Which CPU to go for?

[macfanuk]

I am looking to build a new pc and could do with some advice regarding CPU's. I currently have an Intel E5200 2.5Ghz so I guess either of these would be considered an upgrade but I want the best bang for buck really.

The processors I'm looking at are:

- Intel Core i5 661 3.33GHz Dual Core @ £169
- Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz Quad Core @ £167
- AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition 3.4GHz Quad Core @ £143
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8GHz 6 Core @ £159

I use my PC for web design and general use (mainly web design though), so Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc.

What would you guys go for? (or should I go for something cheaper?)

 

[macfanuk]

IMO you should either go for the i5 750 or a cheaper AMD (955 or even lower, 945).

Thanks for your reply. Can I ask why you suggest a cheaper AMD? Would I benefit from the 'true' quad core cpu's rather than the dual core i5's?

 

[macfanuk]

Or get a second hand Q6600 and drop it in your current rig. Much cheaper than a new build.

I've got a Q6600 in another PC and tbh it doesn't perform any better than the E5200 for me.

 

[macfanuk]

I suggested a cheaper AMD as for me it is not worth it to pay the premium for a few extra MHz. I think the 955 is the sweet spot but i could be mistaken.

Are you overclocking? The dual core i5s are decent but mostly because of their thermal/acoustic/overclocking features. I would avoid them for any built that was made to last a few years to be honest. Extra cores are only getting more important.

Not sure whether I'll overclock to be honest. I have dabbled with overclocking in the past. I got my Q6600 to 3.4GHz and my E5200 to something similar but the important thing is to get a PC that's fast and stable.

Would there be much difference between say a Quad Core AMD at 3.4GHz and the Intel Core i7 930 at 2.8GHz (If I saved the extra cash)?

Basically, I just want the fasted computer I can afford so that hopefully it'll last me a few years.

 

[macfanuk]

If anything the Phenom II X4 is closer to the Core2Quad (i.e. Q6600, Q9550 etc) than i5 or i7, but of course this is with overclock in mind.

Ok, thanks. I'll rule AMD chips out then and stick with Intel. So advice on the best i5/i7's to go for would be appreciated.

 

[macfanuk]

Bare in mind what I said was with overclock in mind. If you are going to run the CPU at stock speed and not overclock, then the Q9550 or Phenom II X4 955/965BE will offer the best performance for the price.

If your motherboard support 45nm Quad, then a 2nd hand Q9550 would cost around £150~£180, whereas the Phenom II x4 CPU+rams+motherboard would cost around £280~£300.

Ideally, I want to keep my current system as it is (I have a spare PSU, Case, etc) so would like to keep my current system as a media centre or something so don't have the option of upgrading what I already have.

 

[macfanuk]

Is it overclocked or at stock? If overclocked it will wipe the floor with a E5200.

I only used it overclocked when I had OSX on my PC and then I had it overclocked to 3.4GHz. I can't really comment on the difference because it was OSX, not Windows, however the Q6600 doesn't seem any faster at stock than the E5200 at stock.

 

[macfanuk]

Then I guess we are back the the same question again...are you going to overclock?

If not overclocking and running CPU at stock speed, then a Phenom II 965BE build would offer similiar performance to a stock speed i5 750 build for may be £50~80 cheaper (depending on the components chosen).

If you are overclocking and don't mind spending a bit more, then go i5 750.

I'm really not sure. As I say, I overclocked my Q6600 when I used OSX but not with Windows (started having motherboard problems (with a top spec motherboard too)) so really unsure about overclocking.