Should I get a Phenom II x6 or x2 in my new desktop?

Forums › Desktop computing › Should I get a Phenom II x6 or x2 in my new desktop?

1 | 2

Gringuito

21 posts

Geek

#434615 3-Feb-2011 06:59

If you haven't already bought a computer I suggest looking at Expert Infotech. Just bought a new computer with them:
AMD X4 3.4GHz with 8MB cache(total)
1TB HDD with 64MB cache, ATI HD6850
4GB DDR3 RAM
Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H motherboard
Thermaltake V3 Black Case (700W PSU and 2 case fans included).

Less that $1200.

Putting it together is not hard, just don't forget the thermal paste... I'm not a geek either and have almost finished putting it together. However, the tricky part comes when installing all the drivers and dealing with the BIOS. Trying to get my head around it at the moment...

Hope this helps

Paulthagerous

698 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#434618 3-Feb-2011 07:21

I agree with this:

hellonearthisman: In the future there will be better GFX cards than currently available, but in the same time period there will not be the same size leap in CPU power, so I would go with the lesser GFX card and get the 6x CPU. And in 18 months get a new top of the line card.

GFX cards get faster year by year than CPU's, they have a great Mores Law index.

I am currently running a AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8GHz in my PC (not sure what the Thurban part refefs to as I haven't seen that on/with my one) and a 5770. My experience in the past would definately suggest that a good CPU will last for games longer into the future than video cards, so my plan is to in the future upgrade the card/add another 5770 in crossfire. I bought mine almost a year ago, so was naturally more expensive than your set-up would be but for now the card is fine. In less than 2 years time there will be games that require a card thats not even on the market yet to get 'full' graphics!

gjm

808 posts

Ultimate Geek

#434631 3-Feb-2011 08:22

I would hold out for sandybridge to get its stuff sorted out if you can. Everything Ive read about these says that they seriously crank and spank. Having said that I already have a AMD X6 1055 as well and it certainly isnt slow and runs Battlefield Bad Company 2 (along with my ATI 4890) on hi without working up too much of a sweat.

Do surveys for Beer money (referral link) - Octopus Group

Link for buying beer (not affiliated, just like beer) - Good George

Mprezd

119 posts

Master Geek

#434652 3-Feb-2011 08:51

Gringuito: If you haven't already bought a computer I suggest looking at Expert Infotech. Just bought a new computer with them:
AMD X4 3.4GHz with 8MB cache(total)
1TB HDD with 64MB cache, ATI HD6850
4GB DDR3 RAM
Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H motherboard
Thermaltake V3 Black Case (700W PSU and 2 case fans included).

Less that $1200.

Putting it together is not hard, just don't forget the thermal paste... I'm not a geek either and have almost finished putting it together. However, the tricky part comes when installing all the drivers and dealing with the BIOS. Trying to get my head around it at the moment...

Hope this helps

I'm sorry to say expert infotech has a terrible reputation for after-sales service. I would definitely recommend paying extra and going with Computer Lounge and/or Playtech. And Computer Lounge are really open to matching prices

Also, to the OP. You still haven't really commented on what games you are playing (unless I missed it)

Lias

5589 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#434700 3-Feb-2011 10:35

Generally you should read the GPforums rating thread before dealing with any online retailer in NZ. Its generally considered the "definitive" rating of NZ computer retailers. Pricespy forums are worth checking too if in doubt.

http://www.gpforums.co.nz/thread/297771/?s=d60f19e96c6e89ff29558baa67ce1428

Expert Infotech is the worst rated computer store in NZ, Computer Lounge is the best. I know who I'd buy from.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup.

Xkcd

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#435017 3-Feb-2011 19:57

I'm going to wait for the i5-2500k, sounds like a beast of a processor, definitely value for money. Motherboard issue shouldn't affect me, I'd only have one dvd drive and one SATA HDD, but it comes out late february, hopefull fixed, anyway. As to games I would play, Company of Heroes, Dawn of War 2, Black Ops, Mass Effect 3 (Can't wait).

Mprezd

119 posts

Master Geek

#435070 3-Feb-2011 22:18

Xkcd: I'm going to wait for the i5-2500k, sounds like a beast of a processor, definitely value for money. Motherboard issue shouldn't affect me, I'd only have one dvd drive and one SATA HDD, but it comes out late february, hopefull fixed, anyway. As to games I would play, Company of Heroes, Dawn of War 2, Black Ops, Mass Effect 3 (Can't wait).

late Feb?

Lol, good luck with that one

You do realise it will take them AT LEAST 4 weeks just to sort the silicon.
and then board partners have to get it and turn it into motherboards
and then distribute them

Even 8 weeks is optimistic at this stage

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Xkcd

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#435257 4-Feb-2011 12:00

Yeah, the motherboards will be getting fixed slowly, but isn't the actual i5-2500k out on the 22nd of Feb or something, I think thats what it said on the intel website. And it only affects systems with 3+ SATA ports being used, which mine ought not to be.

Mprezd

119 posts

Master Geek

#435304 4-Feb-2011 13:21

Xkcd: Yeah, the motherboards will be getting fixed slowly, but isn't the actual i5-2500k out on the 22nd of Feb or something, I think thats what it said on the intel website. And it only affects systems with 3+ SATA ports being used, which mine ought not to be.

2500k has been out since SB release.
If you are only ever going to use 2 sata ports then use the sata 6gps ones and I understand you will be fine. But annoying if you need more later

PhillyG

42 posts

Geek

#436658 8-Feb-2011 08:04

Mprezd:
Xkcd: Unfortunately, I can only keep the X2 or go up to an X6. Would I be making a big sacrifice to get the X6 but downgrade the video card, say from an ATI 6870 to a 6850 or a 5770?

This depends on the games you are actually playing

Remember that the x2 555 has 2 dormant cores, so there is a good chance it will unlock to a quad core. It also normally overclocks quite well.

Just remember that pretty much any AM3 cpu should work in the upcoming AM3+ platform. Given Sandy Bridge has just released and bulldozer is just round the corner, I wouldn't be sinking too much into a new system

The 6870/6850 are far superior to the 5770. 256bit memory bandwidth and far more shader processors on the 68xx make sure of that. But again, depends on the games you play.

My mate just purchased the X2 555 and was only able to unlock 1 of the cores so looks like luck of the draw if you can unlock both. Saying that it's still good value getting 3 cores for the price of 2.

Mprezd

119 posts

Master Geek

#436662 8-Feb-2011 08:20

PhillyG: My mate just purchased the X2 555 and was only able to unlock 1 of the cores so looks like luck of the draw if you can unlock both. Saying that it's still good value getting 3 cores for the price of 2.

It can be board dependent to some degree - in that some boards aren't really tuned to do so. But I have built probably 15-20 of them and only had 1 or 2 that haven't unlocked.

I'm actually using an x4 635 at the moment with an hd5770 and I have no problems with most games.

1 | 2