Is dual 2.4 xeon good for gaming?

[vaporize]

My friends said that the dual 2.4 processors is the best for gaming but i found some online reviews that post the p4 3.06 is faster.

am i missing something here? I though 2 x 2.4 xeon = 4.8 GHz, which should easily beat out the 3.06.

http://www.barefeats.com/p4game.html (click on analysis at the bottom of the page for info on the systems)

 

[BeauJangles]

dual processors does not mean twice the mhz. You need programs that take advantage of two processors to even use both of them simultaneously.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

With games, the 2.4Ghz dual setup of Xeons will be beaten by A LOT by the 3.06Ghz. One, the faster FSB speeds, two, clock speed. For desktops and home use, dual cpus won't help out much if any unless you do video editing, and a whole lot of it.

 

[Krk3561]

The best CPU out now is the Pentium 4 3.0GHz with 800MHz FSB.

You need an 875P or 865PE chipset motherboard to run this chip.

If you have any questions if you are buiding a computer and want to know what is best, you can post them here and you can be sure to get some advice.

 

[Chaotic42]

Read this.

 

[Deuce24]

I'm building a system too, how's this look? All prices from Newegg:

P4 2.4Bghz 533 FSB processor $161
Abit 865PE mobo $99
Corsair 512mb PC3200 $73
WD 120gb 8mb cache hd $40 (hot dealfrom OMAX on Sunday hopefully!)
MSI Ti-4200 8xAGP 128mb video card $139
Enermax CS-3051L-B3A (Black) case $58

Any comments? I was thinking maybe a ATI 9700 Pro 128mb card, but not sure I have the $$ for that kinda upgrade ($150+). What's the deal with RAID? I have no idea what the perks are honeslty. I could get 2x 40gb drives, but not sure if I need to go there.

 

[Krk3561]

Originally posted by: Deuce24
I'm building a system too, how's this look? All prices from Newegg:

P4 2.4Bghz 533 FSB processor $161
Abit 865PE mobo $99
Corsair 512mb PC3200 $73
WD 120gb 8mb cache hd $40 (hot dealfrom OMAX on Sunday hopefully!)
MSI Ti-4200 8xAGP 128mb video card $139
Enermax CS-3051L-B3A (Black) case $58

Any comments? I was thinking maybe a ATI 9700 Pro 128mb card, but not sure I have the $$ for that kinda upgrade ($150+). What's the deal with RAID? I have no idea what the perks are honeslty. I could get 2x 40gb drives, but not sure if I need to go there.

If you can spend a little more, get the new P4 2.4C 800FSB so that you can take advantage of that springdale mobo. A Radeon 9500 Pro is worth the extra money over a Ti4200. If you are getting a Springdale motherboard, you want to have two sticks of RAM (have to be same brand) so that you can get the performance benefits of Sprindale (uses dual-channel DDR). Mushkin has an pretty good deal on PC3200 2-2-2 sticks on their front page (www.muskin.com). Also, Dont bother with raid.

 

[Deuce24]

Originally posted by: Krk3561

Originally posted by: Deuce24
I'm building a system too, how's this look? All prices from Newegg:

P4 2.4Bghz 533 FSB processor $161
Abit 865PE mobo $99
Corsair 512mb PC3200 $73
WD 120gb 8mb cache hd $40 (hot dealfrom OMAX on Sunday hopefully!)
MSI Ti-4200 8xAGP 128mb video card $139
Enermax CS-3051L-B3A (Black) case $58

Any comments? I was thinking maybe a ATI 9700 Pro 128mb card, but not sure I have the $$ for that kinda upgrade ($150+). What's the deal with RAID? I have no idea what the perks are honeslty. I could get 2x 40gb drives, but not sure if I need to go there.

If you can spend a little more, get the new P4 2.4C 800FSB so that you can take advantage of that springdale mobo. A Radeon 9500 Pro is worth the extra money over a Ti4200. If you are getting a Springdale motherboard, you want to have two sticks of RAM (have to be same brand) so that you can get the performance benefits of Sprindale (uses dual-channel DDR). Mushkin has an pretty good deal on PC3200 2-2-2 sticks on their front page (www.muskin.com). Also, Dont bother with raid.

I'm not sure I really have the extra $40 to spend on the 2.4C P4, or the extra cash for double the RAM. I figure by getting that mobo, I'm set for many upgrade options, and I can add another stick of 512 PC3200 when I get the $70.

PS. I didn't see the 512mb PC3200 on Mushkins website, I only saw the PC2700. How much was it, and do you have a direct link? Also, does the ATI 9500 Pro 128mb support DX 9.0 like the 9700 does?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Deuce24

Originally posted by: Krk3561

Originally posted by: Deuce24
I'm building a system too, how's this look? All prices from Newegg:

P4 2.4Bghz 533 FSB processor $161
Abit 865PE mobo $99
Corsair 512mb PC3200 $73
WD 120gb 8mb cache hd $40 (hot dealfrom OMAX on Sunday hopefully!)
MSI Ti-4200 8xAGP 128mb video card $139
Enermax CS-3051L-B3A (Black) case $58

Any comments? I was thinking maybe a ATI 9700 Pro 128mb card, but not sure I have the $$ for that kinda upgrade ($150+). What's the deal with RAID? I have no idea what the perks are honeslty. I could get 2x 40gb drives, but not sure if I need to go there.

If you can spend a little more, get the new P4 2.4C 800FSB so that you can take advantage of that springdale mobo. A Radeon 9500 Pro is worth the extra money over a Ti4200. If you are getting a Springdale motherboard, you want to have two sticks of RAM (have to be same brand) so that you can get the performance benefits of Sprindale (uses dual-channel DDR). Mushkin has an pretty good deal on PC3200 2-2-2 sticks on their front page (www.muskin.com). Also, Dont bother with raid.

