Pentium D 915

[Blazing Bolt]

Ok I want to build a new PC on the cheap… I sold my opty 165 system a
few months back when I got into a pinch so now I need something better
than what I am running now.

I can’t really afford a full blown core 2 duo system at the moment… I
need 2 gigs of ram at least because I do a lot of multimedia work.I
found a mobo that supports Pentium D, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad.

What the opinions on a Pentium D?

I get a lot of mixed reviews on them. I have always been an AMD user
and have little experience with Intel. I was going to do a cheap AM2
system until I researched some Intel stuff.

Upgradeability is my main goal at this point and the quad core Intel’s
look like a good future path to take.

Do I really need a core 2 right now? Can a Pentium D perform well
enough to hold me over til future price drops?

I cant afford an upgrade now at all but I have to do something... I
just don't want to buy another PC that I am going to regret later...

How’s the 915 performance wise? Anyone have any experience with this
chip?


Thanks in advance…

 

[kony]

Ok I want to build a new PC on the cheap… I sold my opty 165 system a
few months back when I got into a pinch so now I need something better
than what I am running now.

I can’t really afford a full blown core 2 duo system at the moment… I
need 2 gigs of ram at least because I do a lot of multimedia work.I
found a mobo that supports Pentium D, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad.

What the opinions on a Pentium D?

I get a lot of mixed reviews on them. I have always been an AMD user
and have little experience with Intel. I was going to do a cheap AM2
system until I researched some Intel stuff.

Upgradeability is my main goal at this point and the quad core Intel’s
look like a good future path to take.

Do I really need a core 2 right now? Can a Pentium D perform well
enough to hold me over til future price drops?

I cant afford an upgrade now at all but I have to do something... I
just don't want to buy another PC that I am going to regret later...

How’s the 915 performance wise? Anyone have any experience with this
chip?


Thanks in advance…

Performance = money

Google = benchmarks

Any more questions?

 

[ElJerid]

Ok I want to build a new PC on the cheap. I sold my opty 165 system a
few months back when I got into a pinch so now I need something better
than what I am running now.

I can't really afford a full blown core 2 duo system at the moment. I
need 2 gigs of ram at least because I do a lot of multimedia work.I
found a mobo that supports Pentium D, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad.

What the opinions on a Pentium D?

I get a lot of mixed reviews on them. I have always been an AMD user
and have little experience with Intel. I was going to do a cheap AM2
system until I researched some Intel stuff.

Upgradeability is my main goal at this point and the quad core Intel's
look like a good future path to take.

Do I really need a core 2 right now? Can a Pentium D perform well
enough to hold me over til future price drops?

I cant afford an upgrade now at all but I have to do something... I
just don't want to buy another PC that I am going to regret later...

How's the 915 performance wise? Anyone have any experience with this
chip?


Thanks in advance.

There is not a single good reason why you still should by an "antique"
Pentium D !
It's super hungry in power and delivers a lot of heat, which will require a
lot of additional cooling.
You'd better spend your money for a Core 2 Duo; even the cheapest model will
run faster.

 

[Blazing Bolt]

Performance = money

As I said I am on a super tight budget so that why I am asking about
this CPU.

Google = benchmarks

Yeah I know I can google benchmarks but I was looking for some real
life experience with the CPU.

Any more questions?

Tons...

 

[Blazing Bolt]

There is not a single good reason why you still should by an "antique"
Pentium D !

People buy ANTIQUE CPU's all day.. Pentium 4's Amd socket 939

It's super hungry in power and delivers a lot of heat, which will require a
lot of additional cooling.

I have heard mixed stories about this as well. People who have the
Pentium D's that run cool say people just don't know how to put the
heat sink on the right way, While those people say it just runs hot.

Tempature is not an issue.. I'll keep it cool if it performs well
enough.

You'd better spend your money for a Core 2 Duo; even the cheapest model will
run faster.

If I had the extra money I would... I just don't have it now.. that's
why I was asking about the 915.

 

[ElJerid]

People buy ANTIQUE CPU's all day.. Pentium 4's Amd socket 939


I have heard mixed stories about this as well. People who have the
Pentium D's that run cool say people just don't know how to put the
heat sink on the right way, While those people say it just runs hot.

