CPU Help

[ghcowan]

Good Morning All,

I've always used anandtech when I've run into problems and this community has always professional and my savior! That being said, I turn to you experts again.

My son has decided that it's time to upgrade his current computer. He's had my old 2000+ handme down for some time. Now, I want to supply him with a gaming rig (but still want the rest of the family able to use it for video editing, etc...)

1. He has decided that he would like an Alienware computer. Anybody have any personal opinions on this company and their product & support?

2. I'm torn on which direction to proceed. Do I go the Intel route as they support DDR2 ram at 667mhz.

3. OR....do I stay the course and continue with an AMD processor. The AMD cpu's are 64 bit processors, but are they that much more powerful for gaming & video editing?

Summary:

- Intel 940 3.2mhz Dual Processor OR AMD X2 4400+

- Alienware - Thumbs up or Thumbs down?

Again, thank you all for your support and straight forward assistance. It truly is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Greg

 

[themusgrat]

1. Alienware will be great, but you will pay for it. I would look somewhere else unless you think you will need the warranty and tech support real bad.
2. No, DDR2 does not outweigh the performance loss of Intel.
3. I would say the AMD 4400, or actually the 4200. It costs less, and will perform almost the same. In video editing, the performance of Intel is much closer to AMD, but in gaming, AMD is the king.

 

[TrevorRC]

Few comments, and questions:
Comments:
1) Alienware computers look great, and don't come with loads of junkware, but bang-for-buck you'll spend about 30% more; depending on the computer (decent systems are anywhere from 500->1000 dollars overpriced; and it scales.) I'd have to say :thumbsdown:

Questions:
1) How heavy 'video editing' are we talking here? What programs?
2) Would you consider overclocking at all?
--Trevor

 

[imported_SLIM]

Hi Greg,

I'd also recommend avoiding alienware due to the price premium their systems carry. A company that I've used to buy components and also has a good reputation for support is monarchcomputer.com. They have several prebuilt systems to choose from which you can customize, or you can choose all the components yourself. The following would be what I consider a resonable start to a nice looking mid-level gaming system that will do well when matched up to a 19 inch LCD:

Monarch Furia Custom Desktop (PCI-E) $75.00
Case: 100159 - NO PS - Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mi $101.99
Power Supply: 100162 - PS 520W - OCZ ModStream ATX 2.01 Power Su 99.82 Case Fan: None
Motherboard: 110243 - Asus A8N-E nForce4 Audio/GB-LAN/USB/PCI-E $109.79
Processor: 120240 - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual-Core 512K Per $365.41
Thermal Grease: None
Heat Sink Fan: 800083 - None - Fan REQUIRED - except with RETAIL
Memory: 140215 - DDR (400) 3200 - 2 GB DDR (2 pcs 1GB) OCZ $209.89
2nd Memory: None
Hard Drive: 150034 - SATA - Seagate (ST3300831AS) 300 GB/7200- $149.71
2nd Hard Drive: None
RAID Setup: None
RAID Controller: None
160324 - DVD-ROM - Sony DDU1615 16X DVD-ROM (Black $37.00
160227 - DVD±RW - NEC ND-3550A 16X Dual Layer DVD± $49.89
CD-RW Software: 210613 - Ahead Nero 6.3 Suite DVD+-RW Software (OE $15.99
DVD-ROM Software: 210600 - nVidia DVD Decoder 1.00.58 (OEM) $15.97
Floppy Drive: 170104 - Sony 1.44MB 3.5" (Black) Floppy Drive $19.66
More Storage: None
Sound Card: None
Video Card: 190448 - eVGA GeForce 6800 GS CO 256MB DDR3/PCI-E/ $218.69

JM

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Definately go AMD!

The Monarch system posted above would be ideal.

Your main decision will be single core A64 or dualcore X2. At the same clockspeed they perform about the same in games (A64 3500+ @2.2ghz = X2 4200+ @2.2ghz). Where the X2 shines is in multitasking (running multiple apps at one time) and Video editing and Graphics Rendering and a few other apps that can take advantage of the second core. You have to decide if your families computing habits will benifiet enough from dual core to justify the price difference.

Gaming is all about the video card and the monitor size. If your going to use a 17-19inch monitor with a max resolution of 1024-768 or 1280-1024, a 6800 series card should be all you need and will play all games at a decent frame rate with eye candy turned on. But if your using a 21-30inch monitor with higher resolutions then you would want a 7800gt minimum

 

[nyker96]

I believe AMD X2 is a decent choice to balance out your needs. Intel bit faster on video editing true but if your son's gaming a lot and using it for non vid edit apps 80% of the time then X2 will win out no question. Vid cardwise I have to say 6800GS for best price/performance ratio for gaming needs. Unless you planning to spent more then any of the higher end stuff ATI 1800/1900, Nvidia 7800s will be very good as well, of course. BTW, DDR2 on Intel will have no appearant advantage in a system, Intel need DDR2 cause the long pipelines in their CPU it's a design issue not an advantage. AMD is actually coming with a DDR2 M2 board solution soon this year, from insiders it will make no difference in performance for X2 right now due to AMD's architecture.

 

[themusgrat]

I will second the monarch system above. As others have said, a 6800GS is great- I have one. And for LCDs, look here to know what to look for, and here to find good prices. The Samsung 940p is great for the price.