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I cannot decide. Please help me with the hard decisions.

B

Bad Dude

Diamond Member
Hi all,
I got these two systems but can only keep one. Given all the other components the same, the only thing different is the CPU, board, and heatsink.

System 1:
-Intel P4C 3Ghz@3150Mzh
-Asus P4C800 Deluxe
-2X512MB HyperX PC3000 running at DDR400.
-2X200GB Hitachi RAID 0.
-1 WD 200GB on IDE master.
-Audigy 2
-Radeon 9800 Pro.

System 2:
-AMD Athlon64 2.2Ghz---3200+ overclock to 2420Mzh.
-Asus K8V SE Deluxe.
All the other components the same.

Though I do play games once in a while but not often. I also do some DVD ripping converting to DivX. Rarely video editing. I am a little leaning toward the Intel setup b/c of the hyperthread. But the Intel setup will need better RAM.

Please give me some ideas and explaination as to your choice.

Thanks.
No flaming please.
 
I don't like Intel, but I've seen quite a few posts saying it's better at encoding. Google/search here for benchmarks, and see what pops up.
 
Given those two setups, if you plan to overclock the AMD, than AMD. If not, go with the P4 and overclock
the hell out of that P4C.


P.S. If the P4 is at 3150, the mem isn't running ddr400 😉
 
I say the P4C. 3.4-3.6 easy and while you are encoding/ripping you could be playing a game and not skip a beat. That is one of the many reasons I sold my AMD 64. I would get dropped frames if I did anything else with the computer but with the P4C I can play a game or something and still be encoding and not drop any frames. Sure the A 64 is best for games but I am not concerned with 5-10 FPS.
 
2 thing to consider i think, and it sounds like you thought of one of them:
1) what do you do with it? you've already said, and the choice leans you toward the P4C
2) what kind of longevity do you need? if you're a rich daddio, and can upgrade every year, the question is irrelevant. But if you need to project a bit for future performance and use, i would say the 64 bit AMD coupled with the one-day-to-show-up 64 bit MS is your friend

fwiw
 
P4 and Im AMD fan. Why? A64 you're looking is 40% more money and only gives maybe 10% better performance and then not in all the apps where some the p4 will win. This consititues a poor value. Second the motherboards available for the northwood are an order of magnitude better.


Another option is getting a XP mobile AND a ABIT mobo for $40 less the price of the p4 alone. OC to 2.6 which these chips do phenominally and your into the P4 3.4 territory. This is the best value bar none.
 
You didn't mention money, and it sounds like you already have both. Try some tasks on both and benchmark/get the "feeling" for which is better and pick it.

That said, for overall better speed and upgradeability/64 bit future, pick the athlon64 is my vote. Even in encoding where the P4 is supposed to rule, the Athlon64 shines depending on which software you use. When I run DVDshrink to backup my DVD's, it runs in 20 minutes or less. (why would I care if it took 19 minutes ?) But in games, it really screams, and thats what I do a lot, and a laggy game is no fun to play.
 
at 2420 mhz, the amd should hold up to the P4 already.. and in time when 64 bit apps and OS' come out, it'll pay its dues then as well.
 
Originally posted by: Stormgiant
Given those two setups, if you plan to overclock the AMD, than AMD. If not, go with the P4 and overclock
the hell out of that P4C.


P.S. If the P4 is at 3150, the mem isn't running ddr400 😉
Click to expand...

The memory is running at 420.
 
Originally posted by: Markfw900
You didn't mention money, and it sounds like you already have both. Try some tasks on both and benchmark/get the "feeling" for which is better and pick it.

That said, for overall better speed and upgradeability/64 bit future, pick the athlon64 is my vote. Even in encoding where the P4 is supposed to rule, the Athlon64 shines depending on which software you use. When I run DVDshrink to backup my DVD's, it runs in 20 minutes or less. (why would I care if it took 19 minutes ?) But in games, it really screams, and thats what I do a lot, and a laggy game is no fun to play.
Click to expand...

Yes. Money is an issue and this is why I have to decide. I must get rid of one setup. I need to let one of these go.

Finally, Please vote guys.
 
I'd go with the A64 system. Its faster in most things even while running regular 32bit code. 8 months from now with a 64 bit OS and emerging 64 bit apps it will only get quicker.
 
