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yeh lets get back on topic. What were we talking about?
AMD Vs. Intel
- Thread starter Cookeh
- Start date
Price/performance set ups for budget rigs.
Alternative boards to the 880G-E41 for a similar price.
GTX460 768mb Vs. GTX460 1GB for 1440x900 gaming, possibly up to 1680x1050.
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- Joined
- 17 Nov 2010
- Posts
- 184
can I just ask what your doing about screens? Because I just bought a Prolite E220HDS for £130 and it has amazing image quality for the money. So if getting a new monitor I reccomend that.
Don't have the budget for that.
That part was regarding my current size and KoolPC (I think it was he) post about best gpu for his nephews PC (23" TFT monitor)
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Hey Cookeh 
Like yourself . . . while bargain hunting for DDR3 memory for a friends build I came across all kinds of very affordable memory that which on closer inspection stated things like "optimized for Intel® Core™ i5" . . . "Low Voltage" etc? . . .
Now as far as I know DDR3 is DDR3? . . . there is only one JEDEC standard and both AMD® and Intel® use it so I thought "what is this stuff that is branded specifically for Intel®?"
Anyway as I was working to a tight budget and I don't mind taking a risk (particularly if a product is cheaper!
) I whipped out the credit card and ordered a kit of Core™ i5 GSKILL DDR3-1600 for an AMD® Phenom™ II build! . . .
The kit came, I installed it, the computer worked fine? . . . got windows 7 installed and tested the kit with a memory diagnostic . . . all good!
When I opened CPU-z and looked at the [SPD] tab I could see the JEDEC speed ratings were not quite as I expected . . . thought they would say 533MHz, 666MHz & 800MHz but as you can see above they were a bit different? . . . the kit initially defaulted to DDR3-1066 and I manually changed it to DDR3-1600 . . . I think it may have crashed after I switched up the speed but looking in the BIOS I noticed the board was still giving it 1.5vDimm? . . . the sticker on the memory said 1.6vDimm and the [SPD] XMP DDR3-1600 rating says 1.6v so I manually adjusted the vDimm in BIOS to 1.6v and all was fine!
I really don't get it myself? . . . If your don't know how to enter the BIOS and manually set the memory voltage then I think its best to avoid an Intel® optimised set of DDR3 but otherwise if you do and the price is right I don;t see a problem? . . . they been running for over 6 months now without a hiccup!
Like yourself . . . while bargain hunting for DDR3 memory for a friends build I came across all kinds of very affordable memory that which on closer inspection stated things like "optimized for Intel® Core™ i5" . . . "Low Voltage" etc? . . .
Now as far as I know DDR3 is DDR3? . . . there is only one JEDEC standard and both AMD® and Intel® use it so I thought "what is this stuff that is branded specifically for Intel®?"
Anyway as I was working to a tight budget and I don't mind taking a risk (particularly if a product is cheaper!
) I whipped out the credit card and ordered a kit of Core™ i5 GSKILL DDR3-1600 for an AMD® Phenom™ II build! . . .The kit came, I installed it, the computer worked fine? . . . got windows 7 installed and tested the kit with a memory diagnostic . . . all good!
When I opened CPU-z and looked at the [SPD] tab I could see the JEDEC speed ratings were not quite as I expected . . . thought they would say 533MHz, 666MHz & 800MHz but as you can see above they were a bit different? . . . the kit initially defaulted to DDR3-1066 and I manually changed it to DDR3-1600 . . . I think it may have crashed after I switched up the speed but looking in the BIOS I noticed the board was still giving it 1.5vDimm? . . . the sticker on the memory said 1.6vDimm and the [SPD] XMP DDR3-1600 rating says 1.6v so I manually adjusted the vDimm in BIOS to 1.6v and all was fine!
I really don't get it myself? . . . If your don't know how to enter the BIOS and manually set the memory voltage then I think its best to avoid an Intel® optimised set of DDR3 but otherwise if you do and the price is right I don;t see a problem? . . . they been running for over 6 months now without a hiccup!
My 2p worth ( not much ) is that my main PC that Im on right now, is an intel Q9550
The RAM is 8GB Kingston 7200, XFI Fatal1ty Sound, and graphics are GTX295
Now, ok, its not the top of teh range but its way higher than average joes.
Now, I have a fascination for Gigabytes DS3 Boards. and not that long ago, I swapped out my Q6600 and a 964P DS3 Board, for an AMD Phenom 9550 and DS3 Board.