Tempature is not an issue.. I'll keep it cool if it performs well
enough.


If I had the extra money I would... I just don't have it now.. that's
why I was asking about the 915.

Don' t think this is the right approach. You will probably spent a large
part of the difference in price (between Pentium D and Core 2 Duo) in extra
cooling. If you really don' t have the money today, wait for a few months
until you have. I really believe it' s better to spent a liitle bit more $,
but avoid later regrets.

 

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

Ok I want to build a new PC on the cheap. I sold my opty 165 system a
few months back when I got into a pinch so now I need something better
than what I am running now.

I can't really afford a full blown core 2 duo system at the moment. I
need 2 gigs of ram at least because I do a lot of multimedia work.I
found a mobo that supports Pentium D, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad.

What the opinions on a Pentium D?

I get a lot of mixed reviews on them. I have always been an AMD user
and have little experience with Intel. I was going to do a cheap AM2
system until I researched some Intel stuff.

Upgradeability is my main goal at this point and the quad core Intel's
look like a good future path to take.

Do I really need a core 2 right now? Can a Pentium D perform well
enough to hold me over til future price drops?

I cant afford an upgrade now at all but I have to do something... I
just don't want to buy another PC that I am going to regret later...

How's the 915 performance wise? Anyone have any experience with this
chip?


Thanks in advance.

I'm running an Intel D930 (dual core) 3.0 GHz CPU in an Asrock 775 Dual-VSTA
motherboard. It's running as well as can be expected (I don't do games,
etc...). The maximum idle temperature is 45 C (it goes lower, at lower room
temperatures), and the maximum temperature is 55 C, at 100% CPU usage. I'm
using the stock heatsink/fan assembly, at less than the fan's maximum revs.
That CPU wouldn't run in an Asus P5P800 SE board (although the D805 did).
I would _make sure_ that your own motherboard is compatible, before buying
the D915.
What motherboard have you bought? I'm curious.

Sylvain.

 

[NuQ]

Don' t think this is the right approach. You will probably spent a large
part of the difference in price (between Pentium D and Core 2 Duo) in extra
cooling.

At Newegg, Pent D retail w/ HS & fan is $107.
Pent Core 2 E4300 retail w/ HS & Fan is $179.

Saving $79. Not much IMO, but if he doesn't have the $79, it's a lot.

If you really don' t have the money today, wait for a few months

until you have. I really believe it' s better to spent a liitle bit more $,
but avoid later regrets.

I agree, wait for another pay check or 2 to come in and spend the extra $79.

 

[Blazing Bolt]

I'm running an Intel D930 (dual core) 3.0 GHz CPU in an Asrock 775 Dual-VSTA
motherboard. It's running as well as can be expected (I don't do games,
etc...). The maximum idle temperature is 45 C (it goes lower, at lower room
temperatures), and the maximum temperature is 55 C, at 100% CPU usage. I'm
using the stock heatsink/fan assembly, at less than the fan's maximum revs.
That CPU wouldn't run in an Asus P5P800 SE board (although the D805 did).
I would _make sure_ that your own motherboard is compatible, before buying
the D915.
What motherboard have you bought? I'm curious.

Sylvain.

I don't have any yet but this is the one I am looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128017

 

[kony]

As I said I am on a super tight budget so that why I am asking about
this CPU.

and? There is no secret, you already know you have to spend
more if the performance matters. Super tight budget
doesn't change the CPUs themselves, hence you decide based
on what I wrote below.

Yeah I know I can google benchmarks but I was looking for some real
life experience with the CPU.

They plug into a board and process. Benchmarks are about as
good as it gets.


Google will find thousands of comparisons and comments and
it still boils down to the same thing, if you want more pay
more - or buy lottery tickets instead of the CPU.

 

[kony]

Untrue, many people don't need utmost performance and a C2D
is still more expensive than that in most PCs sold. Most
people dont' pay 2X as much per part, lower end systems even
with Intel integrated graphics sell in largest volumes.

That doesn't necessarily make it a good long term value, but
many compromises people make to save money aren't either
so it's not a new topic.

It runs fine, people just get confused that their CPU needed
to be cooler than it really does.

