Comparing processors and systems

[kaitco]

I am trying to buy a new computer, but am having trouble comparing processors and comparing systems in general. Below I have listed the specs for the two computers I am currently considering. Both are Dells and they are only $1.00 apart in price, but I am not sure which is the better computer. I have put in bold the differences that concern me most and emphasized the most concerning.

Studio Mini-Tower
Intel® Core™ 2 Quad Q8300 (4MB L2, 2.5GHz, 1333FSB)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Memory: 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz- 4DIMMs
Keyboard: Dell Consumer Multimedia Keyboard and Laser Mouse
Video Cards: Integrated Intel® GMA X4500HD Graphics
Hard Drive: 500GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Floppy Drive and Media Reader: Integrated 16-in-1 Media Card Reader
Mouse: Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Adobe Software: Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
Optical Drive: 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Sound Card: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Speakers: No Speaker Option
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed): No Productivity software pre-installed
Security Software: No Security


Inspiron 546 MT
AMD Athlon™ II X4 620 (2.6GHz, 2MB)
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
Memory: 6GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz - 4 DIMMs
Keyboard: Dell Consumer Entry USB Keyboard and Mouse
Video Cards: ATI Radeon HD 4350 512MB
Hard Drives: 640GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
Media Card Reader: No Floppy Drive or Media Card Reader Included
Mouse: Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Adobe Software: Adobe® Reader 9.0
Optical Drives: 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
Sound Card: Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio
Speakers: Dell AX210 1.2 Watt 2.0 Stereo Speakers
Microsoft Works and Office: No Productivity Software Requested
Security Software: McAfee SecurityCenter, 15-Months

From what I have read, the AMD is a better (i.e.: faster) processor than Intel, but I am not sure that the particular processors given are fully comparable. The video cards are not of too much concern because I will not be playing a lot of games or anything.

I am leaning towards the second system since it has more RAM, comes with speakers and also has a bigger hard drive, but if I'm reading the specs right (though, I doubt I am), the second does not include a media card reader, which means I will not have access to any USB ports. Adding the "19-in-1" media card reader only adds another $20 to the second system, which I do not mind spending if it truly is the better "deal" of the two. The Dell site says I am "saving" over $200 with the second system, but I am not sure if the savings is in more RAM and a bigger hard drive at the expense of a better processor. On the other hand, I have no idea if a better (faster) processor is worth having with less RAM.

Can anyone give me any suggestions as to which is the better computer, or simply if the two processors are actually comparable?

Many thanks!

[AlexV]

When I bought my system a couple of months ago, I've been told that Intel was still better than AMD for multi-core CPUs. At that time I've opted for a Core 2 Quad like the first system.

I'm still thinking that Intel® Core™ 2 Quad > AMD Athlon™ II X4.

CPUs cost more to upgrade than RAM, and 4 GB of RAM is enough (unless you use complex software like audio/video/image processing ones under heavy load).

the second does not include a media card reader, which means I will not have access to any USB ports

I highly doubt that ANY motherboard on the market don't have any USB ports. Every computer in the last 10+ years that I saw had USB ports.

[TheShaner]

From what I have read, the AMD is a better (i.e.: faster) processor than Intel, but I am not sure that the particular processors given are fully comparable.
When I bought my system a couple of months ago, I've been told that Intel was still better than AMD for multi-core CPUs. At that time I've opted for a Core 2 Quad like the first system.
I agree with Wolf. I believe Intel is the leader when it comes to multi-core processors. The other thing to note is that the Intel has a 4MB L2 Cache, while the AMD only has 2MB. So expect better performance from the Intel CPU.

the second does not include a media card reader, which means I will not have access to any USB ports.
I think you are misunderstanding what a media card reader is. A media card reader is a drive that will read cards like the SD memory cards your digital camera uses. If you've ever been to a store that allows you to pop in your memory card in order to print your digital pictures, that drive that you put it in was a media card reader. You WILL have USB ports on both computers, as all motherboards do. All keyboards, mice, and most other peripherals these days ALL use USB. So without a media card reader on your computer, you'll just use a USB cable for your digital camera to upload pics. That media card reader also double as a floppy drive, and if you don't know what a floppy drive is, then you don't need it, haha. They're for 3.5" floppy disks that only hold 1.44MB on them and were pre-CD-ROMs.

So yes, your second computer has more RAM (which you most likely won't ever utilize unless you're rendering 3D images, playing memory-intensive video games, or multitasking memory-hogging programs), a larger HDD, and speakers (which are very small output speakers at 1.2 watt), but it also has a slightly better video card. However, the first computer has a much better processor, better mouse (laser), and support for 7.1 surround sound. But again, it all depends on your needs. Most people are happy with 5.1 surround sound or won't even utilize surround sound on their computer. If they're comparable in price, it all depends on what is more important:

Computer 1
-----------
Faster Processor
7.1 Surround Sound
Media Card Reader
Laser Mouse

Computer 2
-----------
Better video card
More RAM
Larger HDD
Basic Speakers

-Shane

[oracleguy]

As the others have indicated, the Intel Core series is better than the AMD offering right now. (It changes once in a while, before the Core series, AMD had superior processors) And the Intel processor has a bigger cache (4MB versus 2MB) which is better.

And Shane is correct about the card readers though not all of them have a floppy drive built into them. Some do, some don't. But the card readers are nice to have.

The first computer doesn't come with speakers but I'd personally not get the Dell speakers and just speakers on your own, they'll be better.

[kaitco]

Okay, excellent! I have a hard time understanding the differences between processors because I rarely deal with hardware, but I would not have imagined that Intel>AMD as far as these processors went.

I truly had no idea what the "media card reader" was, so that will definitely help me decide. I had also wondered about the 4MB versus 2MB cache, so I am glad I asked.

Thank you all!