AMD vs Intel : Specific PCs

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LancelotSA

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Hey guys,

My previous thread about "what is the catch" seems to have run it's course and we seem to have resolved that there isn't really one.

We changed tack, however, right near the end and I would like some answers from you guys regarding the above processors. I stated that I know nothing about AMD, and have always had Intel, so no idea how they perform.

I am specifically looking at two computers on special offer at PC Zone, well it was one but now they added the AMD to confuse matters, and need to know which is the better offer. This computer will be used by my mom to check emails, browse the net and some Skype and IM use. Cost is important and R2200 is the absolute maximum, but the lower the better if the computer will be useful!

* Is one of these far superior to the other?

* And what about the integrated graphics and audio on each? Will one handle some games (and I am talking card games and the like here) better than others? And what about streaming video like on Skype?

* What about the ability to upgrade at a later date if the need arises? Is one more limited than the other?


These are the specs :

INTEL R2199

Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 2.0Ghz
ASUS LGA775 motherboard 1000FSB
1GB DDR2 667 RAM
160Gb SATA Hard Drive
20x DVD writer
Integrated 3D graphics and audio
Keyboard, mouse and speakers

AMD R1699

AMD Sempron LE1150 2.0Ghz
AM2 Motherboard 1000FSB
512Mb DDR2 667 RAM
80Gb SATA Hard Drive
20x DVD writer
Integrated 3D graphics and audio
Keyboard, mouse and speakers

If I upgraded the AMDs RAM and HD the prices would probably be similar so it boils down to which processor and motherboard is better? Any comments or opinions on these, as well as the two processors in question, will be appreciated. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Dan C said:
they still make 80gb hard drives ?
Click to expand...

That did shock me about the AMD but as stated I would upgrade that (not that my mom would need more than 80Gb but I am not going to base the decision on the HD price) so I really just need some opinions on the performance on the two processors.
 
onboard graphics will run most old games OK , like card games :) think the dual core is better.
 
Well the Sempron really can not be compared to the dual core Intel, an Athlon 64 x2 would be similar in comparison, the Sempron and Celeron are more closely matched.

As far as AMD cpu's go I've used them for more than 3 years... they run cool, fast and stable I love them.
 
Dobee said:
Well the Sempron really can not be compared to the dual core Intel, an Athlon 64 x2 would be similar in comparison, the Sempron and Celeron are more closely matched.

As far as AMD cpu's go I've used them for more than 3 years... they run cool, fast and stable I love them.
Click to expand...

Thanks Dobee... so if the RAM and HD on the AMD PC were upgraded and they ended up the same price the Dual core would be a clear winner over the Sempron?
 
LancelotSA said:
Thanks Dobee... so if the RAM and HD on the AMD PC were upgraded and they ended up the same price the Dual core would be a clear winner over the Sempron?
Click to expand...

The Sempron is a single core whereas the Intel is dual core so yes the intel beats that AMD, if you could get an Athlon 64 x2 then the Athlon would be better if it was cheaper.
 
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alf101 said:
Get a Mac, then it won't bother u anymore.
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Sorry but how does ur post help him at all?
@lancelotsa.the intel definately looks like the better choice as has bn said.as far as upgrading goes ur unlikely to be able to upgrade too much later on possibly due to the limited fsb etc.not sure on the exact spec of the mb though.
 
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I've just had a look into the processor on the Intel spec computer as that definitely seems the way to go. I have had some comments on it not being up to scratch together with the ASUS LGA775 motherboard and found some interesting articles I thought I'd share...

The first one, and in fact most I stumbled upon, rate the E2180 processor highly and states that it works well on the ASUS motherboards too.

http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/239759-e2180-motherboards-quick-review.html
 
Sempron is basicaly a old Atlone, with smaller cache 256k i think, that E2180 will murder it in encoding, gaming, and basicaly everything els!

Although it sounds strange that the FSB is 1000? Should it not be something like 1066? then it would probably support 45Nm Quads I think, my MSI has 667/800/1066 and can OC' to 1333FSB with newer 45Nm Core2Duo's & Quad's.
 
Go for the dual core. And try and get a single 1gb stick of ram. I know that a lot of the lower end boards only come with two ram slots. Or better yet, get a 2gb stick - I paid R350 for a 2gb of kingston ram a few months ago. A dual core with 2 gigs of ram wouldnt be a bad little rig. Also, is the hard drive Sata I or Sata II?
 
Glordit said:
Sempron is basicaly a old Atlone, with smaller cache 256k i think, that E2180 will murder it in encoding, gaming, and basicaly everything els!

Although it sounds strange that the FSB is 1000? Should it not be something like 1066? then it would probably support 45Nm Quads I think, my MSI has 667/800/1066 and can OC' to 1333FSB with newer 45Nm Core2Duo's & Quad's.
Click to expand...

You are right... I could not quite make out what it said on the PC Zone website as it was a little small so just rounded it to what I could make out! :) In looking again it is likely it is 166.

The one site I went to discussed the over clocking abilities of this processor with much enthusiasm.

Thanks
 
hyperian said:
Go for the dual core. And try and get a single 1gb stick of ram. I know that a lot of the lower end boards only come with two ram slots. Or better yet, get a 2gb stick - I paid R350 for a 2gb of kingston ram a few months ago. A dual core with 2 gigs of ram wouldnt be a bad little rig. Also, is the hard drive Sata I or Sata II?
Click to expand...

Not sure Hyperian, it does not say on the site about SATA or what the RAM configuration is (http://www.zones.co.za/ very top left computer)
 
I really think that the dual cores are still decent processors. Theres only so much you can get out of having more than two cores. I upgraded from a single core p4 to a core 2, and it does run better, but not by such a margin as to warrant the cost of upgrading. RAM you can always upgrade - if you have a spare R150, get a bigger hard drive. Im looking at component prices at Chaos computers, and the difference between a sata 80gb and a sata 250gb drive is R100. You can always stick a 2gb stick into the remaining slot (if the mboard only has 2), but you will have to buy another drive if you want more space.
 
I would use that R49 upgrade & get an extra 1GB of RAM R149 for 667 :D

@ hyperian, did your P4 have HT? [Hyper Threading]
 
Glordit said:
I would use that R49 upgrade & get an extra 1GB of RAM R149 for 667 :D
Click to expand...

Yeah it is a b_tch as earlier today the hard drive upgrade was quoted at R1 to go to 200Gb! It changed today to R49.

I know this sounds stingy but ever rand spent does not benefit me as it is going to mom and she will in all likelihood not get much use out of an extra Gb of RAM so may just go with spec as is. :)
 
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