New rig,AMD or Conroe for the best performance/price?

[heertzy]

Hi everybody!
There are more than 2 month since I'm planning to make a new rig!
Help me to choose finally a config.

I'v allready grab the HDD(WD 2500KS),videocard(BFG GeForce 7600GT OC),PSU/case(SeasonicS12-500/Antec SLK3000B),DVD-RW(NEC 3550A).

I'll use my pc for playing games,office app,video editing,photoshop...
I have only 460$ for Mobo/CPU/DDR
Which is better with this budget?AMD 939,AMD AM2,Intel P D 9XX,Core 2 Duo?
Please help me choose the right one!I can't wait anymore!

Thanks

[harijan]

Either AM2/Conroe.

I'm not sure how much things cost across the pacific, but X2-3500 or a E6300.

DDR2-667 is plenty fast.

I'm not upto date on AMD mobo's but for Intel, the 965 boards are the ones to get if you aren't going to go SLI/Crossfire.

[vitaminc]

For AM2, the best price/performance processor to get is Athlon 64 X2 3800+ AM2. ($150)

The best overclocking motherboard is ASUS's M2N32-SLi or Foxconn's C51XEM2AA (both $200), but you can get the cheaper ASUS M2N-SLi ($150) or Biostar TForce 550 ($100) that overclocks quite well also. But you would probably spend some money on a passive northbridge heatsink for Biostar as it uses a NB fan.

1 GB value DDR2 2x512MB kits should cost less than or roughly $100.

Core 2 Duo E6300 is about $200 but has superb price/performance ratio over both Athlon X2 3800+ or 4200+, but the good motherboards cost a bit more, such as the ASUS P5W DH ($200) or the Gigabyte DS3 ($150).

I would go for Core 2 Duo.

[Sizzle]

I have a E6300 on the way, looking at any performance tests, it out performs procs that cost quite a bit more then it does.

I did drop some big dollars on my mother board though, but I guess that depends on the features you want.

[FraGGleR]

Here is what I did:

e6300 core 2 duo - $210
Asrock 775dual-vsta mobo - $60 (the 965 chipset isn't mature yet so this is a stop gap, although it runs very nicely right now. i don't overclock).
2 gb corsair value select DDR2 667 ram - $155

anandtech.com has good things to say about the processor, mobo, and value ram in general. this isn't cream of the crop, but for the price it is an exceptional system. i was very close to an x2 setup, but for a few bucks more on the processor, and a few bucks less on the mobo, i am getting a significant bump in performance. have fun. planning a new build is the best part for me.

[Lawrence Lee]

E6300/E6400 are only worth it if you plan on overclocking because a decent Core 2 Duo motherboard is more expensive than a decent AM2 motherboard. And you should never skimp on the motherboard... it's the most important component, IMO.

[heertzy]

Here is what I did:

e6300 core 2 duo - $210
Asrock 775dual-vsta mobo - $60 (the 965 chipset isn't mature yet so this is a stop gap, although it runs very nicely right now. i don't overclock).
2 gb corsair value select DDR2 667 ram - $155

anandtech.com has good things to say about the processor, mobo, and value ram in general. this isn't cream of the crop, but for the price it is an exceptional system. i was very close to an x2 setup, but for a few bucks more on the processor, and a few bucks less on the mobo, i am getting a significant bump in performance. have fun. planning a new build is the best part for me.

Right!But this mobo has a crap cipset,don't you think?
Could be better the AsRock ConroeXFire-eSata2?

Thanks

[heertzy]

I have a E6300 on the way, looking at any performance tests, it out performs procs that cost quite a bit more then it does.

I did drop some big dollars on my mother board though, but I guess that depends on the features you want.

What mobo?What DDR?Show me your rig,please!It run well?

[heertzy]

Either AM2/Conroe.

I'm not sure how much things cost across the pacific, but X2-3500 or a E6300.

DDR2-667 is plenty fast.

I'm not upto date on AMD mobo's but for Intel, the 965 boards are the ones to get if you aren't going to go SLI/Crossfire.

The 965 boards are still expensive! AMD's mobos ar more affordable but I'v readed that is not a great deal to go with AM2.Faster DDR2 for them ar quite expensive and a good DDR TCCD with lower timmings make the difference between 939 and AM2.Don't you think?
I don't need SLI/crossfire.Only a good, decent Rig for playing games and work.

