P-4 2.8C vs. P-4 2.8E

[robrpb]

Hi,

My friend would like me to build a computer for him. He would like an intel chip. I saw on Newegg the P-4 2.8C Ghz with a 800 MHz FSB, with 512K cache for $181; and the P-4 2.8E, 1MB L2 cache for $192. Both are retail versions. What are your thoughts on these two chips? Any other suggestions? Thanks.

Rob

[lil Jimmie]

Read this (http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?threadid=92793) thread and try to forget the Prescott.

[yamahaSHO]

I've got the 2.80E.... Runs fairly warm, 50 degrees celcius... But I am pleased with it.

[lil Jimmie]

My only beef with the 2.8E is the temp, I run pretty heavy loads and it runs way too hot for my taste and while 50'C at mild use is alright I still think the 2.8C is a better deal because the 2.8C out performs the 2.8E in nearly all benchmarks so the extra cache is not a real gain.

[kram 2.0]

Prescott was far too much of a gamble for Intel. I would say that you might be better off getting the Intel P4 2.8 C.

Let's just say this - here is a brief summary. Do you know the difference btw the AMD and the Intel? Intel has longer pipeline architecture, but higher speed to compensate for that. That's how AMD has its equivelant speed at things like "2000+". More pipelines = more processes. AMD is also capable of running at far less FSB than Intel for the same reason. Also, AMD can run at speeds like 1.5 Ghz, where the Intel equivelant is around 2.6 Do you see the difference btw the two here? Now, you would think that the Intel chip has a disadvantage, compensated by Intel's advancements. Now, imagine that difference, or disadvantage, and apply it <i>even further</i>. Prescott has an even longer pipeline architecture, however, its capable of going up to speed with OC beyond 3.5 Ghz.


Hope that helps,
kram

[ric449]

Forget the Prescott, at least now anyway. Soon the Northwood core will be clocked at its maximum speed, and won't be able to go any further, thats when the prescott core will take over. The prescott's longer pipeline means it will be able to run at higher clock speeds than a northwood core. So my advice is wait for the northwood cores to reach their peak, then get a higher clock speed prescott if you want a real power processor. But if it is a 2.8GHz you want, definately keep away from prescott.

[yellohut]

go with the 2.8C, it outperforms the E in most benchmarks, and runs cooler.

[robrpb]

The main reason for the 2.8 is that the price for the chip is under $200. I'm sure my friend would spend more than that, but I was thinking that the 2.8 is a good choice for the money. The 3.0C jumps to $223 and the 3.2C is at $287. If you have any recommendations of a better processor please let me know. We plan to use an intel MB with it. He is not a gamer, but does some photo work. He does not have an intentions to OC.

My friend has bought 3 or 4 Dell's in the past and was happy with them, but the last one he purchased was with a 1.8 GHz chip and he has never been happy with it's performance. This is the reason for the new build. We have called Dell support in the past and their response was it was working fine. They also said he had too many programs running at startup. We told them nothing was added since the computer was shipped. They had us remove some of the files from the starup, but no difference. They were not very helpful. This was their overseas support. This left a bad taste in my friend's mouth and he will never buy another Dell.

[kram 2.0]

I understand what feeling you guys feel with those tech supports, and PC Mech forums is basically the <i>ultimate</i> tech support.

I would certainly go with the P4 2.8 C (northwood) and since your friend has no ambitions for OCing, Intel boards are a great choice.

Hope that helps,
kram


**And about the Dell, I think if its shipped wierdly, it might be falty parts, such as memory for that matter. I would check the amount of memory that is on there and make sure that is equivelant to what you've ordered.