Looking for a big step up.

[Entity]

Current computer is running a P4 3.06ghz w/Hyperthreading (currently not enabled). Looking to upgrade as I'm buliding a second computer and I'd like a step up speedwise. I'll be doing a lot of database work and intend on having 2GB of memory on the new machine, but I'm looking for something with a lot more "pep" speedwise. Probably looking into an AMD assuming they are still the way to go. I'll probably do a small amount of gaming and a lot of Photoshop work.

I have a 939 chipset board around, but I don't know if I'll be using it or buying a new board.

What would be the right way to go, processor-wise, and what should I be expecting to spend?

Rob

 

[RichUK]

AMD X2 4400+ / 4800+ .. bit pricey but well worth it and future proof .. (its dual core, like dual proc but on one proc 😉)

:thumbsup:

 

[Furen]

a 3.06 is a northwood, right? I'd go with an athlon X2 4200 or 4400 (or 4600/4800 if you have the cash and dont mind spending it). You'd probably need something very high-end to feel the difference to your northwood if you go single core.

 

[Entity]

Yeah, IIRC the 3.06 is the Northwood. I just don't know what I should get to try to see a difference anymore, or if the apps/etc. I run will be slow no matter what anymore.

Rob

 

[GuitarDaddy]

X2 is the way to go. It will be much faster for multitasking and multithreaded apps

 

[Paul Stamatiou]

Mac Mini 🙂 OS X just screams fast.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Paul Stamatiou
Mac Mini 🙂 OS X just screams fast.

but not multi threaded/SMT fast 😉

 

[AMDrulZ]

I have a thread about the photo shop thing up right now and I would have to say dual core AMD Athlon X2 or Dual core Intel Pentium-D even though I think it is a Piece of s*it but that is my personal opinion. Don?t let that influence you though. The Pentium-D may be a piece of s*it excuse for a processor but it is a cheap piece of s*it of a processor.

 

[Hard Ball]

Originally posted by: AMDrulZ
I think it is a Piece of s*it but that is my personal opinion. Don?t let that influence you though. The Pentium-D may be a piece of s*it excuse for a processor but it is a cheap piece of s*it of a processor.

No kidding, just look at some of these benchmarks. Even the $1000 PEE 840 runs way behind some of the AMD CPUs on applications that Intel's traditionally be strong in, such as photoshop and such.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2397&p=16

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: Entity
Current computer is running a P4 3.06ghz w/Hyperthreading (currently not enabled). Looking to upgrade as I'm buliding a second computer and I'd like a step up speedwise. I'll be doing a lot of database work and intend on having 2GB of memory on the new machine, but I'm looking for something with a lot more "pep" speedwise. Probably looking into an AMD assuming they are still the way to go. I'll probably do a small amount of gaming and a lot of Photoshop work.

I have a 939 chipset board around, but I don't know if I'll be using it or buying a new board.

What would be the right way to go, processor-wise, and what should I be expecting to spend?

Rob

Question...which 939 mobo do you have?

The only real choice (as you indicated) at the moment is the AMD X2 for your situation.
Pricing
4200 - $527 2.2GHz 512 KB cache x2 = 1MB cache
4400 - $670 2.2GHz 1 MB cache x2 = 2MB cache
4600 - $799 2.4GHz 512 KB cache x2 = 1MB cache
4800 - $1,042 2.4GHz 1 MB cache x2 = 2MB cache
(all prices from Monarch)
There will be 2 more models in a few weeks (early to mid August) which are the 3800 and 4000...same as above at 2.0 Ghz. The 3800 will be ~$345

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: Viditor

Originally posted by: Entity
Current computer is running a P4 3.06ghz w/Hyperthreading (currently not enabled). Looking to upgrade as I'm buliding a second computer and I'd like a step up speedwise. I'll be doing a lot of database work and intend on having 2GB of memory on the new machine, but I'm looking for something with a lot more "pep" speedwise. Probably looking into an AMD assuming they are still the way to go. I'll probably do a small amount of gaming and a lot of Photoshop work.

I have a 939 chipset board around, but I don't know if I'll be using it or buying a new board.

What would be the right way to go, processor-wise, and what should I be expecting to spend?

Rob

Question...which 939 mobo do you have?

The only real choice (as you indicated) at the moment is the AMD X2 for your situation.
Pricing
4200 - $527 2.2GHz 512 KB cache x2 = 1MB cache
4400 - $670 2.2GHz 1 MB cache x2 = 2MB cache
4600 - $799 2.4GHz 512 KB cache x2 = 1MB cache
4800 - $1,042 2.4GHz 1 MB cache x2 = 2MB cache
(all prices from Monarch)
There will be 2 more models in a few weeks (early to mid August) which are the 3800 and 4000...same as above at 2.0 Ghz. The 3800 will be ~$345

I just have an unbranded SIS 755FX chipset board (it's a reference board I got from a friend).

Rob