Processor suggestions?

Bolivarted

Member
Nov 21, 2003
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Later this year I plan to build a new PC.
What I would like from someone is the best thing about Anandtech forums, past experiences and opinions. I'm going to keep the CPU budget to around $200, maybe more if somthing really great is going down in price like a dual core for around $300. I plan to build the system in the summer. I was thinking of a P4 630 Prescott. What would you do for a CPU for around $200-$300? Also any motherboard ideas?
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
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Opteron 165. But if you're going to build till summer, there's no point in discussing it now. A lot of things will change in 5-6 months.
 

Broly

Banned
Dec 18, 2005
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Screw the opteron
Get the X2 3800+

opterons are overrated, Get the real deal!

They're too hard to get anyways and people jack up prices according to demand.
 

Broly

Banned
Dec 18, 2005
430
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Definately the Asus a8n sli32.
I had the Lanparty Ut, stay away from it at all costs.

Definately asus a8nsli32, enthusiasts board!
 

Bolivarted

Member
Nov 21, 2003
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OK, I've seen the board on newegg. I like the fact that it uses PC 3200 ram. How do you think the nforce 4 would handle Photoshop CS2?
 

Broly

Banned
Dec 18, 2005
430
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i have an nforce 4 board with 4gb ram in x64
and it MANHANDLES PS CS2.
PS boots up in seconds.

Hope it helps.
 

Bolivarted

Member
Nov 21, 2003
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Thanks, Broly. I would like to know what type of rig do you have? I'm going to use the machine for PS CS2 and some small video editing and put MS Office 2003 on it. OK maybe a few games just for fun.
 

alimoalem

Diamond Member
Sep 22, 2005
4,025
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lol you don't want to know what broly has. whatever broly has would not only manhandle PS CS2 but it'll manhandle the best you can make on your budget, if i remember correctly

Bolivarted, this really isn't the time to ask about cpu recommendations, especially with the release of m2 just around the corner. opterons do OC better than the regular A64 dual cores but if you don't have the motherboard to reach the cpu's max potential, there really is no point into getting it. plus, prices will change a lot from now til summer so those $400 cpus may end up in your price range. who knows?
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
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Originally posted by: Broly
Screw the opteron
Get the X2 3800+

opterons are overrated, Get the real deal!
"<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1792825&enterthread=y">I know I've been rude
I am going to clean up my act and I'm sorry for those people I've griefed

Broly</a>"

 

mordantmonkey

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2004
3,075
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Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: Broly
Screw the opteron
Get the X2 3800+

opterons are overrated, Get the real deal!
"<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1792825&enterthread=y">I know I've been rude
I am going to clean up my act and I'm sorry for those people I've griefed

Broly</a>"

that wasn't really rude. maybe not a very tactful statement of opinion, but he wasn't directing it at a person. he was simply stating his opinion.
I have an opteron and i think he's right. I got mine right before the prices jumped $30-$40. if i were buying right now i'd go with an a64.
of course my opty's running 2.7 @ 1.45vcore;)
 

fire400

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2005
5,204
21
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what's nice about the single core Intel CPU, is that it comes preloaded with 2mb cache and still multitasks very well, however can get quite hot. the pro's are that you can find the cpu for under 200 dollars which can save you money if you want good multitasking performance without the extra expenses on a dualcore CPU. and in turn, will deliver better multitasking power than nearly any single core athlon 64 CPU.

if you are going dualcore though, AMD would probably be a better option. you will still see very decent performance with Intel dual cores, but because AMD has shown to outperform Intel chips in benchmarking, I'm sure you can do the math yourself with power saving cost and heat issues without heavier 3rd party modding.

I'd recommend if you have the money: the cheapest Athlon 64 dualcore which would run around a few hundred dollars more over the Intel single core w/2mb cache.
64 X2 4200+
$364.00

Intel Pentium 4 630
$200.00 and under

if you already have an intel compatible motherboard, just get the intel chip, otherwise getting the 4200 would be very pleasing to have.
 

imported_Truenofan

Golden Member
May 6, 2005
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my bro has a dual core p4, says its very nice for the price, yeah they do run hotter, but if your considering price, a dual core p4 would be better than a more expensive single core a64. im runnin a 939 right now with a 3500, im waiting for am2 to come out, and then ill probly upgrade to a much higher cpu since the 939's will probly drop a bit(more like im hoping). you can either wait, and see like me and then make a better decision. or get one now. i suggest waiting myself. what kinda system do you have now?
 

Broly

Banned
Dec 18, 2005
430
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You can only wait so much True.
like many board members say, there's no end to it.
 

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
5
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Originally posted by: Broly
Screw the opteron
Get the X2 3800+

opterons are overrated, Get the real deal!

Getting the performance equivalent to an FX60 while only paying 1/4th of the price is overrated?
 

Bobthelost

Diamond Member
Dec 1, 2005
4,360
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If you're going for a dual core CPU and you will overclock then there are three options:

1) Opteron, good points include high overclocking potential and very low cost tied to the 2x1mb cache which really does help in games.

2) 3800X2 (or 4200X2) a very good chip, tends to overclock well too, only has 2x512 cache, but it still kicks arse when overclocked. I would not buy the 4200, if you are going to overclock the extra cash you'd spend would not be worth the small increase in possible overclock that the higher rating has.

3) 4400X2, think of this as an opteron in a suit and jacket. High price but a top notch performer and no mistake.

I'd go options 1 or 2, 1 if you can find a cheap opteron to buy (I couldn't), 2 if not. For non gaming apps the core generally doesn't make a bit of difference.