Thanks

[paapaa]

Either AM2/Conroe.

I'm not sure how much things cost across the pacific, but X2-3500 or a E6300.

You really can't compare those. E6300 is better than AMD X2 4200+ or sometimes even X2 5000+ - it depends what you do. I don't think X2-3500 even exists.

And a reminder to all: frequency tells you nothing about real performance if you compare different architectures.

[zenboy]

X2-3500 isn't out yet, is it?

I can see some interest in it, since it doesn't have Virtualization, it might use a little less power, but it's not, as I've been able to determine, anywhere in the same realm as the E6300, performance wise.

[paapaa]

X2-3500 isn't out yet, is it?

AMD doesn't list any dual core processors below model number X2 3800+. So there is no X2 3500+ and I think there never will...

[zenboy]

I've heard rumors of it many times, and it's possible that it might not ever come out, but it's been on various price lists and whatnot for a while. Rumor is it's similar to a 915 in concept: dual core, slightly lower clock, no Virtualization. Could be a nice option if if materializes.

Here's a thread with a price list featuring the X2 3500+.
http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=190404

[vitaminc]

X2-3500 isn't out yet, is it?

AMD doesn't list any dual core processors below model number X2 3800+. So there is no X2 3500+ and I think there never will...

It's a typo for X2 3600+ I think.

AMD will release X2 3600+ sometimes in the September/October time frame. Same clock/multiplier as the X2 3800+ but half the cach size and $20 cheaper AFAIK.

[stromgald]

Intel Core2Duo processors have the best performance/$ IMO, but I think the motherboards for Core2Duo are a little skimpy right now. They also tend to be more expensive.

[GlassMan]

I have a E6300 on the way, looking at any performance tests, it out performs procs that cost quite a bit more then it does.

I did drop some big dollars on my mother board though, but I guess that depends on the features you want.

OK I'll bite, What board, and what features, how much.

[QuietOC]

games,office app,video editing,photoshop

Those applications have vastly different performance requirements.

Gaming: generally GPU limited. Look for the single fastest core: currently "Woodcrest" Xeon 5160 (the fact it has two cores doesn't help). Conroes are fast, but even the old 2.8GHz Athlon 64 FX57 is quite good. Best performance/price would be the 2.4GHz Athlon 64 3400+ with motherboard deal for $99 at Newegg.

Office Apps: Big cache helps. Xeon 51xx or Core 2 Duo. How fast do you really need your office apps?

Video Editing: Clockspeed x IPC x Cores is king. Again Dual Xeon 5160 is the fastest. Not sure what is current bang-for-your buck leader, but definitely a dual-core chip of some type. P-D 805 is only $108. X2 3800+ is $150. Core 2 Duo E6300 is $230. Any of these can be overclocked easily.

Photoshop: I'd say a G5 Mac. The only place Photoshop can use as much memory as it wants. Probably a lot of used G5s on the market after this week.

So, if you are often doing video editing dual-core is the way to go. For gaming performance you want at least a 2.4GHz K8 or any Core 2. An X2 4600+ of either socket is about $260. The Core 2 Duo E6300 is slightly cheaper and should give slightly better performance. A decent motherboard for either will be at least $100.

The dirt cheap 3400+ and motherboard will have half the video encoding/decoding speed of the dual-core chips, but will save $260 and perform equally in most games using the 7600GT.

The Pentium 4's pretty much suck at games, but an overclocked low-end P4-D can be fast enough and is still pretty good at video tasks. The big tradeoff is extreme heat output/energy usage.

[harijan]

You really can't compare those. E6300 is better than AMD X2 4200+ or sometimes even X2 5000+ - it depends what you do. I don't think X2-3500 even exists.

Woops. I thought AMD released all the processors they had on 939 for AM2.

I know they aren't comparable in performance, but it also depends on cost. I'm probably wrong for suggesting the x2-35/3800 though I guess.

[heertzy]

Gaming: generally GPU limited. Look for the single fastest core: currently "Woodcrest" Xeon 5160 (the fact it has two cores doesn't help). Conroes are fast, but even the old 2.8GHz Athlon 64 FX57 is quite good. Best performance/price would be the 2.4GHz Athlon 64 3400+ with motherboard deal for $99 at Newegg.

