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Intel .. is it worth the money?

Z

Zarick

Senior member
I have a kt133a chipset with an athalon 1.2ghz. I've just not been happy with the stability of this machine. I built it myself but I end up having problems with my sblive.. I now have found out that I have a voltage problem on one of my ram slots causing it to periodically freeze with 512k of memory or more. I also seem to run a little on the hot side.

I don't overclock my machine, but I love to game.. thats pretty much all I do...
Is intel worth the price? Im considering going that route instead.
 
Hi,

I can tell that you are in the big dilemma that troubles many people today, Intel or AMD? The answer varies depending on your budget and what you want the computer for. If you are going to overclock, P4 is better than AMD because it has a bigger FSB, which lets you overclock a lot. If you are looking for best bang for the buck I would say AMD athlons are really cheap now. If you are looking at a major upgrade I would say wait for the Hammer, which seems that will have a bigger fsb, and be much faster that processors nowadays.

The answer to your questions is on how long can you wait for your upgrade, how much money can you spend, and what kind of upgrade you are planning on doing?

I hope this helps!
 
Is intel worth the price? Im considering going that route instead.
Click to expand...

It depends on what performance level you want. I'll give you 3 examples and you can see the results vary quite a bit.

Low-end performance:
For a processor that costs about $110, you can get either a 1.6 GHz P4 or a 2100+ XP. Since you are not overclocking the XP will blow the P4 away. Even with overclocking the P4 will have a tough battle, unless you got lucky with a great overclocker. In the low end, AMD is the way to go.

Mid-range performance:
1) For $200 you can get a 2.4 GHz P4 with a 533 MHz fsb. For about the same price you can get a 2200+ XP with a great heat sink and fan. Sure the P4 is a bit more expensive, but at default speed the P4 will win in a significant majority and the P4 will overclock much higher. So you spent a bit more for the P4 and get a bit more performance. Thus price/performance they are about equal.

2) For $240 you can get a 2.53 GHz P4. This is about even in speed with the 2600+ XP that will be sold in a few weeks. The 1000 lot price on the 2600+ XP is $297. Street prices are always lower, but should end up right around the same price as the 2.53 GHz P4. Again for this performance AMD and Intel have equal price/performance.

High-end performance:
The 2.66 GHz and 2.8 GHz P4 can blow away anything AMD will sell this fall. If you need this performance, Intel is the only way to go at the moment. Of course you have to pay for this too $430 and $540 respectively.


So for low end go AMD for high end go Intel. For anything in-between it is your choice and you should be happy with either processor.
 
Yeah I used to be a AMD guy untill i upgraded my XP1800+ to a P4 1.6a. Man it runs so much cooler and OC's even better. Best move Ive made so far.
 
Originally posted by: Kp99
Yeah I used to be a AMD guy untill i upgraded my XP1800+ to a P4 1.6a. Man it runs so much cooler and OC's even better. Best move Ive made so far.
Click to expand...



Same here. Still have the 1800+ in my other machine, but this 1.6 runs 2.43 at stock settings. Cool, quiet, and very fast. I love it.
 
I don't overclock my machine, but I love to game.. thats pretty much all I do...
Is intel worth the price? Im considering going that route instead.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with going with either Intel or AMD IMHO, but since you like to game you might be better off going for a new AMD motherboard like KT333 board with DDR ram (Epox are awesome on stability)and maybe even a faster video card,however you don`t say what video card you`ve at the moment,then down the road you can upgrade your CPU.

I`m just trying to give you other options.

Btw I`m a hardcore gamer,and more then happy with my AMD rigs(actually went over from Intel to AMD)

Another option is to wait for nForce2 boards.




🙂
 
AMD based systems have come a long way in terms of reliability, stability, and compatbility since those days. Even then, with the proper tweaking, it was definitely possible to make a totally stable system. I had Windows 2000, KT133A, SB Live! combination. No problems once I fooled around and updated all drivers and such. Anyway, I am currently running a KT266A based system ROCK FING SOLID. I have the occasional program error, but Windows2K never goes down. However, Intel CPUs are pretty competitive right now. If you want to save a few bucks AMD is a safe bet in my book.
 
All of your problems seemed to be related to the aging KT133A mobo and I would suggest you replace your motherboard rather than buying a new processor and mobo. Oh the 2.53ghz and 2.8ghz P4 chips aren't exactly cool running and they produce as much heat as some the higher AthlonXP's. P4 does dissapate heat much better than the AthlonXP via heat spreader and mPGA packaging something I might add AMD is doing with the hammer.

I suggest you buy the K7S5A and use your SDRAM and then transition to DDR SDRAM later when the prices are lower. I went from a KT133a mobo to the K7S5A and I couldnt be happier.
 
Doh, t's the motherborad. I recall problems with the 133a and soundblaster. You need a newer motherboard. Why does everyone always point to the CPU?
I've had nightmares with Intel too.

