If you are wanting to build a budget but still comparably fast computer, you might want to look at the AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Brisbane core CPU. Comparably of course, you can go even faster for just a few more bucks, but for this case and my latest build for home and video editing use, I chose this CPU.
The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ runs a dual core at 2.7 Ghz giving the computer the same power as having two CPU’s on board. Building or buying a computer with dual core CPU’s or with two separate CPU’s really increases the ease with which your computer can run in a multi-tasking environment. I can crunch a DVD format video into Mpeg4 or Divx in the background while working on other things without even noticing the work the CPU is going through in the background.
How does it match up? Just for video compression comparison, I set up four computers with the same settings in Divx, then compressed the same DVD VOB video file on each computer and noted the results. The settings for this test were to set Divx in Home Theater profile at 900kbps and set the speed slider on 3. Using FlaskMpeg and doing only bi-linear filtering, maintaining the video size, Deinterlacing on, and sound compression set at 22,050 stereo 48 Kbps. The four computers used to compare this were equipped with a Pentium 4 3Ghz, an Athlon Turion 64 X2 1.6 Ghz, and an Athlon XP 1800+. All three comparison computers have 1 Gb of RAM, and the new build has 2 Gb RAM.
From the slowest to the fastest, the results are as follows:
AMD 1800+ / 14.5 fps (Frames Per Second)
P4 3Ghz / 28 fps
Turion 64 X2 1.6Ghz / 37 fps
Athlon 64 X2 5200+ / 61 fps
At the above settings I am able to compress a 1 hour presentation from DVD to Divx format in about 30 minutes as opposed to 2 hours for the 1800+, saving considerable time. Also at these settings the video quality is quite good, and it takes a conscious effort to see the compression. For some purposes I can increase the quality to near DVD quality and still compress at nearly real time, and likewise for things that are not as important, I have changed the compressions settings and can still do a viewable video at speeds in excess of 140 fps.
All in all, without spending a little more for the Phenom Processors, or spending the really big bucks for the latest Intel offerings, the 5200+ has delivered a valuable asset at a price comparable to a Walmart special, (slow machine). Also by buying correctly, you can get a motherboard that will not only accept this budget CPU, but when the prices come down on the Phenom processors, I can easily change it out and keep one step behind the latest technology without a big cash outlay. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200 Brisbane core CPU is a solid performer, and I have not been displeased at all with it. If you are looking for a budget computer, I would suggest considering this CPU, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
