i3-530 vs PII 555

[tuan209]

hey guys,

looking to build a second rig mostly for school and a little gaming. I already have the pII 720be as my main rig at home, but I am now looking for a SFF build for my apartment.

I will mainly use this computer for surfing, word, a little SC2 (if I have the time), some lightroom, and Nikon Capture NX2. I want something that is relatively energy efficient. I know both CPUs are more than what I need, but I am drawn by the intel's overclockability and the 555be's ability to unlock into a quad.

Tuan

 

[aggressor]

For some reason I immediately thought "Why is this dude comparing a Pentium 2 555mhz with a i3 530? Did the Pentium 2 even come at 555mhz?"

 

[Kenmitch]

For some reason I immediately thought "Why is this dude comparing a Pentium 2 555mhz with a i3 530? Did the Pentium 2 even come at 555mhz?"

That's funny as I thought the same thing.

OP if both cpu's are more than you need then why worry about the overclockability or the ability of unlocking the cores.

Now that I got that out of the way I'm an intel guy so I'd say go for the i3 as it looks like a nice chip to play around with as far as overclockability.

Can't say much for the AMD route as I have seen no reason lately to go the AMD way

 

[Mothergoose729]

The i3 is both more power efficient and a better performer as a dual core. However you pay for it. I have an athlon II processor and I am very impressed by its ability to under volt and remain very cool. Don't forget with the i3 you are also getting the integrated IGP, which games pretty well but might be something you don't want.

 

[crisium]

Heh, round these parts we like to abbreviate the Phenom II as PhII, not PII.

See the comparison here:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=120&p2=118&c=1

i3 is more than 20% pricier, but is it worth that? Your choice. Also look at potential Mobos and factor that into the price.

 

[alyarb]

if you're really serious about a SFF case, then you'll be using the factory cooler or perhaps something even smaller and should put phenom unlocking out of your head.

the i3 on the other hand still has some clock/volt flexibility in that department. not sure if it's worth the money though. i'd probably just do a matx propus build.

 

[LoneNinja]

Personally I'd grab an Athlon II X4 before either of the choices you've listed, but that's just me.

 

[buildingacomputer]

if you're really serious about a SFF case, then you'll be using the factory cooler or perhaps something even smaller and should put phenom unlocking out of your head.......

After running audio conversion that uses all 4 cores to the max (unlocked 555BE at stock voltage), I check my cpu cooler with hand. It's not even warm.

 

[Rezist]

I'd compare the Athlon II with a 785G versus the i3.

Athlon II will be quite a bit slower but the IGP is faster by only a small amount.

Gaming would probably be the same.

Productivity is better on the i3. Heat would be similar.

 

[amalbo2009]

why would you even consider the 530 when the i5 660 is 130 and the i5 750 is 149 at microcenter?

 

[Rhoxed]

Either will be plenty for what your doing, you already said that yourself, so why not go with the cheaper option? The difference it will make on the electric bill will be unnoticeable.

Personally I would do as LoneNinja said and pick up an Athlon II x4.

 

[soccerballtux]

a 720BE can unlock into quad as well.
Have you tried it?

 

[AzN]

Heh, round these parts we like to abbreviate the Phenom II as PhII, not PII.

See the comparison here:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=120&p2=118&c=1

i3 is more than 20% pricier, but is it worth that? Your choice. Also look at potential Mobos and factor that into the price.

I got mine for $85. can't beat that. You just have to bite at the right moment.

 

[deputc26]

For some reason I immediately thought "Why is this dude comparing a Pentium 2 555mhz with a i3 530? Did the Pentium 2 even come at 555mhz?"

Lol, that's exactly what I thought, I was looking forward to a "look how far we've come" type comparison lol

 

[StinkyPinky]

Pentium is the way to go.

I've never heard of this i3-530? is that some shit made by Cyrix? They can't game man. Get a Pentium 2. Quake flys on it

Kind Regards,

1998.