CPU ADVICE

[sfxhewitt]

Hi All,

could somone tell me what the best processor i could get for around £60-£80 i have seen some dual core ones around for £60

here.....Intel CPU Pentium 4 D 915 Dual Core 2x2.8GHz 800FSB LGA775 2x2MB cache Retail inc fan (3yr Manufacturer Warranty) - BX80553915 - www.microdirect.co.uk

is it any good is it faster than my one i got now

any help would be great thanks.

[screwballl]

based on what you have, I would save some cash and at least get a E6300

[sfxhewitt]

but is the one on that website better than my one i have now ?...... i just looked at what you said and there only 1.86 GHz isnt that worse than mine ?

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by sfxhewitt

but is the one on that website better than my one i have now ?...... i just looked at what you said and there only 1.86 GHz isnt that worse than mine ?

Beware the MHz myth!!! Just because one processor has a slower clock speed doesn't mean it will not perform as well. Check out this little roundup for more information. The Core 2 Duo E6300 at only 1.8GHz will easily beat a Pentium D 915 at 2.8GHz and here are some benchmarks to prove it...

[RangerXLT8]

Does the MB even support Core 2 Duo? I think the 915 is a good choice if you don't want to buy a new MB to support Core 2 Duo.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by RangerXLT8

Does the MB even support Core 2 Duo? I think the 915 is a good choice if you don't want to buy a new MB to support Core 2 Duo.

Dang, I totally forgot about that little tidbit. The GA-8N-SLI is an nForce4 based motherboard. Upon checking the CPU support list on nVidia's site, it doesn't look good for the Core 2 processors...

[sfxhewitt]

oh ... well what would be my best option i just want somthin better than the one i got....it dose say on the box that my mb came with that it surports core 2 processors :S i dunno

here is the cpu surport list for my mobo it seems to be ok

GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - CPU Support List

actually no lol it ses next to it N/A meaning not surported :(

[JCLW]

The 915D is an OK processor.

Are you going to overclock?

Note that the 915D runs at 2.8ghz, compared to your current 3.4ghz setup. This means that in many (if not most) situations (like most games) it will be slower.

Unless you overclock - and 915Ds generally overclock well.

There are two kinds of 915Ds out there:
SL9DA - older C1 stepping (not as good)
SL9KB - newer D0 stepping (better overclocker, cooler running)

[g-relk]

if your a good overclocker and your prepared to go for a new mobo as well, you could go the way of the c2d e4300, i have a magazine that had an issue on it, they overclocked it from 1.8ghz to 3.1ghz, coz it uses a high multiplier you can wind that down and ramo the fsb to get a higher overclock, if not then go for the pentium d, there fair good, and pretty cheap, buit not nearly as good as a c2d

[Quakindude]

There's no reason for the serious gamer to upgrade that CPU. If, however, you are heavily into RAW video and image files, converting large video and image files or using software optimized for dual core, think professional work...4-8 hours of converting a day, AutoCAD etc...a Pentium D will shave a few minutes off your day.

IMHO, if you aren't prepared to go Core2Duo, there's absolutely nothing wrong with your CPU. If you're looking for more gaming performance, a faster Hard Drive, Video Card or more Ram would be money better spent.