CPU Round-up: $100 - $200 Intel and AMD Processors Tested

Techspot ^ | April 19, 2010 | Steven Walton

[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...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Regarding the ASUS Board at #28:

Core Unlocker – Turn on True Core Performance

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another article on the next AMD processor:

AMD Phenom II X6 “Thuban” Processors to Get Dynamic Speed Boost Technology.

And

AMD Plans to Launch Five Six-Core Desktop Microprocessors. in 2010

**************************************************EXCERPT****************************************

Forthcoming Desktop Microprocessors from AMD
Model	Code-name	No. of cores	Cache	TDP	Platform	Availability
Phenom II X6 1075T	Thuban	6	9MB	125W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1055T	Thuban	6	9MB	125W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1055T	Thuban	6	9MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 1035T	Thuban	6	9MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X4 960T	Zosma	4	8MB	95W	AM3	Q2 2010
Phenom II X6 10xxT	Thuban	6	9MB	?	AM3	Q3 2010

Considering that AMD plans to implement dynamic acceleration technology that can accelerate certain cores when they are needed while slowing down the unneeded cores to maintain the TDP, it should be noted that AMD Phenom II X6 1055T with 95W TDP and 1055T with 125W power envelope will show different performance levels as the latter will be able to accelerate itself to higher frequencies in case of single-threaded, dual-threaded or triple-threaded applications.

*********************************************

I want that 9m cache.....I am convinced that really helps with Web browsing....

[Billthedrill]

Wow - it comes, it goes, and this swing of the pendulum means that home-builts are cost-effective once again. W00t!

I'm gonna git me an EISA motherboard with a 512-MB hard drive and this time I'm laying down the money for a math co-processor. You guys are gonna be soooo jealous...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ROFL....Rip van Winkle ...is that you?

Someone is gonna ask you .... what is a mathcoprocessor....???

[Billthedrill]

Well, heck - it’s that socket next to the place where you solder in the Turbo button. I’m not gonna drop the bucks for one o’ them fancy-dan new mobos with jumpers on it. Kids these days.

[mad_as_he$$]

With the facility costing $2 billion to build? Don’t think so.

[ColdWater]

Let me tell you a little secret that Intel and AMD do not want people to know. The truth is the actual cost (once everything is set up which it is) to make a chip is about 3 to 4 cents (now this was in 2000). Trust me I know someone on the inside that broke it down for me. I was shocked. I don’t believe the actual cost has gone up to much 10 cents at the most. 99% of the people DO NOT know this. I can see why...

Wow! Why don't you start making chips and selling them for $1 each! You could make a fortune!

[dangerdoc]

Keep in mind that the i5 is only a dual core chip. The i7 has the same processing enhancements with twice as many cores.

I am a very satisfied customer.

[dangerdoc]

I had an 80387.

[mowowie]

I’ve been keeping my eye on a few math co-processors on a couple of message boards for quite some time now.

Soon one will be mine!

[Billthedrill]

We used to show a parts bin to applicants for technicians’ positions and ask them “what is this?” I thought it was kinda mean but it turned out to be the favorite part of the job interview. “Wow! Lookit this! It’s a floppy disk cable!”

[longtermmemmory]

does a four core amd work in a dual core socket?

[dangerdoc]

I have the equivelent in my basement. My wife wants me to throw the whole mess away. But, you never know when you may need a hand made parallel printer cable.

[longtermmemmory]

REMEMBER when they used to buy chips for the gold plated pin connectors?

[TexasRepublic]

Real men know how to set jumpers, dip switches, and juggle hardware interrupts. Plug ‘n Pray took all the fun out of it.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

ROFL!

How does the socket know?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Just came across this:

Phenom II X6 1090T BE benched

******************EXCERPT**************************

The bottom line is that the Phenom II X6 1090T sounds like a sweet deal for video editing and 3D, but it's pointless for gamers.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

X6 bench

[TexasTransplant]

**** I had an 80387 *****

I still do! And it still works and I save my plastic bread sacks too.

TT

[dangerdoc]

“Real men know how to set jumpers, dip switches, and juggle hardware interrupts. Plug ‘n Pray took all the fun out of it.”

Hardware interrupts were my nemesis.