Intel vs AMD

[Tigerboy]

This will be my first attempt at building my own computer, for a beginner which would be the best CPU to use Intel or AMD?

 

[Duvie]

Beginner equals INtel...no brainer...get a nice intel chip and intel chipset..."And Don't think about it!!!"

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Duvie
Beginner equals INtel...no brainer...get a nice intel chip and intel chipset..."And Don't think about it!!!"

any reasoning behind this?

I'd personally go with a ECS motherboard with a 1600 XP chip and a GC68 heatsink from svcompucycle. It's much cheaper than intel and the hole heat and heatsink issue isn't much of a problem with this setup at all.

 

[Bovinicus]

Man, this is a flame thread if I ever saw one. There is no better CPU. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. For me, I prefer AMD, because I am poor. AMD CPUs offer more bang for the buck in the majority of applications, period. However, the P4 does perform very strongly in certain applications, and in general their systems are easier to setup. Goto Anandtech's site and check out some reviews of the CPUs to see how they stack up and which CPU performs better under the applications you use most.

 

[OulOat]

Let the flames war begin. I personally use Athlon XPs, but if you are a beginner, you might want to stick with Intel because their motherboards all use the temp sensor in the chip, so if you put the heatsink on wrong, you won't fry your chip. Most AMD boards still are cheap and use the boards temp sensor, which isn't as accurate. Plus, as shown on Tom's Hardware, Intel chips (PIII up) don't burn when the heatsink is removed, while Athlons make pretty smoke.

 

[clicknext]

There are probably thousands of Intel vs AMD threads here, and thousands more that deal with specific chips.

 

[Wolfsraider]

either way you decide to go ...

do ask questions
do research the parts
do work in an area with plenty of room and good lighting
don't force anything together except maybe the ram lol
don't forget the motherboard standoffs
make sure the cabling is correct and all jumpers are correct

after deciding which mobo go to their website and download the pdf manual and print it out study it and have it handy during the install

do not get in a hurry,you'll have plenty of time to play after getting it right the first time
double and triple check each step before moving to the next one

you'll do fine 😉

 

[Maggotry]

I also recommend AMD. Their price/performance rivals or beats Intel. An AMD system built with quality parts will also be just as stable as anything Intel can produce. I have 3 rock-solid AMD systems to prove it (see sig for details). When you decide what you'd like to base your new system on, AMD or Intel, be sure to post again. There are many folks here that are more than willing to help make suggestions on components...myself included. 🙂

 

[Tigerboy]

Thx for your knowledge and info.

 

[BFG10K]

For a beginner I'd definitely recommend Intel as you get one of Intel's standard heatsinks that is extremely easy to install. Also there is no risk of frying your CPU at all because P4s have really advanced thermal protection. If you install an AMD CPU without proper cooling you can fry the processor and the motherboard along with it.

 

[Priit]

Intel or AMD? Naah, get VIA C3, it's dirt cheap (if you manage to break it you don't loose much money) and works rather well even if you forgot to install cooler at all 😉

 

[Looney1a]

I built my first computer recently with an intel chipset and cpu. I have had no problems at all and it has been performing like a champ. For a newbie intel would be a far better choice, even though they are a bit more expensive.

Looney

 

[Duvie]

AMDSKIP...what are you high???

I mean cmon...ECS mobo??? I used it and loved it but the fact is it had some troubles and I don't think this guy may want to trouble shoot things....It was picky with power supplies, ram, and not to mention cmos battery issue....

The reason I wouldn't go AMD as a beginning build it yourself person is easier to answer then why I said Intel....

1) The potential to crack core while putting hsf on...p4 has IHS on it so no real chance of damaging cpu and the hsf clipping mechanism is about foolproof and impossible to have hsf fall off.

2) The potential of frying the amd chip if heatsink is improperly placed on and lacks good connection...All p4's will clock throttle and save the chip even with no hsf or total fan failure. AMD's thermal protection is spotty and hinges on mobo support and hoping it is implemented correctly. No onboard chip protection like P4.

3) AMD doesn't make their own chipsets and in the past as an amd owner I have had numerous via issues and a handful of sis issues....No issues with any of my sis645 chipsets, and any of my i845d mobos. Who better to have perfect compatability then INtel with p4 chips....I am not saying amd's are not as stable but the potential to have a compatability snafu will more likley happen with amd and non-amd chipset providers.

If someone was to build it for you like a mom and pop computer store then I would say amd could be a choice...alone as a beginner I think the much safer bet is the intel p4. Prices have started getting more comparable and if you get middle to high range intel cpu the bang for the buck is quite comparative to the mid to upper xp chips.

I love how all these "love amd" guys love to advocate the 1600+xp...basically the chip that is making no money for amd and is the reason loads of higher xp's are sitting on shelves not selling and not making amd money...I get a laugh out of it...ohhhh, about everytime I see an amd user recommend it....

 

[Soulkeeper]

AMD all the way.

 

[spanky]

if u do not mind spending the extra money, go intel. personally... i like amd.

 

[MrGrim]

I don't think this is an issue between Intel CPUs and AMD CPUs. I'm sure everybody will agree that they both have their advantages and disadvantages and that there is no clear winner. IMHO the issue is the chipset. If you go the Intel route you get the option between Intel and SiS chipsets, if you go the AMD route you get the option between VIA and SiS chipsets (perhaps ALI as well but nevermind).

