SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my processor some. I think I found the processor I like. It's an Intel Pentium D 950. I don't know much about processors and I dont' want to get burned. Is this a decent processor? I understand that it is multicore, is this why it's not Hyperthreading capable? Is HT no longer applicable? How easy will it be to find a motherboard that will take this processor (socket LGA775)? Any other suggestions for equipment to go with this would be great. I'm planning a full upgrade (graphics card, harddrive, motherboard, CPU, and RAM).
 

sruane

Distinguished
Aug 18, 2006
707
0
18,980
That's a good processor, and you won't have any problem finding a motherboard for it.

It does, however, require a large amount of power and generates an astonishing amount of heat.

IMHO, the best trade-off between cost and performance is the Intel E6600. Even though it has a lower clock, it will outperform the 950.
 

SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
That one is a bit more then I wish to spend. I forgot to factor new memory into my budget. I'm looking to spend about $250 on the processor and $170 on a motherboard.
 

sruane

Distinguished
Aug 18, 2006
707
0
18,980
Ok, how about an E6300 then? Seriously, any core 2 duo will perform better than a Pentium D. They are simply more efficient and accomplish more work with fewer clock cycles, less energy and less heat.
 

kukito

Distinguished
May 17, 2006
568
0
18,990
Since you're getting a new motherboard you should get the E6600. Pentium D is obsolete. It's hotter (and noisier), consumes more power and has lower performance than the Core 2 Duo. You can also overclock the Core 2 Duo to the hilt. It's a no brainer.
 

ragekage18

Distinguished
Sep 21, 2006
111
0
18,680
Definently go with core 2 it will blow any pentium D out of the water. You should be able to buy a MOBO an CPU on that budget, and some RAM.
 

SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
Thanks for the tips everyone. I actually like the E6400. I get a bit confused because the Duo 2 Core products have a lower GHZ rating, but I take it that doesn't really matter since it contains the two cores? Is there some sort of conversion rate between a single core and a dual core processor? Something along the lines of like a 1.86 Dual core is about the same as a 2.4 single core? I realize that nothing quite a simple as that exist but does anyone know of a good way to compare?
 

ragekage18

Distinguished
Sep 21, 2006
111
0
18,680
The ghz measurement doesnt have anything to do with the number of cores, but more the type of core. Intel has released the new core 2 duos that perform better than the Pentium 4 and pentium D chips at a lower clock rate, and lower power consumption. These cpus are all around more efficient and better perfomers. Different core architecture than the predecessors.
 

ajfink

Distinguished
Dec 3, 2006
1,150
0
19,280
The ghz measurement doesnt have anything to do with the number of cores, but more the type of core. Intel has released the new core 2 duos that perform better than the Pentium 4 and pentium D chips at a lower clock rate, and lower power consumption. These cpus are all around more efficient and better perfomers. Different core architecture than the predecessors.

Indeed. They get more work done per clock cycle, I.E., they can do around 1.8 to 2 times as much work at 1Ghz of speed than an old Pentium 4 or D could do at 1Ghz.
 

SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
Thanks everyone for all the help. I think I've got my system specs down. This is what I've decided on:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
Intel D975XBX Motherboard
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO Video Card
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB Hard Drive
Kingston 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit
ViewSonic VG2230WM 22" WIDE LCD MONITOR

I've already got a Soundblaster Audigy 2 card, and a TDK DVD burner so those wont' be needed. If anyone has any suggestion as to what could be improved that would be great. Let me just say thanks for all the feeback too. I'm more of a software guy so it's nice to get some help from friendly hardware people.
 

