suggest motherboard... amd or intel?

[Coffee Addict]

I'm starting to build a new computer to take to college. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a motherboard.

I plan on:
- 1.6 to 2 ghz
- ddr ram
- usb 2.0
- ethernet card
- cd-rw drive
- dvd drive
- probabaly a geforce 4 video card

also, i'm not sure whether amd or intel would be better. I've heard that amd is better for overclocking, but intel has less compatibility issues. I was thinking of going with amd and trying out some overclocking. any thoughts?

thanks

[GaryRouth]

Hi Coffee Addict

. . . and welcome to the Pc Mechanic forums.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of answers to this question. It's one of our favorites. I tend to give economic reasons for my choices, because I'm usually restricted to a modest budget. I much prefer Intel boards and chips, but they are more expensive at the moment, especially if you want the Rambus memory that matches the P4 best. So, for $150, you could go with a 1500+-1800+ Amd XP, a KT266a or KT333 mobo (MSI for less expense, Asus/Abit/EpoX for a little more) If you shop a little, you'll get usb 2.0/Lan onboard. And if you don't own an operating system, if you are buying a new hard disk, you can get the OEM full version of whatever your favorite Windows is for about $90 - if you buy it at the same time. (of course you could also download Linux)

To save money on Ram, you could go with 256mb now, and add more whenever the darn prices go down (they're sky-high at the moment)
. . . Gary

[dave computer]

I would go with amd. What is your budget for this new computer?

[Zinedene]

AMD all the way!!!!

I think AMD, but what kinda budget you on? If you tell the budget, we can work form there!!
AMD do run hotter than Intels, especially the new Intels, P4's

As for overclocking, you know cooling is a factor. So obviously, P4's have an advantage already, in that they run cooler.

Personally, I like AMD, and I stick to them. Most of the time, the money saved by not buying a P4, you will be able to buy a good AMD xp chip, heatsink , and fans etc. So it is quite evenly matched.

Id go for an Abit mobo, and an XP..... reliable setup.
Good, and will be able to overclock aswell,

zinedene

[Mr N8]

I would suggest a P4 1.8a on and ASUS P4S533 motherboard. With the retail fan this can be overclocked easily to 533mhz fsb, without playing with voltages or anything like that. This means you would run at approx 2.39Ghz from a 1.8 processor! The board takes PC2700 DDR.

[RJ]

It's really a personal preference. For me it's Intel. I've always had Intel, and they work flawlessy, so I stick with Intel and recommend them.

Since there are arguments for both sides I better look for your other components now

cd-rw drive - dvd drive

For both drives look at the LiteOns. CD-RW: LiteOn 40x12x48x is high quality and very low in price. Also the LiteOn DVD drive LTD-163 (16x48) is very good, it also reads DVD+R and DVD+RW without a problem.

RJ

[Mr N8]

RJ's comments are good ones! I would suggest that you look at what you want in your system, and what you would want to use it for. Then, select your motherboard and processor. The motherboard is important, because you need to know if you want USB 1.1 / 2.0 or both. Do you want onboard LAN, Sound (yuck), or video (another yuck). Do you want Expandability or portability? Anyway, I would say you need to chose components first, and then choose the mobo / processor that best fits your needs.

[Cricket]

Hi Coffee Addict,

Whichever way you decide to go, remember to stick to quality name brand parts...never use generic parts in your new build. You'll avoid lots of headaches that way.

Stick to brands like ABIT, ASUS, EPoX, MSI, SHUTTLE, SOLTEK, SOYO and TYAN for the motherboard.

Get your RAM from Crucial, Kingston, Corsair or Mushkin.

Pioneer for your DVD.

Lite-On for the CD-RW.

3Com, Linksys, D-Link or INTEL for the NIC/ethernet card.

Not familiar with GeForce video cards but ATI makes some great all-around video cards.

Make sure you get a case that comes with a good quality power supply from either Enermax, Sparkle Power, AOpen, Enlight, PC Power & Cooling, Hi-Power, PowerMan or Antec.

