CPU for a home PC

[african_leopard]

Well, been out of the game for a few years, and need to build a PC within a constrained budget.

Problem with THG is that there is too much information - so my question is simple.

Both the Intel D920 and AMD X2 3800+ are in my budget range - so is the Intel D 830. I have seen that currently the AMD outperforms the Intel at most things - but then there are developments in the memory and mobo front that might favour the Intel chip in the end. I have always preferred Intel to AMD in any case.

Since you lot seem to very knowledgeable in this area, any feedback or pros and cons?

Any help much appreciated - might save some frown lines :?

 

[luminaris]

The Intel 920 is their newer 65nm technology is a pretty good chip however, it uses their older netburst technology which is not that bad on the newer presler cores.

If you want the best bang for your buck, I would get the X2 3800. It's more efficient and it does perform better than the 920 does at stock speeds. I've had a 920 and an X2 3800 on my bench and I can tell you firsthand, the X2 performed better.

Now when I overclocked the 920, that was a different story however, I would still get the X2 anyway.

 

[custompcz]

Stay away from the 820/830 as it's almost as much $$ as the superior 920.
If your overclocking heavily with watercooling or high quality HSF, the 920 is the way to go.
If your staying @ stock speed or mildly overclocking on air, the X2 3800 is your best bet. Naturally, the X2 3800 will benefit from watercooling as well if heavily OC'ed.

 

[african_leopard]

Thanks for the response 😀

The Pentium is $50 cheaper. Is the improvement in AMD performance worth the $50?

 

[luminaris]

I think it is as long as your going to run stock speeds. The AMD is the better of the two.

 

[custompcz]

There is also another factor to consider. According to reports, the PD's will be dropping in price considerable in April. If your not in a rush to buy, it may be worth waiting. Once that happens, you will have new choices when comparing price vs. performance.

You should also check out the CPU charts here as well to give you a better idea as to how they perform @ stock speeds.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

 

[african_leopard]

Thanks 😀. April is only 2 weeks away. I can wait 😀.

 

[riva2model64]

if you are in a rush,

the Pentium D 805 only costs $130 at zipzoomfly.com

 

[african_leopard]

Thanks - but they don't ship to Canada 🙁

 

[riva2model64]

sorry to hear about that