New Box, but which to get?

[jdogg707]

I am putting together a new box and am looking at two possible outcomes...

Shared Components:

1GB Kingston HyperX PC3200 (512 x 2)
120GB Western Digital Special Edition SATA Drive (WD1200JD)
Chaintech FX71 GeforceFX 5600 Ultra (FC-New Design) 128MB Video Card
Zalman CNPS7000-Cu Copper Heatsink/Fan
Antec SX1040B Full Tower Case w/ Antec 480W TrueBlue PS
Lite-On 52x24x52 CD-RW Drive
Lite-On 16x/48x DVD-ROM Drive
Logitech Elite Internet Keyboard
Logitech MX700 Mouse
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2
Netgear MA311 Wireless PCI Card
3 Panasonic Panaflo Case Fans
Creative Labs MegaWorks 550 THX 5.1 Speakers
Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Setup 1:

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Processor OC to 2.2-2.4GHZ
Asus A7N8X Deluxe v. 2.0 Motherboard

Setup 2 ($122 more than Setup 1):

Intel Pentium 4 2.6C Processor OC to 3.3-3.5GHZ
Abit IC7 Motherboard

Which of the following setups is going to compliment my shared components the best? I will be doing everything from internet/E-Mail/Music to Mild gaming, some video/photo editing, and programming. I am looking for a good upgradeability path also, and I have heard that Prescott may not be supported in the current line if 875 motherboards, and am wondering if this is true of the IC7. I also know that the 3200+ is pretty much the end of the line for AMD until Athlon 64 comes around, which of course will have a new socket. So which will be faster for what I do? Which overclock will be more easily achieved? Thanks.

 

[MDE]

PSU looks like extreme overkill. Also I wouldn't bother with the Audigy2 on the AMD box, as to me at least, the onboard audio on that board is very good, but if you need the Audigy's features go for it I guess. The only thing is the Asus doesn't have an optical output, only analog and S\PDIF.

 

[jdogg707]

the things from the shared components I already have are: PSU, Case, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, Mouse, Keyboard, Audigy 2, Wireless Card, Fans, and XP Pro

 

[mechBgon]

If you get an Asus A7N8X-Deluxe then IMHO you can cross that Audigy 2 off the list and spend that money to get yourself a better video card, or maybe one of those new Pioneer A06 DVD±R/RW drives.

Also, where are you finding an Antec 1040B that has a TruePower 480 in it, or are you just going to sideline the stock SmartPower SL400 out of it, or is this something you've got already? edit: ahhh, you have some stuff already, gotcha.

 

[MDE]

Ahh... ok didn't know that. If you aren't beating the hell out of the system the AMD setup should work great, and save you some money for other uses . Also, I wouldn't expect much upgradeability CPU wise out of the Intel rig anyways, as there aren't any Prescott ready boards out there that I know of.

 

[mechBgon]

One other piece of info: As far as I know, the CNPS7000 is compatible with Athlon 64/Opteron, and with Pentium4, but not with AthlonXP. A good bet would be the SK-7, just $16 at www.svc.com at the moment. It performs great, fits practially any single-CPU board and takes quiet-running 80mm fans.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: MonkeyDriveExpress
Ahh... ok didn't know that. If you aren't beating the hell out of the system the AMD setup should work great, and save you some money for other uses . Also, I wouldn't expect much upgradeability CPU wise out of the Intel rig anyways, as there aren't any Prescott ready boards out there that I know of.

In terms of speed, I would think due to the dual-channel memory capabilities of the Intel setup that it would be faster than the AMD setup...BTW, how hard is it getting an overclock like I'm looking for out of one of the 2500+ chips? I know that I got one with my 8RDA+ motherboard back when they were first released an couldn't get it over 2.05GHZ stable.

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
One other piece of info: As far as I know, the CNPS7000 is compatible with Athlon 64/Opteron, and with Pentium4, but not with AthlonXP. A good bet would be the SK-7, just $16 at www.svc.com at the moment. It performs great, fits practially any single-CPU board and takes quiet-running 80mm fans.

I was under this impression also, but according to Zalman's site, the CNPS7000 now ships with clips to make it Socket 462 compatible also...

 

[jdogg707]

any other opinions?

 

[Playmaker]

The P4 setup would beat the AMD speed-wise. Just check the reviews on the AnandTech homepage. Here is the latest review with benchmarks that would interest you. Read the first paragraph of the conclusion to get AnandTech's opinion on the AMD vs. Intel debate as of late. I've definitely seen a lot of AMD loyalty on this forum recently, but in my opinion the best way to choose computer components is performance, as the balance of power swings back and forth all too often there is no room for favorites. If the $50-$75 difference is important to you go AMD, if not and you want the better performance go Intel. Anyone that tells you otherwise is biased either way. From what I can tell of the rest of your components you are going pretty all out and not too worried about cost (overkill in certain areas that have already been brought up above), so I'd expect the Intel would be your choice.

One note of caution. I've read about incompatibilities between the Abit IC7 and Winbond CH-5 chips. I know Kingston uses Winbond chips, but I have no idea if the model you have uses BH-5 or CH-5, or if what I read was just a rumor. Something to take into account though...

 

[newbiepcuser]

The Audigy 2 does sound better for games. MP3s, i'm not sure you can tell. If you don't want to get the a DVD- +R/RW drive, I would opt for the Lite-on combo CDRW/DVD drive. It should be under 60 bucks.

 

[wacki]

If you go AMD drop the Audigy 2.

Thats $100 savings
plus $122 savings over Pentium

Thats enough to Get a DVD burner and VIVO added on to you Geforce FX
VIVO was a $5 addon when I bought the ASUS GeforceFX 5600 loved it!!!! Pause live TV, record TV shows... etc

Also that's enough money to go water cooling... plenty of OC power, will never have to buy another heatsink and its super quiet.

dangerden.com has some good stuff --- ( i.e. the Maze 3)
The radiators there are $60 - 90, but if your the doit yourself kind, you can get the same "heater cores" at Advanced Auto parts for $20, but they aren't chromed out or anything, just copper, a little brasso and they look nice. You will also have to cut off the hose barbs with a dremmel or hack saw but thats not that big of a deal.

Good Luck!

 

[wacki]

Oh ya DVD X COPY (the software) will let you back up all of your DVD's if you get a burner.