Don' t think this is the right approach. You will probably spent a large
part of the difference in price (between Pentium D and Core 2 Duo) in extra
cooling. If you really don' t have the money today, wait for a few months
until you have. I really believe it' s better to spent a liitle bit more $,
but avoid later regrets.

No there is no addt'l cost in cooling, it comes with a
heatsink and any case suitable for a modern system should
have enough margin to accept either.

It might still be a good idea to wait and save up a little
more money but we can't see how the system will be used and
have already wasted enough time on it - this is not a new
topic, the most overdone one every to wonder what CPU to get
and benchmarks are the answer - the individual can decide
and readjust the budget if they don't like the benchmark
results.

 

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

I don't have any yet but this is the one I am looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813128017

I'm glad (for you) that you're thinking of getting a Gigabyte board rather
than an Asus one. Some forum/s reported problems of compatibility between
Asus motherboards and Intel D900 series CPU's.
That board is supposed to be compatible (according to Newegg) with Quad
Core, Core 2 Duo (and Extreme), and _Pentium_. "Pentium" is rather vague,
don't you think.
Again I say, make sure that the Gigabyte board is compatible with the Intel
D900 series of CPU'S. You might try getting in touch with Gigabyte.
I've been watching this group for a while, and there's been no mention of
these CPU's. Only about the D805, for a short time.

Sylvain.

 

[Ed Medlin]

Untrue, many people don't need utmost performance and a C2D
is still more expensive than that in most PCs sold. Most
people dont' pay 2X as much per part, lower end systems even
with Intel integrated graphics sell in largest volumes.

That doesn't necessarily make it a good long term value, but
many compromises people make to save money aren't either
so it's not a new topic.


It runs fine, people just get confused that their CPU needed
to be cooler than it really does.

Exactly. I have an I630 EM64T, also based on the Prescott and if I crunch a
lot of video it will get up into the low 60s C. Still well within specs. I
bumped the processor from 3.0ghz to 3.6 and the temps are the same both idle
and max. Had it for almost two years like that with no problems at all. I
can get the max temps down into the mid-high 50s C, but don't like the extra
fan noise. As long as it stays well within Intel's specs, I have no worries
at all.

Ed

 

[ElJerid]

Exactly. I have an I630 EM64T, also based on the Prescott and if I crunch
a lot of video it will get up into the low 60s C. Still well within specs.
I bumped the processor from 3.0ghz to 3.6 and the temps are the same both
idle and max. Had it for almost two years like that with no problems at
all. I can get the max temps down into the mid-high 50s C, but don't like
the extra fan noise. As long as it stays well within Intel's specs, I have
no worries at all.

Ed

I would not be happy with 60°, even if it's within specs. What does that
mean? Just that at the time of manufacturing, Intel was not able to reach a
certain level of performance without "overheating" (and extra power
consumption). There is no doubt that the higher the temp, the shorter the
lifetime, although nobody could say rxactly how much.
I' ve assembled many Pentium D based PC's and most of the customers wanted
to change the stock CPU fan (Intel made different "improved" models) during
summer, because they didn't cool enough or were too noisy.
For info, my E6600 never goes over 40°C at 20°C room temp, with a silent
Zalman 9500 cooler.

 

[kony]

I would not be happy with 60°, even if it's within specs. What does that
mean? Just that at the time of manufacturing, Intel was not able to reach a
certain level of performance without "overheating" (and extra power
consumption). There is no doubt that the higher the temp, the shorter the
lifetime, although nobody could say rxactly how much.

We should make a distinction between a CPU running at 60C
because the entire system has insufficient airflow, and one
running at that temp merely because the heatsink is marginal
and it has a bit of a load at the time. (IOW, 60C would be
considered too high an idle temp in anything but a hostile
environment)

If the former, whole system running hot, there are other
parts more likely to fail early within the desired lifespan
of the system and appropriate measures should be taken.

If the latter, just the CPU is warmer, it will be expected
to provide a fair number of years of service, still longer
than many other failure points that would typically become
cost prohibitive enough at some point that the still working
CPU is retired. Obviously that won't always be the
situation, if it is suspected for some reason that maximum
lifespan is desired including a concession that eventually
other failed parts will be replaced to keep system running,
it would make more sense to focus on all the shorter lived
parts and having addressed practically everything else
towards this goal, eventually the CPU too.

