daan's new PC (was "Dual core processor speed question")

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daan

daan

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I'm looking to make my PC faster, so I'm going to make a start by upgrading my processor.

I currently have an Athlon XP 3000+ which runs at 2.11GHz. I was looking to get an Athlon 64 X2 of some description. (I know I need a new mobo, ram etc) If I was to get a 4000+ which also runs at 2.1GHz, does that mean it's effectively twice as fast due to the dual core?

EDIT: I should have searched! Just read through this, and it doesn't seem to be the case. I need the increase in speed for games.
 
It's not the MHz figure that counts the most nowadays. I have the Intel E6750 which runs at "only" 2.66 GHz but it's a real killer compared to some others with a similar clock frequency thanks to its very high FSB speed and a large cache. The FSB is what enables the processor to use its power effectively, insane amounts of MHz don't help that much if the FSB speed is low. Sure, they help, but not as much as you might think. Don't look at the power alone, you can even trade some MHz for a significantly higher FSB and get a better processor.

And of course the games in question have an effect too. Most older games can't take full advantage of the dual core, if any advantage at all. However, with the dual core you can have the game running on one core and the background applications on the other which means more processing power for the game even if it only uses one of the cores.

I used to have an Athlon 3500+ combined with 1 GB of DDR 400MHz RAM and a Radeon 9800Pro. That rig ran a certain game at about 30 fps. I now have the E6750, 4 GB of DDR2 800MHz RAM and a Geforce 8800GTS and the same game runs at about 90 fps. That's a 200% increase. But I have a feeling that it's the memory and the graphics card that have made the biggest impact.

The bottom line. For gaming you want a more powerful processor and dual core is definitely the way to go today. But the processor won't be the Holy Grail that alone makes your games run better. I'm sure you know it but it's never wrong to repeat things in pursuit of a happy "customer".
 
daan
I'm looking to make my PC faster, so I'm going to make a start by upgrading my processor.

I currently have an Athlon XP 3000+ which runs at 2.11GHz. I was looking to get an Athlon 64 X2 of some description. (I know I need a new mobo, ram etc) If I was to get a 4000+ which also runs at 2.1GHz, does that mean it's effectively twice as fast due to the dual core?

EDIT: I should have searched! Just read through this, and it doesn't seem to be the case. I need the increase in speed for games.
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Thats the thing about duel/quad cores you can only say that it runs at 2.xxghz each core and cant say the it runs at say 8.12 ghz. if you want the truth go with the 4000+ that will be your best bet in what you want altho i dont know what your going to use the thing for if your like me i run the **** out of my computer (quad-core) and havent even reach %70 of my power then your purchase was worth it. But i sapose that what your getting is enough.
 
daan
I'm looking to make my PC faster, so I'm going to make a start by upgrading my processor.

I currently have an Athlon XP 3000+ which runs at 2.11GHz. I was looking to get an Athlon 64 X2 of some description. (I know I need a new mobo, ram etc) If I was to get a 4000+ which also runs at 2.1GHz, does that mean it's effectively twice as fast due to the dual core?
Click to expand...
Is there a reason you're going with Athlon and not Intel since you need a new MB? The P35 MB's are great overclocker boards. I run my Q6600 2.4ghz @ 3.10 ghz all the time. Thats the same speed as the INTEL core 2 extreme qx6850 for $975.00
 
If you are going to be buying a new motherboard and RAM, I can tell you that Intel is the faster choice. I've got two systems here, one with a 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo, the other is the 4000+ 2.1Ghz Athlon X2. Super Pi times (which only tests a single core) are twice as long on the AMD. Not that it isn't still a quick computer, but for nearly the same frequency they are quite far apart.

If you are on a budget, AMD will do fine. If you can afford to go with a Core 2 Duo system you will get much more performance out of it.
 
GT3mich
Is there a reason you're going with Athlon and not Intel since you need a new MB?
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No real reason.

I think I'll just get a new, monitor-less, system since I'll practically need to replace everything.

I was thinking about a Dell XPS 420. Any thoughts from you nice, knowledgeable people?
 
daan
No real reason.

I think I'll just get a new, monitor-less, system since I'll practically need to replace everything.

I was thinking about a Dell XPS 420. Any thoughts from you nice, knowledgeable people?
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Um, yeah. Build your own. Its very easy. Its easier than cooking dinner.
 
daan
No real reason.

I think I'll just get a new, monitor-less, system since I'll practically need to replace everything.

