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Help comparing 2 barebone systems

W

WAZ

Golden Member
I've googled and can't seem to find anything definitive one way or the other. The two systems I'm comparing -- all else relatively equal or not as relevant to us -- are powered by:

1) Intel Pentium D 840 3.20GHz Dual-Core OEM Processor (Processor Speed: 840 /3.20GHz)... in a Intel D945GPMLKR Intel Socket 775 MicroATX Motherboard

2) AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Socket 939 OEM Processor (Processor Speed: 64 3200+ / 2.00GHz)... in an Asus A8N SLI Deluxe NVIDIA Socket 939 Motherboard


I understand the ASUS is a great motherboard, and would otherwise take that over the Intel. But what about speed, and/or less likely to be obsolete soon?

If there's not much difference, the AMD looks nice with the ASUS mobo.... otherwise, any advice or links about Intel's Dual Core being better than the Athlon 64 3200+ (or vice-versa) would be great. Thanks!
 
there are honey bunches o' benchmark oats under the CPU tab above, but:

- the CPUs are about the same speed in games
- for heavy use of 2+ applications the P4 will be faster.
- the A64 is easier to run quiet since it uses a lot less power and generates much less heat.

If you don't need SLI, you could get an A8N-E instead. If you want better multitasking you could get an A64 X2 3800+ instead of the 3200+.
 
I would go with the AMD board. Asus board are good boards also look into Gigabyte, MSI boards. If you willing to buy a Pentium D 840, I would get AMD X2 4400+, 4800+. I wouldn't recommend the Athlon 64 3200+ if you got the money to spend. If anything 3700+ and above. I kind of lean more on the AMD side than Intel lately.
 
Thanks for the replies. Actually, this is for a buddy of mine on a ~$750 budget, give or take. He was originally looking into a Dell or a PC from Best Buy, but we've since come across a couple of barebone kits at Tiger Direct.

The AMD:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...ls.asp?EdpNo=2285370&Sku=A455-2112%20I

And the Intel:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...em-details.asp?EdpNo=2418883&CatId=333

He'd be adding RAM to the AMD to make sure he's got at least 1 GB, so RAM would be equal regardless of which system. He's also looking at a good deal on an XFX GeForce 6800 Xtreme video card. By the time he gets those and possibly a monitor (looking for a 19", maybe flat panel, to upgrade from his current 17"), he's looking at $750-800.

With $750 or so to spend, these looked to be about the best he could afford, at least that we could find. He's acknowledged that he's not a HUGE gamer, but would want to be able to play some shooters like SWAT 4 or Battlefield. He said it's not important to be cutting-edge on anything (acknowledging he won't be paying $1000+ for his new PC), but as long as he's not struggling to play basic stuff a couple years from now, he'll be happy.

So it really comes down to these or a Dell/Best Buy combo, or some other barebones kit if we can find one that rivals these. These seem like pretty good deals though. 🙂
 
At Newegg.com you can pick and choose AMD parts without worrying about a $120 rebate. Tiger doesn't assemble for you so you don't lose that.

How about:
- Antec NSK4400 case with PSU (or Antec SLK3000 case + Fortron AX450 PSU = +$30)
- Samsung spinpoint 160 GB
- NEC 3550a burner retail version with Nero
- Biostar TForce6100-939
- A64 3500+ (or X2 3800+ for +$60) -- check combo deals to save $10 buying with the Biostar
- Crucial RAM 2x512 kit
 
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