AMD vs Intel Quad..what a headache

[urlickDC]

I want to buy a new pc but I want something that will last, great performance ect... for a nice price $850.

I have looked around and I really don't know what to choose. Please help me out.

There are my 2 choices:

1.
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control (Red Color)
CPU: AMD Phenom™ X4 9600 Quad-Core CPU w/ HyperTransport Technology
PSU:Xion SuperNova Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready 800W
FAN:Thermaltake V1 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Excellent Overclocking + Silent Proof + Smart CPU & System Thermal Monitor)
MOTHERBOARD: GigaByte GA-MA790FX-DS5 AMD 790FX CrossFire Chipset DDR2/1066 PCIE SATA RAID MB w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio

or

2.
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control (Red Color)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E6850 CPU @ 3.00GHz 1333FSB 4MB L2 Cache 64-bit or Q6600 for same price
PSU:Xion SuperNova Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready 800W
FAN:Thermaltake V1 Gaming CPU Cooling Fan (Excellent Overclocking + Silent Proof + Smart CPU & System Thermal Monitor)
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5W-DH I975X CrossFire Chipset LGA775 Supports Core 2 Duo CPU FSB1333 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio

everything for $25 higher for the AMD computer.

I'm doing video editing (with Camtasia and other DVD creator), I don't play games, I do research, pdf, words, internet...multitask, music all at once.

I'm fairly new at this. I have a HP a820n right now and it cannot follow what I need (crashes all the time).

I am using www.cyberpowerpc.com to build it so if you have any other recommendation please let me know.

Thank you

[IntegraGSR]

I can personally recommend the Intel as I use mine daily and nothing makes it break a sweat. Be certain to get an aftermarket heatsink for it (ditch the stock one) so it can handle the stress.

[Dave21]

Get intel quad core. 4 cores > 2 cores. That will ensure that your pc is future proofed as well. You don't need an aftermarket cooler unless you overclock.

[TwoRails]

They both do the job, but I need to mention that if you use a different heatsink/fan combo from the stock one, you technically void the warranty. Both AMD's and Intel's retail HS/fan combo are designed to keep things cool and within specs.

AMD has the scaling factor on it's side, while Intel has does have the speed edge. If you're in no hurry, I'd recommend waiting for AMD's B3 stepping of the Phenom before building. It will have the bug fixed that's in the current releases and should give a 10 - 15% speed boost. It's rumored to be coming out this month or next. The faster releases will be at least 3 - 4 months away.

[Alaron]

I'd vote for the Intel Quad as well.

I would like to point out that Xion power supplies are junk though. It would be wise to upgrade that. Glancing at Cyberpower's power supply options shows Enermax and Thermaltake units. Those would be better.

[MaxRat]

the Intel rig will me faster at video encoding than the AMD Quad...you just cant beat and Intel for Video stuff...;)

[David M]

I like both for different reasons but right now, Intel. AMD may not even be around in a few years unless they do something drastic. They can't survive at the rate they are burning cash right now.

[IntegraGSR]

In response to the heatsink stuff: If you do decide to stay with the stock heatsink, it's a pain to install and good luck keeping your temps down under stress. The stock heatsink is adequate at best.

[Tin]

The stock heatsink really isnt that bad on the Q6600. I had mine at 3GHz on the stock heatsink for a little while no problem at all. I didnt see load temps above 60C, which are good temps for a Q6600. As a matter of fact, mine runs at 64C running 4 instances of Prime95 after 14 hours...stable as a rock. Too many people put too much emphasis on temps, theres a certain threshold that a CPU will run to until it wont go any further. If its stable at whatever configuration and settings youre running, why sweat it?

[urlickDC]

Thank you guys, That was very helpful but...

I feel like I am in front of 2 cars and I cannot decide. I want power, accessibility, practicality, multitaking but at a good price.

I have 2 choices:

1. (www.cyberpowerpc.com)
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control (Red Color)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Q6600
CPU & System Thermal Monitor)
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5W-DH I975X CrossFire Chipset LGA775 Supports Core 2 Duo CPU FSB1333 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio
VIDEO: 7200GS 256Mb
HHD:80G
Memory: 1G DDR2 800Mhz
Flash media: 12 in 1
for $647 (not including extra rebate)

or

2. (www.newegg.com)
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW ($49.99 with rebate)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ($89.99)
CPU: Q6600 ($254.99)
MEM: 2 x Corsair Dominator 2G 1066Mhz ($54.00 x 2= $108.00)
VIDEO: 9600GT ($74.99)
TOTAL: $577.96
I have:
HDD: internal: 180G, 320G, 120G
HDD: external: 2x 500G Lacie, 320G maxtor, 160G simpletech
DVDROM: 4x DVD-writable, 2x CD-writable
Flash media: 12 in 1
ATA PCI card
ATI TV Wonder 200 TV Tuner 100
MEM: 2G DDR patriot (which won't be very usefull after the upgrade...)
2 set of keyboard and mouse (PS/2)

[IntegraGSR]

Thank you guys, That was very helpful but...

