the 4100. An Hyper 212 EVO is a beastly cooler in it's own right and if you want something even a little bit more, I suggest you look into a Corsair H60. $65 will get a very nice water cooling setup and let you really push that 965. Plus it's a ton quieter then the 212.
 


Not really. The H60 is just ~1C cooler than a 212 Evo on average. Add a second fan to the 212 Evo and it beats the H60 under load. Not really that much quieter either.