First time building a computer... Intel or AMD?

[LaCabra]

From what I have been able to gather from the boards here, it sounds like it is easier to put together a computer if I use an Intel processor instead of an AMD one. It also sounds like the computer won't be as noisy because the Intel chips don't run as hot as the AMD ones do (important because the computer is in the bedroom with my wife). I have never attempted to put together my own computer before, all I have done is install a 3.5 inch drive and a sound card, so I'm starting from scratch as far as experience goes. I'm not computer illiterate, but I'm not too savvy as far as the specs for different types of memory and motherboards go, so I would like to know what everyone here would recommend as far as a first build. Right now I'm leaning towards a P4, but I would like to get some more opinions as well. I'm not interested in a debate over which processor is better (there are enough of these in the forums), just which would be easier for a novice to build a homemade computer from. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Zugzwang152]

It really won't matter. Noise as you put it, does not determine which will be easier to put together. Either way you go, you will have to install the same components. If you go Intel, the parts will be generally more expensive, leaving less room for error. However Intel cpus are known to be much sturdier than AMDs, so there is less chance you will break them. If you go AMD, make sure you dont get a thunderbird core Athlon as they are a little on the brittle side. Other than that, Good luck and welcome to the Anandtech Forums!

 

[paralazarguer]

The pentium 4 will make less noise than an Athlon with the retail cooler and the heatsink is much, much, much easier to install. For help choosing components there's a handy guide right here

 

[Zugzwang152]

Perhaps if you give us an idea of what you'll be using the rig for, we can recommend specific parts for you. We have a Intel buff here in 7757524 and I'm somewhat of an AMD fanboy, so let us lend you a hand

 

[LaCabra]

The computer will be used for some gaming, word processing, web surfing and CD-burning. I would like to be able to play some of the new games coming out (UT 2003, Warcraft III), but I don't need 300 FPS or anything either, just something that will run the new games and not be outdated in a few months. I really need a good burner though, the one on my computer now is shot for some reason, so that is one of my main concerns. Hopefully this helps. Also, the main reason I want to put one together is for the experience of it, not because I want o be able to have the most tricked out cmputer out there. Thanks for the advice!

 

[SWScorch]

I cant believe I am going to say this, but 7757524 has a good point. I would go Intel for a first system because they less delicate and quieter and there is less chance that you will crush your CPU installing a heatsink. Also, Intel chipsets tend to be more stable than AMD or Via chipsets, which will result in less headaches.

 

[glenn1]

I would like to be able to play some of the new games coming out (UT 2003, Warcraft III), but I don't need 300 FPS or anything either, just something that will run the new games and not be outdated in a few months. I really need a good burner though, the one on my computer now is shot for some reason, so that is one of my main concerns.

My recommendations would be as follows:

motherboard: MSI K7N420 NForce (~$120)
CPU: Duron 1200 (budget, around ~$40) or Athlon XP1700+ (better performance, around ~$70)
heatsink/fan: GC-68 ($7)
memory: 256mb Crucial pc-2100 (~$37)
Burner: Lite-on 40x (~$70)

 

[Zugzwang152]

I'll second the Intel motion, if you want to pay for them. Athlon XP's aren't as fragile as T-birds, and much cheaper, though!

 

[shadware]

Intel : They're slower, but they're more expensive.

I would definantly say AMD. I am 17, and build a 1.4ghz AMD T-bird system (my first system) last year. I got a swiftech MCX370-0A heatsink from newegg, which is light weight, cools fine, and is decently quiet. I also helped two of my friends build the same basic system, with same mobo and CPU, and theirs both ran fine. My other friend I helped got an xp 1800+, and it seems to be alot cooler then our slower 1.4ghz t-birds. An 1800+ can bveat 2ghz p4 in most tests. See by the benchmarks. Anyways, the heat isn't that bad, not worth paying more for a worse product. Also buy a copper shim for your CPU to help protect it from a heatsink from possibly cracking the core. But I don't that that is even too important, because my friend didn't have one, and he used a heatsink with the big metal piece you have to bend. Check out that heatsink, the MCX370-0A. Thats just the customer reviews, but they show the quality. You can then search for the product. It uses a spring system, the first I have seen, and hooks onto the sides with no chance of damage. I end up rambling, and am too lazy to read over what I have written, so hopefully this will help