I went for this, and even though I knew it was slower than the Q6600, the CPU was a 9550 and the Mobo was a DS3... Like the Intels. It just made me giggle, so I grabbed it.
I added an Audigy 2 ZS, 4GB of GEIL 6400 and a GTX250
Now, please dont get me wrong here, I didnt expect the AMD to compete with the Intel no, I know the intel is much much quicker than the AMD, however...
When it comes to converting AVI files to DVD... They are roughly the same ( I dont want to put them head to head, the fact is though that they are - its about 15 minutes on each )
Similarly with games... I dont have a single game that the intel plays better than the AMD. Not one. In fact, Im really struggling to work out which is the better machine because there is absolutely no real difference.
Sure, as I said, Im not going to put them head to head because the intel will win... It should win... It better bloody had win.
Its a similar story to some of my other PCs.
I got an E6600 Setup too... Under normal every day use, its no faster than the Q6600.
When I consider the facts, the E6550, the E6400 are all roughly about the sme speed... I mean, we are comparing 2.13 with 2.33 / 2.4 -0 You are never going to notice any speed difference at all, no way on earth will you, unless you actually run benchmarks, and even then other factors may come into play.
My wifes PC that I knocked up recently is a lovely little babe. Intel i5 760 with 2GB RAM and its a lovely little thing, but again, I had a play ( I was considering having that and letting her have somethign else - she would never know ) but again, I wasnt impressed enough to bother swapping the bits out of another PC, and so all the use thats getting is basic browsing and online auctions etc.
What I am saying is simple...
There really isnt THAT much difference in PCs anymore.
Unless you go and buy the fastest CPU and GFX etc, its not worth the effort.
The RAM is 8GB Kingston 7200, XFI Fatal1ty Sound, and graphics are GTX295
Now, ok, its not the top of teh range but its way higher than average joes.
Now, I have a fascination for Gigabytes DS3 Boards. and not that long ago, I swapped out my Q6600 and a 964P DS3 Board, for an AMD Phenom 9550 and DS3 Board.
I went for this, and even though I knew it was slower than the Q6600, the CPU was a 9550 and the Mobo was a DS3... Like the Intels. It just made me giggle, so I grabbed it.
I added an Audigy 2 ZS, 4GB of GEIL 6400 and a GTX250
Now, please dont get me wrong here, I didnt expect the AMD to compete with the Intel no, I know the intel is much much quicker than the AMD, however...
When it comes to converting AVI files to DVD... They are roughly the same ( I dont want to put them head to head, the fact is though that they are - its about 15 minutes on each )
Similarly with games... I dont have a single game that the intel plays better than the AMD. Not one. In fact, Im really struggling to work out which is the better machine because there is absolutely no real difference.
Sure, as I said, Im not going to put them head to head because the intel will win... It should win... It better bloody had win.
Its a similar story to some of my other PCs.
I got an E6600 Setup too... Under normal every day use, its no faster than the Q6600.
When I consider the facts, the E6550, the E6400 are all roughly about the sme speed... I mean, we are comparing 2.13 with 2.33 / 2.4 -0 You are never going to notice any speed difference at all, no way on earth will you, unless you actually run benchmarks, and even then other factors may come into play.
My wifes PC that I knocked up recently is a lovely little babe. Intel i5 760 with 2GB RAM and its a lovely little thing, but again, I had a play ( I was considering having that and letting her have somethign else - she would never know ) but again, I wasnt impressed enough to bother swapping the bits out of another PC, and so all the use thats getting is basic browsing and online auctions etc.
What I am saying is simple...
There really isnt THAT much difference in PCs anymore.
Unless you go and buy the fastest CPU and GFX etc, its not worth the effort.
Hey Vinni3 @H|H . . . leave me out of it please!
Look at the hardware, examine the facts etc . . . I've got nothing to do with it!
You know I am an AMD user too.
Heres another option, I'm putting together a pc together for a mate's son and decided on an AMD system from the off. picked up this
Phenom II 555BE (guaranteed to unlock other 2 cores) £60
MSI 880GMA-E45 mobo £70
I've already got 2 x 2gb Patriot DDR3 ready go into the mobo, but 2 x 2gb can be had on the MM for around £30-£40 inc p&p nowadays
I worked that out to £170 all in and coupled up with a s/h 5850/ GTX 460 and you've got a "quad core" system there thats upgradable to Hex core core if needed later on, and can take another 4gb of memory for heavy rendering/ photoshop stuff, etc, and will play most games admirably at the resolutions quoted.
