X2 vs C2D for Optiplex?

[InlineFive]

Hey all,

We are looking at buying some new machines and I see that Dell now offers Optiplexs with wither A64 X2s or C2Ds. Which one is better? I know that the C2Ds are very fast CPUs but I also know that they still used shared buses. Where as AMD systems use HT to speed things up considerably.

There is a big price difference too, $288 to upgrade to a 2.13Ghz C2D vs $218 to upgrade to a X2 5000+.

Which would you pick, and why?

Thanks!

I5

 

[Arkaign]

C2D, no question about it. When not overclocked, a 6600 is basically equal to AMD's fastest current processor, the FX62. Also take into account that Dell has *MUCH* more experience building Intel boxes, so there could be some polish and stability advantages as well.

Primarily though, the performance you get from the C2D is why to choose it. The pricing from Dell is so close that you may as well get the C2D opti.

 

[InlineFive]

Thanks for the feedback, I've been looking at benchmarks and I see what you mean. I'm probably going to go with the E6400 for cost reasons but it looks like it will be able to keep up for a while.

 

[Arkaign]

Yep, they are awesome.

Hey, btw .. is there a reason you're going with Optiplex model? I've set up both Optiplexes and Dimensions recently for clients, and aside from a different software loadset and a different case design, the internals have been the same (PSU, chipset, memory, drives, processor). You can score some AMAZING deals on C2D Dimensions by checking here frequently :

******/dellcoupons.cfm

The site is slow today, must be getting gobs of hits ahead of Turkey day, hehe.

I have seen some spectacular deals, such as :

Core2Duo 6300, 1GB Ram, 160GB Sata NCQ, DVDRW, Nvidia 7300 PCI Express Video, 17" LCD, XP Home, Free Shipping for $599

Drop the upgraded cpu and XP pro (unless you already have VLK at work, then N/M) and you're still probably way ahead of the Optiplex price.

Hope this helps

EDIT : Whoops, musta violated some kind of rule there about posting sites, but just search for tech bargains, hehehe

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Yep, they are awesome.

Hey, btw .. is there a reason you're going with Optiplex model? I've set up both Optiplexes and Dimensions recently for clients, and aside from a different software loadset and a different case design, the internals have been the same (PSU, chipset, memory, drives, processor). You can score some AMAZING deals on C2D Dimensions by checking here frequently :

******/dellcoupons.cfm

The site is slow today, must be getting gobs of hits ahead of Turkey day, hehe.

I have seen some spectacular deals, such as :

Core2Duo 6300, 1GB Ram, 160GB Sata NCQ, DVDRW, Nvidia 7300 PCI Express Video, 17" LCD, XP Home, Free Shipping for $599

Drop the upgraded cpu and XP pro (unless you already have VLK at work, then N/M) and you're still probably way ahead of the Optiplex price.

Hope this helps

EDIT : Whoops, musta violated some kind of rule there about posting sites, but just search for tech bargains, hehehe

I've taken a look at both but we need at least Desktop form factors. Which are about the same price for Home or SMB. Plus with the OptiPlexs we get 10% off and Tech Support in Texas.

 

[Arkaign]

Nice, let us know what you end up with!