Which AMD CPU?

[raptormonkey]

AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550

or

AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz

Need to decide which one. Within my budget and i have an AM2+ Motherboard that will take either.

Which is the fastest, coolest etc? Which would make games and apps open / play faster? Thanks

 

[PermaBanned]

The Tri core would be able to run more programs at once, but running just one or two the dual core might be better, due to it's higher stock speed. On temperature, look at the TDPs. 80W and 95W, so the Dual Core would run faster.

Really though, you'd probably be better off with an Athlon 250, no L3 Cache but it's not a necessity, it runs so much cooler and it's a proper dual core, not a crippled quad like the Phenom. You could put the money you save towards an AM3 board and DDR3 (dual channel) memory, or DDR2 if you can find a motherboard that supports it. That would make an upgrade just a drop in affair.

If you wait until August or sometime around them, Athlon Quad Cores should be coming out. These are going to have tiny TDPs, and probably a low price tag. I'm probably getting one for my HTPC.

 

[Serpico]

Every review I've read says avoid the Athlon for gaming. I'm sure either of those PIIs would be good.

 

[raptormonkey]

Yea, 550 looks superb.

How easy is it to overclock? What do i change in the bios for an easy overclock?

 

[Serpico]

Well it's a Black Edition chip so you can just increase the multiplier. And you might be able to unlock the two dormant cores.

I fancied one of those myself, but in the end splashed out on a whole new system.

 

[PwnDirect]

Ok this might be hard to believe but there exactly the same chip.

Now if you have a SB710 or SB750 you can possible unlock the extra cores on them both.

Now this is where luck comes in if you lucky you could get a quad core 550 or a quad core 720 however, you may not & just get what you pay for.

I personally bought a 720 recently because the 3rd core is surprisly useful even in games & as i didnt have a SB710 or SB750.

You cant go wrong with either but if you think you will get the usage out of the 3rd core go for it if not save yourself a few quid & go for the 550.

 

[raptormonkey]

Gone for the 550. Thanks chaps.