Looking for advise... Intel or AMD?

[masterc]

I want to upgrade my system and wanted some input... What CPU would give me the best bang for my buck... a P4 or an Athlon XP??
Also,What mobo would you go with?

Thanks.

 

[jcmkk]

That is a hard one. I say you should just decide wich brand you like better, then figure it out from there. You can't really go wrong with either. A lot of it also has to do with what you do with your PC. Do you overclock? That is a major question these days, and helps us to give you a better opinion.

 

[nortexoid]

if you don't plan on overclocking a P4 1.6A or 1.8A northwood, then go Athlon XP - it'll provide a better bang for the buck.

 

[microAmp]

<< if you don't plan on overclocking a P4 1.6A or 1.8A northwood, then go Athlon XP - it'll provide a better bang for the buck. >>



What nortexoid said.

 

[ojai00]

Overclocking is the decision maker. If you're going to overclock then the Northwoods would be better, like the other guys said. But if not, then the Athlon XP would be much more worth it. I think the KT266 (not sure if this is the right model, something with *266 in it) motherboards would be best for the Athlon XPs.

 

[jcmkk]

AMD- KT266A or KT333
Intel- i850, i845D, or SIS645 <- take your pick, but I prefer the SIS.

 

[Pabster]

Intel all the way right now.

Northwood is as good as it gets, period. Your best value is a 1.6A or 1.8A with a DDR board and DDR. Overclocking isn't terribly difficult 🙂

If you don't plan on overclocking, the AthlonXP is faster at a similiar (default) clock speed -- but the lack of solid, reliable core logic (with the exception of SiS) and the thermal considerations must be considered. Also, with the .13u Thoroughbreds soon to be unveiled, it may be unwise to invest right now in AthlonXP -- even though prices are falling quickly.

 

[jcmkk]

I have an P4 Northwood setup and have no hesitation recommending it, but I disagree with what Pabster said. There are plenty of good chipsets out there for the Athlons. The NForce, SIS, and VIA chipsets are all good. Everybody talks bad about VIA, but I and many other users have succesfully set up many VIA based systems. If you are a VIA hater, then go with the NForce. They are very reliable and fast (ask AGodspeed, he'll set you straight). And the fact that the Thoroughbreds are on the horizon isn't a matter to consider at all. If you are going P4, then the 533MHz FSB P4's are on the horizon too. There is always something better on the horizon, and you can't do anything about it. I have experience with both CPU's and I think both are great.

 

[Budman]

<< I have experience with both CPU's and I think both are great. >>



Ditto.😎

 

[travler]

I have to agree on the OC Northwood from all the benchmarks I see. However I absolutly hate Intel and would sooner burn my money then give it to them.

AMD XP is 1 heck of a performer at stock speeds for the MHz and prices are falling fast. 1800+ is $111 shiped from TCWO. and 1900+ is $140 shiped.

 

[AGodspeed]

IMHO, it's a no brainer, go with a Northwood Pentium 4 system, but that's only if you plan on overclocking 24/7. Get a 1.6A Intel Pentium 4 Northwood processor and ASUS P4B266-C (DDR DRAM) or ASUS P4T-E (DRDRAM) if you overclock 24/7.

If you're only going to be overclocking occasinally or not at all, then an Athlon XP is the only way to go IMHO. Specifically an AMD Athlon XP 1700+ or 1800+ processor and an ASUS A7N266-C or ASUS A7V333.

 

[Boonesmi]

my vote goes for athlonXP

very fast, very stable 🙂

 

[FrozenAthlon]

IMO here it goes.

I'm a tech nut, I'm as PC bound as they come, always on the web researching the newest technology and hell most of the time I find myself buying replacement parts left and right without phasing me at all. I am a little different in one way because I only own one primary rig, unlike many others who own an amd machine for this and an intel machine for that. So without wasting more time I will spill out my previous experience with both platforms.

Intel-
I started with pentium pro upgrading along the line until reaching a PIII. I had always thought that Intel was the S$it when it comes to a CPU and that AMD was just a generic company going with the line of "you get what you pay for, we make cheap procs for cheap pcs"
I outta put my foot in my mouth for ever thinking that way!

AMD-
I upgraded my PIII 450mhz PC to an 800mhz athlon because I was on a budget and I needed more juice, I thought I should try something different and affordable at the time. I dont regret it because It's overall performance stunned me to say the least. Since then AMD has been my CPU in all my future PC's from my ancient 800 to a 1.3 and now currently running a 1.6 2000+XP

Back to Intel-
Even though my XP 2000+ was a killer, I wanted to try overclocking. The P4 platform was obviously a waste of money until the northwoods made their deput, their stock speeds couldn't compare to the performance of the athlon not to mention the price difference. price/performance ratio definately waved in AMD's favor. Intel decides to make it intresting with the Northwood line of procs with their O/Cing ability. (600-800mhz above stock average, insane to say the least) Thats one way to beat the pants off AMD.

AMD-
Last hope... T-Bred! That is until the Itanium vs. Hammer battle begins in the future!

These would be the rigs I would recommend either way you decide to go:

AMD -
XP2000+, Epox 8kha+ KT266a Chipset, 512mb Corsair DDR PC2100

Intel-
P4 1.6 or 1.8 Northwood,

RDRAM: Abit TH7II I850, 512mb Samsung 16-device RDRAM
DDR: Epox 4BDA+ I845D, Corsair DDR PC2700 XMS

Epox is one board that is known for quality, stability, and speed! Would definately recommend their DDR boards!

 

[masterc]

WOW!!
Thanks for all the replies.
I've got some reading to do on the few different chipset/ CPU combo's.
I don't need the latest and Greatest, just what my budget can handle.
Thanks again...

Now to do some reading and comparison shopping...