• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Conroe vs AM2 for a cheap solution

T

Turin39789

Lifer
I am driving myself insane reading threads trying to figure this out. I'm building a general purpose office machine, that will be used for photoshop and quark, burning dvd's, but mostly 2d logo design. Not going to do any overclocking, might get curious and try a bit but its not a consideration in purchase. No video performance needed, might play a dvd or a flash game on it.

Currently I'm planning on an
x2 3800 = $160
abit nf-m2 socket am2 mobo = $98

This brings me in at around $260 for the combo, and the motherboard has onboard dvi output to go to the lcd I'm picking up.

BUT! Conroe is KING! Everyone loves conroe, the numbers look great etc.

I WANT to go conroe, but I can't choose a motherboard, none of them appear to have dvi onboard so I'm going to add on an el cheapo video card

e6300 - $186
motherboard? (stable, onboard audio and lan)
el cheapo video card


Am I crazy to go ahead and go with the Amd system?

$10 speakers
$33 dvd burner
Viewsonic Vp930b monitor - 295
Seagate 250gb 7200.10 - $80
ddr2800 ram - 230-250 (There are a ton at the same price point, this also drives me crazy as it's hard to choose/distinguish between so many)
Rosewill R5604 case - $40
Rosewill RV380watt psu - $26

This is coming out to $734(with $250 for ram, could go with ddr 667 for less(bad idea))

The goal is to keep this under $1000, and I still need to add on $55 for a copy of windows xppro, and add in shipping.

Can I go conroe or should I stay with amd? I want - nice monitor for graphics work, 2 gb of ram, and a dual core solution. With nothing to throw in for the upgrade AM2 seemed to be the same price as 939, or at least it was when I started, havent checked recently. What conroe motherboard should I choose?


 
My opinion is go for the AMD. It'll be cheaper. Sure the C2D might be "king" but that would be the slowest C2D chip, would cost more, and for what you'd be doing on it would really perform little if any better. Just because something seems to be "king" doesn't mean it is the best in all circumstances.
 
Originally posted by: pkme2
At the prices for RAM nowadays, it's better to upgrade to a better AMD processor and mobo.]

See Link 1

See Link 2

Hope this keeps you within your budget?
Click to expand...


I've still got a strong distrust for ECS boards, it may be misplaced but I'm still not willing to pick another one up. And the second combo is pretty much right up there with what I had selected. I had originally thought I would go 939 to save a few bucks, but it seemed to be a $20 upgrade to am2 that might be upgradeable down the road.

What about the ddr2 800? I had originally configured it with

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) System Memory Model VS2GBKIT667D2 - Retail
for $215

would it be worth the extra $35 to get what the motherboard is rated at or stick with the cheaper stuff and maybe try to push it up to 800 speeds?
 
I think I'm probably going to put the order in tonight, so I appreciate everyone commenting. I'm feeling ok with the amd choice now, I might do some more fat trimming (already dropped the hdd down from 320 to 250 and dropped a logitech mx5000 wireless bundle(want a rechargeable base station)) If I find places that it won't hurt too bad.
 
Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
My opinion is go for the AMD. It'll be cheaper. Sure the C2D might be "king" but that would be the slowest C2D chip, would cost more, and for what you'd be doing on it would really perform little if any better. Just because something seems to be "king" doesn't mean it is the best in all circumstances.
Click to expand...

Too bad the "slowest" Core2 is equivalent to a middle-high end X2 at stock speeds.

Originally posted by: pkme2
See Link 1

See Link 2

Hope this keeps you within your budget?
Click to expand...

Those aren't even Dual Core X2's.

---

As for the OP: you're seriously better off buying a Dell.

This is what I got for $529:

Dimension 9200 (Small Business)
E6300
1GB DDR2-533
WinXP Home
80GB SATA
48x CDRW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
256MB GeForce 7300LE Turbo-Cache with DVI out
 
First you mentioned "Not going to do any overclocking" and "No video performance needed". But then you added, "BUT! Conroe is KING! Everyone loves conroe, the numbers look great etc. I WANT to go conroe"

So ... if you WANT to go conroe, why don't you? Its clear you realize there is no need to get a conroe, and you can save money with AMD which will more than meet your needs -- but it sounds like you won't be happy unless you get what you really want.
 
