Should i get Core 2 Duo or Pentium?

Is it upgrade or new build?
What motherboard have you got?

Probably get E6700 or C2Q if it is upgrade.

If you after new build get Athlon IIx 3 instead
 
I doubt the C2D is faster in most tasks, clocks are king not L2. They are both Wolfdale CPU's so they are the same tech. Pentium is either a C2D that had some L2 not pass or intentionally disabled.

I have seen 2MBL2 vs 4MBL2 in a multi bench suite at equal clocks which these are not. The max difference was 10% in many its was 0% average about 5%. The Pentium is 9% faster clocks. In a 3MBL2 vs 6MBL2 8% max, 3%/4% average.

The difference in L2 is going to be less than the 9% clocks. I say the Pentium is faster at everything. The C2D is a year older, prices do not drop. Look at the 980X like $1000 the 2600 is $300 the 2600 hangs with the 980X.

Want to know why? I knew you did. At retail prices only drop when a new CPU replaces the top in same class/series. That New top of the line CPU is always is about $1000 the rest fall in line. 980X is the top. When the SB 6 core comes out it will be $1000.

Controlled production and inventory. The last generation CPU still in demand as upgrade. Some of you guys don't want to rebuild just want CPU upgrade.
 
The difference in them is only .27GHz...I'd grab the C2D over the Pentium. They'll probably overclock to around the same level anyway, if you plan on doing that. (I would...they have a lot of potential)
 
Drenlin said:
The difference in them is only .27GHz...I'd grab the C2D over the Pentium. They'll probably overclock to around the same level anyway, if you plan on doing that. (I would...they have a lot of potential)
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So i should get the C2D then. (if i can afford it) :)
 
melloorr said:
So i should get the C2D then. (if i can afford it) :)
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I disagree. they are the same CPU except one is faster clocks the other more L2. Forget what they call them. I am not sure which I would get if they cost the same but if I have to pay more it is a no brainer.
 
I would get the C2D for the simple fact it has more L2 cache and it overclocks like a champ.

However I would look on Ebay or a similar type of site over in your neck of the world for a Q6600 if your board supports it. For what your going to pay for a dual-core it comes close to a quad-core price. Currently a Q6600 sells for $100 or so USD so you might get lucky.

*edit*
Your board supports it and here is the link. Just make sure its G0 and ask the seller what the VID is. The lower it is the better it tends to overclock. The original 3.6ghz chips were like 1.25v VID where mine is 1.325v VID. Thus takes more voltage to get the same clocks thus runs hotter and doesn't overclock as far as the others would.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Q6600+&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Just buy a good cooler and MOST Q6600 hit 3.2ghz easily. It would more "future proof" than a dual-core will. However the E line CAN achieve some insane speeds. E8400 hits 4.0ghz for most for example :P
 
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powerpack said:
I disagree. they are the same CPU except one is faster clocks the other more L2. Forget what they call them. I am not sure which I would get if they cost the same but if I have to pay more it is a no brainer.
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Oh :confused:

Well tbh i will probably get the Pentium anyway. If the C2D does have better performance than the Pentium, it is probably so small that i wouldn't notice the difference anyway. And the price speaks for itself.
 
Twist86 said:
I would get the C2D for the simple fact it has more L2 cache and it overclocks like a champ.

However I would look on Ebay or a similar type of site over in your neck of the world for a Q6600 if your board supports it. For what your going to pay for a dual-core it comes close to a quad-core price. Currently a Q6600 sells for $100 or so USD so you might get lucky.

*edit*
Your board supports it and here is the link. Just make sure its G0 and ask the seller what the VID is. The lower it is the better it tends to overclock. The original 3.6ghz chips were like 1.25v VID where mine is 1.325v VID. Thus hotter and doesn't overclock as far as the others would.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Q6600+&_sacat=See-All-Categories

Just buy a good cooler and MOST Q6600 hit 3.2ghz easily. It would more "future proof" than a dual-core will. However the E line CAN achieve some insane speeds. E8400 hits 4.0ghz for most for example :P
Click to expand...

I would like to get a quad core, but i wouldn't trust getting a used one, and especially if its from ebay. Amazon maybe but i've had a quick look and i haven't seen one. Plus if i cant get a quad then i'm not bothered, i wont need many cores, as i don't use powerful software or play many games, so speed is more important to me
 
A processor is something I personally would not mind buying used. As long as the chip has not been cooked with overclocking or physically damaged you will be fine. Buy from someone with good feedback and that allows returns if the computer chip doesn't work.

I agree with Twist86 that should should look at a quad-core processor over a dual-core. Once you have a quad-core you won't ever want to go back to a dual-core.
 
2048Megabytes said:
A processor is something I personally would not mind buying used. As long as the chip has not been cooked with overclocking or physically damaged you will be fine. Buy from someone with good feedback and that allows returns if the computer chip doesn't work.

I agree with Twist86 that should should look at a quad-core processor over a dual-core. Once you have a quad-core you won't ever want to go back to a dual-core.
Click to expand...

I do know what you mean but i'm only 17 and i will mainly be using the computer for college work (i'm studying IT). And i plan on building a better computer in the future, as the one i am building now is slightly out dated (socket 775, DDR2 etc.) So i will build a better one (DDR3, and probably AMD) when i can afford to. ;)

EDIT: If I can find a decent priced Quad Core used or not then i will get it, but if i don't, I'd be just as happy with a dual Core. BTW will the Q6600 be good for overclocking?
 
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