1Tanker

Splendid
Apr 28, 2006
4,645
1
22,780
Thanks everyone for all the help. I think I've got my system specs down. This is what I've decided on:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
Intel D975XBX Motherboard
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO Video Card
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB Hard Drive
Kingston 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit
ViewSonic VG2230WM 22" WIDE LCD MONITOR

I've already got a Soundblaster Audigy 2 card, and a TDK DVD burner so those wont' be needed. If anyone has any suggestion as to what could be improved that would be great. Let me just say thanks for all the feeback too. I'm more of a software guy so it's nice to get some help from friendly hardware people.
Is there a particular reason for getting the 300GB Maxtor? The Seagate 7200.10 320GB is one of the best drives going, now. I have this drive, and it's awesome...and 5 year warranty. GL :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140
 

ajfink

Distinguished
Dec 3, 2006
1,150
0
19,280
Thanks everyone for all the help. I think I've got my system specs down. This is what I've decided on:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
Intel D975XBX Motherboard
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO Video Card
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB Hard Drive
Kingston 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit
ViewSonic VG2230WM 22" WIDE LCD MONITOR

I've already got a Soundblaster Audigy 2 card, and a TDK DVD burner so those wont' be needed. If anyone has any suggestion as to what could be improved that would be great. Let me just say thanks for all the feeback too. I'm more of a software guy so it's nice to get some help from friendly hardware people.
Is there a particular reason for getting the 300GB Maxtor? The Seagate 7200.10 320GB is one of the best drives going, now. I have this drive, and it's awesome...and 5 year warranty. GL :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

Agreed to some extent. A Seagate, Western Digital, or Hitachi would set my mind at much more ease than a Maxtor would.
 

1Tanker

Splendid
Apr 28, 2006
4,645
1
22,780
Thanks everyone for all the help. I think I've got my system specs down. This is what I've decided on:

Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
Intel D975XBX Motherboard
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO Video Card
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB Hard Drive
Kingston 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit
ViewSonic VG2230WM 22" WIDE LCD MONITOR

I've already got a Soundblaster Audigy 2 card, and a TDK DVD burner so those wont' be needed. If anyone has any suggestion as to what could be improved that would be great. Let me just say thanks for all the feeback too. I'm more of a software guy so it's nice to get some help from friendly hardware people.
Is there a particular reason for getting the 300GB Maxtor? The Seagate 7200.10 320GB is one of the best drives going, now. I have this drive, and it's awesome...and 5 year warranty. GL :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140

Agreed to some extent. A Seagate, Western Digital, or Hitachi would set my mind at much more ease than a Maxtor would.Ewww....Maxtor.....makes my ass pucker. :evil:
 

bruce555

Distinguished
Sep 24, 2006
603
0
19,010
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Dual Core Processor
Intel D975XBX Motherboard
ATI Radeon X1950 PRO Video Card
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB Hard Drive
Kingston 1GB PC2-5300 DDR2 DIMM Memory Kit

I would drop the Intel 975x board and upgrade on memory. The board is good but you'll get better overclocking on a 965 board and a 965 will have better support for Quad core than the first revision of the 975x board that you're showing.

2GB of memory will go allot farther than spending $200 on a 975x board.
 

kukito

Distinguished
May 17, 2006
568
0
18,990
You should increase the memory to 2GB. To offset the added cost you could opt for a cheaper (but still top of the line) motherboard based on either the 975X (like your current choice) or the newer P965 chipsets. I won't get into why the lower numbered chipset is newer that the higher numbered one. :)
 

SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
I can switch to the Seagate. I just randomly picked Maxtor. I take it the majority opinion is MAXTOR = SUCKS. Seagate it shall be. I've got currently a 520Watt Antec pick-whatever-cables-you-want-to-use-and-unplug-the-rest power supply. I have to check when I get home but I'm pretty sure it's got the 6 pin power cord.
 

SewerRanger

Distinguished
Jan 16, 2007
22
0
18,510
The only two GB kingston ram I can find is about $300 dollars. That's a bit high. I did find Kingston ValueRam for cheaper, but I'm not really sure I want to buy something called "ValueRam". Is there another prefered ram vendor?
 

chaosgs

Distinguished
Sep 9, 2006
823
0
19,010
You never said what ur doing with ur computer if its gaming id settle for cheap Pentium D or core 2 duo (which ever is cheapest) and max the graphics card and some gaming ram.