[Help] Intel or AMD quad platform? what is cheaper to build?

[amit_talkin]

Hello Friends,

I own 2 Intel based PCs ( see my system info for details ). Now I m planning to build a Quadcore system for my brother. He usually works on 3DS Max and Autocad. It should be cheaper and faster compared to other rivals. Should I go for AMD or intel? I havent read reviews for latest CPUs for long time so I certainly dont know wht happened so far in CPU market in last 2-3 months!. And ofcource I m gonna overclock it on STOCK cooler ( can go for after market but 1st choice is stock cooler , I dont mind if I cant go over 4GHZ) so suggest me accordingely.

I have read that AMD X2 550BE can be unlocked to quad, should I go for it? with which mobo?( cheaper n good ). guys plz suggest me something, I m totally confused after reading too many reviews .

Also, I would be happy if you can tell me hot deals on hardwares u suggest .

 

[Mussels]

AMD have the cheaper quads.

 

[Cr@zed^]

Go for a Phenom II X4 955

I own 2 X2 550 and both of them just work with 2 Cores, not able to unlock 4 Cores stable.

 

[kenkickr]

Unlocking cores is almost like a game of Russian Roulette. Some boards can unlock the cores and be stable, some boards can unlock cores but are not stable at all, some boards just can't unlock cores, and some procs just cannot unlock. Your cheapest quad your going to find is the AMD Athlon II X4 620. The only difference between this and a Phenom II X4 is the lack of L3 cache but some have been able to unlock the additional L3 cache.

I would say your best bet would be to purchase the Athlon II x4 620 over a Phenom II X2 550. You'll knowingly have the quad core and maybe get some L3 cache out of it instead of hoping to unlock the additional cores which more than like will not be stable if you can unlock those additional cores.

 

[[Ion]]

All it really boils down to is price. For $100, you can pick up an Athlon II X4 620. For an extra $90 more, you can get a solid 785G board. A Core i5 (the cheapest Intel quad it makes since to get) is $200, a board for it is about $130. Therefore, you are looking at $190 for the AMD platform, but $340 for the Intel. The Intel setup will be be much faster, but you have to decide if it's worth the extra $150. Please note that I left memory out of this comparison, a 2x2GB kit of DDR3 will be about $65-70

 

[angelkiller]

All it really boils down to is price. For $100, you can pick up an Athlon II X4 620. For an extra $90 more, you can get a solid 785G board. A Core i5 (the cheapest Intel quad it makes since to get) is $200, a board for it is about $130. Therefore, you are looking at $190 for the AMD platform, but $340 for the Intel. The Intel setup will be be much faster, but you have to decide if it's worth the extra $150. Please note that I left memory out of this comparison, a 2x2GB kit of DDR3 will be about $65-70

I agree completely. Athlon X4 620 for a cheaper setup, and if you have extra cash go for the i5 750.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Yes the X4 620 would be a better setup and if I am not mistaken, I believe that 3 D studio max or 3Dsmax can take advantage of either camps video card to do a lot of the rendering he will be doing with it. Also opt for more memory sense he is using such a program, perhaps 8 gbs which would definitely help.