Computer Advice

[Unoriginal Name]

I'm looking at a couple of computers and I'm not exactly sure which is better.

There is a computer with a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2.0 GHz) with a 2MB Level 2 Cache, 800 MHz Frontside bus and 2GB RAM upgradeable to 4GB.

The other computer is an AMD Athlon 64x2 5000+ (2.6 GHz) with 512 kb + 512 kb on die level 2, 2000 MHz system bus and 2GB RAM upgradeable to 4GB.

Which one would have faster performance? Which is the better computer to go with?

Also what would be the difference between an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Video Chipset with up to 224MB Shared memory and the NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE with up to 128MB shared?

Thanks for the help.

[kapo]

Re: Computer Advice

I'm looking at a couple of computers and I'm not exactly sure which is better.

There is a computer with a Intel Core 2 Duo Processor E4400 (2.0 GHz) with a 2MB Level 2 Cache, 800 MHz Frontside bus and 2GB RAM upgradeable to 4GB.

The other computer is an AMD Athlon 64x2 5000+ (2.6 GHz) with 512 kb + 512 kb on die level 2, 2000 MHz system bus and 2GB RAM upgradeable to 4GB.

Which one would have faster performance? Which is the better computer to go with?

The Core 2 Duo is the faster processor.

Also what would be the difference between an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 Video Chipset with up to 224MB Shared memory and the NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE with up to 128MB shared?

I've never even heard of that first thing, is that onboard video on a motherboard? The second video card is no good either today. You at the very least need a 7 or preferrably 8 series nvidia card (or the ati equivalent if you prefer them) if you plan on getting one of those processors above, otherwise you are just wasting money.

[Defel]

Re: Computer Advice

Yeah, the difference in those video chipsets is a non-issue since you won't be doing much with either.

[Unoriginal Name]

Re: Computer Advice

The Core 2 Duo is the faster processor.

What makes the Core 2 Duo faster? I guess I'm just getting confused because the GHz is higher for the AMD than the Intel.

I've never even heard of that first thing, is that onboard video on a motherboard? The second video card is no good either today. You at the very least need a 7 or preferrably 8 series nvidia card (or the ati equivalent if you prefer them) if you plan on getting one of those processors above, otherwise you are just wasting money.

It might be onboard because I just noticed it say that it also has a PCI-Express slot available for upgrade. When looking at video cards what do you look for? Is it better to have more or less shared memory?

Thanks again.

Edit: How good would a computer built with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor referenced in the first post perform? Is it something that would prove to be too slow in the near future or would it be ok for awhile?

[TheGamingChef]

Re: Computer Advice

I've been in the same boat as you man. Here's what I've seen: The Core 2 Duo is higher. The GHz is lower, but there's two separate processing units in the computer. It is better.

As for the video card, the GeForce is much better. You won't be able to play top-level games with it, but you won't be able to play ANY games with the integrated unit. A lot of games that aren't graphically challenging at all (Civ IV, The Sims) just won't run with integrated graphics.