I feel like I am in front of 2 cars and I cannot decide. I want power, accessibility, practicality, multitaking but at a good price.

I have 2 choices:

1. (www.cyberpowerpc.com)
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW, MultiMeter Display & Control (Red Color)
CPU: (Sckt775)Intel® Q6600
CPU & System Thermal Monitor)
MOTHERBOARD: Asus P5W-DH I975X CrossFire Chipset LGA775 Supports Core 2 Duo CPU FSB1333 DDR2/800 Mainboard w/GbLAN, USB2.0, IEEE1394, & 7.1Audio
VIDEO: 7200GS 256Mb
HHD:80G
Memory: 1G DDR2 800Mhz
Flash media: 12 in 1
for $647 (not including extra rebate)

or

2. (www.newegg.com)
CASE: X-Cruiser Mid-Tower 420W Case W/ WINDOW ($49.99 with rebate)
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L ($89.99)
CPU: Q6600 ($254.99)
MEM: 2 x Corsair Dominator 2G 1066Mhz ($54.00 x 2= $108.00)
VIDEO: 9600GT ($74.99)
TOTAL: $577.96
I have:
HDD: internal: 180G, 320G, 120G
HDD: external: 2x 500G Lacie, 320G maxtor, 160G simpletech
DVDROM: 4x DVD-writable, 2x CD-writable
Flash media: 12 in 1
ATA PCI card
ATI TV Wonder 200 TV Tuner 100
MEM: 2G DDR patriot (which won't be very usefull after the upgrade...)
2 set of keyboard and mouse (PS/2)

Why get a crossfire motherboard if you are going to use a 7200GS as your video (Intel setup)? Step it down to a single PCI-E motherboard unless you plan on Crossfiring or SLIing

I can personally vouch for the Gigabyte P35 DS3x motherboards, excellent buys.

Also I'd get a power supply from a reputable brand (i.e. not one that comes with the case) because you need reliable, strong power to give that Q the juice it needs.

[urlickDC]

I'm not a gamer so the cheapest video card will do. I just need something to plug my second monitor (and maybe a third one).

The Asus P5W-DH I975X CrossFire is the only mobo at www.cyberpowerpc.com that offer me th eold fashion paralle, COM, serial ect...that i'm using with my HP a820n. I was thinking of ASUS striker ectreme but it is expensif and doesn't offer me PS/2, COM... I'm goind with what the websit egive me.

In other hands, I can build it from newegg and have it $50 cheaper (and running faster) but I will loose the 3 years warranty from cyberpowerpc.

So it's either a preset from cyberpowerpc or the newegg option that look very nice (wihtout 3 years warranty). I also should add a PSU at $99 (enlight 650W at newegg).

If you find something better at cyberpowerpc.com let me know. I don't want to spend money in the air but rather spend it to a very good computer that will do video editing, DVD editing and multitask like I want to do.

Thank you,

[InfiniteGrim]

The Intel E6750 and the Intel E6850 are exactly the same other then that one is 2.66GHz, and the other is 3.0Ghz, also the 3.0Ghz one is $70 more, when i have seen a site overclock the 2.66Ghz e6750 to 3.92Ghz on a stock heatsink and fan it was stable so therer is no reason to pay an extra $70

[shadowpr]

Getting a e6750 to 3.9 is not easy. And to think that you'll be able to keep it there 24/7 for long is a slim chance.

[MaxRat]

for a nice intel rig I would build a budget rig thats really fast for editing it would go like this....

for 4 sata slots and NO raid I would get a:

Gigabyte P35-DS3L and Q6600 and 2x1 gig of ram (gskill NQs)

for 6 sata slots and Raid capabilities i would go with:

Gigabyte P35-DS3R and Q6600 and 2x1 gig ram

for a video card i would go with a 7600gt unless you need DX-10 support then opt for the 8600gt...no difference in cards other than that...

that will set you back about 500.00 or less ;)