New Upgrade. Intel or AMD?

Wingo101 · Nov 11, 2008

My brother wants to upgrade his pc ie. MB, CPU, RAM, GPU, CPU Cooler, PSU.

What will be better for him? Intel Pentium Dual Core or similar AMD?

He has a budget of R5,000.

Here is what's currently in his wishlist:

MB: Asus P5KPL-C/1600
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz
GPU: XFX GeForce 9600GT 256bit 512MB DDR-3
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 A LED
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus RS-460W
RAM: 2GB Corsair

He is buying from here, if you want to check on prices.

What do you guys think?

PVTCaboose1337 · Nov 11, 2008

I'm not so sure where you are buying from, i'm not in South Africa. What I can tell you is that yes, you really wanna do the Intel over the AMD. You might want to consider a tad better PSU, as that is my main worry. Try more around a 550w or you might have troubles down the road.

btarunr · Nov 11, 2008

Just a heads up, R5000 = US $500.

The cooler is a waste for its money/the CPU (~$50), replace it with a Freezer 7 Pro. See if you could squeeze in a E7300, and a 8800 GT within that budget, see if you could get a P5Q-L (P43 based).

PVTCaboose1337 · Nov 11, 2008

O also we did forget to ask, what will he be doing on the PC. That would really help. Does he wanna OC, game, what?

[I.R.A]_FBi · Nov 11, 2008

What is he doign with teh PC?

Wait a few weeks and watch the prices.

Wingo101 · Nov 11, 2008

First off, he will be buying from here: www.sybaritic.co.za

We can't get Freezer 7 Pro in SA, 8800GT alone costs over R3,000.

He will be using the PC for entry level gaming ie. CSS, ETQW, COD4, maybe even Crysis on medium-low.

Cybrnook2002 · Nov 11, 2008

check this thread out

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=67813&highlight=crysis

lemonadesoda · Nov 11, 2008

I would suggest he gets a mainboard capable of running a QUAD, but just install a cheap dual pentium for the time being. REASON: Next year he can upgrade with a cheap second hand Q6600 or similar.

Today, DDR2 is cheap, so dont hold back. Go to the max.

You can buy a cheaper cooler, but the one you suggested is fine, and will be SILENT.

The PSU is fine for a tier-2 gaming rig. You wont crossfire or load it with multiple HDDs, so 460W is OK. But if you WERE to think again, go 500/520/550W.

Wingo101 · Nov 11, 2008

Cybrnook2002 said:
check this thread out

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=67813&highlight=crysis

I think the one's in his wishlist are similar to these products... slightly better.

Darren · Nov 11, 2008

Intel or AMD.

There is no right answer.

If your brother plans on overclocking I would get a cheap E-series Core 2 Duo such as the E5200, however if overclocking isn't a priority I'd get a Athlon X2 6400+ as its equivalent to an Intel E6600. As far a quad core goes, Intel's quad cores are expensive over here, I'd get the Q6600 for Intel or the AMD Phenom X4 9950 which is faster and about the same price (in the UK anyways)

I would avoid the Nvidia 9600 GT as there is and a hardware issue that causes the cards to render black screens, especially on the first generation of these cards. I would avoid the 9600 GT and get a 9800 GTX+ or 4850 which are still relatively cheap and a lot faster.

Edit:

Wingo101, what is your brothers current PC specification?

Edit 2:

RadeonX2 said:
+1 on the 9600GT issue just avoid this card or you'll end up getting a blackscreen. I had one and im using it I have to downclock every game I played just to avoid the blackscreen. I wish I had bought 8800GT on the first place

I actually isolated the problem on my 9600 GT. It was a conflict with my old motherboards chipset, I changed my motherboard from a ATI chipset to an Nvidia chipset and my black screen issue disappeared completely

RadeonX2 · Nov 11, 2008

Darren said:
Intel or AMD.

There is no right answer.

If your brother plans on overclocking I would get a cheap E-series Core 2 Duo such as the E5200, however if overclocking isn't a priority I'd get a Athlon X2 6400+ as its equivalent to an Intel E6600. As far a quad core goes, Intel's quad cores are expensive over here, I'd get the Q6600 for Intel or the AMD Phenom X4 9950 which is faster and about the same price (in the UK anyways)

I would avoid the Nvidia 9600 GT as there is and a hardware issue that causes the cards to render black screens, especially on the first generation of these cards. I would avoid the 9600 GT and get a 9800 GTX+ or 4850 which are still relatively cheap and a lot faster.

Edit:

Wingo101, what is your brothers current PC specification?

+1 on the 9600GT issue just avoid this card or you'll end up getting a blackscreen. I had one and im using it I have to downclock every game I played just to avoid the blackscreen. I wish I had bought 8800GT on the first place :banghead:

r9 · Nov 11, 2008

Wingo101 said:
My brother wants to upgrade his pc ie. MB, CPU, RAM, GPU, CPU Cooler, PSU.

