best, ultra-cheap Tux box

[banibratadutta]

Hi,

I have a P4-2.26GHz w/256MB RAM at work. I am pretty happy with it's performance.
I was wondering, if it's possible to get similar performance from a Celeron-D / Semperon ?
Of course it's a stupid question --!! So let me elaborate.

This will be mostly a development workstation for home. Here are things that I'd like to
run on it:-
Linux:- Fedora Core 3 (t3), KDevelop, Eclipse, JBOSS, OpenOffice etc. i.e. memory heavyweights.
Windows:- Win2000Pro, RationalRose EE, MS-Word, MS-Visio, MS-Visual Studio, lots of
Cygwin windows, and X-server running on Cygwin.

I am not going to use this machine for serious 3D gaming (for that I'd build a different beast
when I have the dough). I won't use this machine for any 3D artwork, but might like to use
it from time to time to watch a DVD movie though.

For this type of work, my guess is that:-

Option-1: Celeron-D 2.1Ghz, 512MB DDR RAM, 80GB 7200RPM HDD, 48x8xDVD/CD/CDRW.
Option-2: AMD Athlon 2000 XP, 512MB DDR RAM, 80GB 7200RPM HDD, 48x8xDVD/CD/CDRW.

Would Option-1 & Option-2 should be good enough? BTW, I am located in India, so all this archaic looking hardware is still available brandnew in OEM & retail boxes!!

tnx,
bd

 

[unbiased]

What is your budget in INR? For comparative performance of athlons versus celeronsathlons versus celerons info is available. You can see that for all other applications except gaming and developement, celeron D performs better.

 

[banibratadutta]

hi unbiased:

thanks for the comparison link. my budget is about 18K (INR), but that needs to include:-
processor, mobo, RAM (256MB min), HDD (80GB), CDDrive, cabinet, PSU/SMPS etc.
+ 17" monitor + keyb/mouse etc.

with celeron D i know i can do it, if i go the DiY way... not so sure with Athlon. but for another
5K if i get a more futureproof system, i.e. more RAM, better MoBo & A64, i'd go for it.


bd

 

[Sentinel]

Have you seen Sempron 2500 + Mobo CHEAP

 

[banibratadutta]

hi sentinel:

Sempron 2500+ would be less performant than Athlon XP 2500+, isn't that so ? Given that for most tests (except compile-time), the Celeron D 330 seems to beat the Athlon XP 2400+, I wonder if Semperon 2500+ will stand as a match to Celeron D !!

But yeah, the deal is "super cheap"...

thanks,
bd

 

[Sentinel]

Thought I'd let you know man, didn't seem like you need to do uber-intensive work.

 

[unbiased]

Since you are going to use it primarily for developing, it is better to go Sempron way (754 ones and not socket A ones).Sempron 2800+ will be a good bet. The platform provides future-proofing in that the mobo will support 64 Bit processor when you need it.

Why not go NF2-Athlon-IGP way? You might just get by within 18-19K. Or if gaming is not the purpose then why not Via-KM400 SE basedf solutions?

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Originally posted by: unbiased
Since you are going to use it primarily for developing, it is better to go Sempron way (754 ones and not socket A ones).Sempron 2800+ will be a good bet. The platform provides future-proofing in that the mobo will support 64 Bit processor when you need it.

Why not go NF2-Athlon-IGP way? You might just get by within 18-19K. Or if gaming is not the purpose then why not Via-KM400 SE basedf solutions?

I thought the only 754 Sempron was the 3100+ as all the others were Socket A variety? The 3100+ is 99 bucks and beats all the Celerons with the exception of the 2.8 and they trade blows with the Sempron winning more because of the on-die controller.

I also thought the AMD Sempron/A64 variant is a killer at compiling compared to any Intel