Dual 1 ghz P3 vs. Single P4...suggestions?

[SHUJeff]

This is my first post, so please be gentle...

I'm attempting to build a workstation for myself (never built one before) mostly for Graphic design and CAD (3DS Max, Photoshop, downloading porn, ya know, the basics), but I don't know which layout is better because this workstation will also be my main home computer for internet and everything else I do. I was thinking of a P4 anywhere from 1.7-1.9Ghz (the 2.0 is still alittle too expensive), but then I read the P3 can do more Instructions per clock, than the P4. That is why I am considering the Dual 1ghz P3's. I have been looking at the Iwill dual p3 DDR mobo, because I can afford it.

I was just wondering if anyone has faced this decision before and which layout you went with. Also, please, let me know what motherboard you are using in your decision.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Spikesoldier]

If you prefer Intel, I would go with dual P3's. As some of the applications you mentioned supports multithreading and that Iwill DDR motherboard doesn't offer much of a performance increase from Traditional SDR SDRAM memory.

 

[Rand]

I'd go with the single P4 probably. Even in multithreaded applications the strength of the P4 should be enough to outperform the Dually 1GHz PIII.

 

[MrThompson]

Depends on what you want to do. I recently picked up a used workstation with dual PII 400s that feels almost as fast as my 1.7 GHz Athlon system. Granted it has SCSI RAID with a pair of Cheetahs, but logic would dictate it should not perform as observed. My observations and those from others I have spoken with about this indicate there is a jump factor in daily use that is not seen in standard benchmarks. Needless to say, my next built from scratch box will be a dualy.

 

[DSTA]

Difficult question really.

The single P4 will probably be faster (no quantum leap though) with the stopwatch in hand timing single applications - but depending on how you work you might like the dual P3 better. It will simply be more responsive in a scenario like Max chuggin in the background rendering, and PS open in foreground with you working on some textures. OTOH when editing big objects in Max, the P4 will be snappier.

Most important thing is to get lots of RAM, one GB would be a good start. Then some decent vid card (hard to beat the GForce's price/performance there).

PS: fastest and not too expensive would be a dual Athlon rig.

 

[Doh!]

Not to make it any more difficult for you but have you considered getting a dual AMD setup with DDR RAM? Anand uses it for his website. Since you'll be running memory-intensive programs, figure out how much will be left after getting enough RAM and go from there.

 

[SHUJeff]

Doh! That's pretty much the general consensus among all these forum guys....DUAL ATHLON!!! But the 1800+'s are F'n expensive...hmmm, but christams is coming. Should I settle for two slower chips or hit up the parents for two Athlon 1800+ MP's (in the words of Charlton Heston) "What to do? WHAT TO DO!?!?!?!"