I can't decide what cpu to choose for my next build. I am going with AMD because im on a budget. I have narrowed my choices down to the AMD 5000+ black edition or the 5200+. Both processors run at the stock speed of 2.6Ghz and both have thermal power rating of 65w, versus 89w of some other X2s. The main advantage of the 5000+ black edition is that it has an unlocked multiplier, and the processor can easily overclocked over 3Ghz by simply raising the multiplier, no increase in voltage is needed and it can be done on air cooling. The main advantage of the 5200+ is that it has 2mb of L2 cache, vs. 1mb L2 cache on the 5000+. The 5200+ can also be overclocked, but to reach speeds past 3Ghz a slight voltage increase may be needed, and a pretty decent cooling setup may also be needed. The price difference is the main factor im considering. Right now with a promo code you can get the 5000+ black edition for $95 plus free shipping at newegg. The lowest price ive seen, also on newegg, for the 65w version of the 5200+ is $140 plus shipping. Is the extra $45 in cost for the 5200+ worth it for the extra L2 cache? Ive already decided on a board and Ive already bought some damn good patriot memory that is great for ocing, so I plan to overclock whichever processor I choose. Obviously ocing the black edition will be way easier tho.
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I would personally get the 5200 if you don't plan to overclock. However, if you do have the intension of overclocking and are on a budget, then go with the black edition. THe extra cooling will make the price difference high, if your on a budget. I would suggest a Phenom, but that's a quad-core processor.
It's not that much more to get something MUCH better. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031
thanks for the heads up on the intel cpu. I think im leaning towards the 5000+ black edition tho. Its the cheapest of the 3, the easiest to overclock (the other 2 are also pretty easy to oc too),and I found a good amd board thats on rebate right now. I might look at intel boards and if I find one I like I might go with the intel cpu. I just dont think I will see much difference between the 2 cpus based on what I use my comp for. I plan on gaming but only once in awhile. The main purpose of this rig im building is to watch HD movies on a 32" lcd using the xbox 360 HD add on (I would just use my 360 but it doesnt have an hdmi connection and the video card I bought has a dvi-hdmi adapter).I also back up dvds too. Im pretty sure all 3 of the cpus im looking at can handle HD output.
That will come out to the video card mostly. Anyway AMDs are NOTHING compared to Core 2 Duos when both are overclocked. AMD is now what Intel was back in the P4 times.
Well I found an MSI amd board that is $95 after rebate. Its the K9A platinum, which supports DDR2 800 and crossfire. The main reasons I chose this board is because it can overclock fairly well and can support my memory (my patriot memory runs at 2.2v). Does anyone know of a good intel board for around $130 or less that supports crossfire and can oc fairly well? Then there is the question of my memory. Most new intel boards support DDR2 1066. I would either have to overclock my DDR2 800 memory,or buy new 1066 memory, or I wouldnt be taking advantage of the extra speed of an intel board when it comes to memory.
Well I've heard crossfire is pretty useless. What I would go with in your budget is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031 Core 2s run cooler than the AMDs I believe but it's a good idea to get a CPU cooler if you want to overclock. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134&Tpk=freezer+7+pro
That board looks pretty decent thanks for the link. I know crossfire is useless. I went with an ati card because ive heard from alot of people that they handle HD output better than nvidia cards. If I decide to do some gaming down the road Im gunna need to go crossfire because my 1 2600xt might not be able to handle newer games at the resolution I will be playing at (Im planning on getting a 20" lcd). Then there is the question of my memory. I know my memory can overclock well. If they are DD2 800 sticks, what is the actual speed that they run at? How much of an overclock would it be to get them to run at 1066? I know they can handle DDR2 900 speeds no problem, but 1066 might be pushing it. They have good timings and I got a really good deal on the pair so I would hate to have to buy different memory.
The board supports 1066, doesn't mean you have to run it at that. I run mine at 960. Hell, you can run it at 667 if you want to.
Sorry I was thinking of some other thing. Here is how it is right now Multi: 8x FSB:450 Ram Multi:2.00 Ram Speed:900Mhz Ram Latencies:4-4-4-12 Voltage: Ram: 2.2 CPU:1.4
3.6GHz wow, what kind of cooling are you using on your cpu? How much of an increase from stock speed is that on your board?
