Phenom X4 or Intel Core Duo Quad?

[detectiveconan16]

I'm in the market for a new computer, but I'm not sure which processor I should get. The computers are pretty much the same. So which one should I get for more bang for my buck?

[rickshankshaw]

i7 fool

[SEH]

If you got the cash, definitely go i7, however, if you cant afford that, then go with Intel. If you look at benchies, in most cases Intels quads take a dump all over AMD's quads.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2009-desktop-cpu-charts/Performance-Index,1407.html

Also, the Q6600 isnt very new anymore, its actually quite old, but if you get a decent chip, you can OC the hell out of it and get excellent performance for your dollar from it.

[Richard Longfellow]

"Bang for buck" is dead even because AMD's comparably numbered quads are significantly discounted. Consider the cost of your motherboard, too. Intel compatible boards tend to be a little more pricey. It all comes down to what you want to spend. If you have the cash go Intel.

[xycury]

"Bang for buck" is dead even because AMD's comparably numbered quads are significantly discounted. Consider the cost of your motherboard, too. Intel compatible boards tend to be a little more pricey. It all comes down to what you want to spend. If you have the cash go Intel.

seconded, intel boards tend to be a bit more, that's the only difference as of now.

Both chips offer pretty much the same, and skipping i7 for just the cost factor.

[n25philly]

If those are your only options go with AMD. Intel isn't going to be making anything for lga775 anymore, while AMD seems to be sticking with the sockets they are using, so while you may give up a little bit of performance now, you'll have better upgrade options later. If you aren't doing anything cpu intensive you likely won't notice the difference anyway

[MicrosoftGuy]

The Phenom X4 is not even comparable to an i7 in both price and performance aspects. The most bang for your buck RIGHT NOW is the Phenom. However, at the end of the year, a new Intel Socket should be out. You can get an i7 920 for around $230 and a nice motherboard for as low as $130 or so. Otherwise get a Phenom for around $130 and motherboard for $100. $230 compared to $360. The Core 2 Quad is not worth it. The LGA 755 socket is done with, plus these Quads get a bit hot. I mean a Q9650 is $220 compared to $230 for an i7. An i7 will spank the Q9650. So it's either i7 920 or Phenom X4. Your Choice.
Personally I would take the i7, however that's just me seeing the marginal benefit of the i7 being equal to it's cost.

[n25philly]

The Phenom X4 is not even comparable to an i7 in both price and performance aspects. The most bang for your buck RIGHT NOW is the Phenom. However, at the end of the year, a new Intel Socket should be out. You can get an i7 920 for around $230 and a nice motherboard for as low as $130 or so. Otherwise get a Phenom for around $130 and motherboard for $100. $230 compared to $360. The Core 2 Quad is not worth it. The LGA 755 socket is done with, plus these Quads get a bit hot. I mean a Q9650 is $220 compared to $230 for an i7. An i7 will spank the Q9650. So it's either i7 920 or Phenom X4. Your Choice.
Personally I would take the i7, however that's just me seeing the marginal benefit of the i7 being equal to it's cost.

no, and is hell. There is no such things as bang for the buck on a processor that has no bang. AMD should have changed the name of their processor line so everyone could forget the original phenoms. AMD just came out with a $100 phenom II. Now that is bang for the $

[HowStern]

Yeah there is a big difference between phenom and phenom II.

Phenom is no good. Phenom II holds it's own very well.

[Koggit]

,Long story short, budget CPUs are worth more attention than they get.

[csalzman]

Try this:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2398.html

Personally, I'd go for an i5 processor. They perform almost as well as the i7-920 but are 80 dollars less, plus the motherboards are a lot cheaper because they use a different socket type. They only real downside is you need to get DDR3 memory, which is a little more expensive than DDR2, but still very reasonable.

[pattinsonrobert]

Hi Dear.

Go for i7 is best for your PC.
It's pleasure to be a part of your forum. I love to try also what you are discussing here. Thanks!

[Freemason]

ill take a 3.2 quad that goes to 3.9 on stock air for $189 over anything Intel can offer anyday. Phenom II 955 quad BLACK edition FTW in my book. People seem to look at the jaded medias benchmarks on paper now and say " look the numbers are bigger so it is worth paying $150 more. " when in noticeable performance, unless you are a supernerd die hard techie, will will not see jack. build to budget and not what you want it to do, do not overspend because " i7 is the best, this videocard was $500 attitude. "

i built my current system for just over $350 and it plays everythign i got on HIGH settings using 2nd and 3rd gen hardware in some areas with no problems.

