Pentium D Dual Core Versue Pentium Core Duo 2 E6300

[Fou-Lu]

So I've been given a hardware assignment on constructing 250 computers with a $250000 budget. Originally I chose the pentium d because of the huge price differential (requirements only stated a 2.5Ghz dual core processor), but after much squeezing around I've found I am significantly under budget.
This is where the Pentium D versus the Core Duo comes into play. Part of my assignment is to construct the necessary computers under or on my budget, but also to make myself look good to the company. Now, choosing the Core Duo would put me about $5000 under budget, which is pretty good. However, if I choose the pentium D chips, it puts me about $30 000 under budget which makes me look 600% better :)
My question is, for a business who's required software is only Windows Vista Ultimate and Office 2007, should I even bother going with the Core Duo? Or do you think that I should stick with my pentium D chips to look better? As well, the computers the mock company are currently working with are celeron 750Mhz 128 MB RAM 32MB Video computers - no matter which I choose they will be a significant improvement over the originals.
What do you think, should I sacrifice the performance to look good? This isn't for a real company btw, but I'm curious as to what the hardware techies here would choose and why.

[oracleguy]

Well first off, the Intel Core 2 Duo is the proper name, it doesn't have Pentium any place in the name.

As for which to use, the Pentium D chips run substantially hotter and consume more power than the Core 2 Duo chips. So potentially the Core 2 systems could run quieter since it will take less to keep them cool. Also to consider, the Pentium D chips are obsolete, the company might not want to buy all these new computers and have them be obsolete before they even open the box.

Additionally, a Pentium D 2.5Ghz CPU can't be compared to a 2.5Ghz Core 2 CPU. The Core 2 CPU can do more at a lower frequency than the Pentium D.

What I would choose? The Core 2 Duo processor.

[Fou-Lu]

Thanx oracleguy! I knew about the the hotter running temperature and about the comparison to the core 2, but I didn't even consider the out of date aspect of the processor. I was also a little concerned about the ability for the pentium D's ability to run the Vista ultimate as well.
Consider the obsolete-ness (is that a word, lol) of the processor, I'll definitly go for the E6300, as its combined core processing speed is 3.6 Ghz. The out of date processor will be harder to replace if anything goes wrong, which also adds a great debate for the reason to choose it over the pentium D, even though the the older chip will save almost 30 grand. Makes a good debate for the report ;)

Thanks again for your input mate!

[firepages]

If you were thinking of the Pentium D, then dual core AMD's would be cheaper & (IMO preferable) possibly 4200x2's a good choice, I am not sure of their clock speed off the top of my head though ... but that brings me to the 6300 , my 6400 is only 2.4Ghz clock speed so the 6300 would be less (1.8-2?) , & that does not match your given parameters.

Don't get me wrong as OracleGuy says they are 2 different beasts & I love my 6400 and it kicks pants out of the Pentium D's and my beloved AMD's x2 64's... but if they want to get technical the 6300 or 6400 are `too slow` ;)

[firepages]

hmmmm combined processing speed , it does not quite work that way, given a 3.4G Pentium 4 & a 3.4 Dual core Pentium D and the former will be (IME) faster for many uses, the dual core only in certain multi-tasking situations will show any improvement given enough memory and the right applications etc.

If for the purposes of the task in hand you can 'combine' that way then its cool, but 2 x 1Ghz CPU's do not make a 2Ghz system

[Fou-Lu]

o.O
Now you've gotten me a little confused.

Firstly, I'm an AMD fan myself, but my instructor has a strong bias towards using the Intel cpus. Granted this doesn't mean that I am required by any means to use an intel chip, I figure y'know, can't hurt to take they're point of view ;)

Now, this is the exact statement used in the requirements:
Dual core. At least 2.5 GHz. Must match motherboard slot/socket type.

The problem is, my total budget is $250 000 for 250 computers. With the E6700 pretty much the only processor comming in at the requested rating of 2.5Ghz, it is far out of my price range for a cpu (which must be less than about $250) with the purchase of all other components. This is why I figure the 2.5Ghz is the combined speed, and the E6300 is 2x1.86 Ghz.
I'm not a very strong hardware guy, and I know that its overall speed isn't really combined in this fashion, but its the only way I can logically determine how to even somewhat match the processing speed requested. On a side note, I do have the ability to change any requirements as long as I can back up my decision.
So what do you think firepages? Should I hit the E6300, or go with the obselecient Pentium D? I can't really change to an AMD anymore since I have almost perfectly balanced everything around using the LGA775 sockets, but I do have a little flexibility in the CPU still.

[oracleguy]

Well part of the problem with the assignment it sounds is that unless there is a specific reason, the frequency (in this case 2.5GHz) alone isn't a good way to determine which processor you need. Now days, you can vary the number of cores, the amount of cache, FSB speeds (like the Core 2's can run up to 1066MHz with the proper memory), etc.

In multi-threaded applications, typically two 1GHz CPUs will out preform a single 2GHz CPU but realize I'm speaking somewhat generally and there is several factors that play into that.

Perhaps you should ask your instructor for clarification on the processor requirement since he says it has to be dual core, maybe they mean it has to have a minimum of 2.5GHz combined processing power. But like I said rating CPUs on just frequency alone is a out of date method. Illustrated by the fact that both Intel and AMD use PR numbers now instead of the clock speed on their CPU names.

Hopefully I'm helping here and not making it more complicated.

[firepages]

Personally I would not touch the Pentium D at all, core2 if the budget is right else AMD x2.... but I am not building a gazillion machines~

(... & big words from someone who has just ordered a gigabyte 1RU barebones c/w Pentium D 3.4 ;) (lol I don't much like gigabyte either))

Anyway, if its Intel only, then I would agree with OracleGuy and go the 6300 if you can get that past your specifications issue.

[Fou-Lu]

Ok thanks for the help guys.
I'm going with the E6300 - I can debate for marks in my report ;)