A64 or 2.6C@3.3 in gaming rig...what to do.....what to do....

[zodder]

For the last 3 years, I've run nothing but AMD products in my main gaming rig and SETI boxes. The only platform my PC-65 has proudly displayed through its case window has been AMD. I've waved the AMD banner high and and preached the virtues of AMD to all those that would listen. Now, for the first time, I think I'm at a crossroad. I just built a sweet P4 system and I'm dying to see how it performs with all the uber gear in my gaming rig. The thought of the P4 along with my 9800 Pro, 2 x 512 xms3200LL, and Audigy 2 actually has me pretty excited. Bottom line is, I think I want to replace the A64 setup in my Lian Li with the P4 setup! Sacrilege? I don't know! I'm so confused! I feel the darkside sucking me in now, but my loyalty to, and years of satisfaction with all my Athlons keeps haunting me. I want to see how the P4 does in Far Cry, how it does with Deux Ex 2, how it looks through the window...........I want to see if it is indeed faster, which I honestly expect it to be. I have no idea what to do! :brokenheart:

 

[Mik3y]

i say get the athlon64 for games, because it IS better for gaming.

 

[myocardia]

Why in the world would you do that? Bring both systems to my house, and in ~10 minutes' time, I can have your 9800 Pro and 2x512MB of XMS3200LL installed in your P4 system, along with the better psu, if you think that's what's holding you back. Of course, it might be faster if you just did those things yourself.

 

[zodder]

It's better for gaming than a stock 2.6C for sure, but is it really better than a hyperthreading 3.3ghz P4 running at 1016? That is the question. I've never had any doubts about it until Intel came out with these "C" versions that are overclocking like crazy. I guarantee it will beat any Barton, but will it best the A64?

 

[zodder]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Why in the world would you do that? Bring both systems to my house, and in ~10 minutes' time, I can have your 9800 Pro and 2x512MB of XMS3200LL installed in your P4 system, along with the better psu, if you think that's what's holding you back. Of course, it might be faster if you just did those things yourself.

I want the fastest setup I can have in my gaming rig, that's why. Switching them out isn't a problem (the A64 would still be crunching in a very nice Antec 3700BQE, with excellent memory and a Ti4200) and nothing is really holding me back. Are there any places which benchmark overclocked cpus? I'd love to see how an A64 3200 (2.15ghz) compares with a 2.6@3.3.

 

[Markfw]

With your Athlon64 system running just a shade faster than a 3400+ (higher HTT, same effective speed) it should easily beat the P4 at 3.3 Benchmark, move hardware, bench again, then you know for sure.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

After taking a quick look at the Anandtech 3400+ reviewgame benchies with a stock 3400+ and stock P4 3.2ghz and given both your systems are running beyond those specs and even accounting for the extra 100mhz on the P4 I'd say the A64 is going to be faster for gaming overall and in some games substantially so.

 

[zodder]

Thanks, D. Very helpful link.

 

[Budmantom]

Stick with the A64.

 

[jdogg707]

A64 all the way!

 

[Budmantom]

You have an A64 and 2 Raptors and you still want more speed.... maybe it's time to try the 9800xt?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Another reason to stick with the A64 for gaming is that the P4 is doubtless running 2 instances of SETI and you don't want to slow down your best cruncher by gaming on it

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: zodder
It's better for gaming than a stock 2.6C for sure, but is it really better than a hyperthreading 3.3ghz P4 running at 1016? That is the question. I've never had any doubts about it until Intel came out with these "C" versions that are overclocking like crazy. I guarantee it will beat any Barton, but will it best the A64?

If you still want to test your 3.3ghz 2.6C against my XP-M 2600 Barton after you read this: link, just let me know. Although, mine is running even faster than the mobile Barton they use in that thread. It's quite an interesting read, no matter where your cpu-buying interests are, I think.

 

[Dug]

I would love it if Anand would do some oc'd benchmarks.
Especially with a 2.4-2.8c, A64, and one of those mobile Barton's oc'd to 2.4-2.5

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Another reason to stick with the A64 for gaming is that the P4 is doubtless running 2 instances of SETI and you don't want to slow down your best cruncher by gaming on it

Hehe, no doubt!

 

[zodder]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Another reason to stick with the A64 for gaming is that the P4 is doubtless running 2 instances of SETI and you don't want to slow down your best cruncher by gaming on it

Doh! That was below the belt! lol

 

[zodder]

I guess I just want to do more than just crunch SETI with the P4. Maybe I can convince my GF that co-op game play is an excellent way for us to bond.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: zodder

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Another reason to stick with the A64 for gaming is that the P4 is doubtless running 2 instances of SETI and you don't want to slow down your best cruncher by gaming on it

Doh! That was below the belt! lol

Speaking of below the belt, how's the GF's job going? <Triumph> I keed I keed</Triumph>