Im on the cusp of buying a core 2 duo 6700 - does anyone have any real terms experience with their speed over say an athlon X2 4800+ ?

All of the reviews says they are faster but the AMDs are cheaper.

There is also the motherboards which can be a bit picky and are again tending to be more expensive with intel.

End advice is if you really need the speed go Intel.

http://www.pcw.co.uk/personal-computer-world/hardware/2160312/intel-core-duo-extreme

QuoteIts difficult not to be wholly impressed with Intels Core 2 Duo processors. The micro-architecture leverages a bunch of smart technologies that come together to form the most potent range of CPUs available. Putting it in some kind of context, the next-to-bottom model, E6400, costing $220, is, over the course of our benchmarks, as fast as an AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 or Intel Extreme Edition 965. That, readers, is how good Core 2 Duo is.

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6890

Quote from: SeriousAll of the reviews says they are faster but the AMDs are cheaper.

Forget low end vs low end, high end vs high end.

If you compare the for like priced Core Duo 2 to an AMD, Core Duo 2 is still faster.

E.G. on Scan.co.uk.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 + Dual Core 2.6GHz, 2x1MB Cache, OEM Ã,£284.35

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000 + Dual Core 2.6GHz, 2x512KB Cache, OEM  Ã,£175.00  Ã,£205.63

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 775, 2.4 GHz, 1066MHz FSB, Conroe Core, 4MB Cache, Retail  Ã,£211.49

The Intel CPU will beat both of the AMD ones hands down easily, yet is cheaper than the first and only a few pounds more than the second.

So, "AMDs are cheaper" does not really come into it, the price range for dual core AMD CPUs is virtually the same as Intels Core Duo 2.  Just need to compare on price.

Now you can all start calling me and Intel fanboy, as you all thought I used to be an AMD fanboy.  Utter rubbish.  


EDIT:  On the reverse, compare Core Duo 2 to AMDs Dual Core AM2s for similar performance, Core Duo 2 is suddenly much cheaper

On the other hand, the motherboards for Core Duo 2 chips all have their issues.  Currently the best are the Gigabyte GA 965P-DS3 and Asus P5W DH Deluxe, about Ã,£96 and Ã,£146 respectively.  Also, you will need to look into memory compatibility because earlier bios versions are very choosey and you cant do anything with a board that does not support the memory that you have.

On its way.

Lets hope it kicks ass.

What else did you get to go with it?

Bad timing if your upgrading to Core 2 Duo or AM2, RAM prices have shot up, unless of course you already got DDR2 RAM already.

damn !

good job you posted that, It made me realise i need new ram for my new system !

was going to try and stick my ddr into the ddr2 m/b