Posted on 04/19/2010 9:07:41 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Building your own computer can be very time consuming and rewarding at the same time. While piecing the new hardware together is usually a relatively easy task, picking out the right components in the first place is what can make it more troublesome (that's where our PC buying guide comes in handy - but please, read on).
The first component that must be decided upon before any build takes place is the processor, as this will dictate which motherboard can be used and often the memory type. As one of the more expensive components you must choose wisely, so think about the purpose of your build and budget. Popular CPU choices often range between $100 and $200, and surprisingly in this limited price range consumers will find a huge number of AMD and Intel offerings.
In this price bracket processors can be found operating between 2.66GHz and 3.40GHz, but the differences between these go well beyond mere frequencies. The number of cores also varies with dual-core, triple-core and even quad-core processors available within this range. Other factors play an important role as well, such as cache and the thermal design power rating.
With so many choices at your disposal, we understand it's hard not to become overwhelmed. Therefore we have taken a dozen processors priced within the $100 - $200 price range and pitted them against each other, so you can draw clear conclusions on what will suit you the best.
Keep in mind that not every processor family is being represented by its flagship model. Rather, we have taken what we feel is the best value processor for that particular series. For example, the Core i5 661 falls within our target with an asking price of $200, but instead we have gone with the Core i5 650 because we feel it is a better value option.
Towards the end of the testing phase we have also added a segment that compares all 12 processors on a clock-for-clock basis. This comparison of architectures aims to remove the operating frequency impact on performance and allows us to show you exactly how these CPUs perform side-by-side. This is particularly useful for overclockers, showing just how much difference in performance there might be between two particular processors once overclocked to a certain frequency.
Besides the processors themselves, we will be also taking under consideration the value and performance differences between the platforms used, so motherboards and chipsets will be factored into the whole equation. And now, let's meet the contenders both from the green and blue camps...
They are switching supplies, so your computer will never have “too much” power.
You can, however, waste lots of money buying a larger supply than you need.
The main factor is going to be your video card.
Typically a 500W supply would be adequate, unless you’re building a gaming rig with a very high end video card.
Definitely buy a quality brand. This is one component that you don’t want to get the cheapest one you can find.
DDR3 seems the way to go but what is up with the 1066, 1333 and 1600MHz numbers.
What are the numbers that look like slot machine results....CAS7-7-7-20 to CAS10-10-10-20.
Is the most highest limit of memory on a 32 bit machine 4g or 6g? And if so what happens if you put in more? Is it ignored?
One tip on power supplies.
As a general rule of thumb, if you have two power supplies of equal rating and price, you are better off going with the heavier of the two. It (usually) means heavier transformer, heat sinks, etc. and a better quality product.
If you find an 800W power supply that you can toss around like an empty box, it is not a deal, regardless of the price.
Highest limit on a 32 bit is 4GB. You can put in 4GB as that is usually 2 2GB sticks. 32 bit operating systems will usually report 3GB, but that’s another topic. Anything more the OS simply ignores it. You’re only wasting money and not hurting anything.
That 1066, 1333, and 1600 are the memory bus speeds. Your chip will tell you which one you need. Most chips will also allow you to use a lower memory speed but that results in less performance. My chip wants 1333MHz. Half of that is 667Mhz. So, I need memory rated at 667MHz. That is a little confusing but the basic memory approach is that using two memory sticks, or two banks of memory within one stick, the memory is interleave such that the first memory request comes from one stick and the next comes from the other, so the required speed of the memory stick is half of what your processor runs at. Memory is sold in stores as 1333 memory, but sometimes is stated as 667MHz memory. It is all in the packaging by the manufacturer, so look for both numbers and see what the packaging says.
The CAS numbers are timing numbers, and you shouldn’t need to ever look at those, unless you are doing some serious overclocking and actually know what you are doing and the vast majority doing that don’t.
Since this is your first build, I assume you won’t be over clocking, so go with the 1600MHz.
The other numbers are CAS latency and timing. Once again, not a concern.
If you are going with XP 32-bit, no need to buy more than 4 meg.
The processor you are looking at uses dual channel, so you’ll want to buy a pair of sticks, i.e. two 2meg sticks.
You absolutely rock.
I’m going put together a spec system and run it by you.
Thanks again. Will be in touch.
Good point on the naming conventions.
The DDR3 1600MHz is referred to as PC3 12800.
Might make it easier to find.
Ooops. Forgot about that. They sure don’t make buying memory easy.
That maybe what is costs to make that extra chip. Lot’s of companies have gone broke pricing on the margin.
Intel Core i5 750 = $195 -- Without question this modestly clocked 2.66GHz quad-core processor is the most powerful product featured in this round-up. Whereas the Phenom II X4 processors carried a 6MB L3 cache, the Core i5 750 bumps this figure to an even larger 8MB L3 cache.BTW, is your system homebuilt, and regardless, did you overclock it?
Intel Sandy Bridge: Details of the next gen ( new sockets.......??)
Posting this on a system with MSI board with AM3 socket, DDR3 Ram AMD Phenom II 555 X2 black at 3.3 Ghz.
Couldn't get the extra cores to unlock so far.
New sockets mean the manufacturers can take the opportunity to update motherboard designs and... The first generation may have some bugs.
Ya poor guy. :’)
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