New rig almost built. Last questions.

[KnightPalatine]

I just added a BFG Asylum GeForce 5900 to my parts pile. I also got a Belkin 1200VA UPS ($99.99 at Fry's, on sale and after rebate).

This will be my main rig. Uses will be academic (web and office apps), video encoding, and gaming, in that order. Rock-solid reliability is the primary consideration. As much as I enjoy tweaking, I just don't have the time these days. For the same reason, gaming is way down the list--though I did get one of the last FX5900/CoD bundles on the shelf.

Here's what I already have:
Antec Sonata case & PSU
Plextor 708A DVD writer
Seagate 80GB Barracuda V SATA hard drive
FX 5900 128MB video card
Windows 2000 Professional
Samsung SyncMaster 955DF 19" CRT
Brother HL-1440 laser printer

What I need:
CPU: Either A64 3000+ (retail) or P4 2.8C (retail)
Mobo: Albatron K8T800 Pro II fro the A64 (not the greatest OC, but has Envy audio chip); ASUS P4S800D-E for P4
RAM: 512MB of high-quality PC3200 or PC3500

At NewEgg, A64 system currently specs out $52 higher than P4 system. I know AMD are scheduled for a price drop on the 15th.

So, which CPU should I go with? Also, would it be worthwhile to up the RAM to 1 GB?

 

[Duvie]

Out of those 2 I may lean towards the A64....May want to look at the 3.0c and its price and then it may be a toss up....With gaming the lowest option I think either or could give you great performance...but definitely look at the 3.0c as a better comparison in those other areas to the 3000+......

The 15th is very close so it may be worth the wait.....another week may reveal more potential with this new win64.....

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: Duvie
Out of those 2 I may lean towards the A64....May want to look at the 3.0c and its price and then it may be a toss up....With gaming the lowest option I think either or could give you great performance...but definitely look at the 3.0c as a better comparison in those other areas to the 3000+......

The 15th is very close so it may be worth the wait.....another week may reveal more potential with this new win64.....

What he said.

 

[KnightPalatine]

Originally posted by: Duvie
Out of those 2 I may lean towards the A64....May want to look at the 3.0c and its price and then it may be a toss up....With gaming the lowest option I think either or could give you great performance...but definitely look at the 3.0c as a better comparison in those other areas to the 3000+......

The 15th is very close so it may be worth the wait.....another week may reveal more potential with this new win64.....

Thanks, Duvie. I didn't realize the P4 3.0C had gotten that inexpensive. That's now the sweet spot of the Intel range.

In any case, I won't pull the trigger until after the 15th.

 

[mechBgon]

Definitely up the RAM to 1GB. Besides helping with video encoding, it will leave Windows plenty of extra RAM that it can use to cache your apps in RAM so they can re-launch very fast, straight out of the RAM. Games are heading for the 1GB zone too.

For a CPU, I would lean towards the Athlon 64. You use Win2000, which isn't truly hyperthreading-aware for the P4C. The A64 has lower heat production, particularly with Cool 'n Quiet enabled so it can clock itself down to 800MHz and 1.3 volts when it's idle (looks like its thermal output drops to ~35 watts in this state, versus <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.sandpile.org/impl/p4.htm[/L} for the 2.6C)). It performs well in 32-bit operation, it's a strong gamer, a strong general-usage/office CPU, and not even a bad video-encoder (depends on the application, but at least it's got SSE2 which AthlonXP lacked and suffered for). Not being a dual-channel CPU, you can start with one 512MB DIMM if you need to, and add a second one later.

Anyway, I talked myself into a 3000+ recently, to replace an XP 2500+ in my office rig. It seems pretty fast, with heavy-duty antivirus scans coming out about 25% faster than the 2500+. I'm using an Asus K8V Deluxe and a couple 512MB Corsair XMS 3200C2 modules. in this state, versus [L=~69W]http://www.sandpile.org/impl/p4.htm">~69W</a> for the 2.6C)). It performs well in 32-bit operation, it's a strong gamer, a strong general-usage/office CPU, and not even a bad video-encoder (depends on the application, but at least it's got SSE2 which AthlonXP lacked and suffered for). Not being a dual-channel CPU, you can start with one 512MB DIMM if you need to, and add a second one later.

Anyway, I talked myself into a 3000+ recently, to replace an XP 2500+ in my office rig. It seems pretty fast, with heavy-duty antivirus scans coming out about 25% faster than the 2500+. I'm using an Asus K8V Deluxe and a couple 512MB Corsair XMS 3200C2 modules.