 

[m1ke101]

how much money are you looking to spend on your rig? at the moment i'm currently help my friend build a p4 system, and the specs look like this

epox 4G4A+
P4 1.8a
samsung 512mb ddr pc2700
gainward geforce 4 4200
logitech z-560's
audigy
seagate 80gb hd
antec 1030sx
liteon 16x dvd
liteon 40x burner
dell 19" m991

and total for whole system was about 1400. i would have to say i think its a pretty good system, but not sure if you'll need that much power.

 

[mchammer187]

I owned an 8kha+ 1700+ @ 2000+ 768MB DDR and sold it for a abit TH7-II 1.8A@2.4 Ghz 512 MB RAMBUS and have never been happier

 

[WarmAndSCSI]

Always go AMD. Both of my servers are AMD boxes (K6-233 and Athlon XP 1900+) and they both beat the competition (Pentium 233 MMX and P4 1.6 GHz) in my opinion. AMD will give you more speed as far as MHz to real performance ratio.

 

[ToBeMe]

Go Intel for your first build................they are much more foolproof for a first timer to get up and running, and the money question is really negligable anymore. If you can get a hold of a 1.6 yet perhaps, or a 1.8/2.0, they are great O/C'ers and running cooler and quieter. As for the "speed" thing.........LOL! If anyone can actually say that they can see a big difference in everyday operation of any of the 1600Mhz or higher chips, they are either superhuman, or BS'ing..........

 

[shadware]

AMD will get you alot more bang for your buck.

If anyone can actually say that they can see a big difference in everyday operation of any of the 1600Mhz or higher chips, they are either superhuman, or BS'ing..........

Well, you can see by the benchmarks you can find on AnandTech. And if you don't care about that extra performance, why would you mention OCing True, Intel has the best/fastest processors for now, for the price. The extra amount you have to pay for the extra power isn't worth it in my opinion. And I don't realy see how building an Intel computer could be so much easier, since I've helped build those too. I can't think of any problem you would run into with the AMD processor that you couldn't run into with the p4.

 

[ToBeMe]

Originally posted by: shadware
AMD will get you alot more bang for your buck.

If anyone can actually say that they can see a big difference in everyday operation of any of the 1600Mhz or higher chips, they are either superhuman, or BS'ing..........

Well, you can see by the benchmarks you can find on AnandTech. And if you don't care about that extra performance, why would you mention OCing True, Intel has the best/fastest processors for now, for the price. The extra amount you have to pay for the extra power isn't worth it in my opinion. And I don't realy see how building an Intel computer could be so much easier, since I've helped build those too. I can't think of any problem you would run into with the AMD processor that you couldn't run into with the p4.

Not everyone gives a damn about benchmarks and the point stands, the difference between anything 1600Mhz+ is negligable to the human eye. As far as mentioning O/C'ing, the reason for mentioning that is, we are not sure what the poster intends or wishes to do for sure with the system, but the fact is, if he does wish to O/C, the Intel chips mentioned are the best O/C'ers on the market as of now! As for ease of building, the number one thing off the top is the H/S Fan combo...................for a "first timer" the AMD chips can be tricky, and there is the possiblity of ruining the chip which would tend to discourage a newb builder, the Intel P4 H/S Fan on the other hand is almost foolproof.

 

[RSMemphis]

Originally posted by: 7757524
The pentium 4 will make less noise than an Athlon with the retail cooler and the heatsink is much, much, much easier to install. For help choosing components there's a handy guide right here

Everyone keeps repeating that religiously, but in my opinion, the noisiest part in a system is normally the PSU fan. Granted, some people here do shell out the dough for a 350W low-noise PSU, but a lot of people do not. Telling them that Intel P4's will run less hot seems mean...
I have built a couple of AthlonXP systems, and normally the PSU was the loudest part. One person was on a bigger budget, so I went for a nice PSU that has about the same noise level as the heatsink fan.

