Which of these 3 intel Processors would you choose?

[Relamancer]

My work is going to let me choose (for free) any one of these 3 chips. I haven't followed the PC market much lately and am looking for recommendations. Here it goes.. the X means they can't guarentee (sp?) me a specific speed but it will be 3.0 or higher.

Prescott 3.xG Socket T (LGA775: 560J, 570J) 3.x
Prescott 3.xG Socket T 2MB (LGA775) 3.4
3.2G/800 Extreme Edition Dual Core (840) 3.2

If you have any specific reasons why you choose this, then please post it.

I do play some games and this will most likely require me to buy a new MB and video card since right now I have a Socket 478/AGP setup. I'm ok with that, but I'm somewhat on a budget for that portion.

No I do not have AMD choices...

Thx...

 

[stevty2889]

Well what else will you be using the machine for. If you do video encoding/photo editing type stuff, the dual core will be helpful..otherwise I would get the 2mb cache(6xx) series since they run cooler than the 5xx 1mb cache series, and have EM64T. Of course for free, I think I"d take the 840EE since it's like a $1000 chip..and you will obviously need a new motherboard at the least, but there are some 775 boards you can get with DDR and AGP.

 

[Relamancer]

Other then a couple of games (WoW, BF2), I really don't do much with the PC. I fiddle with photoshop and PSP but nothing hardcore and its just for fun. I do attend a couple of LANs a year so I do want a PC that will keep me in the running at those.

I just saw that EE chip is 1000$ on newegg... wowsers... Only think I don't like about it is the upgrade ability of is looks fairly limited. It looks like it requires 2 types of chipsets and thats it.

Thanks for the response. Any others? I have a couple of days to decide.

 

[BrownTown]

get the cheapest one, they are all good enough for pretty much anything you will be doing. There really hasn't been much advance in processor speeds, so you can probably get an old processor of of Ebay thats still gets the job done in most games. Even new games usually only require 2.0ghz, and 3.0 is more than enough for pretty much anyone. IF you have anything less then a top of the line gfx card then that will be your bottleneck, not the processor. Most everything other than games doesn't even tax the system at all.

 

[n7]

Heck try to get the 840EE (dual core).

You could make alot selling that & getting a nice X2 3800+ or Opteron 165.

 

[stevty2889]

I got the asrock dual 775pro, it supports the 840EE, can use either DDR or DDR-2, and has both AGP and PCIe. I would allow you to keep your current video card and ram, while allowing you to upgrade them later(depending on your video card, I had a lot of trouble getting AGP ATI video cards to work with this board).

 

[BrownTown]

oh wait, you get it for free?, yeah do what n7 said, get the EE and then sell it.

 

[Relamancer]

Ok you guys got me pretty convinced that AMD is a better chip. The problem is, technically this is a "loaner" chip. Meaning, if I were to get fired or if they were to ever ask for it back (which probably would never happen). I have to give it back. So I can't really sell it. It also is an OEM model, meaning no HS/fan and no warranty. Thats going to kill the ebay price.

The asrock seems like a nice solution, while helping me keep my budget down..

 

[openwheelformula1]

Of those 3: None. The 900 Series is a maybe if Intel's 965 chipsets comeout soon enough. Or they drop the price on 975 chipsets. Then maybe I'll consider a Intel 9xx if the price drops another $30 or so. Otherwise, socket 939 is the best route.

 

[RussianSensation]

Dual core is the future. Plus there is barely any difference between P4 3.2ghz and say P4 3.8ghz. But with dual core and HT you'll feel it. So 840 is the way to go here (even if it's not the EE edition).

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: openwheelformula1
Of those 3: None. The 900 Series is a maybe if Intel's 965 chipsets comeout soon enough. Or they drop the price on 975 chipsets. Then maybe I'll consider a Intel 9xx if the price drops another $30 or so. Otherwise, socket 939 is the best route.

You do realize you don't need the 975 chipset for the 9xx series..there are even 865 chipset boards that support it, using DDR and AGP..the P5P800 SE for example..

 

[slash196]

Dual-core, no question. Just make sure you get a good HSF for that sucker, it's gonna get HOT.

 

[Avalon]

Take the 840EE Dual Core, eBay it, buy something ~equally as fast and pocket the ~$500 difference.

 

[potato28]

840EE. Just make sure to check the sticky in Cooling and Cases for a good Heastsink fan combo.