DandoB

Join Date 03/2001

New System

I need some advice on a new system, I am looking at 2 different systems.
Then main difference is between the CPU and which way to go. AMD or Intel. I have doen some research
on which direction each company is heading and cant decide on which way I want to go. I would like to
hear some opinions on the 2 below specs and which direction would be the best way to go. I do very little gaming and
I'm getting ready to get back into designing some WB skins and DX themes.
So please let me here what you think.

Intel
CASE: Aluminum 420W Case
CPU: (Sckt775)P-4 CPU 660 CPU 3.6GHZ
FAN: Intel LGA775 CPU Fan & Heatsink- 3 Case Fans
MOTHERBOARD: sus P5AD2 Premium I925X Chipset Sckt775 DDR2/533 PCX w/Audio,Gb LAN,IEEE,&USB2
MEMORY: 1GB (2x512MB) PC4200 DDR2 Dual Channel
HDD1-Maxtor 200GB 7200 rpm SATA 150
HDD2: Maxtor 200GB 7200 rpm SATA 150
CDRW: Pioneer DVR-109
Creative Labs SB Live 24.bit 7.1
VIDEO: ATI Radeon X850 XT 256MB 16X PCI Express
PRICE: (+2182

AMD
CASE: Aluminum 420W Case
CPU: (939-pin) AMD Athlon 64 FX 55
FAN: CPU Fan & Heatsink + 3 Case Fans
MOTHERBOARD: (939pin Sckt)MSI RS480M2IL ATI Radeon Xpress200 Chipset SATA PCIE w/Video,LAN,USB2.0,IEEE-1394,&Audio
MEMORY: 1024 MB (512MBx2) PC3200 400MHz Dual Channel
HDD: Maxtor 200GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA 150
HDD2: Maxtor 200GB 7200 rpm Serial ATA 150
CDRW: Pioneer DVR-109
Creative Labs SB Live 24.bit 7.1
VIDEO: ATI Radeon X850 XT 256MB 16X PCI Express
PRICE: (+2360)

Thanks in advance for all input and help.
Dan Boldon

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

Both systems look capable of significant future upgradeability.

I lean towards Intel chipsets, so the Intel set-up looks good to me, though I would see if you could find the same with a genuine Intel MoBo - they are not the fastest boards, but are extremely stable.

PSU definitely looks good, as does the Video cards on both systems.

Good luck.

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Well, one thing to consider is the heat factor, the 775 pin processors(actually the processors have no pins..just a habit to say so..LoL) from Intel have been rumored to run a bit warmer than the others and while 3 case fans should be more than enough for any system..your running 2 hard drives and a chip that runs a little warm..If you went with the Intel system my only suggestion would be to add at least 1 more case fan..some people go to the extreme of "Water cooling"..but more times than not Intels Heatsink is fine..

As for the AMD..and I am sure Kona would agree..thats a nice system..One thing to take into consideration, there is the lack of 64bit progz and applications, more and more are being marketed but unfortunately it is still a waiting game for Intel to release their 64bit version and everyone else to begin putting out the software to run in the 64bit enviroment..

Me personally would choose the Intel machine as Corky also chose, but that has nothing to do with the quality of the AMD system..more of a preference and getting what works - now..

Zero.

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My wife is an avid Intel fan and will not accept any other processors in her comps. I decide it was time to build a new system for myself and went with the FX-55 just to tweak her nose a bit. Now my only problem with the system is that I never get to use it because she is always on my comp. Not only is it running cooler than her P-4 but it also smokes her P-4 system. There is no comparison to the two comps.

Then again it all comes down to personal preference. You said that you don't really game so that point is just moot. I would suggest that if you go with an Athlon system that you go with a 3800+ and bump the ram up to 2GB. You should come out about the same price for the athlon system as the Intel(actually just a bit cheaper) and it will give you way more performance than you need.

Either way you will be very very happy with a new system with the performance of either.

brobin

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Ditch the X850 in favor of a dual 6800GT SLI setup.

Or rather dont. If youre not into gaming, why not save some $$ and downgrade to like a X700 Pro? (around $200 USD) Remember, top 'o the liners (especially video cards) 'depreciate' very quickly.

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

Listen to the wise and stick with a AMD processor. They are cheaper and outperform the Intel P4.

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Thanks for the info, I am an Intel fan but leaning more towards the AMD due to the fact it does out perform the P4 and upgradeability. I don't need it now, but if I wanted to move to a dual core processor AMD only requires a new processor and bios upgrade were the intel will need a whole new mb. The AMD's do run cooler and out perform Intel. Any other thoughts, experiences, or things I should be aware of.

Dan Boldon

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Here is a set up for you. By downgrading some things that you won't notice anyway you can do a set up somthing like this. And yes it will still be blazing fast for just about anything that you do.

