Athlon vs P4 for gaming

jlr69t

Member
Feb 25, 2004
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For under 200 dollars, Which Pross is better for gaming. I'm Looking to play the new Doom 3 with no problems.

i'm looking at a:
P4 2.4C P4


AthlonXP 3000 Athlon



Athlon XP 2200
Spacewalker AK35GT
Nvidia TI4200
512 Crucial 333mhz
bla bla bla...
 

jlr69t

Member
Feb 25, 2004
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I have heard that you need to run the 64bit version of Windows to use the Athlon 64 3000, is this true?
 

SilverBack

Golden Member
Oct 10, 1999
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No you don't. It runs 32 bit great.


That's the beauty of the A64 it's fast now and it will be faster later when Win64 shows up :)
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,709
6,266
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Originally posted by: jlr69t
For under 200 dollars, Which Pross is better for gaming. I'm Looking to play the new Doom 3 with no problems.

i'm looking at a:
P4 2.4C P4


AthlonXP 3000 Athlon



Athlon XP 2200
Spacewalker AK35GT
Nvidia TI4200
512 Crucial 333mhz
bla bla bla...

I'm confused, do you have a total $200 to spend or do you have only $200 to spend on a Processor?
 

jlr69t

Member
Feb 25, 2004
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I have 200 to spend on a pross... Is there really any quality difference between the Intel and Athlon?
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
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Originally posted by: jlr69t
I have 200 to spend on a pross... Is there really any quality difference between the Intel and Athlon?
Yes, the AMD is faster.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,709
6,266
126
Originally posted by: jlr69t
I have 200 to spend on a pross... Is there really any quality difference between the Intel and Athlon?

You are aware that an Intel processor would require a new motherboard? Looks like your current motherboard only supports up to 2400+.

At anyrate, quality between Intel and AMD is a non-issue, they are equal. There are performance differences between the various cpus, for gaming it generally is this Athlon64>P4>=AthlonXP.
 

orion7144

Diamond Member
Oct 8, 2002
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And the performace hit on the P4C is less than %5 for games but more than makes up for it with HT in other apps.
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
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I don't think you'll need a new processor, but I know you'll need a new video card.
 

bunnyfubbles

Lifer
Sep 3, 2001
12,248
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Originally posted by: SilverBack
No you don't. It runs 32 bit great.


That's the beauty of the A64 it's fast now and it will be faster later when Win64 shows up :)

Not really, the beauty is that the CPU will be able to run a 64bit OS when and if you upgrade to one. The only thing that will make it truly "faster" in a 64bit OS vs a 32bit one, is if you're also packing over 4gigs of ram...not to mention a CPU designed to be a 64bit CPU (ie Itanium) usually would crush an A64 in a 64bit OS running 64bit apps. It's just that with AMD it isn't all or nothing concerning 32bit vs 64 whereas with intel you're, well, SOL.
 

jlr69t

Member
Feb 25, 2004
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I have a Nvidia ti4200...what would be better, also how hard will it be to over clock my XP2200?
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
27,153
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Originally posted by: jlr69t
I have a Nvidia ti4200...what would be better, also how hard will it be to over clock my XP2200?

<Slaps forehead>

whats better than a 4200? do you want me to actually list ALL the cards better?

its not hard to OC a 2200. but it depends on your mobo and ram. werent you getting a new CPU?

know what you want to ask before you post next time
 

jlr69t

Member
Feb 25, 2004
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I did know what I wanted until someone said that the cpu was ok, that I should get a new video card first...so thats why my topic changed. now I'm not sure what to do, I guess I'll have think this out.
 

dnuggett

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2003
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know what you want to ask before you post next time

jlr69t, Don't let that tool fluster you. The thread went a different direction because others took it there and that is just fine. I would suggest that you spend the $200 on a new video card and leave the processor alone for now (9700 or 9800 Pro). The card will have a bigger impact on gaming than the proc. Your other option if you are dead set at upgrading the proc which will get you good performance and stay close to your $200 mark is the get a 2500 and bump the FSB to 200 (assuming your RAM can handle it). Then grab a 9600 pro from NewEgg refurbs and viola you have yourself a decent gaming rig. Just make sure the 9600 pro you get is oc friendly.

Ignore some of those peeps who like to spout off crap..... it just gets in the way of those of us that like helping. The card you have in most cases is closely comparable to the 9600 Pro (if it is the 250 500 flavor), and I am confident that the 9600 Pro could make Doom 3 playable. You will need to adjust the settings some, so it won't be as nice as having a newer card, it won't handle it as well as the 9700 or 9800 or the 5900, but for those on a tight budget it will work. Work being the key word.
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,139
16,037
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I agree, new video card first. A 9800pro for $210 would be the ticket IMO, and then if that isn;t fast enough for you, THEN get the Athlon64 3000+ or better.
 

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
6,733
155
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there will be some video card updates coming soon
i think a GF4 ti4200 should play Doom3 just fine
it just won't give you all the eye candy or high framerates at 1600x1200

I vote for the 3000+ too
but even this is going to limit your upgrade path as new sockets will come out soon..
 

clarkey01

Diamond Member
Feb 4, 2004
3,419
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I?ll think you find even the athlon XP had it better for gaming then the p4, and the AMD64 steps further ahead when it comes to gaming, to compare an a64 to an itanium is stupid, a chip that cost billions and 10 years to get it to the market only to fail I might add. Back to the point, A64 over P4C & even P4EE for that matter.
 

Clon22

Junior Member
Mar 9, 2004
14
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I think you should get a new video card too. 9800pro is good. Buy within your budget.
Maybe you can overclock your processor alittle too.