A64, Dual Athlon-M, or Single P4?

[mamisano]

Have been using my current setup for a bit now and I have an itch for a change. Current setup is as follows:

ABIT KV8-MAX3
AMD-64 3400+
2x512MB Corsair 3500C2PT
2x36GB Raptors
1x80GB Hitachi SATA
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128
Lite-On 811s DVD-RW

I have been doing less and less gaming, with more and more multi-tasking like burning DVDs, Un-Raring, Parity Checks (PAR2), etc. I do notice that the system does not respond well when performing these tasks and want a system more tailored to them. So, here are my options:

A-
Stick with the current setup and deal with the slowdowns during multitasking

B-
Gigabyte Dual AMD Board $180
2x AMD Athlon-M 2400's (overclocked) $160
SATA-Raid Card ~$50
Good Sound Card ~$75

C-
High-End i865 or i875p based board ~$150-$175
Intel P4C 2.8 (overclocked) $186 or 3.2 $285

Now, I can probably get a nice penny for my current board/chip, ~$450 ($540 new at NewEgg) so that will be used towards the new setup. I currently have a dual AMD Mobile setup running Win2003 Server in my basement, so I do have experience with them.

I don't have the money for Dual Opteron, and I am not going to wait on any new sockets/technology. The purchase will be made within a week or two. Personally, I am leaning towards the P4 route...maybe even a Shuttle box and selling off the Raptors to boot...

Thanks all!

 

[Vette73]

You can go Dual Opteron really cheap now.


1. Board MSI K8T Master2-FAR $205 and comes with heatsinks

2. CPU's 240 at $193 each

 

[Corsairpro]

considering he has a 2.2GHz CPU right now, I don't think he'll be pleased with 2x 1.4GHz and with having to get registered memory.

I'm an AMD fan myself, but looks like your best option would be the P4.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
You can go Dual Opteron really cheap now.


1. Board MSI K8T Master2-FAR $205 and comes with heatsinks

2. CPU's 240 at $193 each

i agree. i have that motherboard and hate it though. but it is pretty cheap.

 

[mamisano]

Oh yeah, I would probably be going H20 on the new setup. Already have a Via-Aqua 1300, Criticool, Radiator and Tubing. Would just need necessary waterblock for chip.

 

[Acanthus]

Prescotts OC extremely well on water/exotic cooling.

 

[LouPoir]

I would go the P4 route - I would avoid the Prescott's in that they run hotter and don't perform as well as the Northwood.
If its you only rig, I would stay away from SFF. Just not enough space for hard drives and CD/DVD drives.



I have tried the A64, Prescott and also the Shuttle.


IMHO

Lou

 

[mamisano]

Thanks Lou, SFF is not a necessity as my current case is set up to accept H20 cooling, and that is the route I will probably go.

Well, looks as if my A64 and MAX-3 are headed to the FS/FT Forum.... wish me luck!

 

[IczarOne]

I know this question has been answered, but people still can find it doing a google search. With thats said i have to say. i had the 64 athlon and the p4 with ht..... .. . PENTIUM SUCKS. They may be good at making sure that email gets to that server in china or that in the worse of worse situations you dont crash but otherwise their crap. If you spend as much money on gettin a good mobo and cpu as you would buying the latest of intels wallet busters you would find that there no over all any better. and you would have some pocket money to buy the extras you always end up needing. I went FX-53

 

[Bar81]

Your problem is your motherboard. Try something based upon the SiS755 chipset. I mutlitask all the time with my A64 3200+ and there's no slowdown compared to my old P4 2.8C

Also, stop using RAID. Exchange those 2 Raptors for one of the new Raptors. You should see a definite improvement in multitasking.

Switching to a P4 isn't going to fix anything, you haven't properly configured your current setup for what it is you want to do.

 

[Dman877]

You've got a fever and P4 is the prescription. Media + multi-tasking = P4 territory.