CPU/Mobo Intel Dual Core E5500 -vs- AMD Athlon X2 245 Regor - Which to pick?

L

lazygarfield

Contributor
Hello people,

As I stated in the thread title, I have to choose between these two processors. Given my price range (6K minus bare-bones MoBo), these 2 models seem to be the only viable processors available.

I watch HD movies and play games (not Crysis or Far Cry levels, but Avatar and Wolverine levels :P) on a 720p screen and need a processor for that purposes. So, out of these 2, which one should I pick?
 
I would suggest go for the AMD Athlon X2 245 (just bought it for a friend on Monday Oct 4th). this one paired with a DDR3 AM3 motherboard (Gigabyte GA-MA74GMT-S2 - 2600) will keep your upgradability options open.

with intel dual core you'll have to stick to the old DDR2 ram and G31 chipset and old PCIe 1.0.
 
But the RAM I have right now (2x1GB chips) is DDR2. I'll have to buy new RAM too if I but that DDR3 MoBo? Or will it support my old chips too? And if I buy new RAM, how much will it increase the budget by? Can't afford to overshoot 6K by much :(
 
It will support ur DDRII RAM. So i would suggest the following
AMD AthlonII X2 245 ~ 2.75k/ AMD AthlonII X3 435 ~ 3.5k
Biostar A780L ~ 2.5k

This would make excellent VFM for u :)

Another possiblility is selling ur 2GB DDRII RAM for 1.2k-1.5k and going for a DDRIII mobo like the Gigabyte GA-MA74GMT-S2/ Biostar A780L3 ~ 2.6k
You can get a single stick 2GB Kingston DDRIII RAM ~ 2k so that u can add 2GB more in future if needed.

So
AMD AthlonII X2 245 ~ 2.75k
Gigabyte GA-MA74GMT-S2/ Biostar A780L3 ~ 2.6k
2GB Kingston 1333MHz DDRIII RAM ~ 2k

Total: 7.35k (~6k after selling ur 2*1GB DDRII RAM)
 
Ok. I checked with Prime ABGB and Lynx-India and Delta Page... neither of them has the Athlon II X3 435. Here are the packages I am getting from each:

Lynx-India, Package 1

Processor: E5500 3300/-

MoBo: MSI G31TM-P21 2200/-

Lynx-India, Package 2

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245

MoBo: ASUS M2N68AM PLUS

Total price: Rs. 5000 + 4%

Prime ABGB

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245

MoBo: Gigabyte M68MS2P

Total price: 5000

Delta Page

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245 2750/-

MoBo: ASUS M2N68AM PLUS

I have to mail him, and ask for total pricing (likely to be less na?) and the person on the phone also said that they could suggest alternatives if I mailed them the price range and these model numbers.

And Lynx-India says the X3 435 isn't available with the national distributor itself, so they can't even get it within a few days. Now, which one to pick?

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

I'm from Nagpur.

TheITWares hasn't replied yet. Says he is very busy.
 
lazygarfield said:
Ok. I checked with Prime ABGB and Lynx-India and Delta Page... neither of them has the Athlon II X3 435. Here are the packages I am getting from each:

Lynx-India, Package 1

Processor: E5500 3300/-

MoBo: MSI G31TM-P21 2200/-

Lynx-India, Package 2

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245

MoBo: ASUS M2N68AM PLUS

Total price: Rs. 5000 + 4%

Prime ABGB

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245

MoBo: Gigabyte M68MS2P

Total price: 5000

Delta Page

Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 245 2750/-

MoBo: ASUS M2N68AM PLUS

I have to mail him, and ask for total pricing (likely to be less na?) and the person on the phone also said that they could suggest alternatives if I mailed them the price range and these model numbers.

And Lynx-India says the X3 435 isn't available with the national distributor itself, so they can't even get it within a few days. Now, which one to pick?

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

I'm from Nagpur.

TheITWares hasn't replied yet. Says he is very busy.
Click to expand...
E5500 ------3150/- local price.

MSI G31TM-P21 2000~2050

Total 5100-5250 on an EOL LGA 775 socket platform with DDR2 memory.

AMD Athlon II X2 245--2700-2800

ASUS M2N68AM PLUS --2050-2100 (Avoid M2N68AM board, get Biostar A780L as suggested by DarkAngel)

Total--4750~4900, latest AM3 CPU support (65W-95W maximum) inbuilt DDR2/DDR3 memory controller in X2 245.

Any compatible board with X2 245 make more sense over LGA 775 E5500.
 
Ok. Thanks a lot. It's confirmed then. I'll get the AMD Athlon X2 II 245 (what about 250 tho? Should I get that?) and the Biostar A780L motherboard. But from where?

The "local" prices you have suggested would hardly apply to me since I live in Nagpur and it is VERY hard to get good range (and at reasonable price) here. I am forced to order online from any of the above-mentioned stores.... any suggestions?

--- Updated Post - Automerged ---

There is one problem guys... getting good support for Biostar is harder than for ASUS, atleast where I live.

1. Will that be a vital factor?

2. What is the warranty like for Biostar MoBos?

3. The Biostar A780L's specifications say it doesn't support DDR2 RAM at all. Which leads to point 4....

4. Also, how much of a difference will DDR3 RAM make, given my needs and usage habits (outline in the OP)?

5. Why are you guys against the ASUS model? How bad is it, compared to the Biostar model?

I know the questions seem like a handful, but please help me out here. I am closing out on a month-long ordeal with my PC, and don't want to screw it all up in the final step :-(
 
OP, Think twice before buy online, from local distributor/dealer you can buy same for little more & may be 1-2 weeks delaty if product not avail with him but also do not forget after sales service help, though local distributor (if kind heart & good reputed dealer) can help you lot if any ASS requires.

By local dealer I didn't mean the crap who sold products adding 15-20% more than market price & NEVER care to help.

Here on TE very horrible stories about ASUS After sales service so be careful.

HTH :)
 
You're right. There's a local dealer I know who's selling me all the AMD Athlon X2 245 at 200 more than the cheapest online offer (from Delta Page) and he's only offering the ASUS M2N68AM PLUS. He doesn't want to offer Biostar since he believes getting after-sales help for them is hard. Which is why, I'm asking if Biostar MoBos are prone to errors or are they very stable.

Thanks for the advice.
 
As DarkAngel suggest gigabyte doing quite well now days :)

Also if decide to buy online than be sure to get bill etc & choose those product whose service center is nearest to you.

I had very bad experience with Intel Mobo 5 yrs back, though dealer take care to send it for RMA to banglore, but in return Intel Service Center provide me different & heavy repaired mother board which not at all fit in cabinet.
 
I have asked PrimeABGB, TheITwares, Lynx-India and Delta Page about the Biostar A780L3 and the Gigabyte model suggested by DarkAngek. Let's see what they reply with.

And Biostar does have a service center in my city, it's just that it is farther away than the one of ASUS. And I don't know about Gigabyte's service center.
 
@OP..try insisting on msi 770 mobo as some member here had posted its available with prime for 2.7k..its a feature rich mobo...
 
Hey guys, I am going to make my purchase tomorrow morning from Prime ABGB in Mumbai (I live in Nagpur).

The only thing I wanna know is if I'll have to pay octroi on the package. I am ordering a Processor + MoBo + RAM which will cost me 7400 + 300 (shipping charges)

If I will have to pay octroi, then please indicate approximately how much it'll be.

PS - I have mailed Prime ABGB with this question too... but given the time, I don't expect a response right now :P
 
Back
Top