AMD or P4, which way to go?

[danh920]

my P2 450 just isn't floating my boat anymore

I found I nice deal on an AMD board combo

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=G-7KJD-2400-K7

but I've been warned that AMD is a pain in the ass to set up and pentium is the way to go

I'm honestly not that good with computers, I can use them and physically put everthing together, but not much else, worst case, I'm sure I can throw somebody a couple bones and get it going properly

I've also considered going with a dell but I have plenty of parts on my current pc that I can use (case, drives, etc)

Any input for a computer dummy is appreciated

[rocky76]

I have built a few computers with AMD processors. For cheap ass like us, AMD makes much more sense. I've had no problem building the latest one with Athlon XP 2800+.
Building a computer can be time consuming if you are buying all the parts - probably new case, new HDD... also if you are buying OEM CPU then you will need to install Heatsink and Fan... also new OS.. These things can add up.

I see no difference between P4 and AXP in terms of ease of building new computer... it's just price...

[jalu6]

so far ive built many computers using AMD processors. Never used Intel before (just because cost) but I can tell you that I've never had a problem with installing an AMD processor, and out off all the things that can go wrong or not work when builing a new rig, none of them have ever had to do with the CPU.

[magilacudy]

Just make sure you choose your HSF combo and power supply wisely. Those things can get f*n loud regardless of what CPU you choose. The only thing I like about Dells are how quiet they can be, especially in a lab environment where theres about 50 of them going at once.

[spidey]

Stick with AMD, it's more for your money.

Right now, the budget overclocking system is a quality nForce2 board (Abit NF7-S) and a AMD 2500+. With some good ram, you can hit 200FSB. 11.0 multiplier x 200 FSB = 2.2GHZ which is 3200+ speeds.

Edit: I just realized the Frys deal ended yesterday.

[Syncmaster]

AMD Athlon chips both have their advantages...
AMD chips (and boards that use AMD chips) are usually really easily upgradable... so in the future, if your new stuff doesn't float your boat again... you can always upgrade...
The pentium chips are usually alright for upgrades but their main concern is to get the best possible speed and such out of the chip.

Other than that, the only difference is that the p4 chips run hotter than the Amd Athlon chips.

(if Im wrong on any of this... please correct me)

[bfg9k]

I have built both kinds of systems and I'd have to recommend amd based on price alone...

[FlipSide]

Ive built both AMD and P4, ive never had problems with either. In fact Ive had more problems with Video Cards than mobos or proccessors.

Go with AMD, its cheaper and better than P4 on games. The only reason I have a P4 computer is for Multimedia stuff (its the computer for Everyone too). My gaming rig has an AMD on it.

[bmulligan]

I've built with both also and I would go with AMD for the price/speed factor as well. That deal you found looks great, I bought a similar package for about $120 a month ago.

I must reiterate from a previous post:

get a good quality fan and PwrSupply. The extra $10-20 is well worth the peace and quiet, not to mention peace of mind.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr]

pentium 4

[bmulligan]

pentium 4

care to elaborate? Or do you just like wearing the Intel sticker like a status symbol? [/quote]

[Dale Earnhardt Jr]

pentium 4

care to elaborate? Or do you just like wearing the Intel sticker like a status symbol? $81.00 bucks http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=132

[Missingdata]

AMD All the way

P4 suks AMD can kick P4 @$$ from US to CHINA
AMD PRICE IS WAY CHEAPERRR THEN P4

WHEN I SAY AMD I M ITS NEW 64 BIT CHIP not the old XP thingy

Plz Don't flame unless u have become a CAG earlier then me

MuHaHaHa

[zzl365]

AMD All the way

P4 suks AMD can kick P4 @$$ from US to CHINA
AMD PRICE IS WAY CHEAPERRR THEN P4

WHEN I SAY AMD I M ITS NEW 64 BIT CHIP not the old XP thingy

Plz Don't flame unless u have become a CAG earlier then me

MuHaHaHa

A 64 bit processor isn't doing a whole lot of good for the average consumer right now. The biggest advantage in 64-bit processing is that it can handle much more RAM. A 32-bit processor can handle 4GB of RAM whereas a 64-bit processor can potentially handle over 17 billion gigs of ram :shock: . However currently the Athlon 64s can handle 8GB of ram and how many people can really afford to buy 2GB sticks of RAM (what you would need to get over 4GBs in most setups). I would go with a AMD Barton simply for the cost-effectiveness ratio...I'm not saying the 64-bit processors aren't fast, they are very fast, but the reason for that is the clock speed and the integrated bus, not the 64-bittedness (if that's a word). I wouldn't get all hyped up about 64-bit processing....yet.

[bfg9k]

pentium 4

care to elaborate? Or do you just like wearing the Intel sticker like a status symbol? $81.00 bucks http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=132

But you can get a faster amd processor for less from the same place:
http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=226

[Dale Earnhardt Jr]

pentium 4

care to elaborate? Or do you just like wearing the Intel sticker like a status symbol? $81.00 bucks http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=132

But you can get a faster amd processor for less from the same place:
http://www.starmicro.net/detail.aspx?ID=226 Yeh you got me there you win

[guyver2077]

i just built an amd 2600....i also upgraded from a cyrix 250 so i was worse than you....amd rocks

[msdmoney]

my P2 450 just isn't floating my boat anymore

I hear you, my pIII 550 just isn't cutting it either, and I have already upgraded it from its original P2 266, added more ram, and a better video card. It looks really bad too cause the case cover is gone because I have had to mess with the insides so often. But its done for once I get the money for a new system.

Anyways don't worry about p4 vs. amd, they both make great chips. If you go with an athlon xp, make sure you get a good cooler, if you go intel go with a northwood core, not the new prescott.

[snoser]

Intel is the better chip IMO but you can get a better deal with AMDs. In almost evey benchmark, the Intel processors will do better. click here to see an overclocked mobile baron 2500+@2.4GHZ. (http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q1/athlonxp-m-2500/index.x?pg=1)

I think the P4s are worth the premium but I also do much more than gaming on my pc.

[bmulligan]

I think the P4s are worth the premium but I also do much more than gaming on my pc.

Ok, I'm curious, what other applications would push processing power more than gaming?

[FlipSide]

I think the P4s are worth the premium but I also do much more than gaming on my pc.

Ok, I'm curious, what other applications would push processing power more than gaming?

Movie/Video editing, converting Video..etc pushes your PC's resources, they are much better suited for Pentium 4. If all you want is gaming then yeah AMD is right, but for people who does multimedia then P4 suits them better.

[rocky76]

look.. it's all about price vs. performance. if you want to spend gazillion dollars, you can get your supercomputer, but this is cheap ass gamer site.. and we have limited resources.

both pentium and AMD XP are amazing cpu's, it's just a fact that with the same amount of money you can get far better performing CPU if you go with AMD. Just go to any website and see the benchmarks...

[hohndog]

The AMD Athlon processors are great. Fast, reliable and affordable. The money you save on purchasing your processor can be used to upgrade your video card, hard drive or RAM. Good luck.

[danh920]

thanks for all the input, it's looking like AMD is the way I'll go as the computer will run a few games and be used for web surfing

[jetblac]

Just make sure you choose your HSF combo and power supply wisely. Those things can get f*n loud regardless of what CPU you choose. The only thing I like about Dells are how quiet they can be, especially in a lab environment where theres about 50 of them going at once.

You gotta be Fu&%#g Kidding!! I have had 4 dells, and they're all loud.
Lab envoirnment my a$$