Incoming system build question: 4870 + which brand CPU?

[wheresmybacon]

I'm embarassingly behind the times when it comes to current performance hardware. I'll be building a new system next month (woot), and was wondering if there's any advantage in pairing my video card choice (4870) with an AMD CPU. I've been doing some research and it seems most of the gaming rigs I've seen around here are Intel boxes. So...the question remains, is there some inherent advantage in going with an AMD CPU over an Intel one if I chose the 4870?

Thanks guys.

 

[tvdang7]

yes there is, you save money in going amd ati. only con is that amd cpu is not as fast as intel's but is DEF a bang for the buck.

 

[bryanW1995]

amd cpu's suck right now. they are weaker on a clock/clock basis than intel, and they don't overclock worth a crap. My last 10 years' worth of cpus has been: p3 700 coppermine, athlon 1.2, athlon xp 2.5 +, athlon xp 3.2+, athlon 64 3700+, fx-55, opteron 180. Well at least that was the trend until last june, when I woke up to the fact that intel is simply in a dominant cpu position right now. I now have 3 quad core intel cpus and I couldn't be happier with them.

btw, intel chipsets are great with crossfire, too. If you're looking on a budget without crossfire ability, try a p35 mobo. If you have a more flexible budget (say 150-250) go p45 or x38/48.

 

[feelingshorter]

AMD Cpus are way behind and Intel CPUs are ridiculously good overclockers. You can buy a cheap Intel and overclock it slightly and it will still own a AMD. Being a AMD user for a long time, i hate to say it but I cant buy a product that loses out so bad in performance.

 

[nonameo]

I agree. Go with a cheap dual core intel CPU and the 4870 and you should be good to go.

 

[Stoneburner]

Can the OP find a decent intel mobo for around $100 to $130 that can overclock decently? It seems as though the excellent overclocks on intel processors occur with $170 plus boards.

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
Can the OP find a decent intel mobo for around $100 to $130 that can overclock decently? It seems as though the excellent overclocks on intel processors occur with $170 plus boards.

LOL! What are you talking about? You should be able to get a good IP35 entry level board (like the IP35-E) for well under that price. Of course, this leaves no room for crossfire, but so what?

 

[Stoneburner]

Originally posted by: nonameo

Originally posted by: Stoneburner
Can the OP find a decent intel mobo for around $100 to $130 that can overclock decently? It seems as though the excellent overclocks on intel processors occur with $170 plus boards.

LOL! What are you talking about? You should be able to get a good IP35 entry level board (like the IP35-E) for well under that price. Of course, this leaves no room for crossfire, but so what?

What about boards that are x-fire ready ?

 

[bryanW1995]

crossfire ready (and sli-ready) boards start closer to $150, but they're more expensive on amd rigs, too.

I personally own 3 p35 mobos which are all oustanding oc'ing rigs. My ip35 pro has my x3350 running seti 24/7 (and f@h gpu client 24/7) at 3.6. My first ip35 e (which cost me $67AR) has my q9450 at 3.264. It has been over 3.4 but that stupid zalman cooler is terrible and it's now in a room that is very hot, so I cranked it down a few notches. My other ip35e was an open box that I got for $57 shipped, it has my mom's q6600 at 3.501.

The only place that amd is competitive in the cpu side of things right now is the htpc market and the VERY low end of the desktop market. Somebody looking at a 4870 will probably want at least lower-midrange performance, and in that segment or anything above it intel completely dominates amd right now.

btw, ip35e has been oos for a while now, but you can get a ds3r ( a MUCH better mobo) for $107 AR shipped from newegg right now, and there's a nice open box dfi t2rs for $79 shipped, too.

 

[DaveSimmons]

To add to the chorus: no, get an intel like an E8400 3.0 GHz.

Intel at 2.4 GHz is a rough match for AMD at 3.0 GHz right now, but runs cooler and uses less power. My X2 4200+ was a good buy in early 2006 but times have changed and AMD is second-rate for CPUs right now.

At least they have the 4850 to, uh, keep them warm

"Past performance is no guarantee of future results," just look at how nvidia is now way behind on price/performance with the very disappointing GTX 260 & 280 and had to slash prices on everything else. That's AMD in CPUs.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
amd cpu's suck right now. they are weaker on a clock/clock basis than intel, and they don't overclock worth a crap. My last 10 years' worth of cpus has been: p3 700 coppermine, athlon 1.2, athlon xp 2.5 +, athlon xp 3.2+, athlon 64 3700+, fx-55, opteron 180. Well at least that was the trend until last june, when I woke up to the fact that intel is simply in a dominant cpu position right now. I now have 3 quad core intel cpus and I couldn't be happier with them.

btw, intel chipsets are great with crossfire, too. If you're looking on a budget without crossfire ability, try a p35 mobo. If you have a more flexible budget (say 150-250) go p45 or x38/48.

Exactly the answer I was looking for. Thanks much.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
To add to the chorus: no, get an intel like an E8400 3.0 GHz.

Intel at 2.4 GHz is a rough match for AMD at 3.0 GHz right now, but runs cooler and uses less power. My X2 4200+ was a good buy in early 2006 but times have changed and AMD is second-rate for CPUs right now.

Yeah I've been die-hard AMD since about 99, and from a little research this is what I concluded. I'm going Intel. I just wanted the takes of you guys who keep up with this stuff on a regular.

Thanks again.