Which CPU is the best for my buck?

dsidious · Dec 13, 2006

I've just bought an HP computer from BestBuy last month. I think it's in your price range or close ($1000 Canadian, I think that's a bit under $900 US these days). It's faster than the X2 3800 and it comes with a TV tuner and XP Media center. I think they give coupons for free Vista upgrades too.

HP M7640N AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5000+ 2.6GHz

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10079919&catid=20217

The power source has only 300 W, so you'll probably need to replace it if you want to add a high-end graphics card later. The integrated graphics is good enough for Diablo 2, I tried

The funny thing is that buying the same components from computer stores in the same area would have cost between $1700 and $1900...

bananabox · Dec 13, 2006

if your not gaming save the money and get a dell or build your own and dont worry about the widescreen 19" monitor.

joefriday · Dec 13, 2006

Don't count on a budget setup lasting you another 6 years. Things are changing, and in 6 years...a $100 CPU will likely be insufficient.

I feel it's the other way around. Any computer this side of the millennium still works great for surfing the web and general productivity. I know I'll be using the K6-2 for a few more years. Any new computer today should last a very long time doing this kind of low end work.

1Tanker · Dec 13, 2006

Don't count on a budget setup lasting you another 6 years. Things are changing, and in 6 years...a $100 CPU will likely be insufficient.

I feel it's the other way around. Any computer this side of the millennium still works great for surfing the web and general productivity. I know I'll be using the K6-2 for a few more years. Any new computer today should last a very long time doing this kind of low end work.I hope you're right. :?

joefriday · Dec 13, 2006

How on earth did the 805 get such a good rep? It overclocks, but stock its not too much of a bargain. If you're going to go intel which is a fine option, at least get something from the 65nm 900 series. Maybe a 915 its clocked higher, cooler, and has twice the cache. All for $20 extra. Seems like a much better option? The X2 or a higher Pent-D would also have 64-bit support which will actually mater if he plans on keeping the CPU until he can't run anything.

The reason the D805 is nice is because it's the cheapest dual core. 533/800 fsb doesn't make a difference when we're talking about basic tasks, neither does 1MB L2 vs 2MB L2. Simply doesn't matter. A D805 is as fast as a Conroe when it comes to launching internet explorer. Really, even the D805 is overkill, but I guess people seem to think that tasks like web browsing and word processing will someday become multithreaded. :roll:

SciPunk · Dec 13, 2006

Just to be clear, it's not an issue of any CPU breaking down before 6 years... it's a matter of having a system that will be able to run updated software for the next 6 years. Even checking e-mail and surfing the web will be more CPU intensive as content becomes more and more bloated. You will need to run applettes by the score. Software venders are not going to assume that they need to keep apps under a certain size and speed requirement... even for the mundane tasks.

1) I don't want to reuse any parts from my old computer. I want to start all new. And it might be cheaper to buy used parts from eBay, but I haven't had the best experience with that so I want to steer clear of refurbished parts.

2) Eventually I do want to upgrade to Vista- but for now the plan is to buy XP.

It will be hard to get the whole system, w/ Windows, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers for $800 without some serious compromises. Think more around $1000.

3) I'm not gaming and I don't plan to, so a simple yet fast computer is all I truly want.

So don't consider anything that says SLI. That's for TWO graphics cards, and you don't even need ONE. You want integrated video. Many people on this board don't understand the concept of a computer w/o a high speed graphics card.

Some questions that I still have-
Is a Dell really that reliable? It's affordable but overall is it going to be worth it?

Sure, they're reliable enough... their system will last for years and years (most likely). The issue is pricing on a low end system. Dell can easily throw in a low end monitor, speakers, Opperating system, decent mouse/keyboard, and they even come in a decent case (compared to the "bargains" you can get on the cheap from New Egg). If you buy these things yourself, you will likely opt for quality, and the prices will all add up, and before you know it, you busted your budget.

At a higher price range, don't buy Dell (or Gateway, or HP, or whoever else is still making computers). At the low end, it's very hard to beat their price/performance combo.

If I continue with building my own- it seems to be split between the Pentium 805 and the Athlon X2 3800. If I go with the Athlon, which motherboard would be sufficient?

here you go
Integrated graphics, supports the AM2 line of CPUs (the current generation), and it's a microATX as well... so you could put this in a small tower or a Q-Pac case... plus it's loaded w/ features like all your USBs, firewire, supports the current SATA drives, has a PCIe for a graphics card (if you ever get the urge), etc etc. And it's well under $100 shipped.

Jazzman1284 · Dec 13, 2006

Don't count out current cpus to not last 6 years - not everyone plays top-end games and applications. Plenty of my family members have been sitting on Athlon XP's for around 4 years now, and that's still good enough for them to have no complaints with day-to-day usage.

