Hmm...AMD or Intel

[JayBee]

Don't think I am starting this thread to get people arguing etc, cuz im now. I know there are plenty of AMD vs. Intel threads. Im not lookin for whos better. I just want your guys opinion on certain things.

Now, I may be building a new pc for x-mas or following close after. I am running what is in my sig now (Intel). I haven't had any problems with it. Thing is I have had many people tell me AMD is going very strong right now, and that I should atleast give them a try (since I have never used AMD before). I was just wondering whether it would be better for me to go AMD now, instead of Intel again or...stay Intell. I concerned about the future as well as present day.

It would be used mostly for gaming. However I do A LOT of internet surfing as well as some photoshop stuff, maybe some video editing a long the lines, and a lot of muisc storage and playing music on the pc.

Secondly right now I have the ram listed in my sig, the hd listed in my sig, the speakers listed in my sig. What I was thinking of doing is getting a new cpu obviosuly, new video card, new case, a sound card since I am currently using onboard sound, a new CD-ROM/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD-R etc drive, and a new power supply.

Now I ask.. what do you guys think is good a long these lines.

CPU: Intel or AMD -- Which cpu?

Mobo: Which? I don't know if I am interested in SLi yet because of the expensiveness and it is still new (not out yet).

Video Card: nVida or ATi -- Which card?

Case: What do you guys think is cool, yet rather simple? Side Window is a must .

Sound Card: Goin with the Audigy 2 ZS

Optical Drive: Whats good? I want to be able to use it as a CD-ROM, burn cd's, and DVD's, and play both also.

Hard Drive: Was plannin on keeping my MAXTOR SATA 80gig, and then buying a Raptor...

Was hoping to keep it under a grand or a little above.

Thanks guys. Lookin forward to seeing some helpful replies.

[kram 2.0]

The first two questions: Intel or AMD and nVidia or ATI are purely self preference. I assure you members will pile up here and state their self-preference - it's all good. Intel and AMD are both good companies that both make good CPUs. Many may argue that because "AMD is a 64-bit CPU, it's better", when in fact, it is far from the truth - what makes them good is their 32-bit capability as competing with the Intel Pentium 4 CPUs.

Good choice on sound card.

Opticals - Lite-On, LG, or Sony - they're all good among other brands.

HDDs - Seagate, WD, or Maxtor - they're all good.


kram

[Redfallon]

Originally Posted by JayBee I have had many people tell me AMD is going very strong right now, and that I should atleast give them a try (since I have never used AMD before).

Freakin AMD fanboys I've never used 'em either, why mess with a good thing (intel)

Originally Posted by JayBee It would be used mostly for gaming. However I do A LOT of internet surfing as well as some photoshop stuff, maybe some video editing a long the lines, and a lot of muisc storage and playing music on the pc.

Any modern processor, from either company, will excel in ALL those tasks.

Case is completly up to you, whatever you like, as you'll have to look at it everyday, not us . But, beware cases with cheap PSU's, and look for something with a swingable or removable motherboard tray. You can always buy a case you like w/ a cheap PSU in it, just toss the cheapie and get a real one form the good psu list.

Kram's comments are right on for the rest, and by the way, I'd go Intel

[shadowbreaker513]

For gaming, I would definatly go AMD, it usually comes outnon top of intel in games. Also 64bit version of several big games, such as UT2004 and FarCry, and coming out soon. As for the video card, the 6800 Ultra and the x800Xt are about on the same level, but the 6800GT comes out on top of the x800 pro in almost all tests.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Redfallon Kram's comments are right on for the rest, and by the way, I'd go Intel

So would I go Intel (bet ya didn't see that coming). Gaming or not, the difference is innegligible - the nice thing about the Intel Processor, to me, is the Hyper Threading capability - it's an objective thing that most definately makes multitasking simply more pleasant.

kram

[digitalfreedom64]

Well Like kram said about the cpu, it's purely a matter of preference. I've been pretty loyal to intel for years. have had pentium 1,2,3,and 4. I'm not gonna lie and say I haven't tried amd but i've always stuck with intel although intel and amd are both great cpus. However, I'll probly be leaving the intel ranks sometime this next year and going for amd. from all the research I've been doing I've concluded that it would be better for the stuff I do and I'm gonna reccomend that you go with Amd 64.

