- Jan 12, 2005
- 9,500
- 6
- 81
My primary use for the system would be downloading large file from newsgroups and decoding them with Winrar. I would probably be downloading one or more files and Winraring another, all at the same time. And I'd be browsing the web, too. I also do gaming, but exclusively adventure types that almost never require the high frame rates that Halo, UT, etc. require.
Obviously, this use profile is going to place a lot of load on the disk subsystem, but also on the CPU/memory subsystem as well. I DO understand that, dollar for dollar, Athlon 64's outperform P4s on 90% of the performance benchmarks, but for my intended use I'm thinking that a Prescott-based system with NCQ support would make the most sense. I'm not at all familiar with overclocking P4's, but I've read that the Asus P5GD2 Premium is a great MB for OCing. I was originally planning on a Athlon Winchester-based system, where I wouldn't have to worry about cooling. But with a P4, I realize that's not the case. So cooling recommendations would be appreciated.
I'm thinking that having three separate SATA HDs would be a good idea: one for the OS, one for downloading files, and one to do the decoding to.
Finally, there's the question of memory. I know a lot about DDR, but next-to-nothing about DDR2 (other than having read an AT review that said the OCZ Platinum Enhanced Bandwith Rev 2 DDR2-533 SDRAMS are fantastic). But $380 for two 512MB modules seems excessive.
So, what CPU/cooler (if necessary)/MB/RAM combintion would you recommend for a bang-for-the-buck, overclockable system? For Athlon 64 systems, I know the answers, but for P4 systems, I'm clueless.
Obviously, this use profile is going to place a lot of load on the disk subsystem, but also on the CPU/memory subsystem as well. I DO understand that, dollar for dollar, Athlon 64's outperform P4s on 90% of the performance benchmarks, but for my intended use I'm thinking that a Prescott-based system with NCQ support would make the most sense. I'm not at all familiar with overclocking P4's, but I've read that the Asus P5GD2 Premium is a great MB for OCing. I was originally planning on a Athlon Winchester-based system, where I wouldn't have to worry about cooling. But with a P4, I realize that's not the case. So cooling recommendations would be appreciated.
I'm thinking that having three separate SATA HDs would be a good idea: one for the OS, one for downloading files, and one to do the decoding to.
Finally, there's the question of memory. I know a lot about DDR, but next-to-nothing about DDR2 (other than having read an AT review that said the OCZ Platinum Enhanced Bandwith Rev 2 DDR2-533 SDRAMS are fantastic). But $380 for two 512MB modules seems excessive.
So, what CPU/cooler (if necessary)/MB/RAM combintion would you recommend for a bang-for-the-buck, overclockable system? For Athlon 64 systems, I know the answers, but for P4 systems, I'm clueless.
Facebook
Twitter