Quote from: Clockd 0NeIm looking to upgrade soon so Id be interested to hear what the crucial differences are in the AMD X2s and the Core2 Duos as far as performance goes, how are we equating this bang for buck? From what Ive been reading the Core 2 Duos have been the CPU of choice for some time.

AMD reduced their prices, so their top CPUs compete with lesser Intel ones on price. Intel rules the top end, but you may have to pay a price premium through motherboard and cpu prices. Same with overclocking, the Intel ones are better here too but if you arent going to overclock there is no point inbuying Intel over an AMD.

Quote from: SeriousSame with overclocking, the Intel ones are better here too but if you arent going to overclock there is no point inbuying Intel over an AMD.

depends man, the newer 5000+ is supposed to be a mean overclocker as its on the 65nm process so it runs cooler, its also got an unlocked multiplyer.  Ive been told it just _may_ be possible to squeeze some serious speeds out of them.  However its still a K8, and the K10s should be here in the next few weeks.  

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?lang=&submenu=&menu=&product_id=22513&session=d55251d6bec3c8d433c3ae2df93b0ab8

http://www.bigpockets.co.uk/product.php?lang=&submenu=&menu=&product_id=22496&session=d55251d6bec3c8d433c3ae2df93b0ab8

im thinking either Core2duo E4500 (£75) or Dual-Core E2160 (£45)

the E2160 are very overclockable apparently and out perform the X2 5000 at 3ghz.

still stuck on a chipset/main board though. need something that supports a bit of future tech, quad core, ddr3 maybe.

the intel p35 seems good but is quite steep.

E2160s are teh doggys hanging bits, providing you are willing to overclock

stuck on 2 boards at the moment.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131173

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132275

I would go for the Asus board, as the Gigabyte board has some bad reviews on it partically with to do the Rev versions of the board. If i was you it would put me off the Gigabyte board.

LiAM

I just dont think theres any point in building your own anymore, as you cant build them as cheap as you can pick em up for!

Youre right there, but at least in building your own you know the components, youre sure its done correctly and you can totally tailor the system appropriately.

I keep looking at the prebuilds and then I start looking at other hardware options and realise that I might as well just build it myself without the cost being an issue at all. It would save time but Id end up thinking I could have done a better job.

I am now possibly thinking about upgrading to these new Core 2 Quad Cores, iv read a lot of good things about then partically the Q6600 ones. The prices for them look really good as well but i am still thinking about it. If i do upgrade to it i will be getting the Q6600 CPU, Asus P5K motherboard & 2GB of Corsair PC6400 RAM would all this be a good choice? on Ebuyer this all came to £260.

Thanks - LiAM