[JayBee]

k, guess im gonna stick with Intel, Im an Intel person to begin with, just wanted some insight.

Now, what is a good chip now, besides the Extreme Edition... haha too expensive.

Then motherboard thats good with it?

..and what would u go with ATi or niVda (Im stuck between both).

[kram 2.0]

With Intel right now, you may want to go with the Intel Pentium 4 LGA775 sockets so a 3.2Ghz, should do. Along with that, I'd suggest the Asus P5GD1 - a good PCI-Express included motherboard.

About your ATI vs. nVidia question - it's much the same as Intel vs. AMD - boils down to self preference. It also comes down to budget - how much are you willing to spend?

kram

[Tin]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 For gaming, I would definatly go AMD, it usually comes outnon top of intel in games. Also 64bit version of several big games, such as UT2004 and FarCry, and coming out soon. As for the video card, the 6800 Ultra and the x800Xt are about on the same level, but the 6800GT comes out on top of the x800 pro in almost all tests.

only benchmarks show you the differences. to the unaided eye, you cant tell the difference. however, AMDs 939 is more futureproof than 775. no offense to Prescott owners here, but it is pretty much a dud processor for Intel. it runs much hotter than they had expected. they are going to be discontiuing them in the near future due to issues reaching the 4GHz mark. Intels next processor will be based off of the Pentium M architecture and be much more efficient than a P4. when Intel rolls out their next line of processors next year then you will see the performance gap close between Pentium its A64 competition. in a majority of benchmarks, a 2800+ socket 754 A64 even edges out the 3.4 Prescott. for AMDs on the other hand....socket 754 will no longer support the x86-64 architecture. the 3700+ was the last A64 754. then you have 939, which isnt bad, but should you get an AGP board or a PCI-E board? PCI-E is more futureproof, but a good PCI-E video card costs more than its AGP counterpart. if you go P4 with a 925x chipset, youll need to purchase the more expensive 24-pin ATX power supply. most current power supplies use a 20-pin ATX connector.

[Doopa]

Just to add my 2 cents:

I run a Intel, I'm not going to lie to you and say Intel runs better, or same AMD runs worse.

It is all self preference .

A few facts are:

Currently the best AMD is better then the best Intel. This will of course change back and forth as it always has.

To my knowledge Intels run cooler, AMDS are easier to overclock.

If you want to try a AMD to see how they run, go for it.

Also the ATI vs. nVIDIA question someone posted...
nVIDIA seems to be slacking! Once the x850 appears... My vote would have to go with ATI.

Sorry if I repeated any information, I find it tedious to read every post.

GL to you.

[sataraid0]

Hmmm, interesting comments.

I use Intel, no particular reason.

Mobo, like Asus or Aopen.

psu, get a good one, even if a little more expensive, will do you in good stead in future.

Graphics card like ATI, have Three of them and only one nVida.

Case, WOW, am really stuck on the X-Infinity. Has a place on the rear for a 120mm cooling fan which most cases don't have. Gives good cooling with place for 2 80mm fans in front for hdd drives and one on side window and one for the blow hole on the top. Plus it looks like a Merceades from the front. ha ha

It also comes with cheap 350w psu, just toss it and get a good one.

I own 3 of them and they come in colors, red black yellow etc. I posted a link to newegg that shows them all, hope the link works. If it does not just look for the Aspire case and type in x-ifinity to search and it will show all.

This case also has a removable Mobo plate so makes it easier to mount MB, memory, cpu etc.

