Pentium 4 541 VS. Pentium D 820

[bearvsshark]

Read the THGC CPU Buyers Guide 06. I really need a new CPU and am strapped for cash right now. My system has nice stuff in it, but when it came to buy the last item (CPU) I cheesed out and went cheap. I couldn't wait any longer.

I have a Celeron 2.53Ghz. I'll never buy a Celeron again. I shouldn't have never done it. I knew I wasn't going to be happy.

Performance in World of Warcraft is horribly laggy a lot of times. Encoding a video into DiVx?! Forget about. Playing pinball emulator?! Not too bad in most games, but when multiball happens forget about it.

Will this be a lot better than what I have now?!

Intel Pentium® 4 541 Processor Prescott 3.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail - $90

.. or is this better?!

Intel Pentium® D Processor 820 2.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x1MB Cache, Dual Core Retail - $98

I believe the article said Pentium D's suck. But it's got 2MB cache where the first processor has only 1MB cache. The first processor is a higher clock speed, though. On ZipZoom's website it says second is Dual Core.. the first isn't I take it?!

I am compairing those two since they are both under $100 and the next price up they have is $159. I need to keep money for Christmas presents and bills.

 

[evilr00t]

What do you have now? A CPU is only one factor in performance, so list full specs.

 

[darkstar782]

Pentium Ds do suck, but a Pentium 4 is half a Pentium D, and sucks far more.

The Pentium D 915 is a MUCH better CPU than the D 820, and is around the same price.

If you can save up for an e6300 do so, even at 1.86GHz it is SIGNIFICANTLY faster than any of the above CPUs. Of course, your motherboard may not support it.

Some people will tell you that dual core is no benefit for gaming, I would dispute that as most people don't run in a benchmark like scenario and have firewalls, AV progs, Bittorrent clients, etc etc running in the background.

After experiencing the improved general responsiveness of a Dual Core system, I doubt many people would go back.

 

[bearvsshark]

Currently I have the following:

ASUS P5S800-VM motherboard
1GB DDR PC3200
BFG GeForce 6800 GT OC 256MB

.. after I got everything to build my system I had no money and didn't want to wait 2 weeks until my next check, so I cheesed out and got:

Celeron 2.53Ghz



I'm running World of Warcraft here and getting 3FPS! When a lot of action comes on the screen I get 1.5FPS! It's been getting worse as newer game patches are coming out I noticed.

I'm running two Hitachi 7200RPM hard drives, and they're both fairly new.

 

[bearvsshark]

Yeah I just looked. I screwed up. I can't even run the 820.

Here's what processors I can use according to ASUS website:

P4-3.40 GHz Extreme Ed. (800 FSB, HT, revM0, LGA775) ALL ALL
P4-506 (2.66 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T) ALL 1007
P4-506 (2.66 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T, revG1) ALL 1016.006
P4-511 (2.8 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T) ALL 1007
P4-511 (2.8 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T, revG) ALL 1020.001
P4-516 (2.93 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T) ALL 1007
P4-516 (2.93 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T, revG1) ALL 1016.006
P4-519K (3.06 GHz) (533 FSB, EM64T, revG1) ALL 1016.006
P4-520/520J (2.8E GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL ALL
P4-521 (2.8GHz, 800 FSB,HT, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-524 (3.06GHz, 533 FSB,HT, L2 1M, revG1) ALL 1021
P4-530/530J (3E GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL ALL
P4-531 (3GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-540/540J (3.2E GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL ALL
P4-541 (3.2GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-550/550J (3.4E GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL ALL
P4-551 (3.4GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-551 (3.4GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB, revG1) ALL 1016.006
P4-560/560J (3.6 GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL ALL
P4-561 (3.6GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-570J (3.8 GHz) (800 FSB) (HT) ALL 1005
P4-571 (3.8GHz, 800 FSB, L2 1MB) ALL 1013
P4-630 (3.0E GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, EM64T, HT) ALL 1007
P4-640 (3.2E GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, EM64T, HT) ALL 1007
P4-650 (3.4E GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, EM64T, HT) ALL 1007
P4-660 (3.6E GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, EM64T, HT) ALL 1007
P4-662 (3.6 GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, EM64T, HT, revR0) ALL 1016.006
P4-670 (3.8 GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB) ALL 1007
P4-672 (3.8 GHz, 800 FSB, L2:2MB, revR0) ALL 1016.006



.. I'll upgrade the BIOS to latest if I don't have and I need. I really need something close to $100 right now and need to order soon and early next year I'll build a new machine.

All my life I've never gotten the lower model CPU's and for some reason this time I went Celeron and boy am I sorry. Never again.

 

[bananabox]

What do you have now? A CPU is only one factor in performance, so list full specs.

lol holy carp is that really your rig you use everyday in your sig?

 

[Orac]

Yeah, looks like the 541 is best bet. Saw it for 78.99 at n..egg.

