AMD or Intel?

Foxtrot

Foxtrot

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As long as it works I've never found any real preference for a type of PSU.
And of the processors you show there the AMD is actually faster for the money. Most people usually stick with what they have experience at, or their motherboard supports. If neither of those are a factor, but money is, you may want to seriously look at getting an AMD. I've always stood behind them.
 
Try to find a 3000+ or 3200+ AMD64 instead. They're cheap and you get great performance.
 
I've read in a few magazines that AMD is better for gaming even though the amount of Ghz is slower.
 
I'm finding AMD to be a little unstable at times, but, still, if it's a gaming beasty, AMD.
 
AMD is probably harder to get good with (I have very limited Intel experience), but if you set it right they're pretty much the same as any other processor stability-wise. But you should certainly keep in mind that clock speeds don't mean a darn thing with AMD. Instead you should really go by the number on the processor. 2800-2.8ghz etc.
 
You'll find pretty similar performance from both of those processors. You're comparing a Prescott and a Barton though, and I would recommend, as above, you look at one of the AMD's 64 bit offerings. Just between those two that you linked, you'll find overall performance about equal, and the AMD chip and the Intel chip maybe winning a few benchies because of the different instruction sets they support. You might also note that the Prescott will run a lot hotter..
 
Processors are usually the most stable part of a system. As long as they are cooled fine, they will last a LONG time without any hiccups. Anyway yeah, Intels are usually pricier, and when you look at benchmarks to judge for yourself, it usually seems like Intels are better for decoding things and AMDs usually seem to dominate in the gaming area. It's all a matter of preference though.
 
I have 5 fans in my computer, also my friend said that when he runs more then 1 program with his AMD system it slows down. I think I will get intel, also this way my dad will help me pay for it which means I get it this week(hopefully) instead of in 6 weeks. This will be a gaming PC mainly though.
 
synth said:
I've read in a few magazines that AMD is better for gaming even though the amount of Ghz is slower.
Click to expand...

not true.....

ComradeBadger said:
I'm finding AMD to be a little unstable at times, but, still, if it's a gaming beasty, AMD.
Click to expand...

also not true....
 
Please elaborate crabcakes66. Just saying "not true" is almost, trolish.
 
Foxtrot said:
I have 5 fans in my computer, also my friend said that when he runs more then 1 program with his AMD system it slows down. I think I will get intel, also this way my dad will help me pay for it which means I get it this week(hopefully) instead of in 6 weeks. This will be a gaming PC mainly though.
Click to expand...


I'm running an AMD 2600+ 333mhz througoubred (i can never get that damn name right) and im using 1gb DDR400 so my memory is underclocked anyway with a GeForce4 TI4600 and i can alt tab from FarCry, Start Neocron (another game i play, MMORPG [FPS]), alt tab from that and start winamp and listen to music while surfing the net and my cpu doesnt slow down....Whatever your friend is using is a bag of crap imo...AMD's are not slow, now imagine using a 3000+ 400mhz AMD. I'm getting a 3200+ 400mhz fsb AMD asap and gunna clock it to like 2.5 - 2.6ghz, I've got a thermaltake case with 7 fans and ill buy whatever is the best cpu cooler at the time, atm its a Volcano12 afaik. Get an AMD, they are better for games and they are cheaper.
 
I've never had any problems multitasking either. Thats a load of bollocks.
 
So the two processors I picked out will run pretty much the same for gaming?
 
Afaik AMD's run games better, intels run programs better, e.g : winrar/decoding and the like...anyway, at the end of the day the intel will be fast and the amd will be fast but the prescott intels get roasting which doesnt appeal at all to me or alot of people, especially with summer getting closer and closer.
 
So if I am going to be doing gaming(and forum whoring while in MIRC and listening to winamp) which would you suggest I get? The FSB lookes weak on the AMD, but does that really mean anything? I like the intel just because I have used intel before and it has worked just fine, and the FSB is twice the speed.
 
AMD gets my vote for games. Don't be fooled by clock frequency, its what you do each cycle that counts :)
 
I am an uber-n00b, so comparing the two processors which one is better for gaming? Also wtf does a PSU mean when it says P4 compatable? Also I have never even looked at an AMD system, will I have troubles assembling it or is it the same?
 
I dont look at fsb between the two...because when you compare a 2.8ghz intel to a 2.8+ AMD they are pretty much the same so AMD must do something different of course with the fsb thing...You could alt tab from a game and surf the net and use MIRC with an AMD or intel...i've never had an intel myself (bet you think im a right AMD-Ho) but then again ive never had an AMD no do what i want it to quickly and stable....memory takes a big factor in multitasking...by the time i'd alt tabbed them 2 games and had winamp on i was down to 50 - 60 free mb ram left. 1gb memory is becoming a high settings requirement nowadays anyway i think.

If you have an intel board then get an intel if its a fast new board and vice-versa for amd but if your upgrading the lot then get an amd id say :p

I am an uber-n00b, so comparing the two processors which one is better for gaming? Also wtf does a PSU mean when it says P4 compatable? Also I have never even looked at an AMD system, will I have troubles assembling it or is it the same?
Click to expand...

I dont actually know if that is a statement or just an option...i figured it was 'works with amd but works best with p4's' so im just getting a thermaltake amd + p4 support one to be safe :dozey: http://www.overclock.co.uk/customer/product.php?productid=16915&cat=482
 
I am building my own PC, I have nothing right now. Any suggestions for a mobo?
 