Again as everyone says, its a matter of taste. Hope ya like it.



http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduc...For=x-infinity

[jimmyrules712]

heres my take, ive seen people here say why switch form intel if intel is working good, and others say 'the difference is negligable', and you cant notice the dif to the naked eye.

well if all of those are the case, then logic owuldsay go amd because the prices are quite a bit lower for the most part, youll save probably at least $50.

my point, it is true, they are about the same, a p4 2.8 will compete closely to a AMD64 2800, but the AMDs are cheaper all across the line, that is why i switched form intel to amd.

[shadowbreaker513]

To my knowledge Intels run cooler, AMDS are easier to overclock.

From what I've seen, AMDs are FAR cooler. My 3200+ idles at about 34C and under heavy load hits no higher than about 40C-42C

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 From what I've seen, AMDs are FAR cooler. My 3200+ idles at about 34C and under heavy load hits no higher than about 40C-42C

An Intel is by far better thermally protected... even with the COP feature of newer AMD motherboards, you can still fry one off in seconds, the Intel will throttle down.

As for which one is "better", I don't think one is "better" than the other, I just hold preference for Intel.

Now when choosing a motherboard... I still don't care what anyone says... VIA = garbage and gimme 5-10 minutes on your "stable" VIA system (Intel or AMD) and I can take it down... my feelings are the same for MSI motherboards which also tend to come highly recommended by AMD "radicals" .. their quality control is substandard, I've sold them at a wholesale level and wouldn't let my ememies use them or VIA.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by shadowbreaker513 From what I've seen, AMDs are FAR cooler. My 3200+ idles at about 34C and under heavy load hits no higher than about 40C-42C

My. Intel P4 2.8C idles at 35C - I don't see that as FAR hotter than 35C. Prescott Cores? Add 10C to that - it's still not enough to kill a CPU - especially as Intel CPUs has a thermal protection to always have your CPU stay at a safe temp. As HAL mentions, Intel to me is by preference.

kram

[Uber_Gamer]

Now I'm on the Nforce chipset. But up until very recently I was running an ASUS K8V-SE Deluxe which has the K8T800 chipset. And yes I always heard and thought that Via chipsets were substandard, but I have nothing but praise for the K8T800. I hate to say it HAL, but it was a very stable system.

[ric449]

VIA= Poor for all Intel and Athlon XP systems, great for Athlon 64. Up to now they have the best chipset for the Athlon 64 there is, until Nforce 4 arrives that is.

[JayBee]

k, I went ahead and priced up these specs. I wish it was a bit cheaper, is there anything of what I got that is cheaper, but the samething? Like the plextor drive, is there another good brand thats cheaper, for a similar drive?

I have the ram/case/80gig hd/and regular CD-ROM/CD-R drive.

Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 540 3.2 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache w/ Hyper Threading Technology – Retail

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-183&depa=1

ASUS "P5GD2 Deluxe" 915P Chipset Motherboard For Intel LGA 775 CPU -RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-506&depa=0

Western Digital Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA Hard Drive, Model WD360GD, OEM Drive Only (x2)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-200&depa=1

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" –RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=29-102-162&DEPA=0

Pioneer Black DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model DVR-108, OEM

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-129-157&depa=1

ATI RADEON X800 PRO Video Card, 256MB GDDR3, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP –RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-363&depa=1

-OR-

EVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT Video Card With Free Doom 3Bundle, 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, TV-Out/DVI, 8X AGP, Model "256-A8-N349-AX" –RETAIL

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-208&depa=1

TOTAL: $1168.50 (I wish I could lower that a bit ) w/o shipping

Are there any extra fans, accessories I will need? I have the X-Dreamer 2 right now, and those are the only fans I have (no extra).

[Moose on the Loose]

Between the GF6800 GT and the x800Pro, the GF6800GT is a better choice. If you have the money to buy an x800 XT platinum edition I would go for that, though

[kram 2.0]

Remember that the board you selected does not have a SATA controller onboard - you will need to get that seperately or get a different baord.

The Aspire X-Dreamer does have case fans. Just be careful - the powersupply that comes with it, the Turbolink brand, is very bad quality. I would suggest replacing should you be in need to power your system stably.

