Socket AM2 or 939?

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bigmik1021

New Member
Im am currently looking into building my first computer. I have been doing research into what processor to buy. At first my thinking was AMD all the way, but I did not know whether to get AM2 of 939. Then the C2D came out and now I'm wondering whether to get that.:confused: My main question is what socket will the next gen AMD's be, and if its AM2 should I get that now and upgrade when the new AMDs come out. Or should I stick with the tride and true AMD X2 (with 2mb of level 2 cache)? I'm sort of considering the C2D because its got 4mb of L2, but with any set up I will notice improvement over my current 1.3 ghz intel with 256k L2 and RD ram. Also I would like to use this for gaming , but I do not need a top-of-the-line machine and I would like to build it for max $1,200. What do you think?
 
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new AMD's will be on the AM2 interface. as for what processor to get though, i'd say the core 2 duo is a much better value. the e6400 is cheaper and faster than a 4800+, not to mention runs a LOT cooler, and its also more overclockable... the e6300 is what i bought, though it runs a bit slower than the 4800+ at default clocks (about equivilent to athlon 64 X2 at 2.325ghz) its still REALLY fast and im overclocking a lot so thats why i bought that one...

for core 2 duo's, in most applications they perform about 1.25* as good as athlon 64 X2's per clock... so thats 1.86ghz *1.25 = 2.325ghz. thats how i got that.
here are some benchmarks...
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=432&model2=464&chart=178
the e6600 is a little better than the fx-62 at lower clocks, but it does depend on the application. just click which applications you plan on using and weigh the differences and choose which one you'd prefer..
 
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Impr3ssiv3 said:
i got AMD cuz im always of fan of them and the AM3's will work on the AM2 boards so yay
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you just called yourself a fanboy.
core 2 duo's runs cooler, and they're more overclockable.
they run faster at default clocks, and they're cheaper for the performance you get. the use less power too. its definitely the best choice you can make.

may i suggest a gigabyte S3 or DS3 motherboard?
lol video card will probably matter more but it also depends on what games you plan on using.

so, this processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115004
performs better than an FX-60 in a lot of benchmarks... FOR $225!!!
an FX-60 costs like $600 new...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103608

not to mention, the core 2 duo is overclockable past 3ghz quite easily, on stock cooling, and stock voltage.
 
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Since you mentioned what you'll be using the computer for (gaming) then I would definately go with AMD AM2. If you take a look at the CPU 101 sticky and go to the Commentary: AMD vs Intel you will see why I say this. If you are just comparing benchmarks between the two brands then in a way you are comparing apples to oranges. You can't really compare them that way. It depends on how you plan on using the computer. Looks like your budget is not the issue here. :)
 
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Another consideration in AMD vs. Intel, Next Generation Processors.

Sure the Core 2 Duo's are best right now. They can beat everything out there. In fact, if I had known that they awould be so good (my fault, as I ddin't do the research) I would have gotten Intel 775 board when I rebuilt my computer at the beginning of the year, even though the current Intel Procs werent' all that good. That being said, I have an AMD 939, which is rapidy becoming outdated.

If I wanted to try and anticipate the NEXT top processor, I would get an AMD board that would be compatable with their next generation processors. At this point, I think that would be a socket AM2. You can get a good processor for that board now (not the best, but good) and have a reasonable expectation that, when AMD releases something new and takes their turn at the top once again, you will be compatable with the newest release. But that is mearly my convoluted thinking.
 
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pbdr said:
If I wanted to try and anticipate the NEXT top processor, I would get an AMD board that would be compatable with their next generation processors. At this point, I think that would be a socket AM2. You can get a good processor for that board now (not the best, but good) and have a reasonable expectation that, when AMD releases something new and takes their turn at the top once again, you will be compatable with the newest release. But that is mearly my convoluted thinking.
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Later this year Intel is releasing the new Intel Core 2 Quadro, which is a quad-core, so that very well may be the top processor for a while to come as well.
 
bigmik1021 said:
Ok so I go with C2D, but which one?? Im leaning toward the E6400, but it only has 2mb L2 like the amd's. What then makes them better than AMD? I would probally buy from newegg, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010340343+50001157+1050722265&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=343
any place else that I can get for cheaper? Also what are good motherboards to use with the C2D?
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I wouldn't really bother with the E6400, the E6300 can easily be overclocked to E6400 speeds, and you can put the money to something else.
 
umm, the e6300 and the e6400 are the same processor, with a difference of one upward multiplier. if you've got a board that'll let you raise the fsb to 500 or so, then you can easily overclock the e6300 just as much as the e6400.

basically, they both easily hit 3ghz and more, this is why i bought one.
 
Diamondsleeper said:
Since you mentioned what you'll be using the computer for (gaming) then I would definately go with AMD AM2. If you take a look at the CPU 101 sticky and go to the Commentary: AMD vs Intel you will see why I say this. If you are just comparing benchmarks between the two brands then in a way you are comparing apples to oranges. You can't really compare them that way. It depends on how you plan on using the computer. Looks like your budget is not the issue here. :)
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The CPU 101 sticky is old!

And this about apples and oranges???? That is the ONLY way to compare them. If you want an apples and oranges statement, here it is:

You can't compare the clock speeds of two processors, that's like comparing apples and oranges.
 
Jet said:
The CPU 101 sticky is old!

And this about apples and oranges???? That is the ONLY way to compare them. If you want an apples and oranges statement, here it is:

You can't compare the clock speeds of two processors, that's like comparing apples and oranges.
Click to expand...

Well that's the way it is, you cannot compare clock speeds.
 
[-0MEGA-];443321 said:
The original CPU 101 is old, however Praetor updates it often when new technology comes out.
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Very true, I read it sometimes just to keep my facts straight, and I have noticied changes many times.
 
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