 

[bearvsshark]

Hah.. I thought you were talking to me and I was like WTF I have no sig..

Alright, I'll go with the 541. Might even purchase it right now.. not bad for $80 OEM.. out of stock tho, but $90 for Retail Box.

Might just go with the 531 for now.. only difference I guess is 3Ghz as opposed to 3.2Ghz. Then at the end of January/Begin of Feb once the holidays are out of the way I'll build something super.

What do you have now? A CPU is only one factor in performance, so list full specs.

lol holy carp is that really your rig you use everyday in your sig?

 

[qcmadness]

Read the THGC CPU Buyers Guide 06. I really need a new CPU and am strapped for cash right now. My system has nice stuff in it, but when it came to buy the last item (CPU) I cheesed out and went cheap. I couldn't wait any longer.

I have a Celeron 2.53Ghz. I'll never buy a Celeron again. I shouldn't have never done it. I knew I wasn't going to be happy.

Performance in World of Warcraft is horribly laggy a lot of times. Encoding a video into DiVx?! Forget about. Playing pinball emulator?! Not too bad in most games, but when multiball happens forget about it.

Will this be a lot better than what I have now?!

Intel Pentium® 4 541 Processor Prescott 3.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail - $90

.. or is this better?!

Intel Pentium® D Processor 820 2.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x1MB Cache, Dual Core Retail - $98

I believe the article said Pentium D's suck. But it's got 2MB cache where the first processor has only 1MB cache. The first processor is a higher clock speed, though. On ZipZoom's website it says second is Dual Core.. the first isn't I take it?!

I am compairing those two since they are both under $100 and the next price up they have is $159. I need to keep money for Christmas presents and bills.

You should buy P-D 820 as it is more future-proof.

 

[bearvsshark]

Thought the mobo supported it.. it doesn't. Future proof isn't that big of a deal since I'm going to build an entirely new system end of Jan/Beginning of Feb.. atleast for now I can play my game fine.

You should buy P-D 820 as it is more future-proof.

 

[qcmadness]

Thought the mobo supported it.. it doesn't. Future proof isn't that big of a deal since I'm going to build an entirely new system end of Jan/Beginning of Feb.. atleast for now I can play my game fine.

Then buy the cheapest single core P4 is enough

 

[bearvsshark]

Okay what do you think of this:

Intel Pentium® 4 524 Processor 3.06GHz, 533MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/Fan and Heatsink, 1MB Cache, 90nm. $72.90

vs.

Intel Pentium® 4 531 Processor Prescott 3GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/Fan and Heatsink, 1MB Cache, 90nm $78.90

Gonna be that much of a difference with the Front Side Bus?! I can save $6.

 

[qcmadness]

Okay what do you think of this:

Intel Pentium® 4 524 Processor 3.06GHz, 533MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/Fan and Heatsink, 1MB Cache, 90nm. $72.90

vs.

Intel Pentium® 4 531 Processor Prescott 3GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail ***Free Shipping***
w/Fan and Heatsink, 1MB Cache, 90nm $78.90

Gonna be that much of a difference with the Front Side Bus?! I can save $6.

You can save more money as the performance will be similiar.

 

[redwing]

I believe that's a Celeron D running at 533FSB? Or it could be the older 400FSB CEleron (the total crap).

Either way, before you upgrade, be aware that you do have a bit of overclocking headroom. Your board supports 800FSB for sure, so you can increase your CPU speed by simple cranking up the FSB.
There is a bit of voltage increase involved, but it's not complicated and you'll likely not need it for a small OC.

Try changing your FSB to 140 (leave your ram on automatic or whatever it is at now), and then 150 if it's stable, with everythign else unchanged.
If it works out for you, find an article about Celeron D overclocking for more thorough details.

Yes, your CPU is on the low end, but you can certainly improve your WoW performance by overclocking. My old 2100+ XP + 9600Pro rig definitely ran WoW faster than 3fps.


Cheers

 

[qcmadness]

I believe that's a Celeron D running at 533FSB? Or it could be the older 400FSB CEleron (the total crap).

Either way, before you upgrade, be aware that you do have a bit of overclocking headroom. Your board supports 800FSB for sure, so you can increase your CPU speed by simple cranking up the FSB.
There is a bit of voltage increase involved, but it's not complicated and you'll likely not need it for a small OC.

Try changing your FSB to 140 (leave your ram on automatic or whatever it is at now), and then 150 if it's stable, with everythign else unchanged.
If it works out for you, find an article about Celeron D overclocking for more thorough details.

Yes, your CPU is on the low end, but you can certainly improve your WoW performance by overclocking. My old 2100+ XP + 9600Pro rig definitely ran WoW faster than 3fps.


Cheers

You can find P4 524 in Intel's website.

