Need an Opinion on a Processor

My processor burnt itself out, so I am in the market for a new one. I have Intel's D915PBL board and memory and other junk, so I just need a processor. I am between two processors right now: P4 550 or P4 630...the 550 is 3.4 GHz and 1MB L2 Cache and the 630 is 3.0 GHz with 2MB L2 Cache and it is 64-bit compatible, whereas the 550 is not. I was going to go with the 630, but I noticed that it is less expensive on NewEgg...I'm not sure why, but what do you guys think. Is the 550 better? I know the higher price tag doesn't necessarily make it better, but what do you guys think?

Thanks,

~corndog

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116198
Intel P4 630

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116182
Intel P4 550

Links!

 

what do you do with your computer?

 

Gaming mostly, and the basics like word processing and internet. I also do a bit of graphic design.

 

the 630 is 400mhz less, but has 1mb more of on die cache.

 

While I'd personally suggest acquiring a new mother board, and an AMD processor...

Of the two, the 630, is probably the better value. While most software doesn't support 64 bit at this point, the next version of windows should, and this will save an upgrade later on. The extra meg of cache is nice as well.

 

Yeah, I've got three different computers, and this is the only one with an Intel . I would go for an AMD, but since I already have a decent mobo and graphics card and memory and all for this mobo, it would be more cost effective for me to just replace the processor.

 

i would also go with the 630, its probably also a better overclocker.. i was wonderin how u burnt out ur old cpu? was it amd or intel?

 

It was an Intel and the heatsink fan went out...I was playing Counterstrike: Source, and I'm not really sure what happened with it. I though that my computer would shut itself down if the processor heated up that much, but I don't know. I felt pretty dumb that I hadn't noticed the lack of noise from the heatsink fan, but I guess my subwoofer was too loud playing CS! Oh well, thats life. I just graduated so I got tons of money to spend

 

If its a retail processor, there's probably a good chance that it's still under warranty. I'm sure the fan breaking is covered under the 3-year warranty.

 

yeah, like wyatt said u might get it replaced, worth a shot.. i too am surprised to hear that an intel would just burn out, thought only amd do that

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/confused.gif Aren't we bias http://forums.majorgeeks.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif

 

Amd's have heat protection too just not as good as Intels,Intels is reportedly so good you can remove the heatsink during your fav game,the cpu will underclock itself,the game will slow down,then if you replace it you can finish your game.

Amd's on the other hand is only designed for a fan faliure,not for the heatsink falling off.Intel scores a point for me with that,now they just have to make them,faster,cooler and cheaper.lol