Q8300 + 2GB RAM vs E5300 + 4GB RAM

Question

Which of these is the better combination for a low budget PC? A Core 2 Quad Q8300 (2.5Ghz) + 2GB RAM or the Pentium Dual core (2.6Ghz) E5300 + 4GB RAM.

I am running a 64 bit OS. The computer will be mainly be used for programming, with a small amount of gaming. The games won't be brand new, but I would like to run them at a decent graphics level. One of my friends insists there is a huge benefit to the Core 2 Quad, but even going down to 2GB of RAM, it still is on the higher end of what I'm willing to spend.

Answer 1

Faster CPU - you can always upgrade memory at a later date for not much money where as upgrading a CPU is always a lot more trouble... Just buy a 2GB stick and not 2x1GB as then when you need it, it will be easier to get another 2GB stick (If you have 4x memory sockets, up to you!)

However, if you really do have a low budget, go with the lower cpu and more memory - at the end of the day, it is still fast! As for gaming, performance is mainly controlled by the graphics card and not the CPU - I have seen Celerons perform amazingly at high end games with a high end Nvidia card!

Answer 2

if your budget is limited, get the Dual Core Pentium with 4 GB RAM if you intent to run a 64-bit OS.

just check the mainboard specifications, the CPU might be upgradable if needed. as for you gaming requirements, that's first and foremost a matter of the graphics card you're using.

having said that, in another thread there was a discussion about this Lenovo IdeaCentre K230:

• Core 2 Quad Q8200(2.33GHz)
• 8GB DDR2
• 1TB HDD
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300 GE

for $550 ... a great bargain, you can hardly build the machine yourself for that money.