What will be better for him? Intel Pentium Dual Core or similar AMD?

He has a budget of R5,000.

Here is what's currently in his wishlist:

MB: Asus P5KPL-C/1600
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5GHz
GPU: XFX GeForce 9600GT 256bit 512MB DDR-3
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9500 A LED
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus RS-460W
RAM: 2GB Corsair

He is buying from here, if you want to check on prices.

What do you guys think?

At stock speeds it AMD vs Intel would be the same. But if you consider Overclocking E5200 all the way.

Shooter308 · Nov 11, 2008

I just upgraded my wife's desktop from an AMD XP Athlon 3200+/Soyo KT600 dragon plus mobo to an Asus P5QL-E mobo and an Intel Dual Core E7200 processor.

She noticed a huge improvement in her computer/gaming performance.

exodusprime1337 · Nov 11, 2008

Shooter308 said:
I just upgraded my wife's desktop from an AMD XP Athlon 3200+/Soyo KT600 dragon plus mobo to an Asus P5QL-E mobo and an Intel Dual Core E7200 processor.

She noticed a huge improvement in her computer/gaming performance.

oh course she did she went from like 5 years ago tech till today, hardly a good comparison over amd vs intel??

Shooter308 · Nov 11, 2008

True, very true....lol.......I've used AMD and Intel processors in the past and if you don't mind an extra fan or two when using the AMD processor than go what way. But I know, as well as, most everyone else, that the Intel processors typically put out less heat and therefore a user can use less fans in the same system reducing my computer's noise level down.

Moose · Nov 11, 2008

Darren said:
I'd get the Q6600 for Intel or the AMD Phenom X4 9950 which is faster and about the same price (in the UK anyways)

Lol i can see this going into a 9950 or Q6600 debate lol (obvious which one i'd choose) the way I see things is never, never skimp on a cpu, it affects everything. Though the prices are dreadful £265 for a 9950?

ZenZimZaliben · Nov 11, 2008

I am a AMD fan...and I can say it does make a difference, which is why I run intel now. Lets see you can have a E5200 for $83, or a X2 5400B for $83. Both are 65W. However the Intel chip is just superior...The wolfdale has 2Mbs of cache to the 1Mb AMD. Also it would take roughly a 3.2Ghz AMD chip to compete clock to clock with the E5200 at 2.5Ghz. The amd chips is about 15% slower.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103267
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

I would only recommend Intel chips for new builds as they are the superior chip. I mean look at Techpowerups own benchmarks and 3dmark postings. AMD doesnt compete anywhere near the level Intel is.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=72114

Then if you want to get into Overclocking, well the e5200 has tons of head room. The Amd chip will top out around 3.4 -3.6, depending on extreme cooling.

The only reason to go with AMD is Motherboard cost. Amd boards are usually cheaper.

Darren · Nov 12, 2008

Moose said:
Lol i can see this going into a 9950 or Q6600 debate lol (obvious which one i'd choose) the way I see things is never, never skimp on a cpu, it affects everything. Though the prices are dreadful £265 for a 9950?

The Phenom X4 9950 is £135.11 inc VAT

The Q6600 is £152.74 inc VAT

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-226-AM

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...SLACR 95W Edition" 2.40GHz (1066FSB) - Retail

Both CPUs I've seen cheaper at one point or another.

ZenZimZaliben said:
Also it would take roughly a 3.2Ghz AMD chip to compete clock to clock with the E5200 at 2.5Ghz. The amd chips is about 15% slower.

What are you talking about?

Overclocking aside, an Athlon at 3.2 Ghz for example the 6400+ X2 would outrun a E5200, no problem.

An AMD 5600+ X2 @ would hold its own against a E5200

Infact a 5600+/5800+ X2 would hold its own against a E6300

spearman914 · Nov 12, 2008

Cooler : S1283
CPU: E7200

Dunno how is the pricing. How much r is 1 usd?

OzzmanFloyd120 · Nov 12, 2008

Don't get a dual-core pentium. Go with a Core-2 Duo or an Athlong 5000 BE (if you can find it)
And don't listen to the people bashing the 9600GT, the G94 is a GREAT GPU, I've owned two and never had any problems, and the people I know who also have 9600GTs have never had any problems.

Wingo101 · Nov 12, 2008

Darren said:
Intel or AMD.

Wingo101, what is your brothers current PC specification?

Currently he has a very low spec:

Intel Celeron D 3.06GHz OC to 3.8GHz
Asus P5S800-VM mobo
1GB DDR-400
Sapphire X700 Pro GPU

Hence the upgrade :laugh:

Wingo101 · Nov 12, 2008

spearman914 said:
Cooler : S1283
CPU: E7200

Dunno how is the pricing. How much r is 1 usd?