In the past 2 years I've had nothing but problems with all of my VIA chipsets (incompatibilities, random lockups, etc.) so I could never recommend them to anyone. That leaves us the option of SiS and Intel. I can't say anything about SiS (good or bad) because I've never owned one, but I can tell you that I've been most satisfied by the two Intel chipsets that I've owned so far, 440BX and i850.

Given the situation (this beeing your first attempt) I can only recommend something that has been good to me, that is Intel CPU + Intel chipset.

In the ideal world I'd pick AMD CPU and Intel chipset. 🙂

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: MrGrim
I don't think this is an issue between Intel CPUs and AMD CPUs. I'm sure everybody will agree that they both have their advantages and disadvantages and that there is no clear winner. IMHO the issue is the chipset. If you go the Intel route you get the option between Intel and SiS chipsets, if you go the AMD route you get the option between VIA and SiS chipsets (perhaps ALI as well but nevermind).

Don't forget nForce/2 🙂

 

[Duvie]

when he can buy that paperlaunch product!!!!

I still think the main issue will be cpu and hsf instalation on an amd system taht could be tricky and possibly costly for some newbie....I haven't seen one amd fan refute this!! Why??? Cause they also see the countless threads of newbies and sometimes veterans who crak their chips or fry them in 3-4 seconds flat....

Super tight budget you could probably afford to burn up a 50 dollar 1600+xp chip and buy another!!!😉

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: Duvie
when he can buy that paperlaunch product!!!!

hehe the slash covers both nForce2 and the original nForce, which is still a perfectly suitable chipset for the AMD platform 🙂 I think Evan Lieb said that the nForce2 boards will start trickling in this month, they look so sweet it almost makes me want to setup a second system 😀

 

[Insane3D]

Cause they also see the countless threads of newbies and sometimes veterans who crak their chips or fry them in 3-4 seconds flat....

Where are these "countless" cracked core threads pray tell? Cracking cores was an issue with the very first socket A chips because the early HSF's weren't properly designed, and most were just S370 adaptations. You almost never hear about cracked cores anymore.

Also, most newer AMD boards now have properly implemented CPU thermal protection, so that is a non issue as well.

You might want to try doing some research before you go spreading fud...

As for the rest of the issues, I will let others get into this argument...I'll pass. I've used both, both are stable and fast. End of story.

 

[First]

Honestly now, when was the last time you heard of even a remotely experienced builder cracking a modern day Athlon core? You'd have to be, well, extremely clumsy to crack any Athlon XP with any cheapo retail HSF. It just takes a complete nincompoop to do it. 🙂

 

[ai42]

Honestly now, when was the last time you heard of even a remotely experienced builder cracking a modern day Athlon core? You'd have to be, well, extremely clumsy to crack any Athlon XP with any cheapo retail HSF. It just takes a complete nincompoop to do it.

This is true AMD changed how they made the cores in the AthlonXP to be tougher. However nonetheless I have a chipped AthlonXP 2000 sitting on my desk, as well as a half a dozen Duron/Thunderbirds as well. I've never personally cracked one, but I do tech support/troubleshooting/repair and I see a lot of "nnincompoop"'s in here.

I see a whole lot of people trying to build computers who should not because the neighboor kid did and and hey I'm 40 years old I can do anything mentality. They talk to this neighboor kid and he reccomends AMD like 80% of enthusiests out there. They disregaurd static protection entirely fry a Mobo/ram etc. Crack a core you know, Heck I even saw a Pentium 1 heatsync on a Duron 900 (needless to say it didn't work) before apparently the guy wanted to "upgrade" all the way but not too much.

And there is this one kid like my neighboor's friend's kid or something who is all screwed up. He cracked 3 cores already, and he keeps spending money on this box that he can never get to work. I think it is 3 mobos, 2 sticks of ram, 4 processors, and he spent all kinds of cash on the GF3 and DVD-RW when it first came out and still dosen't have a working system. I got tired of him calling and just gave up and told him to buy a Dell, and as far as I know he just ordered a new processor.

 

[Wolfsraider]

and as much as i will agree on amd's newer processors having the protection,how many still don't?

every intel has this.

but if he does his homework ie getting many opinions(use www.google.com)he can be reasonably safe in his purchases/build.

i'd opt intel but amd is a very viable option just do your homework on each piece and when you decide then list the specs here before you buy and get the critique of what may be better,what's not so good etc...

mike

 

[Bovinicus]

Plus, as shown on Tom's Hardware, Intel chips (PIII up) don't burn when the heatsink is removed, while Athlons make pretty smoke.

I'm so tired of people referring to this article when deciding on which chip to use. This was a stupid article. It was a test that show if there is NO heatsink at all, then that will happen. The same thing does NOT happen when the heatsink is mounted improperly or the fan is not plugged in. Also, there are motherboards that support AMD's thermal protection, which works just fine and dandy; the whole point is moot. Again, going with a P4 is not a bad idea. However, if you choose the P4 based on this fact, then it is a bad idea.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: Duvie
Beginner equals INtel...no brainer...get a nice intel chip and intel chipset..."And Don't think about it!!!"

Give me a break !! I would get an AMD Chip and a mobo using the via chipset anyday over intel

Ausm