GPU / CPU combo, which one?

[3dfilmmaker]

Hey all,

I'm building a system but am under a very strict budget. As the cpu and video card is among the most important components I'm stuck on one decision and thought I'd see what you guys thought. The system is for high-end 3d graphics and video editing ...but the budget is not

My two options are:

AMD Sempron 3100+ w/ Chaintech AA6800 GF6800 128DDR AGP

or

AMD 64 3200+ w/ POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9800PRO 128MEG AGP


I'm using the DFI LanParty NF3 motherboard which is AGP. So do I go for more CPU with less video. Or go with less CPU with more video. I can always upgrade the CPU in the future as they both are socket 754. I'm just not sure how much of a hit I would be taking between the CPU's.

Looking forward to the feedback.

Ken

 

[sbuckler]

Not quite sure what *high end 3d graphics* is? Video editing doesn't require anything but the most basic of graphics cards, but requires serious cpu grunt, lots of memory, and very fast hd's. Games require very fast graphics and over anything else (as long as you have *enough* memory, cpu speed). Depending on your editing app you may even find that 2 gig of memory or multiple/faster hd's makes the biggest difference (I use pinnacle studio 9 and that really needs a 1.5 gig to run without swapping, even then it will thrash the disk sucking video on/off it).

If you don't have the motherboard yet probably be better off looking to the future and going with a 939 one not 754, prehaps even an intel one which will have the edge for video editing at the moment due to them being good at that sort of thing and possessing hyperthreading which makes life generally less painful.

 

[Edward Lee]

I would go with the AMD 64 3200+ BFG 6800 OC @ compusa for $200

 

[3dfilmmaker]

Originally posted by: sbuckler
Not quite sure what *high end 3d graphics* is?

Ya, I guess I could have been more descriptive. I make 'machinima' films which means rendering games (i.e. real-time playback at high quality) out and then editing the footage.

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
I would go with the AMD 64 3200+ BFG 6800 OC @ compusa for $200

That wasn't one of the choices. ;P I'm in Canada so the parts aren't quite as cheap. The two configs above are based on options I have with a good local supplier.

I'm almost thinking Sempron 3100+. The better graphics card may be better to have up front.