Once Again the AMD X6 1055t vs AMD X4 955

[spaceman1701]

I am getting very close to buying components for a build. Originally I was going to get the AMD X4 955 CPU because it was less expensive and I was not sure I needed much more (for gaming). But then it sold out. I turned my sites on the AMD x6 1055t. It seemed reasonably fast, and was now (since bulldozer came out) about the same price as the 955.

Now the AMD X4 955 is back on sale, but only OEM. This means that after buying an aftermarket CPU cooler, it would be around the same price as the AMD X6 1055t. The reason I care is that I have heard complaints about the 1055t's stock cooler. I don't know if this will really be a problem for me though. I want a CPU that will last me a few years and will be good for gaming and a lot of general use. Which CPU is a better deal for me?

Also, I am not planning to do any OCing on this machine.

 

[AM2A]

Currently, for gaming and general usage, you'd be better off with the 955.
Have you considered the 960t? It's a 4 core for $110 at newegg right now, and many people have had success in unlocking it to a six core.

 

[spaceman1701]

Yeah, I have been considering that. I don't think I would ever get around to learning how to unlock the 960 to six cores. Also, it seems like some people are having very little success unlocking them. Even if I get that I would likely get an aftermarket cooler though, so what do you think about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=35-103-064&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=3#scrollFullInfo

 

[AM2A]

The unlock process is pretty easy, but if you don't want to mess with it I can understand. It doesn't work for everyone but it seems to have fairly high success rate.
This one is boxed, so it should come with a fan.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995
For oem CPUs, if you're not overclocking a good $10 heatsink would be adequate.

 

[spaceman1701]

Thanks. I know the 960 comes with a fan, but it seems every reviewer says it is horrible. I think I will most likely play it safe and get the 955. with that $20 cooler.

 

[spaceman1701]

Oh, one more thing. That heat sink comes with some cooler master thermal grease. Before I was planning on getting Arctic Silver 5. Should I still get that (for $13), or will the cooler master stuff be ok?

 

[AM2A]

The bad reviews of the stock heatsink are probably there because most people who buy that CPU are overclocking it, and the stock one wouldn't be good for OC's. I haven't used the heatsink you linked so I can't really comment on it, but I can say that the Hyper 212 is good, though overkill for a non-OC'd CPU.

 

[spaceman1701]

Ok, maybe ONE more thing. Will the 955 at stock speeds bottleneck a single Radeon 6870?

 

[AM2A]

For the thermal grease, since you're not OCing I wouldn't worry about it.
As far as bottlenecks, like most answers it's "depends".
Different games put more stress on different components, and the resolution has a big effect as well.

edit: maybe I should be a little more informative, lol. If you're playing at high res/details the effect of the CPU is generally limited. For low res/low details, the CPU is much more important

 

[iam2thecrowe]

Thanks. I know the 960 comes with a fan, but it seems every reviewer says it is horrible. I think I will most likely play it safe and get the 955. with that $20 cooler.

can you point to one review that says that. sounds like a load of crap to me. It OC's the same as a 955 and has the potential to have 2 cores unlocked. I would take it over the 955. The 1055t isnt that bad either, it can OC to about 3.8ghz on air, where the 955 tops out at 4ghz on air cooling, usual results are 3.8ghz. But for non OC'ers, the 955 is the fastest. If you are not planning to overclock you should forget about these AMD cpu's and get an Intel Core i3 2100/2120, faster for games, but not overclockable.

 

[AM2A]

can you point to one review that says that. sounds like a load of crap to me. It OC's the same as a 955 and has the potential to have 2 cores unlocked. I would take it over the 955. The 1055t isnt that bad either, it can OC to about 3.8ghz on air, where the 955 tops out at 4ghz on air cooling, usual results are 3.8ghz. But for non OC'ers, the 955 is the fastest. If you are not planning to overclock you should forget about these AMD cpu's and get an Intel Core i3 2100/2120, faster for games, but not overclockable.

Believe he's talking about newegg reviews, people who try to do massive OC's on the stock cooler and wonder why their temps are high. Wouldn't be surprised if half of them wore velcro shoes because the can't figure out how to tie laces.

 

[spaceman1701]

Yeah, I am talking about newegg reviewers. I don't really want to get an Intel CPU because of their price. The Core i3s are fairly expensive for what they can do.

 

[spaceman1701]

What is the difference between a 955 and a 955BE? Is it just that the Black Edition has its multiplier unlocked?

 

[esrever]

yes BE is for unlocked multiplier and will allow you to easily OC. I think getting the 955BE and an after market fan is the better choice for gaming. you can easily hit 3.8 ghz OC'd which would be harder on the 1055t.

 

[spaceman1701]

Best answer selected by spaceman1701.