Cricket

[HAL9000]

Hmmm... here we go again about budgets and AMD being cheaper. Well guys, it's the top end Intels that are overpriced and you wouldn't price a top of the line processor to somebody on a budget whether it be AMD or Intel would ya.... so bite the bullet, we're no longer talking huge savings. Any savings you do have, you spend on a heatsink and fans to give you the added value of more noise!


My choice;

Intel 1.6A or 1.8A on a P4S533-WA-WL.

Yes, the audio is on board, but doesn't sound too bad at all. It also has onboard LAN.

[glc]

AMD XP's are not good overclockers (this is supposedly changed with the new "B" core on the 2400 and 2600) but the P4 Northwoods overclock beautifully. Anyway - why overclock at all? These days it's just not effective like it used to be. Pick a price point - if you have $170 US or more to spend on a processor, I would go with Intel, if your budget dictates less, go with AMD. This price point is based on the current cost of a P4 1.8a. As already stated, don't forget to price out additional case fans and a premium HSF for the AMD.

Just my (admittedly biased) opinion, folks. Whichever way you go, get a quality brand motherboard - Intel or SiS chipset for an Intel, and I personally wouldn't use anything but a Nforce chipset for an AMD.

[HAL9000]

Ditto... on the AMD's, the NForce chips have yet to cause me any backlash phone calls with problems.

[Furius92]

Hal, I suppose VIA chipsets are all perfectly well too right?

Well I'd suggest a P4 1.6A or 1.8A just like Hal and glc are saying. They are great overclockers, and the Asus P4S533 is a great motherboard. Intel CPUs run nice a cool, so it will overclock well and run quietly with the retail Intel HSF unit.

[HAL9000]

You KNOW my stance on VIA... and it ain't changing anytime soon.

[Mr N8]

I have the unfortunate situation of being stuck with a VIA chipset right now. I have a KT3 Ultra-ARU. It is a decent board, but not as solid as the ASUS w/SIS boards are. If I could go back 8 months, yeah, I would have a P4 build on an intel or SIS chipset. VIA is too flakey for my tastes. VIA is the reason that I recommend Pentiums to most peolpe that I build for.

[Coffee Addict]

well, the most extensive stuff i plan on doing is probably some photoshop work, tho i'd like to be able to play games half-decently too (just in case i need some fun ;D).
As for budget... around $600-700... 800 might be pushing it a little...

I was thinking of getting the amd athlon 2000 2100 or 2200. (Does anyone know if amd's going to release these models with the new core? And if so, when they'll be in stores?)

I'm planning on getting separate ethernet and graphics cards, so i don't need those built into the motherboard. Sound can be on board... but i might upgrade later. I was thinking of getting either an abit or an asus motherboard.

What's the best amd chipset? the nvidia nforce2 seemed like it had good features. (the 8x agp port seems like a useful option.) Would it be compatible with amd's next line of processors? (after the 2600+)

oh yeah... one more question... besides pcmech, what are the best sites for computer info/reviews and stuff?

thanks a lot for your help!

[RobH]

I personally find there isnt a real difference in price-and compairing intel to amd isnt always what I would consider a good compairison.
I think intel by far has the heat issue under better control,and I do have less problems with a intel processor/intel chipset build than anything else.
But I believe the main issue isnt the processors themselfs it is the motherboard and the quality of those motherboards.
Whatever you go with be sure to look at the top drawer boards-Asus,Epox,Shuttle,Soltek.
The compairison reminds me of the Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate of years gone by---it will never end...hth

[9600baud]

About a week ago P4's were the hands down winner, but with the release of AMD's new T-bred "B" core, the advantage is become hard to see again. Ah... the beauty of competition

[Reedimus]

my advice: if you're looking to spend $600-700, don't spend any more than $100 on your cpu. it's just not worth it. if you put the money saved into other components you will come out with a better system with parts that will last longer. no matter what cpu you get, it'll be obsolete pretty soon. but if you put that extra money into better speakers/drives/case/monitor/peripherals/etc then I think you will be more pleased.

I have an xp 1800+ and it is great. only $85 retail on newegg, and the hs/f it comes with is just fine.