Help me decide AMD vs Intel

[Kizzim]

I know 90% of this forum will support AMD, ive used Intel most of my life, but ive decided that i might try something new. Im looking into building myself a completely new computer for christmas, so upgrading isnt even an option, id like to start from scratch. Im not familar at all with AMD, but my question is this.

Id like to purchase a motherboard and cpu for no more than around $500, I dont want to OC (those days over), and I want my computer to be able to handle my modest gaming addiction which mostly includes FPS and MMORPGS. What cpu/mobo would you suggest. Reason im asking is for two reasons, #1 Does AMD truely blow P4 out of the market in gaming, and #2 i know next to nothing about AMD, and whats good or not. I previously ran a p4 2.54 (2.6) Northwood (OC'ed) and it lasted me a good couple of years. Looking for something AMDwise possibly and something that will last for a while.

 

[suszterpatt]

AMD's are indeed better for gaming (better floating point operations IIRC). A 3500+ single core would suffice as long as you don't want to do heavy multitasking (gaming while burning DVD's etc). Otherwise get a 3800+ (or better) X2.


The Chaintech VNF4 Ultra would be a good budget solution for your non-OC'ing needs.

 

[stevty2889]

AMD is defintaly better in the gaming department, and actualy in most cases, ahead in everything. Their dual cores get no competition from Intel, although an overclocked Presler(65nm dual core, thats not quite out yet) might give them some good competition. I have an AMD dual core, Pentium-D, P4, and Pentium-M.

Ever since the 90nm process P4's run extremely hot, are hard to keep cool, and are very power hungry. My pentium-d was running at 70c stock speeds with good air cooling, while my overclocked X2 runs at 51c on the stock heatsink, and is faster at everything.

The pentium-m is almost as good clock for clock as an A64, but lags behind in some things. Not sure what else you do with your computer. If you aren't running anything that can take advantage of dual cores, then you could get something like an A64 3700+. Any A64 will outperform your current 2.6ghz northwood. If you do heavy CPU intensive multitasking, or video encoding/photoshop etc. then I would recomend the X2 3800+.

I have the DFI lanparty NF4 Ultra-D with my X2, and it's a great motherboard for overclocking. There is also an Epox board thats pretty good too. Stick with an NF4 based chipset for sure.

 

[Kizzim]

Honestly, I play video games on it, schoolwork, watch some movies, burn some stuff. There are times while in game I run FRAPS (which is basically a recording of what im playing). I surf the web and listen to music while im playing.

Whats the longevity of say purchasing a 3700+ will i get the most out of socket 939? can i expect to be able to upgrade to AMDs latest and greatest atleast stuff comming out this next year?

Also I didnt plan on OCing, however, ive heard AMD64 are a pain to overclock, IE: having to take the chip apart to do it, is this true?

 

[suszterpatt]

Originally posted by: Kizzim
Also I didnt plan on OCing, however, ive heard AMD64 are a pain to overclock, IE: having to take the chip apart to do it, is this true?

Haha wtf, no.


S939 will be big for a good while. The current best processors are either the 4800+ X2's (dual core) or the FX-57's (single core, $1000+), though upon a quick google search, you can see news about AMD preparing the 5000+ X2 and the FX-60. And they generally OC well too.

 

[Elfear]

A64's are very easy to oc. I've oced both P4's and A64's and they were equally difficult (i.e. not too). Personally, i'd go for an inexpensive chip, either a 3200+ Venice or a 3800+ X2, depending on your multitasking needs, and than oc that sucker. Both will oc pretty well. You'll be into a 3200+ Venice and DFI Ultra-D motherboard about $375 or for a 3800+ and DFI Ultra-D about $450. I'd take the extra money and invest in a nice video card.

 

[Markfw]

It sounds like you could actually use a dual-core. Get an MSI NEO4 and the bext X2 you can afford for the $500. Probably an X2 3800+ or an X2 4200+.