[gentoo-user] new machine : CPU : AMD FX-4100 ?

[Philip Webb]

Thanks for all the comments so far: HTH other users.

I am struck by the huge difference in price between Intel/AMD :
at Canada Computers -- a very reliable store in my experience since 2000 --
Intel's price range is  CAD 200 - 240 ,
AMD's  CAD 130 - 180  with an outlier FX-8150 at  CAD 220 .
For  CAD 240 , I can buy an Intel i5-2550K, 4-core, 6 MB cache, 3,4 GHz ;
for  CAD 130 , an AMD FX-4100, 4-core, 8 MB cache, 3,6 GHz ;
both are  32 nm  & yes, I hear everyone saying that's irrelevant.
CC seems to have much higher demand for AMDs :
they have  c 3  Intels of each type in stock,  c 7  AMDs of each type
(they're a busy store, which moves stuff quickly).

I've looked at a few reviews, which reveal no special advantage for Intel.
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1766/1/ says :
"entry level; half an FX-8150; best price; AMD Power Manager noticed
the CPU was idle & put it in a low power state for power-saving;
able to run  <= 3,8 GHz  when  1 - 2  threads are being used,
but only  <= 3,7 GHz  if  3 - 4  threads are being used:
running  1  thread can goto  3,8 GHz ;
fully unlocked, so you can easily overclock it".
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+FX-4100+Quad-Core
shows FX-4100 as best value.  AMD says it's made in Germany.

Do I need  > 4 cores ?  i5-2550K & FX-4100 both use  95 W
(some of the more costly AMDs use  125 W ).

I lean towards the FX-4100 : does anyone have further advice ?

Also, some comments implied that Intels have a built-in GPU :
if so, would that save the cost of a graphics card ?
how would it compare to an Nvidia card ?  how reliable are the drivers ?

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