help me choose please?

[drteddy]

First timer here and after going through several threads, I couldn't get the answer I needed so I'm posting one. Hope you guys can help me out. ^^

I'm using P4 2.0 ghz at the moment and I've been thinking about upgrading my comp to either P4 3.2 or AMD. I've always used Intel and I've heard how AMD is superior to Intel in some ways.

So my question is.. IF I was to go AMD route, what spec/system is par (or better) with P4 3.2? Again, I don't know thing about AMD so please be specific, i.e. CPU, RAM, Motherboard.

I'm planning on going SATA Raid 0, using X800 XT, need at least 1 gig in RAM. I do 50% game, 50% video, photoshop, word..etc.

Thx in advance!

 

[Duvie]

Do you plan on ocing any???

Is that a 3.2ghz northwood or prescott...the latter is not as good as a northwood due to the longer pipeline....

I would say somewhere between a 3200+ and 3500+ would be the sweet zone.....3200+ would definitely win all the gaming apps but may lose encoding apps (especially ones more HT optimized)........

Do you have the vid card already?? Is it agp or pci-e???

 

[drteddy]

Thx for your quick reply.

I was thinking about going either 3.2 or 3.4 Prescott but noticed how people complained about temperature issue and that's why I started thinking about going AMD route.

I already have X800 XT (AGP) so I like to keep on using it for bit more if I can. Also got audigy 2 sound card so onboard sound isn't really necessary. (same thing goes for firewire, NIC)

3500+ is AMD 64 you are referring to? I never Oc'ed my CPU before but I'm willing to give it a try ^^ Could you please recommend what brand/type memory I need and same goes for motherboard?

thx again..

 

[Amaroque]

What is your budget? Also, like Duvie asked, do you have the video card already?

 

[Amaroque]

I just built a 2nd system, and I must say that even though this a S754 board, I like it better then the K8N Neo2 board.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/Amaroque/P2290002R.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/Amaroque/P2240012b.jpg

 

[drteddy]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
What is your budget? Also, like Duvie asked, do you have the video card already?

Don't really have budget. I dont need screaming fast, top of the line comp. Something around P4 3.4 line would fit my needs. If I was to go with P4 3.4, $300 for CPU, $100 for motherboard, $200 for 1 gig of memory is what i'm planning on..

 

[Amaroque]

Well, if you're not planning to OC, the ASUS A8V Deluxe (about $120) is a rock stable board. You could get an A64 3500+ (about $280). I haven't used this RAM, but people are recommending the Patriot PC3200 RAM for an A64 machine (2x 512MB about $120).

That's $520 total. I didn't search for any lowest prices either. That would give you a fast, and very stable system.

 

[gobucks]

I recommend a socket 939 Athlon 64 3200+ ($190), 2x512MB Crucial Ballistix PC4000 ($230), and any decent nforce3 or K8T800 Pro motherboard. the Asus A8V deluxe is pretty good, as is the MSI Neo2, and they are both around $120. That's around $540 total. I recommend the 3200+ cause it overclocks great, and the Crucial Ballistix because I know for a fact it can handle at least DDR566, and can sometimes hit close to DDR600, leaving plenty of overclocking room. The 3200+ should be able to hit speeds of around 2.6-2.7GHz (up from the default 2.0GHz). I know my 1.8GHz 3000+ can hit 2.55GHz pretty easily, with stock cooling, and without my chip running hot (unlike Prescott, which runs hot even at stock speeds). To put this in P4 terms, a 2.7GHz A64 is equivalent to about a 4.2GHz P4. If you want something that is faster out of the box, though, a 3500+ would do quite nicely, and is still cheaper than the 3.4GHz P4 you're looking at.

If you decide that you are gonna go the Intel route after all, I strongly suggest going for something like a 3.2GHz P4 630 - Performance might be slightly lower, but they run much cooler, have 64-bit support and virus protection, and are just better chips overall than the 5 series.

 

[Duvie]

Dont forget the Epox NF3 ultra board...great ocer and under 100 bucks....

 

[drteddy]

If I was to go with 3500+, what motherboard do you guys recommend? At this point, I'm not sure if I will want to OC but down the road when my system is getting slow or feel like little experimenting, I would like to give OC a try.

Also, do I need another case if I get 3500+? I have Antec Sonata case.

 

[justly]

Just to let you know, as soon as you say "OK" to overclocking most of the responces people will provide are going to be geared twards that goal. So expect a lot of high priced components to be recommended just because they "overclock better".

Good luck with watever you choose.

