E6420 vs 5600+

[sanaxe1]

I would go with the AMD if your not overclocking

 

[Kamakazie!]

I'm considering a pre-built system, and I've found two around the same price, with the only difference being the processor. I have no plans to overclock, I just want something that will play my games smoothly. Between the E6420 and 5600, which is better, and how significant is the difference?

Deffo the C2D

get the E6420, much faster.

I like AMD but the CPU's are all 3+yr old tech and Intels C2D is about 1 year and far better overall, AMD are soon to have new CPU's so its your choice but most will say get the C2D.

Oh the misinformation that spreads on this board. It is just ridiculous.
Much faster? Have you seen the benchmarks?
Far better overall? What about 15-25% across the board clock for clock... when the 5600+ has a 30% clock speed advantage?

It's a very close race. Looking at various benchmarks i would say the 5600+ edges it overall (basing it on some E6420 vs FX-60[2.8ghz] results) but the difference is minimal. Go for whichever has the better graphics card/mobo/memory.

 

[helmutcheese]

Actually my info is fact, do you know anything about AMD?, the 754/939/AM2 are all basically same architecture with upgrades to memory controler etc, the current CPU's are running 3+yr old tech where as Intel are on 1yr old tech, I love AMD but cant claim C2D is crap as right now its better overall and I run a AM2 X2 6000.

I could if I time it right (USA time zones) get a friend from irc Winbeta who used to work for AMD (fixed machines that made wafers + very smart knowledgeable guy) to come here and give you a talk .

 

[Journey]

Don't forget no matter what pre-built system you buy none of it will include software support. I don't know if that's what you were refering to when you said you just want someone else to have to take care of it.

As for the choice of CPU I'd have to say go with the AMD an X2 5600 is a very fast chip at it's stock speed, mind you if this system is a pre-built from a small manufacturer they may upgrade the E6420 to an E6750 after the price cuts, if this was the case then I'd go with the Core 2 CPU.

X1300 card it not worth the IC's it's made from imho, it will probably be the same speed or slower than your 9800 Pro, can you not find one with even a meagre 8500GT or 7600GS?

 

[Vixen]

Don't forget no matter what pre-built system you buy none of it will include software support. I don't know if that's what you were refering to when you said you just want someone else to have to take care of it.

As for the choice of CPU I'd have to say go with the AMD an X2 5600 is a very fast chip at it's stock speed, mind you if this system is a pre-built from a small manufacturer they may upgrade the E6420 to an E6750 after the price cuts, if this was the case then I'd go with the Core 2 CPU.

X1300 card it not worth the IC's it's made from imho, it will probably be the same speed or slower than your 9800 Pro, can you not find one with even a meagre 8500GT or 7600GS?

Software I can handle. My last pc had lots of weird problems, like a hard drive disappearing, which I asked lots of people about, but they said it would be impossible to fix without physically being there and testing it all themselves.

For Intel, the E6420 is the max upgrade. As far as graphics are concerned, the next card they offer adds £100 to the cost, or there isn't even a choice to upgrade.

 

[Tute]

Hey Vixen, just to add, if you wanted to drop something like an X800XT PE in there, it would cost you about £50 from the MM, maybe even less.

I had one of those cards, back when WoW first launched. And it was one of those cards where you could just max WoW out in terms of settings and leave it.

 

[Kamakazie!]

Actually my info is fact, do you know anything about AMD?, the 754/939/AM2 are all basically same architecture with upgrades to memory controler etc, the current CPU's are running 3+yr old tech where as Intel are on 1yr old tech, I love AMD but cant claim C2D is crap as right now its better overall and I run a AM2 X2 6000.

I could if I time it right (USA time zones) get a friend from irc Winbeta who used to work for AMD (fixed machines that made wafers + very smart knowledgeable guy) to come here and give you a talk .

Oh dear oh dear. My main gripe was with the "far better" comment, but never mind, i will respond.

C2D is based off of Core Duo which in turn is based of PIII architecture.
Derivatives of derivatives. The same can be applied to generation after generation of CPUs.
The Barcelona/Budapest/Agena is only a revamped and upgraded K8 processor with similar changes to that of CD -> C2D.

The age of the underlying architecture has nothing to do with how good the processor is. P4 was newer than P3 yet most people would tell you that the P3 architecture was a better one, hence why Intel went back to it for the CD and then C2D. It has already been stated that the C2D is roughly 15-20% faster than K8 across the board. If AMD could make 4ghz K8s then there would be none of this C2D is so superior rubbish.
At the current processor price points, if you are not overclocking then there is NEXT TO NOTHING between AMD and Intel.
Sorry to take it off topic Vixen.


Like i said, not much between the 2 so go with whatever has the best package for the rest of the PC.

 

[helmutcheese]

Tell me something I do not know, I aint fan of intel.