On the other hand, after several years it would be quite a
bit cheaper to replace the cpu... if not an exact match then
at least compatible with the motherboard. For example a
couple years ago various places were selling Coppermine
Celeron and P3 for under $20, and more recently Durons for
$(18?) at Newegg.com

I' ve assembled many Pentium D based PC's and most of the customers wanted
to change the stock CPU fan (Intel made different "improved" models) during
summer, because they didn't cool enough or were too noisy.
For info, my E6600 never goes over 40°C at 20°C room temp, with a silent
Zalman 9500 cooler.

Noise can defintely be a factor... some thing the Intel fans
are quiet but I've never felt that way and disliked that
they're proprietary, but at least they didn't use some of
the low-end junk fans that many cheap aftermarket heatsinks
use. So like anything else, it's usually best to spend a
fair amount of money on the replacement heatsink, enough
that it offsets the cost of a replacement CPU later.

I'd expect over 6 years of use out of a CPU at >= 60C anyway
(continuous load 24/7), so with lesser load or duty cycle it
would last longer, but if it's continuously processing 24/7
it makes more sense to replace it with something
newer/higher-performing rather than waiting for it to fail.
In a more typical PC use that might be over 10 years
already, how long it really needs to last can only be
determined by the system owner.

Also consider that Ed's use of "crunch a lot of video" will
be a 100% load in typical situations, it's not as though
there are any other high performance CPUs today that can run
at full load any length of time and be much below 60C. It
might be 45C instead of 60C, but the reference point here is
not a human and comfortable room temp, it's fiberboard
carrier, gold/copper/etc, silicon, comprising a CPU. To a
CPU 45-60C is no big difference, except the power
requirements go up as the temp does so at some point it
will become instable unless core voltage is increased, which
then further increases current consumption... a situation
oveclockers often have to compromise with unless they have
extremely good 'sinking away of heat by phase-change,
high-end water, etc.


A motherboard is a much bigger PITA to swap from failure and
typically shorter lifespan. I'd rather have a CPU at 60C
and mobo capacitors at 50C, than a CPU at 50C and capacitors
at 60C for example.

 

[Ed Medlin]

We should make a distinction between a CPU running at 60C

because the entire system has insufficient airflow, and one
running at that temp merely because the heatsink is marginal
and it has a bit of a load at the time. (IOW, 60C would be
considered too high an idle temp in anything but a hostile
environment)

If the former, whole system running hot, there are other
parts more likely to fail early within the desired lifespan
of the system and appropriate measures should be taken.

If the latter, just the CPU is warmer, it will be expected
to provide a fair number of years of service, still longer
than many other failure points that would typically become
cost prohibitive enough at some point that the still working
CPU is retired. Obviously that won't always be the
situation, if it is suspected for some reason that maximum
lifespan is desired including a concession that eventually
other failed parts will be replaced to keep system running,
it would make more sense to focus on all the shorter lived
parts and having addressed practically everything else
towards this goal, eventually the CPU too.

On the other hand, after several years it would be quite a
bit cheaper to replace the cpu... if not an exact match then
at least compatible with the motherboard. For example a
couple years ago various places were selling Coppermine
Celeron and P3 for under $20, and more recently Durons for
$(18?) at Newegg.com




Noise can defintely be a factor... some thing the Intel fans
are quiet but I've never felt that way and disliked that
they're proprietary, but at least they didn't use some of
the low-end junk fans that many cheap aftermarket heatsinks
use. So like anything else, it's usually best to spend a
fair amount of money on the replacement heatsink, enough
that it offsets the cost of a replacement CPU later.

I'd expect over 6 years of use out of a CPU at >= 60C anyway
(continuous load 24/7), so with lesser load or duty cycle it
would last longer, but if it's continuously processing 24/7
it makes more sense to replace it with something
newer/higher-performing rather than waiting for it to fail.
In a more typical PC use that might be over 10 years
already, how long it really needs to last can only be
determined by the system owner.