I agree that it totatly depends on what you are using it for. I still have an old dell dimension xps from 1997ish. It has a P2 300Mhz, 192 MB RAM, and a 32 MB Matrox GPU. It still works great for web surfing and MS office stuff (on XP Home). Hard to believe that it's almost ten years old.

mcgruff · Dec 14, 2006

If I go with the Athlon, which motherboard would be sufficient?

Abit NF-M2 looks good - they've even stuck a heat pipe on it. Dual monitor support (inc DVI) and just about anything else you'd want. One thing with these microATX boards: you'll only get 2 PCI slots (plus PCIe x16 & PCIe x1). There is a similar ATX gigabyte board with 4 PCI if that's an issue.

I'd steer well clear of the 805.

djgandy · Dec 14, 2006

This guy wants a budget pc.
His current one has lasted 6 years.
Do you think he cares about good mobo's, power supplies, whether he can run vista, upgrade the graphics card and the rest? I don't.

You should be able to put something decentish together for around $500-600 + Monitor. Generic ram and low end mobo's are your friend.
You could even skimp on the core2duo support, depends how long you want it to last 😛

yquo · Dec 14, 2006

evilr00t · Dec 14, 2006

I second the Dell option.

BaronMatrix · Dec 14, 2006

Wow- I didn't realize I was gonna get so much help so fast. I shoulda joined the forum a long time ago.

To answer some of your questions-

1) I don't want to reuse any parts from my old computer. I want to start all new. And it might be cheaper to buy used parts from eBay, but I haven't had the best experience with that so I want to steer clear of refurbished parts.

2) Eventually I do want to upgrade to Vista- but for now the plan is to buy XP.

3) I'm not gaming and I don't plan to, so a simple yet fast computer is all I truly want.

Some questions that I still have-
Is a Dell really that reliable? It's affordable but overall is it going to be worth it?

If I continue with building my own- it seems to be split between the Pentium 805 and the Athlon X2 3800. If I go with the Athlon, which motherboard would be sufficient?

And about the power supply? Should I get a case that already has a power supply included or should I purchase them separately?

To start, the 3800+is much better than the 805. If you go with an Antec case you will get a good PSU.

Since you mentioned Dell, you can get a pretty nice Dimension for $600 WITH a monitor. The 4200+ is the sweet spot for price perf, but the Core 2s are more costly (but faster) and for most average tasks either will be more than you need.

kmjohnso · Dec 14, 2006

Hmm... why do systems last 6years? Because they have descent components. Not expensive components but quality components. CPU/RAM-->unlikely to break. PSU/Mobo/HDD break all the time... So don't skimp so you can save money!!

turpit · Dec 14, 2006

Wow- I didn't realize I was gonna get so much help so fast. I shoulda joined the forum a long time ago.

To answer some of your questions-

1) I don't want to reuse any parts from my old computer. I want to start all new. And it might be cheaper to buy used parts from eBay, but I haven't had the best experience with that so I want to steer clear of refurbished parts.

2) Eventually I do want to upgrade to Vista- but for now the plan is to buy XP.

3) I'm not gaming and I don't plan to, so a simple yet fast computer is all I truly want.

Some questions that I still have-
Is a Dell really that reliable? It's affordable but overall is it going to be worth it?

If I continue with building my own- it seems to be split between the Pentium 805 and the Athlon X2 3800. If I go with the Athlon, which motherboard would be sufficient?

And about the power supply? Should I get a case that already has a power supply included or should I purchase them separately?

Dell? Dude you're getting a dud.

All the options presented here are pretty much viable, though for what you want, your price range and your level of experiance, I would go with the X2 3800 system outlined by ( :roll: ) Baron Matrix.

Understand though, that even for web browsing/blogging, expecting a $800 system to be viable for the next 6 years is probably a bit unrealistic considering the next generations of software/hardware and the resource hog Vista

funkee1 · Dec 14, 2006

Seriously......Don't get that X2.......Get this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

69camaroSS · Dec 14, 2006

First, Don't buy anything until after Christmas.

Second, Get a Core 2 Duo. Whichever you can afford, and make the finacial stretch. I believe you can get the low end for -$200 and prices will be falling in January. These chips are highly OC (overclock)able and are faster than anything AMD has right now.

kmjohnso · Dec 14, 2006

...which is old and at its end of life? The 65W 3800 X2 overclcocks well too

phil_scnu · Dec 14, 2006

You could go with either Intel Solution or AMD
Intel
PD-820 US$ 100
Giga/MSI etc 945G/P with Core2Duo Support $100
512M D2-667*2 is the baseline $100
no 3d GPU at this moment if you don't play any pop 3d game 0$
160G SATA HDD e.g. Seagate 72.9/10 is good enough. $60
16xDVD-RW $40
19"LCD Samsung 940BW $250
300/350W ATX $30
........................ it will might your whole system cost at around US$800
or even $700.

