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AMD Phenom II x6 cores vs Intel® Core™ i7 980X Extreme Edition Processor

-fedexer-

-fedexer-

-fedexer-

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Can anyone tell me why there is such a major price difference between these two processors?

What makes the intel core ... ~£500 more than the AMD version? :eek:
 
The short answer is the huge difference in performance, that and the fact that the 980X is an Intel unlocked multi processor. Intel has historically charged a huge premium for the privilege of having an unlocked multiplier.
 
So the intel is being charged at a greater rate as it's designed to be overclocked with better multipliers?

And is the AMD really that much worse than the intel performance wise?
 
The 980 is an unlocked CPU which does make it easier to overclock. Not sure I would suggest it was designed to be overclocked. One of the big plus's of this CPU is that it is a 32 nm hex core processor. i7-920 and the like are quad-core and 45nm.

It is a real beast:D


980X
 
Oh i know it's a beast of a processor, it's why i had initially chosen it for my build.. though after looking at the AMD.. similar (i wont say equivelant as it isn't the case).. the £500 odd difference is ouchy.
 
May I ask what it is you will be doing with the PC and what kind of overclocks are you looking for?
 
That's the thing, it's mainly going to be a gaiming rig.. however i do do a lot of programming designing mmo server systems, so the more cores = greater performance in that sense.

I wasn't too sure about ocing them tbh, i haven't oc'ed anything before and i'm not sure i would want to take the risk voiding my warranty...

That might be a reason to go with the AMD version :O though i think i'd prefer intel.
 
Voiding the warranty?

Not sure how that follows but let us leave that point for now.

Anand Bench

Wonder over to the link I posted and have a compare with the two CPU's you are looking at. I think you will be quite pleasantly surprised.

Based on what you said your requirements are I would say that since most games are struggling to even utilise 4 cores a hex core CPU would be over kill. But then overkill with tech is rather nice :D
 
i was always under the opinion that if you oc'd your components it would void said components warrenty? or is this not the case?

Tbh i like overkill, i always have and always will, and it's one of the reasons i had initially picked the intel 980X anyway:D

I shall take a look at the link, thanks ;)
 
Money is very important tbh.. currently a student.. but if i save a **** load... but currently the rig i've thought of is pulling in the station at £2.5k so... you know... however i wouldn't mind getting this price down, but for the components i want.. it's coming to this. This includes a MSI GeForce GTX 480 1536MB GDDR5.

With intention to upgrade to dual GTX 480, when i have more cash.

Just noticed my typos, please ignore them.
 
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-fedexer- said:
Money is very important tbh.. currently a student.. but if i save a **** load... but currently the rig i've thought of is pulling in the station at £2.5k so... you know... however i wouldn't mind getting this price down, but for the components i want.. it's coming to this. This includes a MSI GeForce GTX 480 1536MB GDDR5.

With intention to upgrade to dual GTX 480, when i have more cash.

Just noticed my typos, please ignore them.
Click to expand...

Then Get a 950, and use the money saved to get the 2nd 480, it'll be far more worth while.
 
The only people who buy the extreme editions of processors are people with money to burn

Nobody NEEDS them as the cheaper versions can usually overclock giving a similar performance. Granted the extreme can overclock further but I doubt in the real world (ie, applications and games) you NEED an extreme edition.

Look at those who spent hundreds on AMD FX series, or those who bought the extreme dual/quad cores

Don't get me wrong, if I won the lottery I'd buy one :D

I'm guilty of a similar thing though, a few years ago I decided to spend £350 on a 9800 GTX when a £150 GT offered 99% of the performance. Silly me :D
 
Hmm i think i might try downgrading then... i could always pick up the 980X later when it comes down in price.

I wonder what sort of prices i can look at if i downgrade somewhat, maybe get it around the £1k mark.. instead of >£2k
 
james.miller said:
depends if the warranty covers it really. most dont, obviously, but there are components with that in mind - my asus 5850 for instance
Click to expand...

However I do believe it's not possible to tell if a CPU has been overclocked if you left the voltage alone. Many can squeeze out an extra 10% or more on stock :]

And as a question, has anyone ever actually had a CPU die on them? In a dozen or more since '98, never had or even heard of a single one actually biting the dust - warranty feels more like something to cover you in case it got crushed in packing :)
 
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