Quad Core or Duo Core for Homecomputing?

Y

yannis

New Member
Hey folks,

im going to build my own computer system, for browsing, iTunes, DVDs, a little Photoshop and GuitarRig...

Which CPU should I choose to get a maximum of performance for my needs?

INTEL CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 (4X2,4) - sounds nice, but does it help me?
AMD ATHLON64 X2 6400+ BLACK EDITION 2*2,3
INTEL CORE 2 DUO E8200 (2X2,66) BOXED

Im only going to use live applications with a good performance and wont process great amounts of data. Am I right that the QUAD doesnt help me in my case and I should choose the AMD?

Thanbks a lot for your help,
yannis
 
The AMD is a black edition, it's for overclockers and you're paying heaps for the unlocked multiplier, which is not worth it unless your mobo is any good for it. You definitely won't find much of use for all four cores of the quad, so out of those you should probably go with E8200. It depends on the prices, though. Mind posting them?
 
Well, i looked again for processors without black edition...

INTEL CORE 2 DUO E6850 (2X3,0) BOXED 230 Euro
AMD ATHLON64 X2 6000+ (2X3,0) BOXED 130 Euro
AMD ATHLON64 X2 6400+ BLACK EDITION (2X3,2) 150 Euro

The 6400 comes unboxed, so + 35 Euros for a fan... - 185 Euros

The Intel is to expensive, right? Are those 0.2 GHZ between 6000+ and 64000+ worth 50 Euros? Will I notice the difference? How do I overlock it? Too complicated for a beginner like me?

Thanks a lot, Yannis
 
I found the AMD64 X2 6400+ BOXED 2*3.2 at 150 Euro.
And also a INTEL Pentium ® D 950 Dualcore * 2x 3,4 Ghz at 90 Euros

Which one would you choose? I read, that the Intel is slower because of shared buses for both cores?

It would be nice if you could say your opinion about the other parts too...

Mainboard - some no name at 70 Euro - anything important to think of apart from the right slots?
RAM - 2*2 GB DDR II RAM 800 Mhz - 1660 Mhz much better?
Grafics - nVidia GeForce 8800GTS with 320 MB RAM
Hard drive - some old IDE 80 GB of mine
optical drives - an old CD R/W of mine

As long as all my programs work with it Im going to use WIN XP Professional for higher performance, if necessary later Ill change to Vista..

what do you think? Thanks for your opinion,
Yannis
 
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The C2D's are faster by almost 25-50% ( read somewhere but cant remember where) clock for clock than the AMD X2 processors so you can get away with a slower processor and get more done.
 
AMD processors are more for the budget minded, usually cheaper and u get a bang for ur buck. but its true, intel does have more power, that you would prolly not even notice it. go with an AMD
 
Grab yourself any core 2 duo, even a pentium e2160, these wil overclock to 3 GHz easily that anyone could do it and will outperfrom any amd chip and its alos cheap, or go for an E4500 or soemthing similar, there is no reason to go AMD now
 
yannis said:
I found the AMD64 X2 6400+ BOXED 2*3.2 at 150 Euro.
And also a INTEL Pentium ® D 950 Dualcore * 2x 3,4 Ghz at 90 Euros

Which one would you choose? I read, that the Intel is slower because of shared buses for both cores?

It would be nice if you could say your opinion about the other parts too...

Mainboard - some no name at 70 Euro - anything important to think of apart from the right slots?
RAM - 2*2 GB DDR II RAM 800 Mhz - 1660 Mhz much better?
Grafics - nVidia GeForce 8800GTS with 320 MB RAM
Hard drive - some old IDE 80 GB of mine
optical drives - an old CD R/W of mine

As long as all my programs work with it Im going to use WIN XP Professional for higher performance, if necessary later Ill change to Vista..

what do you think? Thanks for your opinion,
Yannis
Click to expand...

Unless Guitar Rig is real intensive then I think the 4 Gig of RAM would be pointless and you could manage with 1 or 2 easily. Even then 2 Gig should do fine.

I don't think the 8800GTS would be worth it if you're not playing games or utilizing it somehow... 7600GT is great for the money if you don't game.

For the motherboard the brand would be something to look out for as well. The Intel P31 is good for your money if you are going Intel for your CPU. 50 Euros it costs, but this was converted from AU Dollars to Euros so give or take a bit. But be aware this only has room for TWO IDE drives(One port for the cable with two on a cable). So your HDD and CD-RW drive would have to be on the same channel... But you could buy an add in card to have more. Although this was probably the case with your other mobo you picked out.

A Pentium D @ 3.4 Ghz would be fine unless like I said Guitar Rig is intensive. In that case I would go for the E8200 or the E6600.
 
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