If go with AMD
AMD 3600x2 is a good choice which is 89-99US$ now.
nvdia C51G/61P is good enough for non-3d gamer.
you could also go with a nfore550 and a 7600GS/7600GT/X1650Pro
if you play games.

Core Solo CPU and Core2Duo are the good choice for you today.

dlmacline · Dec 14, 2006

I say if its budget dual core PC under $500 (or$600) set it up with Intel e6300 (around 190-200$) or AMD x2 3800/3600 ($120-150) for the processor.. If your thinking of buying PD 805 ($ 90) choose the x2 3800 instead..PD 805 got some heat and power issues

Nvidia 7300 GT GDDR3 (around $90) or 7600 GT GDDR 3($ 120-130) for Graphics Card

A Cheap ASrock for AM2 ($60-70 and it could already have an integrated NV 6100 graphics SM 3.0) or Intel board with p965 or 945g (you can find a cheap one around $100)

2 Gig PC-667 DDR2 at around 200$ (.. Try looking for those cards with generic brands they are a bit cheaper with relatively the same performance.)

80 gig HD SATA price around ( $50 )

Casing with 500w PSU (30-40$)

You could usually save around 100 to 150$ by choosing AMD and its pretty powerful enough but if you have that extra buck its better to go with the e6300 because it has better performance and less power consumption

Aero7 · Dec 14, 2006

What's this about waiting until after Christmas? Are prices really going to drop? I would think that they have Christmas sales going on now so prices would be optimal during the season. No?

BaronMatrix · Dec 14, 2006

What's this about waiting until after Christmas? Are prices really going to drop? I would think that they have Christmas sales going on now so prices would be optimal during the season. No?

My advice is to wait until Vista in Feb. That's when the deals will really be good. MS is probably subsidizing value-adds right now. By then the 65nm X2s will be out in force and 90nm will probabl drop in price slightly while there will probably be a slight premium on 65nm as EE chips.

kmjohnso · Dec 14, 2006

Prices will always drop. New products will come out. You should decide to by the cpu when you need it. Otherwise you'll wait forever.

chaosgs · Dec 14, 2006

Wow- I didn't realize I was gonna get so much help so fast. I shoulda joined the forum a long time ago.

To answer some of your questions-

1) I don't want to reuse any parts from my old computer. I want to start all new. And it might be cheaper to buy used parts from eBay, but I haven't had the best experience with that so I want to steer clear of refurbished parts.

2) Eventually I do want to upgrade to Vista- but for now the plan is to buy XP.

3) I'm not gaming and I don't plan to, so a simple yet fast computer is all I truly want.

Some questions that I still have-
Is a Dell really that reliable? It's affordable but overall is it going to be worth it?

If I continue with building my own- it seems to be split between the Pentium 805 and the Athlon X2 3800. If I go with the Athlon, which motherboard would be sufficient?

And about the power supply? Should I get a case that already has a power supply included or should I purchase them separately?

Dell? Dude you're getting a dud.

Dont listen to this garbage i know people with dells older than 6 years. dell is perfect for what you want and prob cheaper. ive seen a replica of my system (except graphics card) in bestbuy go for like $750-850 + tax.

Dell is not best in performance but it wins an award for longest lasting.

-silencer- · Dec 14, 2006

Hmm... why do systems last 6years? Because they have descent components. Not expensive components but quality components. CPU/RAM-->unlikely to break. PSU/Mobo/HDD break all the time... So don't skimp so you can save money!!

And I've got an eMachines Pentium2-350 that's been an always-on machine, originally for email/web/instant messaging, and now just serves as an external media storage machine. It's also got a massive passively cooled stock heatsink and only uses the power supply fan. Considering everything in this box is stock from 1997 or so (except 6 hard drives, an IDE controller card, and a gigabit network card), and has been powered on 99% of the time.. I don't have a problem with a Dell bought today to be fine for a long time. Occasionally a power supply may need to be replaced, or a motherboard with leaky caps, but for the most part, the machine will outlive the amount of time you plan to actually use it. Sure it was a cheap machine when it was bought, but nothing has failed.. just use a battery backup to prevent surges/brownouts and your electronic equipment will last a long time.

kmjohnso · Dec 14, 2006

Yeah its true that cheap!=poor quality. I actually liked emachines better than Compaq (before being bought) and Gateway. I've just seen too many machines take a hit from a bad PSU's that took the Mobo with them, fans that die killing northbridges/cpus, and mobos die. I have an Apple IIgs which still works as good as the day as it was bought (which isn't saying much now a days), a couple of old thinkpads that run fine despite being carried across the world.

Which CPU is the best for my buck?

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