Seems a no brainer
Phenom II 555BE (guaranteed to unlock other 2 cores) £60
MSI 880GMA-E45 mobo £70
I've already got 2 x 2gb Patriot DDR3 ready go into the mobo, but 2 x 2gb can be had on the MM for around £30-£40 inc p&p nowadays
I worked that out to £170 all in and coupled up with a s/h 5850/ GTX 460 and you've got a "quad core" system there thats upgradable to Hex core core if needed later on, and can take another 4gb of memory for heavy rendering/ photoshop stuff, etc, and will play most games admirably at the resolutions quoted.
Seems a no brainer
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The X2 555 is locked down to dual core for a reason. I assume you mean unlock the other 2 cores- it's got 4 cores tops. The reason is that not all of the cores on all of these X2s are necessarily stable- only two cores are guaranteed. Granted the BEs tend to be binned a bit better, so you've got a very good chance of going quad core with the right motherboard, but if you're depending on the extra 2 cores, the x4 955 is the way to go.
That said, the X2 555 is fantastic value with the right board and if you get one of decent quality. Going back to the theme of the thread, AMD is definitely the way to go (at the moment) for budget builds, but if your budget can stretch to it, I would recommend an i5 760 to anyone building a gaming system.
That said, the X2 555 is fantastic value with the right board and if you get one of decent quality. Going back to the theme of the thread, AMD is definitely the way to go (at the moment) for budget builds, but if your budget can stretch to it, I would recommend an i5 760 to anyone building a gaming system.
Well I'm talking about buying one thats deffo gonna unlock the other two cores, had to edit me post I typed 4 cores instead of two btw, (confirmed by the seller on something like the MM, only feasible if you've MM access) and go for a mobo that deffo unlocks, ie: the MSI 880GMA-E45, its advertised as having the unlocking option. If you can get these two items, then imo its a no brainer VFM wise against performance.
Personally, I don't see the point in buying a PII X2 in the hope if will unlock when it costs £20 more than an X3 which will overclock just as well, has a guaranteed 3 cores (and can unlock to a PII ).
@ Big.Wayne, ty for clearing the RAM issue up!
).@ Big.Wayne, ty for clearing the RAM issue up!
Personally, I don't see the point in buying a PII X2 in the hope if will unlock when it costs £20 more than an X3 which will overclock just as well, has a guaranteed 3 cores (and can unlock to a PII
@ Big.Wayne, ty for clearing the RAM issue up!
I'm saying "definately" unlock, not hopefully/ wish or pray will unlock. £60 for 4 cores and the extra L3 cache is deffo worth it as the nearest Phenom II X3 brand new is not even available from here (but might be from other places) and would naturally command a higher pricetag s/h if its advertised as deffo unlocking.
Also the Phenom II 966 X4 is £130 from here, so a half price one of these is deffo bang for buck.
@ Big wayne, i got delivery of the MSI 880GMA E41 today and will be firing it up tommorow so I'll let you know what is like
I'm saying "definately" unlock, not hopefully/ wish or pray will unlock. £60 for 4 cores and the extra L3 cache is deffo worth it as the nearest Phenom II X3 brand new is not even available from here (but might be from other places) and would naturally command a higher pricetag s/h if its advertised as deffo unlocking.
Also the Phenom II 966 X4 is £130 from here, so a half price one of these is deffo bang for buck.
@ Big wayne, i got delivery of the MSI 880GMA E41 today and will be firing it up tommorow so I'll let you know what is like
Yes, this is an exception.
I meant that in general one shouldn't get a PII X2 because it might unlock, its non-sensical
this is not an AMD vs Intel thread. its a bargin hunt thread. just go for the gear around your price range and stop stalling. its much more fun to play with hardware than talk **** about it.
Yeah, sound advice for those out there. 'Buy whatever fits your budget.'
What's wrong with bargain hunting and getting the most for your money? Isn't that what everyone wants? More "bang-for-buck"
Technically, I could get an X6 in there, but would be completely useless for what I want and give me less performance.
I could put an i7 in there, but compromise graphics card and memory - but hey ho, I'll have an i7 so there won't be a thing I won't be able to do as "i7 isn't even breaking sweat", right?
How you can call anyone a cowboy I do not know!
You sir, need some English lessons!
1). It's spelt 'cash'
2). It's spelt 'what'
3). Need a capital letter at the start of each sentence.
What this thread needs, is for you to either offer something reasonable or do not comment.