The dark side

[dockerthedog]

I am an die hard AMD fan boy. After reading many GREAT reviews on the new Intel stuff, I am debating making the switch back to the dark side. I am running an AMD X2 4800 now, with an 8800gtx. I am looking at getting an e6600. Think I'll see much improvement? Man, I am torn!!!! ddr2 800 or 1066? I do plan on OC'ing as far as i can.

 

[wee96]

lol he's calling Intel the dark side

 

[WarriorX]

Yes you will see an improvement if you oc.

 

[Riddlinkidstoner]

Yep...as much as I am a fanb0i of AMD, Conroe will rock your OC world

 

[vanilla_guerilla]

with your rig and the 8800gtx you will not show big improvement even after overclocking. at least in games. my terciary system is a dfi ultra-d with a 3800X2 @ 2800mhz with 2gb g.skill hz. with a 7900gto in it there is almost no difference between it and my system in sig with 1 gto. at least not enough difference to make up for the $900 it cost to go to c2d last august. unless you are really bored with your pc, and feel like upgrading (happens to me all the time) dont bother.

 

[Flak_Monkey]

From what I gather, you will only see a significant improvement (read: worth the cost and time of switching over) if you're encoding videos, ripping songs, or unzipping files or any other heavy application all the time.

If you're a gamer who occasionally does these things, don't switch unless you have money to burn.

I myself am in the same situation as you, I got caught up in conroes 4MB's of L2 and how much they overclock but forgot that I have an Opteron 165 @ 2.8Ghz that rocks games like no tomorrow.

I'm thinking later on when AMD comes out with their K8L and Quadcores are becoming the mainstream will I do a system upgrade. Because DDR-2 is going to become obsolete fast with DDR-3 coming out imo.

 

[wtburnette]

Well, my E6400 running stock gives me more fps in the built in FEAR benchmark over my 4400+ @ 2.4Ghz. I'm testing again to make sure I had the same settings and all, but my results were:

4400+
min 38
av 58
max 125

E6400
min 45
av 78
max 175

 

[vanilla_guerilla]

Well, my E6400 running stock gives me more fps in the built in FEAR benchmark over my 4400+ @ 2.4Ghz. I'm testing again to make sure I had the same settings and all, but my results were:

4400+
min 38
av 58
max 125

E6400
min 45
av 78
max 175

so if they were both run at the same vid settings, it looks like the difference would be unoticeable with humanoid eyes.

 

[dockerthedog]

The rig I am running now kicks a$$. Every game i run, i.e. farcry, oblivion, fear, hl2 are maxed out at 16 and 16 aa, af. they run great. the only game i have that doesn't run great since plopping in the 8800 is cod 1. it stutters horribly. i think it is a cioding prob or something. oh well. I am still thinking about upgrading, but i think i might wait. thanks guys, and girls, if any!

 

[este]

The rig I am running now kicks a$$ Every game i run, i.e. farcry, oblivion, fear, hl2 are maxed out at 16 and 16 aa, af. they run great.

Then why even consider upgrading ?

C2D is awesome for overclocking, I run a lot of solidworks and could use the extra speed, for normal gaming and whatnot you probably wont see a difference anyway so don't bother.

 

[NulloModo]

lol he's calling Intel the dark side

I was thinking the same thing, I always considered AMD to be the dark side .

As for personal benefits - as stated above, video work, 3D rendering, audio encoding, folding, anything CPU intensive you will see worthwhile improvements. Now, I am not sure how much better the 8800 series is over the 7900, but even with the 7900/x1950 GPUs, the CPU was the limiting factor, so for gaming only, if that is the only thing you do, I would say no. However, a quick Netflix subscription later (for back up purposes while you are renting the disk only of course) the C2D quickly proves its merit.

 

[xFlankerx]

lol he's calling Intel the dark side

Aren't they all, these days, lol. Its always the better product that ends up being the dark side for the fan*boy-crossovers.

 

[harpoon]

so if they were both run at the same vid settings, it looks like the difference would be unoticeable with humanoid eyes.

Actually, I'd say the difference in minimum framerates would be noticeable, but yeah, it won't be a huge difference either way.

 

[NulloModo]

Actually, I'd say the difference in minimum framerates would be noticeable, but yeah, it won't be a huge difference either way.

Not at all, the public science says 30 fps or so is the human normal, recent reviews of it have given it to up to 60, either way, that processor and gfx card will far exceed that.

 

[BrainEater]

-Use your aggressive feelings boy-

 

[dockerthedog]

Then why even consider upgrading ?

C2D is awesome for overclocking, I run a lot of solidworks and could use the extra speed, for normal gaming and whatnot you probably wont see a difference anyway so don't bother.

cause I am a hardware whore. I wnat the best. I am just not sure what the best is, from time to time. Usually, I have made up my mind when I come to a place like this, and am looking for either confirmation of my decision, or to be told, like I think I have, that I should wait. I WANT a C2D E6600, and can almost taste it, but I think I will wait and see. This, unfortunatly, is not what I want. My significant other has decreed that my unborn son (hopefully) or daughter (love her anyway ) (We found out today!) will take precedent over my upgrade addiction, unfortunatly. Maybe by the time I am done paying for disposable diapers and formula, I can get a rocking 16 core processor!!!

Thanks Homies! I'll try to post some little geek pics when he (sic) is here!!!

 

[dockerthedog]

However, a quick Netflix subscription later (for back up purposes while you are renting the disk only of course) the C2D quickly proves its merit.

I only "backup" movies I currently "own" Which includes alot of kiddie movies. see above post!!!!! Yes, I am very excited. I get to make an AMD geek!!!!!!! LOL

 

[dockerthedog]

I was thinking the same thing, I always considered AMD to be the dark side

No, you are mistaken. Intel is the darkside. Not AMD, we are the lightside!!! Though I must commend you for sticking with "them" though the "poor" performance time!!!