What skt.?

Office Apps: Big cache helps. Xeon 51xx or Core 2 Duo. How fast do you really need your office apps?

Video Editing: Clockspeed x IPC x Cores is king. Again Dual Xeon 5160 is the fastest. Not sure what is current bang-for-your buck leader, but definitely a dual-core chip of some type. P-D 805 is only $108. X2 3800+ is $150. Core 2 Duo E6300 is $230. Any of these can be overclocked easily.

Xeon=expensive,not for games,P D 805=Too Hot!
X2 3800+ what skt?I'v seen a X2 4400+skt939 at a good price.It could be better?
Core 2 Duo,what mobo(decent mobo)?AsRock ConroeXfire-eSata2(it's a bargain)???

Photoshop: I'd say a G5 Mac. The only place Photoshop can use as much memory as it wants. Probably a lot of used G5s on the market after this week.

G5 Mac is great, but i got already some components

So, if you are often doing video editing dual-core is the way to go. For gaming performance you want at least a 2.4GHz K8 or any Core 2. An X2 4600+ of either socket is about $260. The Core 2 Duo E6300 is slightly cheaper and should give slightly better performance. A decent motherboard for either will be at least $100.

YES!!Dual core but what?I need a decent PC,not a high-end.Did you see the budget I have?Only 460$!!

The dirt cheap 3400+ and motherboard will have half the video encoding/decoding speed of the dual-core chips, but will save $260 and perform equally in most games using the 7600GT.

I need save money but i need also a dual core!

Your help is great thanks, but draw a conclusion!Which is the better choice?
I can't wait Christmas and Santa Clause to give me one.
I need a decent PC but a good one, now.I don't need SLI,Crossfire,high ocing,but i want great reliability .
939,AM2 or conroe?P D 9XX it could be an option?
AM2 needs expensive memory,right?And is not much faster than 939,so why should i make an AM2 rig?I don't like to uprade my pc any 6 month.
And concluding;what is "Palladium" ? i must be worried of it?

Thanks again

[heertzy]

You really can't compare those. E6300 is better than AMD X2 4200+ or sometimes even X2 5000+ - it depends what you do. I don't think X2-3500 even exists.

Woops. I thought AMD released all the processors they had on 939 for AM2.

I know they aren't comparable in performance, but it also depends on cost. I'm probably wrong for suggesting the x2-35/3800 though I guess.

Give me an example;CPU/Mobo/DDR with X2 3X00+

Thanks

[heertzy]

X2-3500 isn't out yet, is it?

I can see some interest in it, since it doesn't have Virtualization, it might use a little less power, but it's not, as I've been able to determine, anywhere in the same realm as the E6300, performance wise.

Excuse me,but can you explain me what is "Virtualisation" and what is for?

Thanks

[jaganath]

P D 9XX it could be an option?
AM2 needs expensive memory,right?And is not much faster than 939,so why should i make an AM2 rig?I don't like to uprade my pc any 6 month.

The Pentium D 9XX are too hot. AFAIAA DDR2 is not much more expensive than DDR, and is even cheaper in some cases. You won't have to upgrade every 6 months, AM2 motherboards will be compatible with AM3 CPU's.

In my opinion you should get the cheapest Core 2 Duo and the cheapest motherboard for it, that will come within your budget and fulfil your requirements.

what is Virtualisation?

[harijan]

Give me an example;CPU/Mobo/DDR with X2 3X00+

Thanks

X2-3800, Asus M2N-E, 2x512MB DDR2-667. Move up processor/ram in steps as you can afford it I guess.

If you went Conroe, E63/6600, 2x512MB DDR2-667, mobo's are sort of in transition stage, so just pick any you can afford that's Conroe compatible.

[QuietOC]

Your help is great thanks, but draw a conclusion!Which is the better choice?

I think you could swing the Core 2 Duo E6300. It's is more expensive then it is suppossed to be right now. ExtremeGear has it for $213. About $70 for 1GB of cheap DDR2 (667, one stick), you can add more later. You can get an Intel brand Conroe motherboard for $126 shipped from Newegg. Total is $409.

You can even splurge on a 2x512MB DDR2 PC2-5300 low latency kit for $110.

