AMD or Intel?

[Christof]

I am sure this has been done to death, but I couldn't find anything specific to my specific concerns so I thought I would ask.

I am going to be upgrading and I am just not sure whether to go with an AMD XP2000, or a P4 2.4Ghz.
The box is going to be used for gaming and general use. (heavy on the gaming).

What I am considering is an ASUS P4PE/L mobo with a P4 2.4Ghz processor, but I have also been thinking about the AMD XP2000.
For the money, which would offer me better performance, stability etc... ? I am not going to be overclocking, so that's not a concern.

Is the ASUS mobo with the P4 processor a good choice?

Thanks for any and all advice.

 

[mechBgon]

Make sure you don't cheese out and buy a chintzy power supply, no matter how many watts it supposedly has. If you are after "stability," then you need to build on a stable foundation As for platform, both are fast, and the choice of video card is probably going to be what defines the game-worthiness of your system... well, and audio too. Among the AMD platforms, nForce2 looks like where it's at, maybe the Asus A7N8X-Deluxe if you want 5.1 support.

 

[bgeh]

i would go with amd because its more economical and i just like that built in sound

 

[o1die]

There are advantages to either amd or intel, but the nforce 2 board is getting rave reviews, so, even though I use a P4, I would check out the features of the nforce 2 boards and make the decision based on the mobo, not the cpu. The p4pe was top rated by Tom's hardware guide in a recent review of 845pe boards. I prefer the p4 as it overclocks so easily, while still running a little cooler and quieter than the xp with the stock Intel heatsink.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Do note that the 2400+ from AMD will still be a bit slower than a properly configured P4 2.4B running high speed DDR or don't forget RAMBUS as a viable option for that extra oomph that the P4 loves so much

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Do note that the 2400+ from AMD will still be a bit slower than a properly configured P4 2.4B running high speed DDR or don't forget RAMBUS as a viable option for that extra oomph that the P4 loves so much

Slowwer in what??? There are a pile of different programs and games, and they all run different on each CPU. And what are talking about high speed DDR? the nForce2 board has been pushed OVER 200Mhz. And show me a 100% Dual Channel DDR intel board, and don't say GB as Intel has already come out and said there are Video problems with it. And then don't even talk about GB's price vs nForce2 price.


Go AMD and get the Abit nForce2 (or Asus) board.

 

[optimistic]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Do note that the 2400+ from AMD will still be a bit slower than a properly configured P4 2.4B running high speed DDR or don't forget RAMBUS as a viable option for that extra oomph that the P4 loves so much

Slowwer in what??? There are a pile of different programs and games, and they all run different on each CPU. And what are talking about high speed DDR? the nForce2 board has been pushed OVER 200Mhz. And show me a 100% Dual Channel DDR intel board, and don't say GB as Intel has already come out and said there are Video problems with it. And then don't even talk about GB's price vs nForce2 price.


Go AMD and get the Abit nForce2 (or Asus) board.

I'd imagine you'd have more upgradablility options with the nForce, being that intel likes changing their socket type every CPU generation and AMD is already sporting a dual memory channel solution NOW which will come in handy for future higher FSB CPUs.

 

[SpideyCU]

This thread can only go bad. It's a decision that's based solely on budget needs and personal opinions. There won't be a clear answer for you, Christof. Well, for the processor, at least. Motherboard features are a bit different. In that case I'd have to agree that the nForce2 is more tempting as compared with the P4PE/L - the P4PE/L is somewhat older. The prices are about the same on both, too.

BTW, why XP2000? If you're going to be considering a P4 2.4GHz, then an AthlonXP 2400 is in the same price range. Unless you're looking to save money by going the AMD route...in that case, it becomes a budget concern and, as I mentioned, only you can figure that out for yourself.

 

[BobTheWizard]

My little brother is here....
=====================

Well, Christof... looks like this thread has more votes for AMD. It will depend on your comfort level with whatever you decide to do. I would try to compare the P4 2.4 to the AMD XP 2400+ if I were to compare, though.

Take your time and think it through. Compare the mobos, processors... We'll talk more...


Welcome to Anandtech!!!

 

[mechBgon]

Cool, this is your brother, Bob? Welcome to the Forums and hopefully welcome to Team AnandTech soon, Christof!

 

[Christof]

Yes mechBgon, Ole Bob is my oldest. most ancient brother and I must say, I am darned glad he is.

I appreciate everyone's opinion and advice a great deal. This is going to be my first build and I just want it to be right.
I still have no idea which way I am going to go, but I have time to decide still. I sure hope everyone doesn't get tired of my questions during this build though

As far as joining TeamAnandTech... I have everything downloaded and set up, but I can't get to the Berkley site to get a password and join the team. Still trying though

 

[Wind]

AMD will offer u a better price/performance ratio..if tht's wht u want.

On the platform, both are equally stable. Although many would agree tht AMD runs hotter than Intel...thus the system needs a decent quality cooler not to mention the general sound level coming out from your system.

AMD seems to provide a better upgradability than Intel as well. It still use socket A till the latest XP2800+. I've use Duron (Splitfire), Athlon (TB), XP (Palo), XP (T-bred). All seems stable & I can say here AMD is just as stable as Intel.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
Do note that the 2400+ from AMD will still be a bit slower than a properly configured P4 2.4B running high speed DDR or don't forget RAMBUS as a viable option for that extra oomph that the P4 loves so much

Slowwer in what??? There are a pile of different programs and games, and they all run different on each CPU. And what are talking about high speed DDR? the nForce2 board has been pushed OVER 200Mhz. And show me a 100% Dual Channel DDR intel board, and don't say GB as Intel has already come out and said there are Video problems with it. And then don't even talk about GB's price vs nForce2 price.


Go AMD and get the Abit nForce2 (or Asus) board.

maybe you should answer your own question by looking at overclockability and such. I consider DDR400 fast memory. I could build a P4 2.4 and with a little tweaking have it running faster than the similar AMD system.

 

[mrman3k]

Well if the 2.4 P4 isnt a whole lot more, I would probably get that, but if it is a fair bit more like $30-50, I would go with the Athlon and concentrate on getting either R9700Pro or waiting and getting a GFFX.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

I used to buy speed, but now I'm sticking with stability. I would get a P4 with ASUS mobo. And a Seagate SCSI 15K.3 and SCSI controller. JMHO.