Mac
 
Originally posted by: majewski9
...P4 does dissapate heat much better than the AthlonXP via heat spreader and mPGA packaging ...
Click to expand...

Sorry to be nitpicky here, but the heatspreader does not help the P4 dissapate more heat, it is total marketing BS. It does protect the core, but there is no way it would allow more heat to be dissapated vs a same size core and just a heatsink.

Back to Zarick's question, it's not worth the money at lower prices at all if you aren't overclocking. Those guys that said they "upgraded" from an AXP 1800+ to a P4 1.6A essentially spent more money for a slower processor. The only way they got any value at all out of it at all was overclocking. Now at the higher end it gets more complicated since the most expensive AXP is well under $200. If you spend more than that your only real choice is a P4.

But in my opinion, something is not worth any more money unless it is faster or more stable or something. Whatever people on this board might say, you pay for the Intel name. Maybe it's not a lot, but if you aren't overclocking, I see little reason to spend more on a CPU just because it's made by Intel. People are saying "Dude, Intel isn't that much more expensive. Go for it!" My question is, why? Intel shouldn't be any more expensive, and I would feel stupid spending extra money for a name.
 
How about I make a list of what everyone said?


YES! if
1. Overclocking. (Average A model can gain extra 600Mhz)
2. Retail HSF w/out expense for better cooling even OC (very quiet)
3. Graphic application

NO! if
1. Running Stock speed
2. Gaming
3. Tight budget

Concern?
Stability........about the same, mostly due to human error.
Performance....about the same, you really wouldn't give a Wow~~~ or Oooo~~~ on either.
Upgrade-ability.....depend how bad is your "click-on-order" problem.
 
I wouldn't say you're paying entirely for the 'Intel' name. Don't get me wrong, I do believe their fame gets them a few extra $$$ per CPU, but the testing that they do is far better than AMD (because of shear size/budget).

But realistically, unless you want to jump up to a new mobo, new RAM (P4s are quite mem hungry), and a new CPU, just work out the stability issues in your mobo via some tweaking, or just find a new mobo (low cost) for now.

My biggest concern with AMD is their heat issues, which do run substantially hotter than the 2.5x P4s. Waiting on hammer will get you into the endless spiral of "I'll just wait until this next good thing comes out, then I'll buy", and you'll be stuck with the hundreds of others in these forums plagued by this problem... 🙂
 
From what i have heard, i would say that overclocking the cheaper Intel parts to match their higher-priced counterparts IS worth it. BUT, what about in the future? Intel has a history of countlessly changing their socket formats, or whatever the hell they're called. AMD does not have have this problem, they've pretty much stuck through a few formats in the past what, 4-5 years? What i mean by this is that if you want to save yourself another possible motherboard upgrade in the future, when that 2.X p4 or 2xxx+ amd grows obsolete.
 
I have both a 2000+ and a 1.8A.. I like my 1.8A much better.. 😉 It OCs to about 2.65 stable and all.. 😀
 
Originally posted by: erikiksaz
From what i have heard, i would say that overclocking the cheaper Intel parts to match their higher-priced counterparts IS worth it. BUT, what about in the future? Intel has a history of countlessly changing their socket formats, or whatever the hell they're called. AMD does not have have this problem, they've pretty much stuck through a few formats in the past what, 4-5 years? What i mean by this is that if you want to save yourself another possible motherboard upgrade in the future, when that 2.X p4 or 2xxx+ amd grows obsolete.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but that is total BS!

AMD has always followed Intel's socket design, just using a different name.

From slot 1 (slot A for AMD) to socket 370 (socket A for AMD) and socket 478. AMD will use a similar layout as the 478 just using more pins (754/940). You can look at Anands article here.

I think the reason why a lot of people believe Intel changes frequently is because they are the first to make the change (innovate), then comes along AMD making the change a few years down the road.
 
RE:"but the testing that they do is far better than AMD (because of shear size/budget).

COuld you elaborate on that? How is Intels testing better?
 
guys....please...calm down.

Same concept...

Lexus always follow design trend after Mercedes during 90s...(Bare in mind, it is still Toyota)
So...Lexus is cheaper, but more popular now among "GENERAL" public.
Performance-wise, Lexus MAY run faster, but only if there is no passenger in the car.
Safty wise, Mercedes is KNOWN to be better, but doesn't mean Princess Diana still alive.

Personally, I never like anything that is "wanna be", but it doesn't mean Mercedes is that much better than Toyota.

Let's just leave it at "personal choice"

 
There's obviously pros and cons to both brands. If you're planning on doing any overclocking go with Intel. They run a lot cooler and you don't need to buy another heatsink/fan, the stock one is great. If you're not planning on doing overclocking it's your opinion mostly.

Basically:

overclocking = definitely intel
not overclocking = opinion and budget position
 
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