Stetch the budget a little bit and get a 2x1GB DDR2 PC2-5400 for $140.

[vitaminc]

Give me an example;CPU/Mobo/DDR with X2 3X00+

Thanks

X2-3800, Asus M2N-E, 2x512MB DDR2-667. Move up processor/ram in steps as you can afford it I guess.

If you went Conroe, E63/6600, 2x512MB DDR2-667, mobo's are sort of in transition stage, so just pick any you can afford that's Conroe compatible.

FYI, Biostar TForce 550 is a better designed motherboard than M2N-E, which has BIOS problems. The downside is you have to change the NB HSF to a passive solution. :p

[zenboy]

Excuse me,but can you explain me what is "Virtualisation" and what is for?
Thanks

It allows a "virtual system" (like a VMWare Virtual Node, something like that) to have higher performance in certain situations. Nobody has made anything that I'm aware of that uses it for the average user. Not likely to make a big performance difference, but the lack of it could lead to less power consumption/cooler running, and in the opposite mindset, possibly higher overclocks.

[heertzy]

Your help is great thanks, but draw a conclusion!Which is the better choice?

I think you could swing the Core 2 Duo E6300. It's is more expensive then it is suppossed to be right now. ExtremeGear has it for $213. About $70 for 1GB of cheap DDR2 (667, one stick), you can add more later. You can get an Intel brand Conroe motherboard for $126 shipped from Newegg. Total is $409.

You can even splurge on a 2x512MB DDR2 PC2-5300 low latency kit for $110.

Great.Now look at this rig:

Core 2 Duo E6300
Intel DP965LT
Corsair VS1GBKit 667D2
BFG GeForce 7600GT OC
WD 2500KS 16Mb
Nec ND 3550A
Antec SLK3000B/Seasonic S12-500W

It's a good one?(whith this I'm staying in the budget)

Or is better this:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Asus M2N-E
DDR ....???
BFG GeForce 7600GT OC
WD 2500KS 16Mb
Nec ND 3550A
Antec SLK3000B/Seasonic S12-500W

What do you think?

Thanks

[QuietOC]

The Conroe system will be faster at stock speeds. You really need about a 2.4GHz AMD to get close to the Conroe in games (an X2 4600+ if you want dual-core). The ASUS AMD motherboard would probably allow you to overclock the X2 3800+ to be faster than the Conroe, but you didn't say you wanted to overclock. Really the Core 2 Duo would be a better chip to overclock, but not with the Intel brand motherboard.

Corsair normally has very good memory. 1GB is plenty to start with. Photoshop can take good advantage of 2GB.

Depending on what resolution you want to play games--a video card upgrade might be benefitial. The 7600GT is very decent for a low-resolution LCD (1280x1024/1440x900 or smaller).

[vitaminc]

Great.Now look at this rig:

Core 2 Duo E6300
Intel DP965LT
Corsair VS1GBKit 667D2
BFG GeForce 7600GT OC
WD 2500KS 16Mb
Nec ND 3550A
Antec SLK3000B/Seasonic S12-500W

It's a good one?(whith this I'm staying in the budget)

Or is better this:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Asus M2N-E
DDR ....???
BFG GeForce 7600GT OC
WD 2500KS 16Mb
Nec ND 3550A
Antec SLK3000B/Seasonic S12-500W

What do you think?

Thanks

The E6300 system will definitely out perform the 3800+ X2 system by a huge margin.

[heertzy]

The Conroe system will be faster at stock speeds. You really need about a 2.4GHz AMD to get close to the Conroe in games (an X2 4600+ if you want dual-core). The ASUS AMD motherboard would probably allow you to overclock the X2 3800+ to be faster than the Conroe, but you didn't say you wanted to overclock. Really the Core 2 Duo would be a better chip to overclock, but not with the Intel brand motherboard.

Corsair normally has very good memory. 1GB is plenty to start with. Photoshop can take good advantage of 2GB.

Depending on what resolution you want to play games--a video card upgrade might be benefitial. The 7600GT is very decent for a low-resolution LCD (1280x1024/1440x900 or smaller).

Always a great analytic thinking!I don't want to overclock,but the Intel board is a good product?Have you some reviews about it?Links?
What is the difference between LCD and CRT in games?I have a CRT 19 inch now.

Thanks