Help: E2200 vs. Athlon X2 5600+ Noise Level on stock fans?

[leesiulung]

I'm trying to decide between Intel E2200 or AMD Athlon X2 5600+ (65nm) and the decision is largely based on two things:

1. Which processor makes the least noise on stock heatsink and fan?

2. Which processor performs better of the two NOT overclocked? Performance is less of an issue for me and they both cost the same.

Help would be much appreciated!

 

[o1die]

I don't know about amd boards, but the Intel boards have cpu fan adjustments in the bios with 4 pin fans. I use the lowest numerical setting for the least noise whenever possible. I let the cpu run up to 65c before I begin to worry. If your tolerance for heat is lower, replace the stock heatsink with the biggest and baddest copper one you can afford. Newegg open box heatsinks/fans are a good way to save. For overclocking, you can do a mod using copper tape, if you can find it. It works on some boards without a bios adjustment. For performance, the 5600 might have a slight edge for gaming at stock settings. I like my e4300, which runs overclocked at 2400 with the copper tape. The tape is sold at Fry's for $2.99, and you can do a search for "cpu pin mod" if you would like more info.

 

[error8]

I guess that the X2 is a bit faster at stock then the E2200. In terms of noise, probably the intel stock heatsink might prove more silent. Even at full speed, the fan is still quiet, opposed to the X2's fan, that makes quite some noise at 100%. Now you can control both fans to a level that you might find comfortable, so noise is not an issue after all.

 

[leesiulung]

I have never seen the option to adjust the fan speed. Is the setting in the BIOS or via a utlity? Is it common on cheaper ECS boards?

 

[error8]

Look more careful in the bios, there should be an option that adjusts the fan speed. If you can't find it "by eye", read your mobo manual.