Difference between i7 and Phenom II x4

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Paradimensional

New Member
I'm looking at getting a new processor for my computer. I poked around on intel's website, then AMD's website. As I understood it, the i7 and Phenom II x4 are the respective companies' best (for consumers like me) processors. Then I checked the prices on each. The i7 is $800-1100, while the x4 is around $150.

What's the deal? Why is there such a huge price difference?
 
Paradimensional said:
I'm looking at getting a new processor for my computer. I poked around on intel's website, then AMD's website. As I understood it, the i7 and Phenom II x4 are the respective companies' best (for consumers like me) processors. Then I checked the prices on each. The i7 is $800-1100, while the x4 is around $150.

What's the deal? Why is there such a huge price difference?
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Well both the 1156 pin i7's and the 1366 pin i7's start at about $290, not $800!!!

And the main difference is in the architecture.
 
You cant just install any processor. You have either a AMD or Intel board, plus the sockets have to be compatible with a certain generation of processor too.
 
StrangleHold said:
You cant just install any processor. You have either a AMD or Intel board, plus the sockets have to be compatible with a certain generation of processor too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for telling me that now. That would have been bad to get a processor I couldn't even install.

At the moment I have an AMD Athlon 64 X2. Does this mean I can install the Phenom?
 
Is it a OEM computer Dell/Sony/HP and so on. If so, whats the model number? If not whats the motherboards make and model?
 
Paradimensional said:
Ahh, ok. $290 is still twice as much as the AMD, though. Is it really twice as good?
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You can't really compare the two like this. They both have their pro's and con's and without starting a massive debate on which is best I will say that clock for clock most of the time the Intel's are faster. But I put this down to the fact that the Phenom II's are based on the old K10 architecture.
 
Dell Dimension E521, I think it's OEM-compatible, I remember seeing that somewhere, but I'm not sure if it was on my computer or not. Where do I find that out/where do I find out what my motherboard is?
 
Paradimensional said:
Dell Dimension E521, I think it's OEM-compatible, I remember seeing that somewhere, but I'm not sure if it was on my computer or not. Where do I find that out/where do I find out what my motherboard is?
Click to expand...

Well its a AM2 board. A Phenom will theoretically fit the socket. But if the board supports it, is another question. There is one bios update for it, but doesnt tell what the update is for. Best bet would be to call Dell support and ask with the latest bios update if it supports the Phenom and what models.
 
A bios update can add support for newer processors so the board can recognize it. Plus bug fixes or added features. But yeah, your best bet would be just call and ask.
 
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