Also consider that Ed's use of "crunch a lot of video" will
be a 100% load in typical situations, it's not as though
there are any other high performance CPUs today that can run
at full load any length of time and be much below 60C. It
might be 45C instead of 60C, but the reference point here is
not a human and comfortable room temp, it's fiberboard
carrier, gold/copper/etc, silicon, comprising a CPU. To a
CPU 45-60C is no big difference, except the power
requirements go up as the temp does so at some point it
will become instable unless core voltage is increased, which
then further increases current consumption... a situation
oveclockers often have to compromise with unless they have
extremely good 'sinking away of heat by phase-change,
high-end water, etc.


A motherboard is a much bigger PITA to swap from failure and
typically shorter lifespan. I'd rather have a CPU at 60C
and mobo capacitors at 50C, than a CPU at 50C and capacitors
at 60C for example.

True. My idle and normal operating temps stay in the very low 40sC and while
gaming (mostly flight and racing sims) might get to 50C. When rendering
video, it can be at 100% for hours and can get to the low 60s easily but it
seems to stay right there and get no hotter. I did replace the stock fan
with a slightly more efficient stock replacement HS/Fan from Spire. The
stock HS was not making good CPU contact over the entire spreader. This
system has done me well and I will probably be building a C2D based system
sometime in the next month or two. I get upgrade fever about every 2-3yrs
anyway.............

Ed

 

[Larc]

| True. My idle and normal operating temps stay in the very low 40sC and while
| gaming (mostly flight and racing sims) might get to 50C. When rendering
| video, it can be at 100% for hours and can get to the low 60s easily but it
| seems to stay right there and get no hotter. I did replace the stock fan
| with a slightly more efficient stock replacement HS/Fan from Spire. The
| stock HS was not making good CPU contact over the entire spreader. This
| system has done me well and I will probably be building a C2D based system
| sometime in the next month or two. I get upgrade fever about every 2-3yrs
| anyway.............

I'm running a Pentium D945 and have cooler temps with the stock hs/f. Normal
CPU idle is @ 22 to 24C with maximum of @ 48 to 50C during extended video
processing (temps per SpeedFan 4.31). Motherboard is an Asus P5P800 SE.

Larc



§§§ - Change planet to earth to reply by email - §§§

 

[Ed Medlin]

| True. My idle and normal operating temps stay in the very low 40sC and
while
| gaming (mostly flight and racing sims) might get to 50C. When rendering
| video, it can be at 100% for hours and can get to the low 60s easily but
it
| seems to stay right there and get no hotter. I did replace the stock fan
| with a slightly more efficient stock replacement HS/Fan from Spire. The
| stock HS was not making good CPU contact over the entire spreader. This
| system has done me well and I will probably be building a C2D based
system
| sometime in the next month or two. I get upgrade fever about every
2-3yrs
| anyway.............

I'm running a Pentium D945 and have cooler temps with the stock hs/f.
Normal
CPU idle is @ 22 to 24C with maximum of @ 48 to 50C during extended video
processing (temps per SpeedFan 4.31). Motherboard is an Asus P5P800 SE.

Larc

Are you sure you are reading the correct temps? Those are low for even the
ambient temps of the case and are right there with room temps. Even with
water cooling Pentium Ds usually run in the low 30s C at idle. I would check
and make sure those temperatures are correct ........


Ed

 

[kony]

| True. My idle and normal operating temps stay in the very low 40sC and while
| gaming (mostly flight and racing sims) might get to 50C. When rendering
| video, it can be at 100% for hours and can get to the low 60s easily but it
| seems to stay right there and get no hotter. I did replace the stock fan
| with a slightly more efficient stock replacement HS/Fan from Spire. The
| stock HS was not making good CPU contact over the entire spreader. This
| system has done me well and I will probably be building a C2D based system
| sometime in the next month or two. I get upgrade fever about every 2-3yrs
| anyway.............

I'm running a Pentium D945 and have cooler temps with the stock hs/f. Normal
CPU idle is @ 22 to 24C with maximum of @ 48 to 50C during extended video
processing (temps per SpeedFan 4.31). Motherboard is an Asus P5P800 SE.

Larc

What is the room temp though? Yours seems to be below
average to get that idle temp, else it isn't accurate.

 

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

What is the room temp though? Yours seems to be below
average to get that idle temp, else it isn't accurate.

I had the same thoughts. His room temperature must be lower than average.
Also, he must have a very good case.
In my experience, Speedfan is reliable.

Sylvain.