Originally posted by: dexvx
Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
My opinion is go for the AMD. It'll be cheaper. Sure the C2D might be "king" but that would be the slowest C2D chip, would cost more, and for what you'd be doing on it would really perform little if any better. Just because something seems to be "king" doesn't mean it is the best in all circumstances.
Click to expand...

Too bad the "slowest" Core2 is equivalent to a middle-high end X2 at stock speeds.

Originally posted by: pkme2
See Link 1

See Link 2

Hope this keeps you within your budget?
Click to expand...

Those aren't even Dual Core X2's.

---

As for the OP: you're seriously better off buying a Dell.

This is what I got for $529:

Dimension 9200 (Small Business)
E6300
1GB DDR2-533
WinXP Home
80GB SATA
48x CDRW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
256MB GeForce 7300LE Turbo-Cache with DVI out
Click to expand...


Except I like to know the stats, quality and reputation of all my parts, including motherboard.

And you only have 1gb of ram, and a small hard drive. You also didnt mention monitor whereas I'm tying up $300 to get a particular lcd that has a good reputation with graphic design/color reproduction. Of course I'm also not getting a c2d right now. I tried configuring what I wanted with dell, minus the monitor, but the price just went up. I want the good monitor, I want xp pro, I want 2gb of ram, and dual core. To be honest I'm probably overbuilding for the graphics work that is going to be done.

The dell solution has been suggested before, but I just don't think they have the savings advantage to go with their sometimes inferior parts.
 
Originally posted by: programmer
First you mentioned "Not going to do any overclocking" and "No video performance needed". But then you added, "BUT! Conroe is KING! Everyone loves conroe, the numbers look great etc. I WANT to go conroe"

So ... if you WANT to go conroe, why don't you? Its clear you realize there is no need to get a conroe, and you can save money with AMD which will more than meet your needs -- but it sounds like you won't be happy unless you get what you really want.
Click to expand...

I want to go conroe because I want to get the best bang for the buck, and they seem to be it right now. I just don't think I have enough buck to get up there. I'll be happy with the AMD if it's the best I can afford. I emphasized that Conroe is king because that is what everyone is saying, benchmarks etc, but I'm not really a fanboi in either camp so I'm just trying to get the best I can on my budget.
 
Originally posted by: Turin39789
Originally posted by: programmer
First you mentioned "Not going to do any overclocking" and "No video performance needed". But then you added, "BUT! Conroe is KING! Everyone loves conroe, the numbers look great etc. I WANT to go conroe"

So ... if you WANT to go conroe, why don't you? Its clear you realize there is no need to get a conroe, and you can save money with AMD which will more than meet your needs -- but it sounds like you won't be happy unless you get what you really want.
Click to expand...

I want to go conroe because I want to get the best bang for the buck, and they seem to be it right now. I just don't think I have enough buck to get up there. I'll be happy with the AMD if it's the best I can afford. I emphasized that Conroe is king because that is what everyone is saying, benchmarks etc, but I'm not really a fanboi in either camp so I'm just trying to get the best I can on my budget.
Click to expand...

I think bang for the buck is still in AMD's corner, for your purposes anyway. The AM2 X2s and their respective motherboards are still much cheaper than their Conroe counterparts. So for what you are using it for, AMD is the way to go.

If you simply must have a Conroe though...knock yourself out, it's your money.

 
I would think a non-X2 AMD would be fine for your setup -- you can save an additional $50 with a Athlon 64 3800+ (currently $109 at newegg).

I'm not a fanboy either, but my last several desktops have been AMD just based on bang-for-buck. Though I did splurge for a Core Duo in my laptop 🙂

doh! update -- sorry, just noticed that AM2 3800+ is out of stock at newegg. ZZF has 'em, but for $118. The egg has a 3200+ for $84.99, and if you really want to scrimp, a lowly (but pretty darned fast) Sempron 64 2800+ is only $40 with free shipping! If only memory was cheap...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top