If I did not want to overclock...

[Defacil]

I really don't care about the best speeds or whatever. I just want a nice stable machine. I'm still having trouble deciding between the 3000+ or the p4 2.8ghz. I guess it's because all I've owned are Intel systems and I know more about them. I'm a gamer that doesn't seek to have the top of the line but enough to play comfortably through the latest games. I'm upgrading from a P4 2.6 that's on a mobo that uses RDRAM :/. I wanted to get 1gb of RAM but I didn't want to waste money on RDRAM so I'm just going to upgrade the mobo, cpu, and RAM. RAM's a bit easier to shop for but deciding between the Intel or AMD is the problem.

The HT technology in the Intel is what keeps me from just saying "hands down AMD". It's beneficial to me so I dunno if I should base my purchase off that. I'm hoping the new upgrade will last me a while, specifically to at least ~Jan 2006.

So... it's either:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=19-116-170&DEPA=1

or:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=19-103-486&ATT=Processors&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me

Oh, lastly, if I planned to go with Intel, I would of gotten the Asus P4P800 Deluxe. I haven't really looked at AMD boards. Anyone got a suggestion if I go AMD?

Thanks in advance.

 

[BW86]

AMD

 

[DarkAmeba]

Athlon 64 definatly. There's hardly any use for HT tech.

I'd suggest the MSI KN8 Neo2 Platinum nForce 3 for yout motherboard.

 

[Metron]

Defacil,

Like you I'm a gamer and I'm running a 2.4 P4 right now, but if I were to upgrade today I would buy the Athlon 64.

Go AMD... best value for the price.

 

[Regs]

I agree with the above. The epox nforce 3 250 pro is also a good motherboard. No reason to get the 2.8E presscott.

 

[Budmantom]

Try to hold out for another year, HT won't make a big difference and even if you go with an A64 @ that speed you will not see a big boost.


Tom

 

[DAPUNISHER]

You state specifically that you are a gamer, but that HT is important to you, so the P4 is a the better CPU for you IMO. If you are encoding or doing DC projects or something while gaming, because it's your only system, the P4 will be a better choice for that. If you aren't doing heavy multitasking but a rare occassion then the HT isn't a big deal and the 3000+ is the better gaming choice in that senario.

 

[Defacil]

I was looking at the MSI:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0

I have my own NIC cards and audio card. Also I still use IDE hard drives.

Onboard Audio:RealTek ALC850 7.1 channel
Onboard LAN:nVIDIA® nForce3 NV Gigabit LAN
Onboard SATA/RAID: 4x Serial ATA, RAID 0,1,0+1

Won't all this be a waste?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Defacil
I was looking at the MSI:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-457&depa=0

I have my own NIC cards and audio card. Also I still use IDE hard drives.

Onboard Audio:RealTek ALC850 7.1 channel
Onboard LAN:nVIDIA® nForce3 NV Gigabit LAN
Onboard SATA/RAID: 4x Serial ATA, RAID 0,1,0+1

Won't all this be a waste?

Do you multitask while gaming or do heavy multitasking on a regular basis? If yes then stick with P4, if not go A64. BTW, the on-board LAN is as good or better than your pci card most likely so leave it out and fill a pci slot with your sound card if it's audigy level or better.

 

[Defacil]

The most multitasking I do while gaming is alt tab out of a MMORPG and go look up info on a website or something.

 

[DarkAmeba]

In that case, you will find HT useless atm.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: DarkAmeba
In that case, you will find HT useless atm.

Yep. Unless you do heavy multitasking outside of gaming go A64. Heck, some multitasking actually favors the A64 so what type you do specifically is important as well. In the end, and given you haven't jumped in by stating any heavy usage senarios where HT is king, I'd say just go A64+nF3 250GB, the Epox and Soltek are looking sweet in the $100 range.

 

[footbal07]

i have both the 2.8c and the a64 3000+ and if i had to do it all over again i would have got the 3000 off the bat. it seems to handle autogk much better then the p4 did and it should see a noticable boost when the final version of 64bit windows is out. on a different note u said u have a 2.6ghz p4 and in that case i would give it a little more time before purchasing anything since u wont see too much of a difference from a 2.6 to a 2.8 or 3000+.

 

[Defacil]

Well Im mostly upgrading cause of the RAM. I really want to get more RAM but spending the money for RDRAM is stupid in my opinion. So I was thinking of just upgrading everything component wise.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: footbal07
i have both the 2.8c and the a64 3000+ and if i had to do it all over again i would have got the 3000 off the bat. it seems to handle autogk much better then the p4 did and it should see a noticable boost when the final version of 64bit windows is out. on a different note u said u have a 2.6ghz p4 and in that case i would give it a little more time before purchasing anything since u wont see too much of a difference from a 2.6 to a 2.8 or 3000+.

In CPU limited games, he'll see a noticable improvement going from a 2.6 to 3000+.

 

[KenSr]

Why not just get a new motherboard and RAM and install your P4 2.6 in it?

 

[Hankysmoo]

Originally posted by: KenSr
Why not just get a new motherboard and RAM and install your P4 2.6 in it?

good suggestion

 

[Defacil]

Thought about it. But I'm just gonna upgrade it all and pass down old parts (cpu and ram) to my brother.

Edit: And I want to build another pc. Tired of not knowing what's inside my pc (retail pc).

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: KenSr
Why not just get a new motherboard and RAM and install your P4 2.6 in it?

I was hoping someone would say that

 

[animeba]

I would say get a brand name(intel) if you are willing to spend $178ish for a 2.8gh. If you have a tigher budget, which is understandable, get the AMD XP/64 3000+.