To the original poster: What is the ultimate goal? Very quiet? Or powerful and so-so quiet?

If very quiet is the goal, then do invest in a nice PSU - there are many threads around. In such a case, getting a retail P4, or better, a P3 tualatin (with passive cooling and an extra case exhaust fan) will be the quietest.
Otherwise, either AMD or P4 will do fine. In fact, if you don't overclock, getting a very quiet heatsink fan with the cheaper AMD processor and a very good PSU will be cheaper and quieter, than a so-so PSU (and *gasp* a loud harddisk)

In terms of ease of installation: Intel proc's are easier to install. Period. The rest is rather easy anyway. If you have a steady hand, Athons are just as easy to install, I have not chipped one core so far.

 

[tokamak]

even though i'm a semi-AMD fanboy myself, i would recommend an intel system for your first build. it will be a bit more expensive than a similar AMD system, but IMO intel's are easier to assemble, configure, and get everything working together. oh, and i hear theyre a lot less noisy. i just built an xp 1800+ system for myself, and the damn thing sounds like a freight train :|

 

[Electric Amish]

The only real choice, IMO, is based on price. AMD is a bit cheaper than Intel.

IMO, the ease of setup is the same.

amish

 

[MikeMike]

Hey if your looking for a nice system check my specs for the one i just bought My Post


about 1200 dollars w/ an 80 gb hd you could go smaller but i got mine on sale so it was cheap.

Its an AMD 1800+ w/ watercooling and a quiet power supply and a nice 17" monitor no burner however but they arent that exspensive.

check it out! also if you have any questions pm me (private message) and welcome to anandtech!

 

[HokieESM]

welcome to the catty troop of computer builders! I recently just joined, building both an AMD system in March and a P4 system in June... so I might have some good advice for you (not that the others don't... I just was in your shoes not terribly long ago).

The BEST advice I can give you is to buy QUALITY components. Don't skimp on any of the major system parts. Buy a nice power supply (400W+, Antec, Enermax, etc) and a good case with lots of room. Get a good brand of MB (I have experience with Asus and Epox... but I'm sure there are other good ones out there). Buy quality RAM (Samsung or Kingston for RDRAM, Corsair or others for DDR). Doing those things will eliminate 99% of your headaches.... your hardware will be recognized, the system will most likely POST, etc.

Oh, and RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH! Read the forums, learn a bit.... decide what you want out of your system (just productivity? or gaming? or what?)..... and then when you get your stuff, read the manuals (don't do the typical "I can figure it out" and then burn up your motherboard). It really doesn't take all that long to assemble it with the right parts AND knowledge.

Best of luck to you!

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: shadware
Intel : They're slower, but they're more expensive.

But they OC like a mofo, a 1.6A OC'd to 2.4+ will best anything AMD has out in all but one or two benchmarks where AMD really excels. Actually, most Intel CPUs are about the same as their AMD counterparts if you include a high quality HS like the AX-7 in the price of the AMD.

 

[human2k]

Definitely Intel............get a 1.8A plus Epox 4G4A i845G board to go with it...............using the retail HSF you should be able to do 2.0-2.2GHZ easy overclock...........2.4-2.8GHZ if you get lucky. As everyone has said before........the HSF is super easy to install..........no worries about cracking that cpu core.

 

[Pabster]

Intel.

 

[MikeMike]

WAIT!!! Everyone here is basically assuming the same thing!!! That LaCabra is going to overclock!!!! We have yet to ask him are you going to overclock your cpu thus voiding the 3 year warranty if you by the cpu retail!! He is a first time builder so i feel he might not want to overclock. First timers as i am may feel the need to not overclock so they get use to a system then overclock on maybe the second system.

How much money would you like to spend on your system?

LaCabra do you plan to overclock your system?

What type of computer do you have at the moment?

Do you plan on keeping the computer you have at the moment in working order when you build your new one assuming you do have an older computer.

If you would like to you could salvage some parts from an older computer, mainly floppy drive, hard drive, and ??sound card?? Thus causing you to have to spend less money.

 

[Pabster]

I'm assuming he -won't- be overclocking. And the choice is still the same. Intel.