Expert upgrade advice needed.

[Zarick]

I've finally nailed down my selections, but I need some expert advice.

Here are my setups:

Epox 8rda+ = $85
Barton 2500 = $98
Kingston hyperx 2x256 2700 = $89

Total $272

vs

Alabatron i865 pro = $111 or soltek 865 $108
P4 2.4c = $185
Kingston Hyperx 2x256 3200 = $120

Total $416 or $413

I would prefer the intel setup, but Just look at the cost difference. How can I in spend that much more for an intel setup. All the reviews I have read and I just don't see the performance difference (at least not that much vs money). This has frustrated me so much that I almost said.. screw it I am buying an xbox instead.

I mainly play games. Here is my current setup

1.2ghz t-bird
a7v133 1.4pcb
256 pc133
20 gig hd
sbaudigy 2
ti500

I am going to hold onto the ti500 for a while.. likely until next year and upgrade then.

I really need some good advice.

 

[pillage2001]

I would personally go for the AMD setup. It's hotter and noisier than the Intel setup if you're overclocking but the performance/price is what I'm looking for. I'm a cheap skate. 😀

Intel might be faster in some tacks but I would not see why you want to spend anoter 200 dollars just for a frames or points in benches. Also, the memory bandwidth and speed on the Intel setup would be faster. 🙂

 

[SnowBoarder9455]

Personally, I would go with the intel setup, even though it costs more, but better overclocking. You'd get a 3.3 ghz, which is 3x faster than what you have now, not 2.

Kevin

 

[ccgr]

I love my Barton 2500+ it overclocks nicely

 

[DaveSimmons]

How can I in spend that much more for an intel setup. All the reviews I have read and I just don't see the performance difference (at least not that much vs money).

For games the 2.4C at stock speed benches from a 2700+ up to a 3000+ so for a price comparison the 2500+ isn't really in its class. (see the TomsHardware P4 800 FSB article)

That said, a 2500+ with a 9700 Pro should beat a 2.4C with a 9600 Pro in virtually all games especially upcoming ones like Doom3 and Half-Life 2. Put the $140 you save towards a cutting-edge graphics card and happy gaming should ensue.

Of course in a perfect world you'd get both the fast graphics AND the 2.4C overclocked or a 2.6C stock, for performance better than a 3000+ in games.

 

[alkemyst]

if you want performance the intel...you should be able to clearly see the difference between those two setups in benchmarks. Some 2.4C's can also hit 3GHz+.

if you want low cost the AMD....it will perform in 'real' world use just about as well.