AMD or Intel?

[Thengamer]

Hi. I'm getting ready to build my first computer, mostly for use in gaming. At first I was planning on building it around an Intel CPU, however I've heard that AMD is the way to go for gaming. So I've got two different build specs and know idea which to go with. Any input on this matter would be really helpful. Thanks.

I plan to be playing higher-end games, primarily Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with as close to max settings as possible. I'd also like it if this system could continue to be upgradable as the technology advances for as long as possible.

My Build Specs:

Intel Computer -

• The Case - Thermaltake SHARK VA7000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
• The PSU - Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
• The Motherboard - ASUS P5ND2-SLI Socket T (LGA 775) NVIDIA nForce 4 SLI Intel Edition ATX Intel Motherboard
• The CPU - Intel Pentium 4 640 Prescott 800MHz FSB LGA 775 EM64T Processor Model BX80547PG3200F
• The Video Card - eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT CO SE 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
• The RAM - CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS2GBKIT533D2
• The HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
• DVD Drive - LITE-ON Black IDE Combo Drive Model SOHC-5236V BK RTL
• Floppy Drive - NEC Beige 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
• Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2
• Total Cost - $1,255.91

AMD Computer -

• The Case - Thermaltake SHARK VA7000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
• The PSU - Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
• The Motherboard - ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard
• The CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX
• The Video Card - eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT CO SE 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
• The RAM - CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model TWINX2048-3200
• The HDD - Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
• DVD Drive - LITE-ON Black IDE Combo Drive Model SOHC-5236V BK RTL
• Floppy Drive - NEC Beige 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
• Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2
• Total Cost - $1,239.92

Please note that I have a budget around $1350ish though I could go a little higher and I have not included shipping in the cost.

If there are any compatibility problems that anyone sees please let me know. In addition if anyone sees something that needs to be upgraded or can be replaced with another item let me know that too.

So what do I go with, AMD or Intel? Thanks for all the help!

[jfk]

Can't speak for Intel, but on the AMD system you can downgrade the XMS ram to value select. Even if you decide to OC the system and put the memory on a divider, you won't take a performance hit with the AMD system. Everything else on that system looks great.

[PCgamerX]

what exactly is the difference between AMD and Intel?

[boilermaker]

There really isn't much of a difference basically. Both are solid CPU producers. If you are a hard core gamer (sounds like you), AMD will probably get you just a tiny bit more productivity. Intels are known more for their ability to multitask better.

*I believe there's a sticky at the top of the Processor's Forum that will tell you pretty much all you need to know.

[boilermaker]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=94679

And there's your link.

[glc]

The 7200.8 Seagates have possible reliability issues - a 7200.9 would be a better choice. No need for XMS ram on either build, the value select is fine. If you are not going to SLI, I'd recommend a P5LD2 on the Intel build - Intel processors work best with Intel chipsets. Why a beige floppy drive when you have a black case? I'd spend another few bucks on a DVD burner instead of that combo drive.

[Thengamer]

Thanks for all the replies! So I would be better off with AMD since I will primarly be using the computer for games?

Now for changes to my parts.

How about this for the hard drive?
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 250GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive

Now for the RAM, what is the difference between Dual Channel and regular ram? Which would be better for my money?
- The Corsair XMS
- The Corsair Value Select

Finally can anyone recomend a good DVD burner? Oh and I'll be sure to change the floppy to black.

Thanks everyone.

[glc]

No, thats an IDE drive. Get a SATA drive.

The best for the money is dual channel value select. DDR2-533 for the Intel or DDR400 for the AMD.

[Thengamer]

Would I be better off using a Western Digital or a Seagate for the hard drive? If Western Digital how about this one: Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

As for RAM, how about this stuff? It's not Corsair so I wanted some opinions on it. A-DATA Vitesta 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory

Finally this for the DVD Burner. LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SHW160P6S05

Any suggestions?

[ror_b211]

A-Data is good but not quite as good as Corsair, and DVD burners tend to be similar, and Lite-On is a good make. Seagates are good HDD's because (last time I checked) they offer 5-year warranties.

[FireByyrd]

The hard drive you picked is very good. I'm using it and it works flawlessly.

you won't be disappointed.

[Thengamer]

Besides the XMS Corsair, is there any Corsair RAM that is 184 Pin and dual channel? If not I will probably use the A-Data RAM.

[ror_b211]

Yes, you can get corsair value RAM dual channel packs.

[Thengamer]

So I guess I'll go with the AMD processor. Here is what looks to be near final specs. Any problems?

AMD Computer -

• The Case - Thermaltake SHARK VA7000BWA Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case
• The PSU - Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply
• The Motherboard - ASUS A8N5X Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard
• The CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz HT Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3700BNBOX
• The Video Card - eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT CO SE 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card
• The RAM - A-DATA Vitesta 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM System Memory
• The HDD - Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
• DVD Drive - LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SHW160P6S05
• Floppy Drive - SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP
• Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2
• Total Cost - $1,212.41

I decided to go with the A-Data RAM since I couldn't find any Corsair Value Select RAM that was in dual channel, 184 pin, and was 2 x GB. If anyone finds some that I missed, I would be very thankful. Is it all compatible? Am I getting the best stuff for the price I'm paying? Any and all input would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

[Alaron]

Here is the RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145579

Everything else looks good.

[Thengamer]

Thanks Alaron. Okay, one final question (Although it probably won't change my decision). The two processors I posted in my original post were about the same quality right? Just curious and thanks for all the help I've gotten! I'll be sure to ask you guys if anything else comes up.