NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm looking to build a new computer, and I'm looking to buy a CPU. It is obviously important, and coincidentally, the part that I know least about. I'm confident in my ability to purchase anything else I need, but not this. So, I'm turning to the computer experts at NSG for help.

Of the current models out there, what is the best for just a regular desktop computer? I'm not building anything super here, I just need it for desktop use and minor video editing purposes. So, does anyone have suggestions about what is the best?

The AMD Athlon X2s come cheaper and, I think, use less power.

The Intel Core2Duos (and Core2Quads, but that's more than you'll want to pay for) go faster at the high end.

In the middle the slowest Core2s overlap with the mid-range X2s. Frankly, they'll probably all have enough power to do anything you want, so choose based on what you want to spend.

I quote myself from a recent upgrade thread. The links might be useful (and you could see the advice given there, if you wanted):
THG did a bit of mainstream comparison here (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2007/05/04/which_is_the_best_mainstream_cpu_uk/index.html), and there's always their CPU charts (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/cpu/charts.html?modelx=33&model1=430&model2=464&chart=186) (which don't have the newer models, but the E4400 should be somewhere between the old E6300 and E6400).

Get a Core2Duo. And some extra RAM if you think you might start doing more video editing.

The AMD Athlon X2s come cheaper and, I think, use less power.

The Intel Core2Duos (and Core2Quads, but that's more than you'll want to pay for) go faster at the high end.

In the middle the slowest Core2s overlap with the mid-range X2s. Frankly, they'll probably all have enough power to do anything you want, so choose based on what you want to spend.

I quote myself from a recent upgrade thread. The links might be useful (and you could see the advice given there, if you wanted):
Core2Dou use less power.

Get an Intel Core 2 Duo. The mid-range Intels are better value than the same priced AMDs.

Don't stinge and get crappy low-end single core CPU, you'll need a dual-core for your video editing.

Core2Dou use less power.

/me checks...

Correct again, excepting Semprons (and you shouldn't accept a Sempron). Someone in the other thread said otherwise.

Yeah, unless you're penny-pinching a Core2 is probably the best idea.

I think a core 2 duo sounds like what I am going to get, from suggestions and research. But I'm still not sure what type to get, of the core 2 duos. They have models ranging from 1.86 ghz clock speed up, and thats what I'm still unsure about. How fast do I need, and at what point will more speed really not do anything?

we need to know what is your price range,

Intel X6800 is listed @ $1,000

Athlon 64 X2 6000 @ $459 (which is exactly between the Core 2 Duo E6600 and the E6700.)

I am planning to expend under $600 For a Complete Dell .. (I renew my PC every 2 years... and my monitor every 5)

/me checks...

Correct again, excepting Semprons (and you shouldn't accept a Sempron). Someone in the other thread said otherwise.

Yeah, unless you're penny-pinching a Core2 is probably the best idea.
Yeah! Posi is win today!

+! about the Semprons.

Core2 Duo E6600 would be the best for the money compared to the E6400 and E6700.

I think a core 2 duo sounds like what I am going to get, from suggestions and research. But I'm still not sure what type to get, of the core 2 duos. They have models ranging from 1.86 ghz clock speed up, and thats what I'm still unsure about. How fast do I need, and at what point will more speed really not do anything?
You would only notice it when editing video.

If you can hold out for a bit, the AMD Barcelona cores should be out in a few months. They are quad-core, and should drop the price of dual cores by September. If you can't wait that long, a good 4200 X2 AMD is a good investment unless you are into the latest games. You will want dual core for video editing, that and a mess of ram. Given the fact that dual cores are becoming pretty much standard, you should be able to get a good one for just a few hundred dollars.

You might even be able to get a 3600 X2 on the cheap. Stay away from socket 939 though, as they are phasing it out and you'll be looking at a new mobo next time you wanna upgrade your processor.

If you can't wait that long, a good 4200 X2 AMD is a good investment unless you are into the latest games.
Or don't want a cooler, less energy intensive, faster CPU.

If you can hold out for a bit, the AMD Barcelona cores should be out in a few months. They are quad-core, and should drop the price of dual cores by September. If you can't wait that long, a good 4200 X2 AMD is a good investment unless you are into the latest games. You will want dual core for video editing, that and a mess of ram. Given the fact that dual cores are becoming pretty much standard, you should be able to get a good one for just a few hundred dollars.

You might even be able to get a 3600 X2 on the cheap. Stay away from socket 939 though, as they are phasing it out and you'll be looking at a new mobo next time you wanna upgrade your processor.

I think I'm going to wait a few months anyways, Intel has a bunch of new processors coming out in July, and that should drive the price of the current ones down. The Intel Core2 Duo E6600 looks like the best for me right now, and if the price drops, it'll be looking even better. Thanks to everyone!

And quad-core is a waste until the technology gets all the bugs worked out and stuff supports that many cores.

Quad Core is going to be great as it'll signify another price drop in dual cores. With the intel quads already out and AMD quads coming out soon, dual cores will soon become the affordable standard issue.

Core2 Duo E6600 would be the best for the money compared to the E6400 and E6700.

Awesome, I ordered an E6600 yesterday.

And quad-core is a waste until the technology gets all the bugs worked out and stuff supports that many cores.
The majority of stuff that would benefit from those extra cores already is: video editing, 3D rendering, compiling.

Awesome, I ordered an E6600 yesterday.

Personally I'd have an X6800 but that's real expensive.

Personally I'd have an X6800 but that's real expensive.

So would I, but like you said...real expensive.

I think a E6600 is a good choice, anyway.

If your gonna do video editing, you should get at least 1 g of RAM.

If your gonna do video editing, you should get at least 1 g of RAM.
If he's gonna run XP, he should have +1.5GiB, +2GiB for Vista.