The Processor Dual

[leehop71]

Thanks to the advice here, I got a Kingston 120G for $54.00 at Tigerdirect and it is amazing, to say the least.

My next quest is the processor.

I am NOT a gamer, I do not do any video editing, just watch streams online, I don't do a lot of multitasking, mainly browse, email, invoices and paperwork, faxing (I have a small business), etc.

I definitely want to get a quad core, and my question is, with what I've described, wouldn't an AMD suit my needs quite nicely, as opposed to paying out the extra money for Intel?

Thanks in advance.

 

[matts6887]

Well; to be honest; Ive always thought Intel processors are better quality. Some of my dad's friends have bought computers with amd processors in the past and have had issues with them. Dont know what those issues were; but thats just one of the reasons if it were me i would stick with Intel. From what it sounds like; you would be good with a Intel I5 processor. But if you really want to pay less for not as good quality thats up to you. Im just saying i think intel is better in the long run.

 

[LMiller7]

I would question the benefits of upgrading to a quad core CPU. More cores won't help much unless the software you are using can benefit from them. The software mentioned doesn't likely to do so.

There are many opinions regarding Intel and AMD. Each side has strong and vocal supporters but not all reasons given are rational.

Be aware that Intel and AMD CPUs are not interchangeable. You must use whichever your motherboard is designed for.

 

[whs]

1. Given your application scenario, I see no reason for you to upgrade the CPU

2. For what you are doing, a quad may be slower than a fast duo core. Matter of GHz

3. You can only upgrade what fits into the socket on your mobo and the Wattage must be the same. Especially AMDs have a wide spread of Wattage. You cannot put a 100 Watt CPU on a 65 Watt mobo.

 

[Berton]

Be aware that Intel and AMD CPUs are not interchangeable. You must use whichever your motherboard is designed for

Yep, the interchangeability of Intel and AMD CPUs diverged back in the latter half of the '90s. As I recall, before that the two brands of 80486 CPUs could be used in the same socket with quite a few jumper settings to set them up. Because Intel wasn't allowed to trademark 80586/586 [can't trademark a number by itself] they named their new CPUs as Pentium.

 

[Layback Bear]

Could you complete this tutorial by Brink so we know what you have now?

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

 

[leehop71]

I'm sorry all, I would be purchasing a new pc. We've never had a new one, and the wife would like one.

What I currently have is an old refurbished HP.

Kingston 120G SSD
4G RAM
Windows 7 Pro
Pentium 4 3.4ghz

 

[whs]

Well, if you buy a new PC, you have all the options. But I would not go overboard. None of the applications you listed need a lot of CPU power. The 3.4GHz Pentium you have right now is probably doing a good job. If you get e.g. a 1.8GHz quad core, you would probably be disappointed regarding performance.

Recently they were selling laptops with AMD A8s for reasonable prices. That is a good quad - combined with a SSD it should give you what you want.

Else you can go for an Intel i5. That is more expensive but not really any better - see here.

I recently got this one on sale for $400. Nice 17" laptop. I will add the SSD in the CD-Rom slot. I am still looking for a caddy that fits.

 

[leehop71]

Well, if you buy a new PC, you have all the options. But I would not go overboard. None of the applications you listed need a lot of CPU power. The 3.4GHz Pentium you have right now is probably doing a good job. If you get e.g. a 1.8GHz quad core, you would probably be disappointed regarding performance.

Recently they were selling laptops with AMD A8s for reasonable prices. That is a good quad - combined with a SSD it should give you what you want.

Else you can go for an Intel i5. That is more expensive but not really any better - see here.

I recently got this one on sale for $400. Nice 17" laptop. I will add the SSD in the CD-Rom slot. I am still looking for a caddy that fits.

My wife just wants a new one, because she's never had a new one, all refurbished, or used.

I would be taking the HD out of the new one, and putting it in my HP, selling the HP locally.

I would take the Kingston from the HP, put it in the new PC.