I think currently 1USD = R10.50

I think I'm gonna sell him my 8800GT, so I can upgrade.

What do you guys think?

GeForce 9800GTX+ R3,636
GeForce GTX 260 R 4,639

Or should I get an AMD?

Darren · Nov 12, 2008

Wingo101 said:
Currently he has a very low spec:

Intel Celeron D 3.06GHz OC to 3.8GHz
Asus P5S800-VM mobo
1GB DDR-400
Sapphire X700 Pro GPU

Hence the upgrade

With those specifications he has little room to complain, which games is he currently playing and which games will he intend to play in the future?

Wingo101 said:
I think currently 1USD = R10.50

I think I'm gonna sell him my 8800GT, so I can upgrade.

What do you guys think?

GeForce 9800GTX+ R3,636
GeForce GTX 260 R 4,639

Or should I get an AMD?

How much is a ATI 4850 where you live? Over here price/performance I think its the best choice.

As far as CPUs: If you're overclocking either an E5200, 5000+ X2 BE, 5600+ X2
If you're not overclocking either an Phenom 9950/9850, Q6600, E7200, E8200

Hayder_Master · Nov 12, 2008

amd system will be more cheaper

Wingo101 · Nov 12, 2008

Darren said:
With those specifications he has little room to complain, which games is he currently playing and which games will he intend to play in the future?

Currently: Devil May Cry 3, Warcraft Frozen Throne, Counter Strike Source, & the NFS Series.

Future: Devil May Cry 4, NFS Undercover, ETQW, COD4, maybe Crysis & Warhead.

Processor	Intel Core i7 4770K @ 4.4Ghz
Motherboard	Asus Z87 Deluxe
Cooling	Corsair H100i CPU Cooler, 4x 200mm, 1x 140mm, 1x 120mm
Memory	16GB Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR-3 1600
Video Card(s)	GALAX GTX 980Ti HOF 6GB
Storage	Corsair Neutron GTX 240GB -- Samsung 850 EVO -- WD Black 2TB
Display(s)	DELL U2713HM Ultrasharp 2560x1440P & Samsung 27" P2770 1920x1080P
Case	Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
Audio Device(s)	Asus Xonar STX to Klipsch SB-3 & Sennheiser HD650 Headphones
Power Supply	Antec Signature Series 850W PSU
Mouse	Razer Naga Epic
Keyboard	Corsair K70 RGB
Software	Windows 7 Professional 64 bit

System Name	Whim
Processor	Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.4ghz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z77-V LX
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212+
Memory	2 x 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws @ 1600mhz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte GTX 670 2gb
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256gb, WD 2TB Black
Display(s)	Shimian QH270 (1440p), Asus VE228 (1080p)
Case	Cooler Master 430 Elite
Audio Device(s)	Onboard > PA2V2 Amp > Senn 595's
Power Supply	Corsair 750w
Software	Windows 8.1 (Tweaked)

System Name	RBMK-1000
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard	ASUS ROG Strix B450-E Gaming
Cooling	DeepCool Gammax L240 V2
Memory	2x 8GB G.Skill Sniper X
Video Card(s)	Palit GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GameRock
Storage	Western Digital Black NVMe 512GB
Display(s)	BenQ 1440p 60 Hz 27-inch
Case	Corsair Carbide 100R
Audio Device(s)	ASUS SupremeFX S1220A
Power Supply	Cooler Master MWE Gold 650W
Mouse	ASUS ROG Strix Impact
Keyboard	Gamdias Hermes E2
Software	Windows 11 Pro

System Name	Whim
Processor	Intel Core i5 2500k @ 4.4ghz
Motherboard	Asus P8Z77-V LX
Cooling	Cooler Master Hyper 212+
Memory	2 x 4GB G.Skill Ripjaws @ 1600mhz
Video Card(s)	Gigabyte GTX 670 2gb
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256gb, WD 2TB Black
Display(s)	Shimian QH270 (1440p), Asus VE228 (1080p)
Case	Cooler Master 430 Elite
Audio Device(s)	Onboard > PA2V2 Amp > Senn 595's
Power Supply	Corsair 750w
Software	Windows 8.1 (Tweaked)

Processor	C2Q6600 @ 1.6 GHz
Motherboard	Anus PQ5
Cooling	ACFPro
Memory	GEiL2 x 1 GB PC2 6400
Video Card(s)	MSi 4830 (RIP)
Storage	Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320 GB Perpendicular Recording
Display(s)	Dell 17'
Case	El Cheepo
Audio Device(s)	7.1 Onboard
Power Supply	Corsair TX750
Software	MCE2K5

New Upgrade. Intel or AMD?

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