AMD 2500+/2600+ or P4 2.6c

[InlineFive]

I'm buying a 2.6C because it's faster for encoding and more Adobe applications are leaning towards SSE2 and HT optimization. Also really fast memory bus' help out with SETI@Home if you do that stuff. I hope to get 1GHz FSB with 500Mhz Kingston HyperX in Dual-Channel and maybe even 1.1GHz. I am buying a MCX478-X with 1 92mm Panaflo M1A to reach that though.

Bragging points for Athlon XP:
1. 9 Intructions-Per-Clock (the Pentium4 can only process 6 IPC)
2. 10 stage pipeline (which helps out if there is a mispredicted branch)
3. QuantiSpeed Arcitecture? if you like toting names that mean nothing
4. A 2.2GHz Athlon XP is as fast as a 2.6-3GHz Pentium4.
5. Has AMD's trademark 3DNow! technology.

Bragging rights for Pentium4:
1. HyperThreading technology and SSE2 (The Athlon lacks HT and only has SSE)
2. 800Mhz FrontsideBus with 6.4GB/s theoretical bandwidth
3. Much faster clock speeds then Athlon XP.
4. WindowsXP TCP/IP Protocol is optimized for SSE2.
5. OC's better then the Athlon XP.

 

[JonnyStarks]

Gosh I'm changing my mind daily.

I'm definately learning a lot, and it'll help me make a decision a few months down the road( actually, I'll probably just post another question like my first then see where things are at then )

But one quick question about overclocking... When people talk about "Adequete cooling" are they talking just a heatsink and fan combo? I don't mind overclocking, but I'd rather not bury tubes of copper piping in my backyard to do it. (See other overclocking thread) Can I get a good improvement boost with the stock heatsink and fan? Or should I just get a better quality one?

 

[edmundoab]

at the end of the day..
if you got cash to spend..
Intel is never a bad choice.

I had a friend who switch from AMD to Intel and he is very happy with his PC now.
He used to have issues with his Mobo using Via Chipset.
where else Intel CPU-mobo chipset is super stable!

as for me, I'm still cool with AMD/Nforce2 Ultra

 

[stingeragent]

I am prolly gonna end up getting a 2800+,lol. I'm also changing my mind daily johnny. On the 2800+ though, can it be o/c to 3200+ speeds?

 

[VIAN]

Fore best price performance, the 2.6C is killer, heck, the 2.4C beats out every XP.

Whoever told you that the P4 doesn't have true 800MHz FSB is an idiot. 4 channels running at 200MHz effectively emulates a single channel running at 800MHz.

I would get a dual channel PC3200 setup. I would definitely pay a little more money for a 9600 XT - it's worth it.

I think that since this is your first time building a system, that you might wanna focus on that first before you go onto overclocking.

C means the the FSB is 800MHz and that HyperThreading is included.

From what I've noticed, it seems that the XPs beat the P4As, are on par with P4Bs, are no match for P4Cs. Interestingly enough, Intel needs double the power (double L2 cache and FSB from A - C) to outdo the XPs.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Fore best price performance, the 2.6C is killer, heck, the 2.4C beats out every XP.

I was just going to say something similar. The 2.4C will stand toe to toe with an XP3000. A 2.6C is actually cheaper than a 2.4C and stands very well against an XP3200, which is also costs less then. You can look up benchmarks at AT, FS, THG, etc to confirm this.

Granted, the XPs are cheap and still offer more than enough performance for most applications out today, but consider this. The AXP is the last chip that is going to fit into socket A. If you do choose to go socket A, you are effectively cutting off your upgrade paths. Granted, Intel plans to replace the P4's s478 with Prescott (I think, s775?), but you'll still have upgrade paths in the form of higher clocked P4s and P4EEs (when they come into practicaly pricing).

 

[hytek369]

another vote for AMD

i have both systems, gotta say the AMD just "feels" faster.

 

[echow87]

So AMD "Feels Faster"....

I don't know about the but now I have a 2500+ at 3200+ and I don't know if I should spend some money on a 2.4c that does 3.3ghz. Anyone got any advice? I know that 3.3ghz will definately beat the 3200+ and because of the large memory bandwidth.

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I couldn't decide between building a AXP Barton 2500+/Abit NF7-S system, or a P4 2.6C/Abit IS7 setup. I also changed my mind daily. Finally, I decided on the P4. First, because of the HyperThreading (I use a lot of programs that are known to work with it, like in Duvies HT thread). Also, because I own a P3 800 and a AMD Athlon 850, and the P3 feels sooo much faster. I have also had less problems with the P3. Next, because at work they got some 2.6C based Dells, and I tried one, then I tried my buddys Barton 2500. The P4 seemed a lot faster, even with all the dell bloat! They both had 512MB ram. Finally, it was because IMO Intel systems are more stable than AMD. You can flame all you want, but this is just from personal experience. I love getting the best bang for my buck, but you get what you pay for, and this is true with processors also. In conclusion, I finally got the ram for my 2.6C, and I am very pleased with the computer. It feels so much faster than my buddies computer. It is stable, runs cooler than the barton, and I love it! BTW here is my setup:

Antec SLK3700AMB case
Abit IS7 Mobo
Intel P4 2.6C 800FSB with HyperThreading
Kingston HyperX PC3700 1GB Dual Channel Kit (2x512)
WD800JB
Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM
Samsung 12X DVD-ROM
Hi-Val 52X CD-RW
Windows XP Pro SP1a

-Josh

 

[stingeragent]

Well, I stopped by fry's today and low and behold they had a week 31 2500+ so I picked it up.


Ok, I am gonna the asus A7N8X off new egg. I'm not sure which one to get though. Do I want the one that is 73.99 or the one that is 87.99?