Intel Noob needs some info

[gnomepunk]

Until Dell get their head out of.....

Since my company always buys Dells, we are stuck with Intel at the desktop. I'm looking to buy a bunch of mid-high level computers for a bunch of programmers/engineers. There isn't a big price difference between the 8xx and the 9xx chips, but if I'm buying >30 computer, which chip would be better. The 9xx chips are a little cheaper ($56 per comparing the 830 to the 930). Is there any benifit to not jump on the 65nm chips right now? What's the deal w/ the 9xx's costing less than the 8xx's?
Intel Spec Sheet: 930 vs. 830
Newegg: 930 vs. 830

 

[HopJokey]

The 930 is a better bet since it has more cache (2x2M vs. 2x1M), runs cooler and uses less energy (because of the 65nm vs. 90nm process). I would go with the 930 for all those reasons, plus they are cheaper. Why they are cheaper? I don't know why, probably Dell trying to get rid of the 9xx based computers (in preparation for Conroe based computers?). They probably have a lot more 9xx based computers left to sell compared to 8xx based computers.

 

[Cooler]

If you have some time in about a month Conroe will be coming out for the same price that will be 20 -40% faster.

 

[Markfw]

9xx is the only way to go (aside from conroe) If you have to go now, 9xx is the only choice IMO.

 

[pcoffman]

Originally posted by: gnomepunk
Intel Spec Sheet: 930 vs. 830

From the spec sheet you cite, it seems Intel is targeting the 900 series at high performance computers and the 800 at typical desktops. However, if you can't wait for Core 2, I can't think of a single reason not to go with the 900, even for typical computers. The 900 also has VT, and can be paired with a chipset that supports CrossFire, if one of your engineers needs the graphics horsepower.

 

[stevty2889]

The 9xx series runs much much cooler than the 8xx series. There is no reason at all to go with the 8xx over the 9xx series.

 

[hardwareking]

too bad it's for a company.otherwise u could buy a whole bunch of pentium d's and oc it to 4.1ghz,like they did in toms hardware and get fx like performance.
But since u can't do that,u should get the pentium d 930.I've got my eyes on that too.
It runs cooler and faster than the 8xx series.I've got my eyes on it too.
And it's cheap compared to it's amd counterpart.But i don't know how the price would end up,cause its coming from dell.

 

[Aluvus]

What's the deal w/ the 9xx's costing less than the 8xx's?

The 9xx series are Presler rather than Smithfield cores. Presler is manufactured on a smaller process (so each die takes up less physical space for a given transistor count), which means more can be manufactured on each wafer. Presler also employs a "dual die" strategy where the two dies are manufactured separately, then joined together after testing. This means higher yields, since one dud core won't waste another good one.

It's a rare instance of cheaper and better being in one package.

 

[gnomepunk]

thanks for the info. I suspected as much, but just needed some "anand-xpert" opinions.