[rickshankshaw]

Personally i believe in future proofing vs. budgeting. although this is a silly statement to make when it comes to computers, but with windows 7 streamlining resource usage, and you'll be able to play games at maximum settings with a good graphics card for at least three years.

I want to know that for the next few years, I won't have to concern myself with upgrades. The i7 does that for me. I just can't see applications and games using up so many resources that even years from now a new 1000$ pc could be completely outdated. The graphics card, maybe. But from the a processor perspective? No way.

[strikeratt]

i7 chipset is intel btw guys, some comments made make it sound like they're 2 seperate companies so I had to say something :D

Amyways go with intel anything now a days, they blow AMD out of the water at the moment.

[detectiveconan16]

Thanks for the information, but damn. I'm not planning on playing Crysis anytime soon.

[HowStern]

AMDs are basically made for overclocking. Most coming in black editions with unlocked multiplier mean two clicks of your mouse and your OC'ed.

They stay cool too.

You can get a phenom II for $50+/- less than it's intel competitor and OC the hell out of it getting a equal or even faster cpu for cheaper. Food for thought.

[tokitoki50]

I have a Phenom II X4 920 that I got back in May and I'm loving it. The i7 is obviously the better choice but for the money my 920 has performed fantastically. I've been able to overclock it to 3.5 without much heating issue, but I normally run it at 3.2 because I have no need to push it farther.

[catbigred]

@Freemason
Totally agree. Bought a Phenom II X4 955 with gigabyte board and a 6 GB kit of OCZ DDR 3 1333 for $350 shipped from Newegg. Beat that with an i7. I rip video from my tivo in nearly a quarter of the time of my X2 Athlon 4400.

Tom's hardware rates these really well and if you are on a budget give this a shot. Save about 50-75 on the board and 80 on the chip. I have been very impressed not to mention the overclockability (which I haven't dabbled in yet)

[SEH]

ill take a 3.2 quad that goes to 3.9 on stock air for $189 over anything Intel can offer anyday. Phenom II 955 quad BLACK edition FTW in my book. People seem to look at the jaded medias benchmarks on paper now and say " look the numbers are bigger so it is worth paying $150 more. " when in noticeable performance, unless you are a supernerd die hard techie, will will not see jack. build to budget and not what you want it to do, do not overspend because " i7 is the best, this videocard was $500 attitude. "

i built my current system for just over $350 and it plays everythign i got on HIGH settings using 2nd and 3rd gen hardware in some areas with no problems.

FYI, you can get a Q9550 now that is 2.8 at stock, but can easily be OC'd to 4.0 on air. My friend currently has his at 4.0 on air and has zero problems with stability. You can find the Q9550 as cheap as like $150 if you have a Microcenter near you.

[HowStern]

Yeah I got a Phenom II X3 720 BE for $100 AR from newegg and matched it up with a gigabyte 790x mobo. Was able to unlock the 4th core and overclock prime95 stable to 3.4ghz on air.

So for $100 I got a quad core 3.4ghz cpu.

[MicrosoftGuy]

My intentions were Phenom II not Phenom I. (That's what happens when you don't have your coffee.)
But an i5 might be a better choice than an i7 also in terms of price.

[Freemason]

FYI, you can get a Q9550 now that is 2.8 at stock, but can easily be OC'd to 4.0 on air. My friend currently has his at 4.0 on air and has zero problems with stability. You can find the Q9550 as cheap as like $150 if you have a Microcenter near you.

is that at load or just after settings and a successful post? i would love to see the prime test on it for stable 4.0. from what i have seen, a 4.04 is the largest stable 100% stress post at load from professional overclockers with air but running enclosed water on the board and video. the AMD to 3.9 is also with no core or voltage changes... so again its all about what you want, what you can do with it, and how much you wanna spend :)

another fun fact is Intel markets at top rates while AMD sells at stock clocks, as mentioned in black editions, are unlocked to give massive headroom to OC out of the box with minimal adjustments.

[GaveUpTomorrow]

All I known is that my Phenom II 955 Black Edition smokes anything I've thrown at it, and at a very affordable price. I personally won't buy anything but AMD anymore, as the processors have treated me well throughout the years, while I've have many problems with Intel processors over time. Core 2 and i7 are much better than Intel's old processors, but I still have that sour taste in my mouth from using the P4 years back...still can't forgive them :P