Pentium D 925 versus Core 2 Duo E6700

Hello all!

A friend has asked me to build a decent computer for him. Right now, it seems like Intel brings the most bang for the bucks. The pricing is a bit confusing, though.

Pentium D 925, BX80553925, 3.0 GHz, 2x2 MB cache, 800 MHz FSB is priced at SEK 995 (~$140).

Intel Core 2 Duo E6700, BX80557E6700, 2.66 GHz, 4 MB cache, 1066 MHz FSB is priced at SEK 3 295 (~$470).

I have noted different cache (2x2 MB versus 4 MB), different FSB (800 MHz versus 1066 MHz), Thermal Design Power 95 W for the D 925 - 65 W for the E6700 and THE PRICE.

Give me a few reasons to go for the Core 2 Duo!

Thanks for your time,
Christer

 

The computer is not for gaming. It will be used for Office applications, Photoshop and possibly video editing.

I too have found out that the sweet spot for C2D is the E6600, priced at SEK 2 295 (~$330). Still not as sweet as the D 925, though.

Christer

 

Hi Christer

AFAIK dual core is better here - depending on the program used I guess. My reason for saying that is that I use ProShow Gold from time to time to produce slide shows and while processing shows it flags up 'Using 2 processors' - I would imagine video editing would be similar in rendering.

 

Hi Pete!

Both processors are dual core. I checked the link provided by peterdiva and it seems like the E6600 is 50 % faster (an average of sampled "non-gaming" tests) than the D 930 (the D 925 was not among the listed CPU's). In PhotoSop CS, it is 60-70 % faster. In Pinnacle, it is 30 % faster.

The E6600 is less bang for the bucks but it seems like basing a new system on the D 925 really is building an "oldish" system.

Christer

 

I missed that - being an AMD man At least AMD designate their dual cores with x2 so there is never a doubt!

 

I too am an AMD man (my own BOAC) and I have built more BOAC's for friends based on AMD than on Intel. The latest was a year ago and it was based on an single core Athlon. Now, it seems like Intel has taken the lead, I think, even when bang for the bucks is considered.

Sorry to be the bearer of "bad news" ... ... but the most recent Athlon FX processors are dual core!

Christer

 

Well I never

 

A follow-up question:

The E6600 has a 1066 MHz FSB. The motherboard Asus P5B-Plus VISTA supports 1066/800/533 MHz. It supports DDR2 800/667/533 MHz. This is where I loose it! Does it mean that DDR2/533 is what it can handle to its full potential (synchronized) and DDR/667/800 is overkill?

Should the memory and CPU be synchronized? If so, would that imply that DDR2/533 should be used?

If not, would DDR2/800 CL5 be a better choice than DDR2/533 CL4?

Christer

 

Chiles4,
I'll have a look at all variants of the C2D. I'll also compare "your" pricing to those in Sweden. Probably interesting ... ... but depressing!

Christer

 

Reading the Wikipedia article Intel Core 2 was interesting, especially the section on DDR2:

In Sweden, a matched pair of 1024 MB PC4200 CL4 is priced at SEK 699 (~$100) compared to a matched pair of 1024 MB PC6400 CL5 which is priced at SEK 1399 (~$200).

Christer

 

Still reading the Wikipedia article, the table "Matched processor and RAM ratings" indicates that the two modules must run in dual channel mode. Otherwise, a single module of PC8500 is needed.

Christer