AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500

Schotzy · 05-21-2009, 03:13 PM

Hi. I am building a computer and I have most the parts picked out except for the CPU. I think my GPU will be a hd 4870. This computer will be primarily for gaming and some occasional video converting. I can't decide whether to go AMD or Intel for the processor. I see that the AMD phenom ii x4 940 black edition and the Intel Core 2 duo e8500 are the same price. I know that the Intel has a slightly higher clock speed than the AMD but the AMD has 4 cores, runs at 3 ghz and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. I would appreciate some advice about which one to pick. I don't have a preference for either company.
Also, I would spend up to $250 on a CPU so if anyone has a better suggestion I would appreciate it.
I live the US by the way.
thanks

**Tyree** · 05-21-2009, 03:17 PM

The Dual Core CPU would be a better choice for gaming.
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500; $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036

Dilemmachine · 05-21-2009, 05:51 PM

I just built a system with the 4870 and I asked the same question about the processors everyone said go with the E8500 and I love it. System works amazingly

~~blinkk~~ · 05-21-2009, 06:05 PM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674

Thats very very good. You will be happy with that one.

chowder_pants · 05-22-2009, 06:52 AM

if it going to be built for games, go with the 8500 no questions asked. Games on the market today are not designed to take advantage of 4 cores, nor will they in the near future. Game developers are working on converting games to consols, not taking advantage of quad cores.

You will be able to overclock the 8500 up to 4ghz without breaking a sweat.

Deafty · 05-22-2009, 06:59 AM

Yeah I agree I just finished my build. I took the 8400 though for cost. The rest of my pc is built for clocking and when the time comes I can buy a better CPU for less money,..least thats my plan anway,..

Schotzy · 05-22-2009, 08:10 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go with the e8500. It looks like Intel will outperform AMD for the forseeable future so I think it would be easier to upgrade in the future if I had an Intel now.

Thanks for the help

Tumbleweed36 · 05-22-2009, 08:31 AM

You won't regret that decision, the e8500 is an awesome CPU and for gaming and overclocking (if so inclined) certainly a dream processor. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

05-21-2009, 03:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Schotzy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 58 OS: xp	AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 Hi. I am building a computer and I have most the parts picked out except for the CPU. I think my GPU will be a hd 4870. This computer will be primarily for gaming and some occasional video converting. I can't decide whether to go AMD or Intel for the processor. I see that the AMD phenom ii x4 940 black edition and the Intel Core 2 duo e8500 are the same price. I know that the Intel has a slightly higher clock speed than the AMD but the AMD has 4 cores, runs at 3 ghz and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. I would appreciate some advice about which one to pick. I don't have a preference for either company. Also, I would spend up to $250 on a CPU so if anyone has a better suggestion I would appreciate it. I live the US by the way. thanks

05-21-2009, 03:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,781 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 The Dual Core CPU would be a better choice for gaming. Intel Core 2 Duo E8500; $190 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115036 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

05-21-2009, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dilemmachine Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 39 OS: XP 64-bit SP3 My System	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 I just built a system with the 4870 and I asked the same question about the processors everyone said go with the E8500 and I love it. System works amazingly

05-21-2009, 06:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~blinkk~~ Troubled Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 35 OS: Xp	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103674 Thats very very good. You will be happy with that one.

05-22-2009, 06:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
chowder_pants Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 172 OS: XP SP3 My System	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 if it going to be built for games, go with the 8500 no questions asked. Games on the market today are not designed to take advantage of 4 cores, nor will they in the near future. Game developers are working on converting games to consols, not taking advantage of quad cores. You will be able to overclock the 8500 up to 4ghz without breaking a sweat.

05-22-2009, 06:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Deafty Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NZ Posts: 72 OS: Xp x64 Sp2	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 Yeah I agree I just finished my build. I took the 8400 though for cost. The rest of my pc is built for clocking and when the time comes I can buy a better CPU for less money,..least thats my plan anway,..

05-22-2009, 08:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Schotzy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 58 OS: xp	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll go with the e8500. It looks like Intel will outperform AMD for the forseeable future so I think it would be easier to upgrade in the future if I had an Intel now. Thanks for the help

05-22-2009, 08:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,697 OS: XP Professional	Re: AMD x4 940 be or Intel e8500 You won't regret that decision, the e8500 is an awesome CPU and for gaming and overclocking (if so inclined) certainly a dream processor. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.