Value-for-money CPU for < $150

[mattylees__]

People,

I can't decide between these... this was meant to be a "budget" pc so let me know what you think..

Celeron D 351 (Dual Core) > 3.2ghz @ $82.00

but.... Now is it worth spending the extra honestly? On

Pentium 4 D820 (Dual Core) > 2.8ghz @ $138.00

or

An AMD processor (which i know absolutely nothing about) but no more than $150 either.


As i said Budget is up to $150 and i want the best value for money CPU. I will be running Vista Home Premium as a dedicated HTPC maybe a few games.

Let me know your thoughts... I guess i could start off with the celeron and upgrade later since they all 775.

Thanks alot

Matt

[mattylees__]

alright, thanx for the replies

Done some research, the celeron is definetly crossed out now and i did some research on the AMDs but i am now down to this question.......

AMD AM2 64 3800+ OR Pentium D820 (dual core 2.8ghz)

They are both similarly priced @ 140-150 but i can't decide on which one to go.

It will be used for a dedicated Vista HTPC, probably always on and a few games like NFS carbon etc, nothin to crazy ... and probably good to have it quiet.

So question is, which one to go? Will vista run ok with the AMD?

Cheers guys please help!

[pistnbroke]

3800's are thin on the ground now, are you sure you can still get one.. ?

[mattylees__]

ahh yeah... they have to have something cheaper than just all x2 dual cores

http://www.itestate.com.au/category....10003062600201

[bella]

Matty,

I know you want to build this on a budget but:

I have 3 rigs, each of them with different processors.

1. P 3.4 HT: fast as lightning, produced a lot of heat = noise and had to put a Zalman cpu fan on it.

2. Celeron 3.06: Does the job without producing much heat and it is pretty fast.

3. Celeron 2.66. Awfull. Slow and produces a lot of heat (small cheap case doesn´t help)

My point: I would go for a cpu as fast as you can afford. Dual P 3.4 or so. You would pay about $40.00 more but worth it. I am annoyed all the time about the slower performance of the lower cpu´s.

Eddy

[mattylees__]

Thanks for the reply Bella,

Do you think this AMD one is slow? Would you recommend the 2.8ghz Dual core over it then with an aftermarket cooler (when i can afford it)?

Something that would probably help absorb the cost of getting a better cpu would be to get a motherboard with integrated graphics, and upgrade it with a pci-e gfx card later...

I noticed that AMD (in the reviews) seems to process video compressing slower etc too, which prob isn't good for converting videos...

Whats your Thoughts ?

Thanks heaps, sorry for asking so many questions!

[bella]

Matty,

I do not have any experience at all with AMD but I read a lot on this site and do not think that the brand of cpu is going to make a lot of difference in processing video, otherwise you would have heard of it here.
I am a Pentium fan because they seem to be very reliable although they run a bit hot. Having said that, I saw the new E6300 at work at my friends place and it was running at 32 Celsius which is ideal for a HTCP but unfortunately I was far from impressed with the speed performance of this processor.

You could save some money by going for a PCI mobo and still get a cheapo videocard instead of going for a PCIe mobo and onboard video. I am running a 9250FX on my main rig and it works fantastic with the new ATI drivers.

[mattylees__]

hmmmm decisions!!! I have always been a pentium fan but just thought i might try other options here..

Really appreciate your help Bella. I may get the D 820 if someone can find me a motherboard with integrated graphics for a GOOD price, because i am not having much luck.

Don't any of the manufactures have a function on their site where u can search for onboard graphics or something cause i can't find any

[bella]

Matt,

Yeah, looking for a mobo is a long process. THis is what I did for building my first rig.

Went onto a parts suppliers website, Cnet Technology, MSY or whatever and looked up all the info on mobo´s in my price range.

[mattylees__]

Thanks for that, well after a bit of hunting around This one seems pretty good, and is vista certified...

http://www.asrock.com/product/ConRoe945G-DVI.htm