Since I have a Pentium 4 3.4ghz and 4G of RAM, I really see no need for extra RAM, but I'd like to get a newer processor. I'm thinking a dual core AMD, since it is consensus that I wouldn't benefit from a quad core with what she does on this pc, or maybe an Intel i3?

 

[whs]

What about this one. For $356 it is a pretty good deal.

Amazon.com : Toshiba Satellite C55D-B5351 15.6-Inch Laptop : Computers & Accessories

The A8 would be a lot better than an i3.

 

[leehop71]

What about this one. For $356 it is a pretty good deal.

Amazon.com : Toshiba Satellite C55D-B5351 15.6-Inch Laptop : Computers & Accessories

The A8 would be a lot better than an i3.

Desktop not laptop. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

 

[leehop71]

So, going with a dual core, upgrading from a Pentium 4, any suggestions what I should go with?

 

[whs]

For desktops I would study the Sunday ads. They do not offer too many reasonably priced desktops these days.

 

[whs]

So, going with a dual core, upgrading from a Pentium 4, any suggestions what I should go with?

I was just browsing Office Depot and Best Buy. There is nothing at reasonable prices ($300 to $450) that I can recommend. A desktop is best if you build it yourself.

 

[leehop71]

So, going with a dual core, upgrading from a Pentium 4, any suggestions what I should go with?

I was just browsing Office Depot and Best Buy. There is nothing at reasonable prices ($300 to $450) that I can recommend. A desktop is best if you build it yourself.

Our Tiger Direct store here has incredible deals and prices until Christmas.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You should be able to get a decent machine with a dual-core Intel i-3 rated at over 3.0 GHz.

What's your budget? I assume you do NOT need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard?

Do you want Windows 7?

Have you or the wife ever looked at Windows 8?

Let me know your budget and I'll look around online.

Nothing at all wrong with AMD, but you can get pretty stout Intel dual core i3 processors for $100 or so and they are competitive with AMD.

A step lower would be a PC with Intel Pentium "G" series processors, such as G3240 or G3258. Competitive with AMD at that price point. Perfectly adequate for your purposes.

 

[leehop71]

You should be able to get a decent machine with a dual-core Intel i-3 rated at over 3.0 GHz.

What's your budget? I assume you do NOT need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard?

Do you want Windows 7?

Have you or the wife ever looked at Windows 8?

Let me know your budget and I'll look around online.

Nothing at all wrong with AMD, but you can get pretty stout Intel dual core i3 processors for $100 or so and they are competitive with AMD.

A step lower would be a PC with Intel Pentium "G" series processors, such as G3240 or G3258. Competitive with AMD at that price point. Perfectly adequate for your purposes.

Just need the tower.

OS doesn't matter because I will swap the Kingston SSD in my HP with the HDD in the new one, and sell the HP with the new HDD locally.

Budget would be $500.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com

above is suitable Dells up to 500

Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com

above is all brands up to 500; all are i3 Intel, some dual core, some quad core.

Which brand you should buy is hard to say as the PCs themselves are largely generic commodities.

Expect to go through some form of hell if you ever need to contact customer service from any brand.

I'd probably lean to Dell or Asus. I'd avoid Acer. HP I dunno.

Pick out a couple that tentatively look OK and I'll try to delineate the differences.

Or you can just do a "compare" right there at New Egg by checking boxes.

 

[leehop71]

Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com

above is suitable Dells up to 500

Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com

above is all brands up to 500; all are i3 Intel, some dual core, some quad core.

Which brand you should buy is hard to say as the PCs themselves are largely generic commodities.

Expect to go through some form of hell if you ever need to contact customer service from any brand.

I'd probably lean to Dell or Asus. I'd avoid Acer. HP I dunno.

Pick out a couple that tentatively look OK and I'll try to delineate the differences.

Or you can just do a "compare" right there at New Egg by checking boxes.

Thanks for the legwork ig, I'll take a look.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com

Above link is to Intel i-5 machines up to 500.

You don't need an i-5, but if it's in your budget you might consider one.

Some are refurbished.

Don't push the buy button on anything without further advice from someone.

I don't know what you might find at Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, etc.