You AMD guys just don't get the relevance that HT brings to the table when considering which one is faster! Sure the 64 may be faster in single app benchs but throw in some multi app tests and it is no contest. He said he plays some games and encodes/decodes. THe P4 is a much wiser choice to keep for now. He can get more money if he sold the 64 and wait a year to go the 64 bit rout. There is no need to keep the 64 around when there is virtually no benefit.
 
I agree wit orion7144 becuase he can get more money now from the AMD64 probably. I love how everyone says encoding is better on Intel except different encoding programs work better on different platorms. I wish i could remember which one dominated on AMD processors. OH well. I am getting a 64 but you go with your instinct on it. Good luck
 
Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
... I wish i could remember which one dominated on AMD processors.
Click to expand...


flasK MPEG encoder was built on an AMD for AMD (they have floating point algorithms built to be used with the Athlon's FPU). I've been using it for 3 years, and it rocks.
 
I would go with the AMD 64 no contest. Why? The 64 bit architecture has much more headroom than the 32 bit. Remeber that unless you are running the beta version of windows XP 64 bit edition, (or one of the linux distros like SuSE, say that has an AMD64 bit edition) the software is not nearly taking advantage of what the hardware has to offer, YET. JUST WAIT.
Also, the AMD wins on price: I just got an AMD64 processor, heatsink and mboard for $269 at new egg. I don't think the Intel stuff can touch that price and reach nearly that level of performance.
 
I am so torn. I do notice when running more than 2 applications at the same time that the Intel HT would do better. But everything else seems to be the same. However, given that 20 to 6 votes right now it's hard to drop the AMD.
Thanks guys.
I still more convincing.
 
Well, I voted for the athlon, simply because I prefer the performance for gaming and the A64 does that better than the P4.

Also, as far as encoding goes, I would picture most people doing that in the background or when they are not using the computer otherwise, so the extra performance of the Intel (which maybe isn't really there if you use the appropriate software) doesn't buy you a whole bunch.

Also, I've heard that many people feel like the A64 has a faster response due to the memory controller, so for opening windows, menus and the little things like that makes it feel faster.

I can't really say for sure if that's true since I've not used either one of those chips, nor have I any experience with how good hyper threading really is.

Finally, I like the fact that the A64 has the 64 bit capability, so a year from now you may see a nice increase in performance in some of those encoding tasks that you wouldn't see from the P4 (assuming you get the 64bit version of windows or have another 64bit OS in mind).

Both chips are darn good though, so you really can't go wrong either way.

I'm still running an AXP 1800+ which is pretty good for almost everything I do (games and some CAD stuff).

-D'oh!
 
Damn dude flip a coin. Six of one half a dozen of another... if this is a pain staking decision for you I'd hate to see you when confronted by real life.
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
Damn dude flip a coin. Six of one half a dozen of another... if this is a pain staking decision for you I'd hate to see you when confronted by real life.
Click to expand...

Dude take it easy,
I ask b/c I can only keep one. I just want to get some opinions and I shall make the decision soon. No need to comment about life situation. I am pretty sure, from the way you sound, you can hardly have any more experience than anyone so please keep that to yourself.
Anyway, thanks for your input if that was.
 
I would go with the AMD rig. And how old is your ram? The older HyperX PC3000 is Bh-5, and usually runs quite well. I had mine topped out at DDR436 2 2 2 5 with 3.2v, so your ram MAY have alot of headroom yet. Just something to keep in mind.
 
Originally posted by: orion7144
You AMD guys just don't get the relevance that HT brings to the table when considering which one is faster! Sure the 64 may be faster in single app benchs but throw in some multi app tests and it is no contest. He said he plays some games and encodes/decodes. THe P4 is a much wiser choice to keep for now. He can get more money if he sold the 64 and wait a year to go the 64 bit rout. There is no need to keep the 64 around when there is virtually no benefit.
Click to expand...

My M6805 doesn't slow a bit when running multiple applications, just make sure you have enough RAM (I run win2K by the way) . For encoding, we already cleared that myth in another thread (Is P4 better than AMD for encoding/ripping?)

Get the highest performing CPU for 32 bits (today apps), and that is the Athlon 64.
 
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