Advice for new Processor Purchase

[brightguy]

About 5 years ago I was fed up with purchasing complete systems so I built my own piece-by-piece. I've upgraded components over the years (hard drives, sound card, video card) but now I want to buy a new motherboard and CPU.

Right now I have an Intel Pentium but have heard much good about AMD - I just can't seem to find a good unbiased review of processors so I can make a choice.

I use my computer for: watching TV when in my room, I do a lot of Photoshop work, not big into gaming, I have software for ray-tracing/computer modeling that I sometimes use for work.

I'd appreciate either opinion on a decent processor (not something so new that it's $500+) or at least a guide to where I can get good info on the internet.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Arachnotronic]

What is your current setup?

 

[brightguy]

Intel Celeron 2.0 (not Pentium like I first wrote)
2GB DDR266
ATI All-in-Wonder 9600 (128Mb)
Creative SB Audigy 2 ZS
Maxtor 250GB SATA
Maxtor 300GB SATA
SeaGate 80GB ATA133
iWill P4ES motherboard (533MHz FSB Intel 845E chipset)

I know my motherboard sucks - it has a 2GB max for RAM. I'm going to replace it but want to figure out what processor and chipset I want first. I bought cheap the first time around just to see if I could build a system.

 

[ajikan]

A price range would be helpful, too..

Maybe a dual core?
or you can look on newegg.com for some good ones.

I'm currently building one with an ASUS P5WD2 Premium mobo with a Pentium D 920. but those two are already ~450-500 dollars.

2GB is sufficient, probably more than you need.
you might want to use DDR2 667 or higher ram (for intel) or some good quality DDR ram for AMD

 

[brightguy]

Between the mobo and cpu I was hoping to spend no more than about $400

I guess my big question (and it may be a split) intel vs. AMD is there a solid winner? I keep hearing more and more good things about AMD and more negatives about intel's chips.

 

[Centoros]

There's nothing wrong with either chip IMO. Intels netburst technology is not very popular among computer enthusiasts but, the newer Intel chips have improved greatly and work very well.

I would recommend a dual core Intel chip or AMD equivalent. Dual core is nice for multiple applications and makes the system seemless.

Don't let anyone tell you that Intel doesn't compare to AMDs current lineup. I have a 630 prescott with HT and it does a very nice job of running multiple applications and it handles everything I throw at it with ease.

 

[brightguy]

Thanks for the input/comments - it's definitely a big help.

 

[strummer]

Originally posted by: brightguy

I'd appreciate either opinion on a decent processor (not something so new that it's $500+) or at least a guide to where I can get good info on the internet.

Thanks in advance...

For your uses, I don't think that it matters if you use AMD or Intel. If you were a gamer, then I think AMD would be the clear choice.

I would suggest, however, that if everything else is equal with the different brands of CPU's - go with AMD. For the long term, we need AMD to remain a strong viable competitor to Intel. No personal AMD bias here - If the marketshare positions were reversed I would say go with Intel. We need to have at least two healthy companies trying to out do each other. If Intel manages to put down AMD than we are going to go into a period of research stagnation and increasing CPU prices. So when all else is equal, try and help out the smaller guy.

 

[Conroe]

Looks to me like you would like to keep the 9600 AIW. AGP is getting pushed out. Not to may good 939 AGP mobos. Even if you want to keep it you should still get new ram.

For AMD I can't recomend a AGP board. Some might say a ASRock DualSATA2 but I have one I realy don't like much. Nforce3 has had too many problems. AMD's single cores don't multitask very well. A 3800+X2 is very good.

For Intel you could get a P5P800-SE. It has AGP, uses regular DDR, and supports dual core. A 631 or 930 would work well. I have two of the older P5P800s(not SE,) they are very stabe solid mobos. It should work with what ever RAM you have now but you realy need to get a one or two gig kit of DDR-400.

Moving on to a PCIe video card may be a good idea. Then there are many good AMD modos to choose from. PCIe with Intel would mean DDR2 aswell(except some 915 mobos.)

 

[brightguy]

Yeah, that's what I've been finding out in my search.

Initially, I wanted to keep the 9600AiW because it's decent. However, as you said, I don't see too many good AGP mobos out there.

Most likely I'll do the trade-up with ATI and get a AiW X800 XL 256Mb pci-express for $279 (a little cheaper than newegg)

 

[Duvie]

I would look at getting AMD 3800+ X2 ...I believe this can be had for under 300 (newegg 297 shipped) or close to....Then you can look at many mobos that will run this in the 80 range (newegg 83 shipped) like the Neo4-f..pci-express


The memory will have to use a 133 divider at sock speed....

With AMD you can run the stock coolers and be still reasonablly cool...may bump the 297 shipped above to get retail but wil come with the stock cooler and 3 year warranty....



You could look at the ultra cheap 805D mobo combo., however I believe you would be forced to buy new DDR2 ram now...So by the time that happens you wil be in the 300 rage...However the 3800+ would tear it a new one...

Intels like th epresler are nice if you OC them, but you will have to invest more in the board, DDR2 memory,and a better then stock heatsink....

 

[ThEFeAR]

If your going S939, this motherboard has both PCI-Express and AGP.

 

[Bobthelost]

The Asrock is supposed to be quite good. That's if you do go AMD. As it is right now AMD rules the CPU performance market at the higher end, but Intel can be very good value for money at the low/medium end. Since you could just keep the old RAM if you go AMD intel looks like a bad bet.

The 3800X2 would be far better than any intel in the price range, however it is going to be near the top of your budget with the asrock.