Computer Processor Help ( Which one to get) (1 Viewer)

[Timesplitter 01]

http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/showchart.aspx?mmID=884355,881356&familyID=1&culture=en-US

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor E6300

Intel® Pentium® D Processor 915

Which one should I choose? I am smae what of a noob with CPU's.

 

[Raginsheep]

Definately go for the Core 2 Duos.

 

[ari89]

When I had the choice I went for the Pentium D 2.8ghz because it was much much cheaper than the core duo. Whats justifies such a major price difference between the 2?

 

[STx]

^ its using a completely new architecture and even though the stock clock speeds of the core 2 duos are lower than the D's they are whooping them and and all of amd's current offerings in performance and power consumption

 

[Timesplitter 01]

True about the Duo outpreforming the D.

Although there are a few considerations to take into account:

1. The computer is on a budget. The computer is coming from HP and the two cpus come from two different models ( Pent D = m8070a, Duo=m8080a). Given that the m8070a is currently priced at $1999 with a 19 inch widescreen LCD and the m8080a is going for $2150 WITHOUT a Screen.

2. The computer user that is going to be using the computer will be doing word processing, spread sheets, movie play back, music playback, surfing the net and instant messaging. The user will NOT be playing games like Fear or Crysis but rather simple games like what games come with VISTA.

3. The only thing that the computer will really have to cope with is Vista Home Premium (with the possible use of Aero although it my not be used).

4. Ready-boost ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/performance.mspx)

The computer will be using ready-boost and most likely using a 2 or 4 GB hi Speed USB drive in order to improve performance.

So taking that all into account does your opinion still remain the same?

 

[Raginsheep]

Whats the point of using the USB drive to improve performance if your going to just going to use it to do simple stuff. You could possibly just go for the cheapest no brand computer you can find with 2 gigs of ram. It'll do fine.

 

[Timesplitter 01]

Whats the point of using the USB drive to improve performance if your going to just going to use it to do simple stuff. You could possibly just go for the cheapest no brand computer you can find with 2 gigs of ram. It'll do fine.

USB Flash drives are cheaper than ram

2 GB Flash drive = $75

2 GB RAM = 350 ( at cheapest about 250)

 

[mr_brightside]

USB Flash drives are cheaper than ram

2 GB Flash drive = $75

2 GB RAM = 350 ( at cheapest about 250)

USB Flash Drives are flash storage, for storing data.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is for running applications and storing temporary data that the programs use.

you do realise they are two completely different things, right?

 

[STx]

True about the Duo outpreforming the D.

Although there are a few considerations to take into account:

1. The computer is on a budget. The computer is coming from HP and the two cpus come from two different models ( Pent D = m8070a, Duo=m8080a). Given that the m8070a is currently priced at $1999 with a 19 inch widescreen LCD and the m8080a is going for $2150 WITHOUT a Screen.

2. The computer user that is going to be using the computer will be doing word processing, spread sheets, movie play back, music playback, surfing the net and instant messaging. The user will NOT be playing games like Fear or Crysis but rather simple games like what games come with VISTA.

3. The only thing that the computer will really have to cope with is Vista Home Premium (with the possible use of Aero although it my not be used).

4. Ready-boost ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/performance.mspx)

The computer will be using ready-boost and most likely using a 2 or 4 GB hi Speed USB drive in order to improve performance.

So taking that all into account does your opinion still remain the same?

oh ok, then the Pentium D should be fine and save you money.

 

[sunny]

USB Flash Drives are flash storage, for storing data.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is for running applications and storing temporary data that the programs use.

you do realise they are two completely different things, right?

Thats what ReadyBoost is meant to do; use other storage as extra memory. Personally I'm skeptical how well it works, never seen it in action though.

Modern RAM you're talking about bandwidths of several gigabits per sec. USB 2 is 480 megabits per sec.

 

[Raginsheep]

USB Flash drives are cheaper than ram

2 GB Flash drive = $75

2 GB RAM = 350 ( at cheapest about 250)

RAM and Flash do different things to what you think. A better comparison would be flash to hard drive cause thats what it basically is, a faster hdd so windows starts in 4s instead of 5s. Your wasting your money unless there is an absolute mission critical reason you need it.

 

[sladehk]

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/au/e...116665-1116665-1116665-12435952-78005379.html

i think this is pretty good, a deal is going for 1699

 

[chucknthem]

the pentium D 915 buy itself is a bit more than half the price of the core2duo e6300 but it's only about 25% slower in raw system performance, so if your budge is very tight, then the pentium D should do. If you plan to overclock(which I doubt ) the e6300 can stably overclock to 3.2 Ghz!

here's a chart comparing to similary CPUs
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=440&model2=433&chart=174
(they don't have those exact models because they are considered low end CPUs and tomshardware only test midrange to highend products )

assuming all other specs are the same, the monitor is worth about 300, and the price difference between the CPUs is only about 120-150 dollars, so it is certainly better to go with the pentium D one.

but consider this: (2150 -1999)/2150 = 7% lower in price, which is not worth it. the lcd is worth about $300 so (2150+300-1999)/2150 =21% which is still not worth the 25% lower performance...

I may have made the decision more difficult for you :rofl:

either way, I don't think it's worth spending 2k on a system that's only going to be used for movie watching, word processing, and internet surfing.
lets build a similar system from msy:
http://msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

motherboard: Gigabyte 965P-S3 $159
CPU: core2duo e6300 $258
ram: 2gb A-DATA $285
harddrive: 250GB $125
vidcard: 7600GS $135
dvd burner: $45
case+powersuply: $100
vista home basic: $149
keyboard+mouse: $30
speakers: $40
19' widescreen: $275
parts assemply and testing: 70

total=$1671
it can more than handle what the user will be doing and it probably has better specs than that HP you plan to get

also, this dell is probably a slightly better deal too
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/dimen_9200?c=au&cs=audhs1&l=en&s=dhs

 

[mr_brightside]

Thats what ReadyBoost is meant to do; use other storage as extra memory. Personally I'm skeptical how well it works, never seen it in action though.

Modern RAM you're talking about bandwidths of several gigabits per sec. USB 2 is 480 megabits per sec.

Interesting. But I don't see it working well.

 

[Templar]

It's like TurboCache or HyperMemory. Sounds great on the product info sheet, but in reality RAM/USB speed is too slow to substitute for GRAM/RAM.

For the OP, if you really need to save money and need a heater in winter, get the Pentium D. Otherwise, go with the newer Core 2.

 

[Raginsheep]

Its not a substitue for RAM no more than virtual memory....

 

[JhK89]

get the D if u need power and have the cash get the Duo

 

[Timesplitter 01]

Got the Duo 2 machine ( HP m8080a).

Anyways, I know that RAM is faster than the USB (obviously) but at the moment it is a cheaper way to improve performance in the short run.

Anyways here is Ready boost in action with a 512MB SD card

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=5902090796342771727&q=vista

For those who dont want to click the link. This is vista loading up to the desktop.

Without ready boost =43 seconds

With Ready boost = 14 seconds

Make of it what you will. Its a good short term option.

 

[chucknthem]

that's a nice boot up time boost, does it improve anything else besides start up?

 

[Timesplitter 01]

It improves all the programs performance.

Google 'Readyboost' to show how it works