Also, don't forget memory - RAM.


kram

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by Uber_Gamer And yes I always heard and thought that Via chipsets were substandard, but I have nothing but praise for the K8T800. I hate to say it HAL, but it was a very stable system.

Gimme 5-10 minutes on it..... kaboom.

[palloco]

dude, if you wanted a cheaper machine choose AMD. You will have the same performance for less price. And I would bet AMDs would have lower temperature, since that intel is reaching its speed limits.

[JayBee]

I already have a antec 350w psu... is that good? Or should I consider getting a new one?

The x800 XT is expensive, and if I were to get the x800 I could just flash it to x800 XT right?

I already have a gig of geil pc3200.

What mobo is good for that chip?

[JayBee]

Just a question on AMD real quick...

THIS processor would run at 2.4ghz, or 3.4? Thats what confuses me about AMD. I am bringing this up because this chip is the same price as the Intel 3.2ghz.

[WhatsThisBoxFor?]

Originally Posted by Newegg Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz

2.4GHz, although these days, the megahertz is not the only factor to consider. I normally use this page: http://tech-report.com/cpu/ for finding CPU clock speeds.

[JayBee]

So in other words the Intel is faster? Thats why I stick with Intel, just so much easier...

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by palloco dude, if you wanted a cheaper machine choose AMD. You will have the same performance for less price. And I would bet AMDs would have lower temperature, since that intel is reaching its speed limits.

Not necessarily. Just because Intel is reaching its speed limits doesn't mean that its lower clocked processors are any hotter or worse performing. Although the Prescott Core LGA775 aren't as bad as the PGA478-pin Prescott Core, they do have a slight above average temeprature - that which has no effect to my knowledge on its performance if installed and maintained well (like you would with any processor).

I don't see how temperature is relevant in this scheme - unless, of course, you are overclocking the Prescott Core processors or such when THEN you might look after a better cooling solution - Prescotts are very famous for their extreme overclockability with good cooling. It used to be that AMD had the temperature problems that scared me away from AMD when making a first purchase - I went Intel and it has never let me down - it works, why not stick to it?

kram

[Moose on the Loose]

Originally Posted by JayBee The x800 XT is expensive, and if I were to get the x800 I could just flash it to x800 XT right?

It *used* to be easy. Lately X800 manufacturers have been replacing the memory. The first generation used samsung 1.6ns memory. If you would buy an x800 pro Vivo (12 pixel pipelines), you would basically have an x800 XT (16 pipelines) with 4 pipelines disabled. So you could just overclock it, then flash the card and get the extra pipelines. This is what I did on my x800pro ViVo. If you decide to go for it, and you succeed in unlocking the 4 extra pipelines but the core and memory arent getting to XT speeds, you can also do the pencil mod (google --> x800 pencil mod) which will let you get insane clocks.

To put it short : if you want the easy way : buy an x800 pro VIVO edition, hope it has 1.6 ns memory on it and simply overclock it (Arctic Cooling rev.4 is probably a good idea to reach higher clock speeds).

Lately manufacturers are using 2.0 ns memory on the boards, which makes it impossible (for as far as I know, that is) to unlock the 4 extra pipelines since the BIOS'es are written for 1.6 ns memory.

It *is* possible to hardmod an x800 pro to XT, but that would require some reading. And probably some silver paste or something.

If you need further information feel free to PM, or reply here. I'm kind of in a hurry so sorry for the incomprehensible post, it's probably a lot of information for you to process

Kind regards, Moose.

[JayBee]

What if I were to just go with a new vid card? Would the 6800GT/x800 Pro work with my current system (listed in my sig).

[palloco]

Well, intel for some reason cancelled his 4ghz project, and it was the extrem heating the processors had when reaching that speed. Certainly high temperature should not been relevant, but for some reason people tend to incorrectly relation heating problems with AMD. Only Thunderbird series had problems with it, while if we google we can quickly find that intel had heating problems in some versions of every any pentium mobile series (not the centrino ones) and in their latest p4 chips.