Which Is Better....?

[gmattey]

Hi there,

I'm thinking of upgrading my mobo and cpu, i currently have Asus M2n-Sli Deluxe mobo and a AMD Dual Core 6000+ 3.0Ghz, the cpu often gets very hot and causes my pc to bluescreen. I've moved my pc and it's cooler and not bluscreening but just fancy a intel processor as this AMD processor is ok but not the best.

Which mobo would you recommend?:
Asus P5W DH Deluxe £95
Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus £115

Which cpu would you recommend?:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 3.0Ghz £146
Intel Pentium D 960 3.6Ghz £140

I've been tempted to go for the two pricier options, the sli mobo and i've heard the core 2 duo are better than pentium D even though the pentium D techincally should be quicker since it's 3.6Ghz.

Just wondering what everyone elses views are from own experience or technical advice?

Regards.

 

[Kofy]

Gmattey, I built a new pc back in May of this year for myself using an ASUS P5N32-E SLI and an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 and I am EXTREMELY pleased with the system I have. Couple things you need to consider on your build is #1, will the power supply you have work? new Board, new connections. I had a 1 yr old Power supply that I couldnt use on the new build due to not having the correct cabling. I also built a second system like mine for a friend but used the E6750 instead of the E6600 two rock solid chips!

 

[wahnula]

I agree with Kofy, and want to add that you stay away from the Pentium D. It's old tech, and it has high thermals. Make sure there is a "2" in Core 2 Duo. What will the PC be used for??? Any gaming??? Desire for multiple GFX cards like SLI or CrossFire?

Tony

"Buy what you like, or you'll be forced to like what you buy"...me

 

[paparazi]

It's not all about clock speed! the Core2 Duo is far quicker than the Pentium D despite it's slower clock speed.
As for those motherboards... of the two only the Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus supports the newer 1333fsb of the E6850 unfortunately the older Intel 975X chipset does not! (it's a bugger cus I've got one) lol.
You might consider this board (cutting edge X38 Intel chipset)

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135177

Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[gmattey]

i've currently got a Asus EAX1550 1GB PCI Express graphics card and i do a lot of stuff with videos and games.

Foxconn X38A? Will this make the processor run better than with the Asus P5N32-E SLI board or something? I've never heard pf Foxconn are they sturdy boards, it's just i know i'm going to get what ive paid for with Asus.

 

[gmattey]

Ideally i want the Asus maximus Formula board but it's very pricey!!! Might just save up and wait i'm not sure!

 

[Sympology]

Foxconn. I've dealt with some of the older kit and was err, not that good. Maybe better now.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[paparazi]

The main difference is that the Foxconn can support DDR3 memory OR DDR2.
The X38 chipset is Intels latest and greatest and brings with it the advent of DDR3 technology, basically the way technology is heading.
Read these reviews on Toms Hardware.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/31/x38_comparison_part_1/

Note* also supports DDR2 so has good future proofing.
Foxconn have been making PCB components for years but like BFG and eVGA have only recently (over two years now) introduced motherboards into their product line up.
This board is feature packed, well made and probably the cheapest of the X38 motherboards ATM, if you want an Asus then you'll be paying another £30-£40 for a similar product.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[gmattey]

Quote from the link you gave me:

"We didn't focus much on Foxconn's new X38A in our final analysis because the board we received simply didn't behave like a retail product should."

Doesnt sound too promising :S

 

[gmattey]

The Asus Maximus Formula board is the one i want but since it's so expensive like £170+, it just makes me wonder is it really worth it? All that money and i probably wouldnt notice that much difference from the SLI board i mentioned for what i do with a PC. I play games and do stuff with video editing and so on but i'm not a high end gamer.

I'm just one of those people who likes to have the best parts, the top end computer but paying £300+ on just a cpu and motherboard is pricey for just 2 components!

 

[gmattey]

also wondering whether to get a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 now, i'd imagine it would but will it be better than the E6850?

 

[paparazi]

You are quite right, there would be little difference, the only reason I pointed the X38 out was to make you aware of future technology and the direction (DDR3) that things are moving.
As for the Foxconn, well that's just typical of an early bios release and par for the course if you are an early adopter of new technology. By now there should be a bios fix that will rectify many of the issues.
These problems are typical for new motherboard releases, each manufacturer trying to beat the others to the gun by releases the product before it is ready.
I quick visit to Foxconn's website should reveal if there has been a bios release since "production release"
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[kmcferrin]

It depends on what you're doing. IIRC, the Q6600 is a 2.66 GHz quad-core CPU while the E6850 is a 3.0 GHz dual core. Each core in the Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad are pretty much comparable, clock for clock. So with the Quad you're getting twice as many cores, but they're a lower clock speed than the Duo. Unless you are running very heavily multi-threaded applications, then you'll probably get better performance from the E6850.

 

[paparazi]

Agreed the E6850 is probably better for gaming and the Q6600 for multithreaded apps.
The Q6600 is a quad core running at 2.4ghz.
Martin

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Participate and help others.