 

[Appledrop]

nope the antec sonata will be fine. if going for a 3500+.. get an asus a8v. i have had it 4monthsish, no problems so far!

 

[drteddy]

Ok.. I visited Newegg site and noticed couple of things as regards to 3500+

#1. Model: AMD Athlon 64
Core: Winchester
Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.4V
Process: 90 nm
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM(Processor Only)

#2. Model: AMD Athlon 64
Core: Newcastle
Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/ 512KB
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM(Processor Only)

or
Model: AMD Athlon 64
Core: Newcastle
Operating Frequency: 2.2GHz
FSB: Integrated into Chip
Cache: L1/64+64KB; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 939
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)

Do I just get #3 since it comes with heatsink/fan for $4 more or ?? (possibility of OC'ing in the future)

 

[BlindBartimaeus]

If you are going to stick with AGP...BY ALL MEANS

get a newcastle 3400 with a decent NF3250GB mobo...pick one...Epox is good and affordable. Solek has a very nice one.

That being said are you going to game or do multitasking. As much as I LOVE the A64 Intel has better CPU's for Multitasking due to Hyperthreading etc. and the netburst technology...but those applications are few and far between. Considering you have an XT that must mean you game somewhat....the 3400 newcastle is the OBVIOUS choice. The 939's don't deliver for the price they want. That way you can regurgitate your ram with little or no penalty because it is all about the amount of memory versus bandwidth. 754's with higher clocks consistantly outperform the 939's although many don't want to admit it. The 3400 will perform at stock levels as fast as almost anything on the market.

So I am sure many will disagree but the numbers back me up.

 

[drteddy]

.09 nm is smaller design than .13 nm and the voltage is 1.4 vs. 1.5. Still go with Newcastle?

 

[Duvie]

You fvckers are so funny...you just promote the crap you bought...I dont care about your worthless asus mobo the fact is it is no where near the best, period!!!!!

drteddy...listen to me....

Get the 3200+ 90nm retail...stock cooling will do.....

Get the epox mobo NF3 ultra

Get 1gb (2x512mb sticks) of pc3200 ram capable of running cas 2,2,2,something....maybe even cas 2,3,3,6 is fine.....

get a enermax power supply...reasonable price and damn good....

Notice how I have noen of those parts...i dont need to justify the size of my "thing" by promoting what I bought....I will promote what I think is th ebest for you regardless of what I own...

 

[CaBoOse999]

If I was you I'd wait a little while and buy a revision E chip when they come out.

 

[Duvie]

Rev E chips will be relased in april and who know when in april or how avaiable...they may also be relesade in 4200+ flavor at first meaning more delays...Dont play the waiting game...If you are reday now get it...you will always second guess your decisions anyways...tehre is always something around the corner...most parts are obsolete in a short period...etc, etc, etc....In 2 months someone will tell you to wait for the dual cores...it never ends....

 

[CaBoOse999]

You're right, but unless you can find an 04 winchester they are kind of hit or miss overclocking. Not saying that a 3500+ at stock speeds is bad, but the overclockability is really what created the hype about them.

 

[drteddy]

Originally posted by: Duvie
Get the 3200+ 90nm retail...stock cooling will do.....

Get the epox mobo NF3 ultra

Get 1gb (2x512mb sticks) of pc3200 ram capable of running cas 2,2,2,something....maybe even cas 2,3,3,6 is fine.....

Thx for your reply. Can you be more specific about the motherboard? i went to newegg site but couldn't locate NF3 ultra. Also, it would be super helpful if you can point me to brand/model # for 1 gb PC3200 ram you suggested. You said to get another power source. I guess 380W that came with Antec Sonata case is not sufficient?

To others, what do you think about the above system? Should I go with 3200+ or 3500+?

thank you...

 

[o1die]

The epox board is the 9nda3J. Mwave has it for $88. Newegg is out of stock. Get the 3200 as it's cheaper and should have a better potential for overclocking. Overclocking is never guaranteed, and alot depends on the patience of the person and their memory.

 

[perillo34]

I can vouch for the A3J running rock stable with a 3000+winnie at 285x9.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Duvie
You fvckers are so funny...you just promote the crap you bought...I dont care about your worthless asus mobo the fact is it is no where near the best, period!!!!!

ASUS is worthless?!? I find ASUS to be the most stable boards period! If you also noticed, I didn't recommend what I bought, or own.