I'm not sure I really have the extra $40 to spend on the 2.4C P4, or the extra cash for double the RAM. I figure by getting that mobo, I'm set for many upgrade options, and I can add another stick of 512 PC3200 when I get the $70.

PS. I didn't see the 512mb PC3200 on Mushkins website, I only saw the PC2700. How much was it, and do you have a direct link? Also, does the ATI 9500 Pro 128mb support DX 9.0 like the 9700 does?

The 2.4C is only $18 more now at newegg, its $179. And yes the 9500 Pro supports DX 9.

 

[Deuce24]

The 2.4C is only $18 more now at newegg, its $179. And yes the 9500 Pro supports DX 9.

Well, the retail box is $40, and I personally wouldn't enjoy the comfort of a 60 day warranty w/ the OEM drive. :-/

 

[fumbduck]

QUake 3 takes advantage of 2 processors, play that.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: fumbduck
QUake 3 takes advantage of 2 processors, play that.

Not the latest version. IIRC it went from bad, to decent, to bad, to really bad, to no support.

 

[Krk3561]

Originally posted by: Deuce24

Originally posted by: Krk3561

Originally posted by: Deuce24
I'm building a system too, how's this look? All prices from Newegg:

P4 2.4Bghz 533 FSB processor $161
Abit 865PE mobo $99
Corsair 512mb PC3200 $73
WD 120gb 8mb cache hd $40 (hot dealfrom OMAX on Sunday hopefully!)
MSI Ti-4200 8xAGP 128mb video card $139
Enermax CS-3051L-B3A (Black) case $58

Any comments? I was thinking maybe a ATI 9700 Pro 128mb card, but not sure I have the $$ for that kinda upgrade ($150+). What's the deal with RAID? I have no idea what the perks are honeslty. I could get 2x 40gb drives, but not sure if I need to go there.

If you can spend a little more, get the new P4 2.4C 800FSB so that you can take advantage of that springdale mobo. A Radeon 9500 Pro is worth the extra money over a Ti4200. If you are getting a Springdale motherboard, you want to have two sticks of RAM (have to be same brand) so that you can get the performance benefits of Sprindale (uses dual-channel DDR). Mushkin has an pretty good deal on PC3200 2-2-2 sticks on their front page (www.muskin.com). Also, Dont bother with raid.

I'm not sure I really have the extra $40 to spend on the 2.4C P4, or the extra cash for double the RAM. I figure by getting that mobo, I'm set for many upgrade options, and I can add another stick of 512 PC3200 when I get the $70.

PS. I didn't see the 512mb PC3200 on Mushkins website, I only saw the PC2700. How much was it, and do you have a direct link? Also, does the ATI 9500 Pro 128mb support DX 9.0 like the 9700 does?

Instead of getting one 512MB stick, you get 2x 256MB sticks. Your computer will have 512MB of RAM and it will run much faster. This is because Springdale supports Dual Channel DDR.

This is the Mushkin RAM i was talking about - Theres also a 10% off coupon code making it $89 - ANAND

And also, Corsair 512MB PC3200 is $95.50 @ Newegg. I think you have the wrong price. That Corsair memory is rated to run at slower timings than the Mushkin. The Corsair 2x 256MB pack of RAM with the same timings costs $154.50 vs. Mushkin 2x256 pack costs $89. Mushkin is the highest quality stuff you can get.

 

[Jeff7]

You'd be better off investing the money in a fast CPU, motherboard, DDR RAM, and videocard.

 

[sharkeeper]

Is a dual Xeon good for gaming? You betcha! Is it a smart allocation of hardware? Hardly!

It's like purchasing a five ton truck to commute with, or purchasing a shotgun to kill ants. Both can be fun, but not necessarily recommended!

However, it's your money...

-DAK-

 

[CraigRT]

not good. me and my friend tried for QUITE some time to get Quake 3 to run in SMP mode.. it won't work.. what's another game out there that works in SMP mode? none? and Q3 won't even work under SMP... there's your answer.

dual CPU is so good for so many other things... but only 1 CPU can be used while gaming, and commonly, dual CPU chipsets utilizing only 1 CPU are slower than true single CPU setups.

 

[Vegito]

true, my dual 2.8 xeon doesn't do squat for counterstrike.. but for video editing, mpeg conversion, it flies !

also if i play cs, i can do a mpeg conversion on second processor - set affinity in task manager.. nothing slows down.. pretty good.

 

[sharkeeper]

Here's a good comparison.

Conclusion
If you use CAD - CAM ,3D Animation software or you render animations and time is money for you, Dual Xeon solutions will worth every penny. The hyper threading technology really helps for these kinds of applications. Lightwave, Maya, 3DStudio Max and Specviewperf results points Dual Xeons with hyper threading technology.

If you are only a gamer, Dual Xeon means throwing away your money. Quake III and 3DMark 2001SE points to the Pentium 4. Hyper threading is not really important.

For Office applications users; It would be an overkill to buy a Dual Xeon system unless you use really heavy financial applications and databases. Even under heavy load a Pentium 4 will be OK for you. The Sysmark 2002 Office Productivity points to a Pentium 4 and hyper threading support helps.

For Internet Creation, Adobe software users, film editing and photography enthusiasts; If you have the money, a hyper threading disabled Dual Xeon would be great. If you have limited money Pentium 4 with hyper threading support is OK for you.

If you don't use the applications listed in the benchmark where the dually kills the single cpu box, spend your money elsewhere like on a better display.

-DAK-