Have you ever assembled a system at all? Or just not an AMD one?
 
I have sort of assembled intel systems before. I have repaired crappy ones before(compaqs) and I have put peices in before, pretty much everything but the mobo and the processor. But I think I know how to do those because of the PC gamer guide.
 
Asus A7V8X-X is a nice cheap board, performs fine for me :)
 
CPU is the hardest bit..scary incase you crush the actual cpu but they do take a fair old push to break (ive never broken one yet *touch wood*) or actually, the hardest bit is getting the case LED's to work omglolz especially if you have an OEM mobo with no manual :laugh:
 
Oh yeah...ALWAYS get the darn manual. Can't count how nice it is to have it. :D
 
kalayq said:
Please elaborate crabcakes66. Just saying "not true" is almost, trolish.
Click to expand...


#1.They are two different companys and there cpus work differantly. Ghz is a moot point. Its just what people are acustomed to looking at to judge the speed of a CPU. At this point its marketing. The average joe doesnt know that higher isnt always better..... or that just becuase a specific cpu(celeron anyone) at a higher clockspeed performs worse..that that companys cpus in general must be inferior.

#2. This is just BS. Comparable cpus from either company that are properly set up and cooled should be equally "stable". Instability is more likely caused by the million other variables in modern PC. (hardware and software other than the CPU itself)
 
See, how I read it I thought you were inferring that AMD is no good for gaming. Thats why you should explain this stuff.
 
Foxtrot said:
How is this for a mobo? Seems like it doesn't work too well for some people.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-468&catalog=23&manufactory=BROWSE
Click to expand...

All Asus and Abit mobo's are quality and stable boards...that board is good just try get it without on-board sound and LAN and stuff...you get a better deal by buying a decent soundcard like an audigy2 if you really want a top line pc and a ethernet card costs like £10 if that.

Edit/ probably best to have LAN on it actually...one less slot and one less card to block air movement in your pc...
 
Foxtrot said:
I have 5 fans in my computer, also my friend said that when he runs more then 1 program with his AMD system it slows down. I think I will get intel, also this way my dad will help me pay for it which means I get it this week(hopefully) instead of in 6 weeks. This will be a gaming PC mainly though.
Click to expand...

Your friend also probably has millions of viruses and spyware on his pc then.
 
Actually, I just got a new mobo and got a better deal with the onboard sound than I could get without it. :D
Not that I use it or anything.
 
Foxtrot said:
So if I am going to be doing gaming(and forum whoring while in MIRC and listening to winamp) which would you suggest I get? The FSB lookes weak on the AMD, but does that really mean anything? I like the intel just because I have used intel before and it has worked just fine, and the FSB is twice the speed.
Click to expand...

*sigh*

800 MHz and 400 MHz are not real figures and do not reflect real frequencies. The "800 MHz" FSB on Intel platforms is actually "quad-pumped" 200 MHz, as in there are four pathways with a 5 ns cycle time; the AMD platform you're looking at uses a dual-pumped 200 MHz approach. You might notice that these frequencies are the same...

The A7N8X is a great Socket A board and I highly recommend it, if you're set on Socket A. If you get one of the ones with the SoundStorm APU, then don't even bother getting a PCI sound card.
 
taking a look at the current amd vs intel price listings over on sharky's weekly cpu roundup http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/WCPG/ It seems like a dead heat freq vs $ these days. So try to go with a good cheap mobo combo with GOOD fan, O and of course get a GOOD name brand PSU 450w+ ... my personal $.02 --> did a quick look at price watch.. you can get a ABIT KV8 mobo w AMD64-3000 for $332 .. not bad at all.. or you can go intel 3.0ghz and ABIT mobo for about $300. PSU - enlight, antec.. minimum - 450W i am not kidding here,, you will thank me later..
 
since we have so many PSU questions on here fairly regularly, i will try dig up some guidelines for figuring our PSU usage/consumption. meanwhile, i visit tom's hardware .com everyday i think i remember him having an article on PSU back around jan / feb. tom is the the best HW on the net - my opinion
 
hey try this use the exact phrase "power supply calculator" in a seach engine , i found several good calcs that i check w my config, they are right on!
o and AMD still my pick..
 
You guys are funny.
You have assumptions and based on those you are going to buy. hehe
GL

I wouldn't suggest the Pentium4 Prescott models (E) but would suggest a Northwood (C) instead.
Athlon XP's are solid but for that price range go with an Athlon 64.
Link

Winrar and winzip are programs Athlon's excell at...
For your sake, don't look at numbers...except benchmarks and pricing.
Pay attention to what those Business Winstone and Content Creation Winstone tests are actually testing. They are actually using real programs for the test...

Don't make any assumptions based on the specs of one CPU to another brand's CPU, or even between different cores from the same brand.
E.I.
1MB L2 cache on 2.8E P4 CPUs vs 512KB L2 cache on 2.8C P4 CPU. Based on that info you think the E is better...but what you don't know is it needs that 1MB L2 cache to remain somewhat even.

A64's rock in gaming though.

14 CPUs starting at 200$ and up, benchmarked *this one lists programs in Buisness + Content Creation benchmarks

P4 2.8C vs P4 2.8E vs A64 2800+
 
Nice post, Asus.

A bit OT, but it's ironic that the increased L2 cache size Intel parades is what's causing a lot of these problems. Traditionally, the larger the L2 cache, the less flexible the chip is clock-wise, and of course the more power used and heat generated, and the more expensive!
 
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