Buying a new CPU

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[tcnjpirate]

Ok, so never having bought a new CPU, is there anything I need to be aware of as I go looking for one?  I know the stats I want it to have, so I've got that as a baseline, but is there anything I should stay away from?  Also, whats a decent price?

[Xtreview]

All Depend on your need.
what do u plan to use for system for : gaming , web surfing ,video encoding...
do u plan to overclock ?

For the moment intel core 2 duo is the king . u can buy low end processor and overclock it (then save money for better video card , or more memory ... ). Intel core duo start from 80 $ for (Pentium E2140 [dual core]) up to 1100 For QX 6800 [quad core].
so all will depend on your need ,

[tcnjpirate]

I intend to use the system for gaming.  What makes the Intel core 2 duos so much better?  Just faster or what?

[Xtreview]

well ;
when we taking about gaming , for the moment core 2 duo is the king.
Each Intel core 2 Duo MHz is equal to 1.2 - 1.4 Mhz AMD,
SO for 2400 MHz Core 2 DUO cpu u need to have 2400x1.3=3120 Mhz AMD processor .
This just theory and depend in application used but in average intel is always faster than AMD with the same frequency.
In addition core 2 duo overclock a lot higher than AMD cpu .
For example x3800+ should overclock to 2.8 -3.2 GHz range while Core 2 duo E4300 in most case overclock to 3 - 3.4 GHz . .here is a review with core 2 duo E4300 , AMD x2 4400 and old intel D935 :CORE 2 DUO E4300 VS PENTIUM D935 REVIEW BENCHMARK AND OVERCLOCK.


Finally core 2 duo heat less than AMD cpu and consume less power .

if u plan to buy Core 2 duo cpu wait for intel price drop and Get the 1333 Mhz version .

[Taggart]

Do you have to go in and change settings when you upgrade a CPU, or is it like "plug and play" where the new one's recognized?

[Xtreview]

YOU have to choose a compatible with your motherboard CPU.
Lets say that you have an AMD socket 939 board you can't place there an intel core 2 duo (socket LGA 775).
IF you just update the CPU , (example from 2800 +  to 3800+) then there is no need to reinstall anythings , except in rare case (under Linux) if u update from single to dual processor u have to recompile the kernel

[nangel78]

I prefer building my own PC rather than buying a new one.

[saurabh_batra1]

hi
i too have heard a lot about intel duo processor and its advanced feature but currently i am having pentium 4.so, have no experience on duo processor.

[Xtreview]

All are more than sample when we compare core 2 Duo to OLD P4 .
1000 Mhz Core 2 DUO >= 2000 Mhz Old P4 .

That's ALL 

[sanjay]

well i feel that you should go for overclocking and a very good video card.The memory should also be big enough to match your requirement.good luck.

[cirereyes]

I wouldn't advice over clocking. I've tried that, I was able to use it for 5 years and after that the chip was burned. These days there?s no need for that, just get a dual core processor and that's it.

[Xtreview]

Who need a processor for over 5 years   .
Five years ago (High end processor) was intel P3 (600-800-1000 Mhz) , Why do I need this P3 to live in any more ? .
Such processor is very outdated and ultra slow now .

[cirereyes]

I was referring to my old AMD at 2 GHz. Well I was hoping I can save it as a backup pc. What's wrong with having an old pc anyway? I?ll just use it for backup.

[Xtreview]

For back up , this processor is pretty enough . I meant for daily use .

[princee18]

i also suggest to go for a processor with great overclocking potential.and in my opinion intel core 2 duo is the best.Never think about AMD processors.