newbie wanna build a computer

[sniperruff]

hi:
i plan to build a new computer in the next 2 or 3 months... but i don't know which one i should choose... i've heard that AMD's are high maintainance but they cost less than pent 4 and in some cases performs better than the pent 4 of the same price range.
on the other hand, with the RDRAM prices dropping the 850 chip seems pretty attractive as well
i just want a processor that i play some games on and basic internet and office works...
and which mobo would be the best for the buck?
thanks!

 

[swifty3]

If your only doing basic gaming and office stuff, then price is probably your determining factor, and not necessarily performance. The amd chips run hotter, but r good for the money. intel chips r great too, just a little more expensive. The only thing additional for an amd cpu is to get a better h/s fan unit, a cpu shim so u don't crush the core when u put it on, and some thermal paste. easy as cake. check out my rigs (just built the amd one), very happy with both. although need to figure out how to cool my case a little better. good luck!

 

[Siddhartha]

If you are not going to overclock go with a Retail AMD Athlon XP. You will get a queit heatsink\fan and a three year warranty. AMD offers more performance, at rated clock speeds, for the money than Intel. For example for about the same money, at Newegg.com, you can get an Intel P4 1.6A or the faster retail AMD XP1800+.

If you prefer Intel... get an Intel cpu. Both products, AMD or Intel, will fit your needs nicely.

 

[sniperruff]

thanx for the recommecndations guys... and you mentioned the factory heatsink and fan in the amd retail box... should i just use the ones in the retail box or should i get a new one? also which power supply would be the best for... lets say a 1800Xp?
thanks

 

[InsaneMorphius]

The retail fan is quite sufficient for minor overclocking.

A good 300w powersupply or larger would be highly recommended.

 

[jiffylube1024]

As others have said, either CPU/platform will fit your needs well. Both the P4 Northwood (512K cache) and Athlon XP are great, fast CPU's with very little speed difference.

Note: Athlons run hotter than P4's and you may need to use a better than retail Heatsink/Fan. If you get a P4 the retail one will work fine with even a pretty generous overclock.

Note also if you want to overclock (especially overclock a lot) the P4 is the best way to go; you can get 400-600 MHz out of most P4 1.6A and 1.8A CPU's pretty easily (2.1-2.3 Ghz is quite attainable with these CPUs).

If you're definately not overclocking, then I'd recommend an Athlon XP.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I agree whith the others and have but this to add: Since it seems as though this will be your first build, IMHO you would be better off with the P4A because the heat spreader combined with the method for mounting the HS/F will help keep you from accidently crushing your CPU and it's also almost impossible to fry the P4A as well. Since these are two of the most common problems resulting from blunders made by new and experienced system builders alike, I feel the P4A would provide you with a bit more tolerance for SNAFUs that can effect your build. Remember, this is my point of view only and not written in stone

 

[sniperruff]

thanx for all ur advices guys!
the only problem is that i don't know how to (or not planning to) over-clock... so it seems that AMD is the way to go. but i just saw on price watch that 256mb RDRAM stick goes for $60... (i plan on getting 512mb)
and a i850 mobo (with LAN and AUDIO) from intel goes for like $130 on newegg... throw in the 1.6A retail for $135 and it's $385...
if i get AMD xp 1800 ( $110) and a mobo that supports the 2700 DDR (about $120) and 2 sticks of 2700 DDR (also $60 a piece) it's $340...
so is the extra $45 worth the pent 4 1.6A? will the pent4 be faster than the amd?
thanx again

 

[Sachmho]

you can get an Intel P4 1.6A or the faster retail AMD XP1800+.

yes, but the only reason you'd get a 1.6a is to OC like mad, like me... when OC'ed to an easy 2.3, that intel will win that battle...