If overclocking is considered, a C-D 320 / 315 is better for OC

 

[bearvsshark]

You know, I didn't even look at the possibility of overclocking first. It is indeed a Celeron D at 533Mhz. Those stock heatsink/fans are garbage. I hate how the top of the fan is open.. if I move my computer one of the wires might get in there and it makes a loud noise. I don't have my wires tied down nicely.

I'll try and overclock when I get home later. I have nothing to lose.

I believe that's a Celeron D running at 533FSB? Or it could be the older 400FSB CEleron (the total crap).

Either way, before you upgrade, be aware that you do have a bit of overclocking headroom. Your board supports 800FSB for sure, so you can increase your CPU speed by simple cranking up the FSB.
There is a bit of voltage increase involved, but it's not complicated and you'll likely not need it for a small OC.

Try changing your FSB to 140 (leave your ram on automatic or whatever it is at now), and then 150 if it's stable, with everythign else unchanged.
If it works out for you, find an article about Celeron D overclocking for more thorough details.

Yes, your CPU is on the low end, but you can certainly improve your WoW performance by overclocking. My old 2100+ XP + 9600Pro rig definitely ran WoW faster than 3fps.


Cheers

You can find P4 524 in Intel's website.

If overclocking is considered, a C-D 320 / 315 is better for OC

 

[redwing]

In most cases (and homebuilds) the fans are open. A neater wiring will net you a less warm system, but not by much. Just tie down the wires around your CPU fan (and exhaust fan) to make sure they dont jam them.

I can't remember the article names, but I'm sure if you google "celeron D overclocking" or "celeron d review", you will find plenty of info.
If you're using DDR ram in your system, most likely those are DDR333 modules, which means you can easily up your FSB to 166, run it synchronously with your ram, and enjoy a CPU speed of 3.15Ghz (along with a faster bus). You can probably go higher, just make sure you make the necessary adjustments to Vcore and northbridge voltages (if needed).

 

[bearvsshark]

Got home and did some searching. I think the ASUS manual for my motherboard incorrectly lists some stuff and I don't think I have access to overclock.

I have a P5S800-VM.

EDIT: Found there was one newer BIOS. This enabled AI Smart Overclocking or some crap like that. You can tweak it up 5%, 10%, 20%, etc. I can't even go 5% without locking up. That would have made it 2.66Ghz.

Not sure if I should get a good fan and try OC'ing or just get a proc. Probably a proc is the best deal.. $72 vs a good fan $59.

 

[redwing]

For your system, I'd settle for a 3Ghz p4. No sense paying more for .2Ghz increases. It's too bad the OC'ing sucks that much on your MB.
One thing to check before you give up, see if there's any voltage adjustments (for the CPU). Up the voltage (by as little as you can) and try the 5% again. Heat is not your issue, a 5% fsb increase doesnt change the heat output significantly enough, especially on a Celeron D.
If not :

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1649450

 

[tool_462]

Try overclocking in the BIOS. Celeron's overclock very well, and those in windows programs rarely work for oc'ing.

 

[bearvsshark]

That was overclocking the BIOS. I know of no program to actually overclock through a Windows program and that sounds like it wouldn't work in the first place.

Try overclocking in the BIOS. Celeron's overclock very well, and those in windows programs rarely work for oc'ing.

Don't think there is any voltage adjustments.

One thing to check before you give up, see if there's any voltage adjustments (for the CPU). Up the voltage (by as little as you can) and try the 5% again. Heat is not your issue, a 5% fsb increase doesnt change the heat output significantly enough, especially on a Celeron D.

 

[bearvsshark]

Well, I decided to go in BIOS and tried again. I have it cranked up to 5% overclocking with no troubles, but if I goto 10% the system hands and doesn't even post. Turning off and on again resets everything to 2.53Ghz.

But 5% is working great with no increase in heat. Wish I could go higher.

 

[BaronMatrix]

Read the THGC CPU Buyers Guide 06. I really need a new CPU and am strapped for cash right now. My system has nice stuff in it, but when it came to buy the last item (CPU) I cheesed out and went cheap. I couldn't wait any longer.

I have a Celeron 2.53Ghz. I'll never buy a Celeron again. I shouldn't have never done it. I knew I wasn't going to be happy.

Performance in World of Warcraft is horribly laggy a lot of times. Encoding a video into DiVx?! Forget about. Playing pinball emulator?! Not too bad in most games, but when multiball happens forget about it.

Will this be a lot better than what I have now?!

Intel Pentium® 4 541 Processor Prescott 3.20GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 1MB Cache Retail - $90

.. or is this better?!

Intel Pentium® D Processor 820 2.8GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x1MB Cache, Dual Core Retail - $98

I believe the article said Pentium D's suck. But it's got 2MB cache where the first processor has only 1MB cache. The first processor is a higher clock speed, though. On ZipZoom's website it says second is Dual Core.. the first isn't I take it?!

I am compairing those two since they are both under $100 and the next price up they have is $159. I need to keep money for Christmas presents and bills.

The 820 will be better because it's dual core. Newegg has the 915 for $117.