I was thinking about a Dell XPS 420. Any thoughts from you nice, knowledgeable people?
Click to expand...
Honestly the XPS 420 isn't a bad system (for a Dell :nervous:) but you should know that building your own system is extremely easy these days. In the past putting together a system, if not done correctly, could wind up in hours of troubleshooting. These days you really can't mess up if you follow just a small set of simple, elementary rules. I'm sure there are many members here who would be more than able and willing to help you along with the build as well (if you wanted, I'm sure we could even set up a chat room to help you real-time).

On the 420 you linked, the only thing I would change is the video card. While the 8600GTS is a capable card, the difference in speed between it and an 8800GT is huge and would be one of the best choices you could make given the main reason for this new system is games.
 
I do know how to build a PC, and have done in the past. I believe I take all the correct precautions, with regards to static etc, but I seem to break motherboards all the time. (One time I used the wrong size spacer things, and was bending the board, and case, when I inserted and screwed down the expansion cards! I take full responsibilty for that one. I hadn't realised there were 2 different sizes.) It seems like every time I've upgraded, something else that was working perfectly before, fails.

I've been talking to a guy at work and he's going to assist me in upgrading mine. He builds PCs and manages networks for folk, so I'll maybe get some pointers from him too.
 
Outsourcing the build hassle to Dell can represent value. I built my own and have had huge problems with it overheating. I couldn't tell you whether I'd self-build or outsource next time around.
 


Decided to get new stuff and build it myself.

Gigabyte mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
XFX 8800GT Alpha dog
320GB Sata drive
500W PSU
2GB DDR2 ram

My 2 DVD drives, wireless network card & case were reused.

First mobo I got worked fine outside of the case, but as soon as it was screwed into the case, it flaked out and didn't get any power. Build was easy once I got a replacement.
 
Nice work! daan. I had mine all taken apart yesterday. I'm building a computer for my son and he gets my Infinity 600 watt PSU. I wanted a modular unit in mine. Fewer cables.
 
Oh baby! Slap two more 1gig slots of ram into that beast! Run 2x monitors and You gotyourself a Real COmputer! (what i'm working on right now) lol
 
I'm not noticing a lack of ram at the minute, but that's an easy upgrade that'll probably happen at some point in the future.

I've also got the 2 monitors. The only drawback is that my PC and 1 monitor is upstairs, and the other montor is downstairs being used as a telly.
 
Picc84
Oh baby! Slap two more 1gig slots of ram into that beast! Run 2x monitors and You gotyourself a Real COmputer! (what i'm working on right now) lol
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4 gigs of ram won't really help much unless he is using a 64 bit OS. And I have found 2 gigs is more than enough 99% of the time I use my computer.

Daan, two monitors are real nice to use. However, once you get use to it, you won't want to give one up ever.

BTW, nice going with AMD! Everyone is always Intel this or that, so good to see AMD coming up somewhere. I need to steal GFX card though; mine is the slow down point on my computer :dopey:
 
daan


Decided to get new stuff and build it myself.

Gigabyte mobo
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+
XFX 8800GT Alpha dog
320GB Sata drive
500W PSU
2GB DDR2 ram

My 2 DVD drives, wireless network card & case were reused.

First mobo I got worked fine outside of the case, but as soon as it was screwed into the case, it flaked out and didn't get any power. Build was easy once I got a replacement.
Click to expand...
i was thinking of buildinga similar system, except going w/ the 5600+ and the ATi 3870. how well does your pc run crysis and other games?
 
Very nice! 👍 Remember, good cable management helps to aid in proper air flow inside the case. :)

Now that it's been a few days, what do you think of your setup?
 
Gabkicks
how well does your pc run crysis and other games?
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I dunno with Crysis, but it runs Test Drive Unlimited without batting an eyelid.

Pako
Remember, good cable management helps to aid in proper air flow inside the case. :)
Click to expand...
What are you trying to say? :dopey: I did tidy them up a wee bit since I took that photo, but not much...

Pako
Now that it's been a few days, what do you think of your setup?
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It's the best PC I've ever had. I've always had to tone down the graphical detail in games prior to building this PC, but I can play them in all their glory now.
 
daan
I dunno with Crysis, but it runs Test Drive Unlimited without batting an eyelid.


What are you trying to say? :dopey: I did tidy them up a wee bit since I took that photo, but not much...


It's the best PC I've ever had. I've always had to tone down the graphical detail in games prior to building this PC, but I can play them in all their glory now.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a job well done! Many congrats!
 
That's a decent score you got there. So now when things get a little slow for ya, just add some liquid cooling and overclock the snot out of it for another 4,000 or so points. :)
 

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