Not everyone OC's like a madman Duvie. Some people like nice QUIET stock performance, w/o fans screaming to cool an overclocked CPU. For example, on no less then three different A64's, I can run Prime stable 24/7 with the CPU fan at 2.000 RPM when running at stock speed.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: Duvie
You fvckers are so funny...you just promote the crap you bought...I dont care about your worthless asus mobo the fact is it is no where near the best, period!!!!!

ASUS is worthless?!? I find ASUS to be the most stable boards period! If you also noticed, I didn't recommend what I bought, or own.

Not everyone OC's like a madman Duvie. Some people like nice QUIET stock performance, w/o fans screaming to cool an overclocked CPU. For example, on no less then three different A64's, I can run Prime stable 24/7 with the CPU fan at 2.000 RPM when running at stock speed.

what is your point??? The fact is I know several ppl with Asus mobo and issues....The fact is I know of some good reviewers who have tested all of the sckt 939 boards and the MSI, and EPOX are the best at getting high HTT which we need with this low multiplier 3000+ anmd 3200+....

I read the reviews and comments elsehwere and the asus boards are known to be problematic...prioir to rev 2 boards many had no working pci locks....seems to work well with most memotry sticks but also appears to top out around the 250HTT...Epox can get up to 300HTT and MSI is widely known by many reviewers to hit some of the highest HTT of any non NF4 mobos...330HTT on mine...I see reviewers consistently getting 325-340 range.....

And what the he11 does quiet have to do with it...He says he would be willing to try to OC...I believe in getting him on the right track with a board that may not limit him...I am certain if he got a Epox or MSI Neo 2 he can get up to 270 HTT fine (probably the limit of the 3200+ anyways)...Oh I am sure the Asus may possibly do it as well, buit I wouldn't take the cahnce he picked up an older rev1 board and cant lock the pci down....

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Duvie

Originally posted by: Amaroque

Originally posted by: Duvie
You fvckers are so funny...you just promote the crap you bought...I dont care about your worthless asus mobo the fact is it is no where near the best, period!!!!!

ASUS is worthless?!? I find ASUS to be the most stable boards period! If you also noticed, I didn't recommend what I bought, or own.

Not everyone OC's like a madman Duvie. Some people like nice QUIET stock performance, w/o fans screaming to cool an overclocked CPU. For example, on no less then three different A64's, I can run Prime stable 24/7 with the CPU fan at 2.000 RPM when running at stock speed.

what is your point??? The fact is I know several ppl with Asus mobo and issues....The fact is I know of some good reviewers who have tested all of the sckt 939 boards and the MSI, and EPOX are the best at getting high HTT which we need with this low multiplier 3000+ anmd 3200+....

I read the reviews and comments elsehwere and the asus boards are known to be problematic...prioir to rev 2 boards many had no working pci locks....

That was VIA's fault. Not ASUS's fault. IIRC any MB that used one of the early KT800 chips had this problem. About the Uber HTT, if you're not OCing like a madman, who cares? I can run my board at 289... but I don't for 24/7 stability reasons.

seems to work well with most memotry sticks but also appears to top out around the 250HTT...Epox can get up to 300HTT and MSI is widely known by many reviewers to hit some of the highest HTT of any non NF4 mobos...330HTT on mine...I see reviewers consistently getting 325-340 range..... And what the he11 does quiet have to do with it...

Again, if the OP has never OCed before, I somehow doubt he'll be running an insane HTT. Mine tops out at 289, but I leave it at 250 for stability, and noise reasons. I can clock my fans way down, and still have 24/7 stability because I'm not pushing every single last MHz out of it...

He says he would be willing to try to OC...I believe in getting him on the right track with a board that may not limit him...I am certain if he got a Epox or MSI Neo 2 he can get up to 270 HTT fine (probably the limit of the 3200+ anyways)...Oh I am sure the Asus may possibly do it as well, buit I wouldn't take the cahnce he picked up an older rev1 board and cant lock the pci down....

Let's see. You are recommending an Uber OCing MB just because that's what you'd want for yourself. Kind of like what you said above. But instead of promoting the crap you bought you're promoting the crap you'd like to buy. Who cares about 340 HTT. You're not going to be running 340 HTT with an average OC, unless you purposely lower the CPU multiplier. I'm sure you couldn't run with a 300+ HTT with 24/7 stability for an extended period (read: months) anyway. Again with your Rev.1 Vs Rev.2, you can blame VIA for that, not ASUS. So this will affect all initial Rev.1 VIA based boards, not only ASUS.

What's your problem anyway? All I was doing was throwing out some good suggestions, which is what the OP asked for. You go off on a tangent saying we're all fvckers that promote the crap we bought, and ASUS is worthless.