All these parts are from tigerdirect.com (you might find better prices elsewhere though):

Case: Thermaltake Xaser III V1420D/420w poder supply/7fans included.....159.99
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3800+..........................................373.99
Mother Board: MSI RS480 M2-IL...........................................104.00
Ram: (2x) Corsair 1024MB PC3200 (2GB total).............................319.98
Drives: (2x) Western Digital/Caviar SE/200GB/SATA-150........................199.98
Optical Drive: Plextor PX-176-SA /DVD+/-RW, CD-RW.......................134.99
Vidio: XFX GeForce 6600 GT 128MB DDR3/PCI Express.......................164.99
Sound: Creative Labs SB AUdigy 2 OEM 7.1.................................69.99
Monitor: Samsung 910T/19"/1280x1024.....................................379.00

Total cost for this system (minus tax and shipping)...................$1912.91

Hope this helps a little more.

brobin72

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Brobin, while that is an impressive system in itself..that price is a bit much!..sheesh! I am sure with a little effort (pricegrabber.com, bizrate..etc..etc) one could find alot better prices on the exact products mentioned..

And I still say your heading for trouble using that 64bit processor..I just saw a thread here the other day where a person was wondering if stardock was going to offer their products to run in 64bit enviroment..

Really take into account all the alternatives before choosing, I would hate to see you end up with regrets after spending a healthy sum of cash, not to mention the effort in putting it all together and getting it up and running..

Zero.

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

32 bit apps and OS systems run FINE on a AMD 64 bit CPU. Every person I know that has a 64 bit AMD tells me that 32 bit stuff runs great with no problems.

Brobin - keep in mind if you buy the P4 you'll regret it knowing the AMD outperforms it.

Zero - don't believe everything you read until you've seen it firsthand.

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PurrBall

Join Date 02/2003

+23

The truth: BOTH systems are 64-bit.

The Intel 600 series has new 64-bit tech (I know this because I own one!)BTW: Gateway offers new BTX case technology (9310 series) and it is SILENT. The new BTX design uses only 2 TOTAL fans (none on processor) to keep quiet. The new design keeps the system very cool inside. I actually felt the back fan air coming out of it: It was about 70 degree air...

The GeForce 6600 is a great PCI-E chip also.. My new system has it too.

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PurrBall

Join Date 02/2003

+23

The Intel is realllly SPEEEEEEEEDY too. 32-bit runs quite faster than the 32-bit eqivalent processor to my system (540, mine is obviously 640). Intel definatly is faster too.

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

AMD still retains the speed crown.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,120082,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/resource/zoom.asp

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Zero - don't believe everything you read until you've seen it firsthand.

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LOL, Double Zero that is not my system. Mine is set up a bit different. That was just to let Dan know what some options are. As I posted earlier thoes prices are all from Tiger Direct.com, and he could probably fins better prices elsewhere.

As to the cost of the sample system I set up yes $1912.91 is a bit high but I was trying to stay with in the price range of Dan's two systems he is looking at choosing between. For the sample system I posted if you loose the monitor, one of the hard drives and one stick of ram then you drop the price to atound $1300.00.

Even doing that you still end up with more performance than probably 90% of computer owners need for what they want to do.

Just trying to help Dan out a bit. Weather he goes with an Athlon or Pentium system he will be very happy with it.

brobin

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

Zero - AMD is still on top. Not only from what I've read and heard but from what I've seen. I also think that choosing AMD would save some money - it is a fact AMD is cheaper.

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Corky_O

Join Date 04/2004

What ever you decide, make sure you get a good chipset - this is what dictates what the MoBo can and cannot do - not the Processor.

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Kona,..I have not argued a single point in this thread I have simply offered a bit of advice in the choosing..
I felt the need to point out your obvious confusion..telling me to do something and then asking another to do what you were telling me not to do. That was a bit funny.dont you think?

I dare say that you have not lived up to that advice yourself, do you own a 64bit system Kona..I think not.have you been to the store and had your hands on one for minutes at a time..perhaps..

Meowy has a great system with the BTX form factor MoBo, I would say she has seen "First hand" the results and she has offered her opinion..

Once again Kona..get over the AMD vs Intel BS..it is such a small world..

Brobin - I knew that wasnt your system..was a great system tho!..and your advice was great..I just thought that was ALOT of money..LoL..
Thanks,

Zero.

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LoL..Sheesh!..I give up..you are one of the hopelss ones Kona. I shall reply no further, it really is pointless to do so. (I am sure Jafo would agree with my choice 100%..LoL this thread is dead.)

Zero.

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Thanks for all the input, I appreciate it. I will do some more research before I make a final decision. Thank you.

Dan Boldon

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Guru of 3d did a review of an Athlon64 4000+ versus the new Intel 64 bit processors. http://www.guru3d.com/article/processor/193/1/
I realize that might be out of the price range, but it is a very interesting read nonetheless.

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