Should I be holding off and get a P-D instead of the P-4?

[Scott78945]

I have been reading many posts and I am concerned with my recent purchase. I have on order a P4 3.0 ghz w/HT technology system with 1gb DDR ram. Should I have gotten the P-D? I see where they heat up quite quickly. I just don't wantto get something and wish I got the other. Any suggestions? Should I be content with my purchase?

 

[Jeff7181]

That depends. Do you have use for a dual core or dual CPU computer? If not, then don't bother with a dual core processor. Don't forget the Athlon 64 as an option either.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: Scott78945
I have been reading many posts and I am concerned with my recent purchase. I have on order a P4 3.0 ghz w/HT technology system with 1gb DDR ram. Should I have gotten the P-D? I see where they heat up quite quickly. I just don't wantto get something and wish I got the other. Any suggestions? Should I be content with my purchase?

Prepare yourself for a flood of anti P-D/P4 posts Most will say you should have gotten an AMD.

 

[Cooler]

X2 3800 is Much Better then any P-D If you Have a little exta $.
This Comes form an P-D Owner.

 

[miketheidiot]

you would have to get new ram and i am assuming a new board.

 

[Scott78945]

I got my system from Gateway and they don't even offer AMD. My next system I might take the plunge and learn how to build my own system. I have heard that it isn't hard these days but I know nothing about it. It appears that these forums are a wealth of knowledge to be had. I guess I have no idea what a dual-core processor even does so I guess I don't need one then. LOL

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Scott78945
I got my system from Gateway and they don't even offer AMD. My next system I might take the plunge and learn how to build my own system. I have heard that it isn't hard these days but I know nothing about it. It appears that these forums are a wealth of knowledge to be had. I guess I have no idea what a dual-core processor even does so I guess I don't need one then. LOL

That's correct.

Stick around here and participate and ask questions and by the time you're ready for your next computer you'll probably have enough knowledge to select the parts and put it together yourself.

 

[Mucker]

Building a machine is alot easier than you could imagine Scott. Key is to get quality components, psu amd mb especially. Alot of people willing to help out at AT too!

m

 

[Markbnj]

:thumbsup:

Yep, if you get quality components and put it together carefully it will post 9 times out of 10, and the tenth time it will be something simple.

 

[Insomniak]

No, you should get an Athlon 64 X2 instead of a P4 or a PD.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Insomniak
No, you should get an Athlon 64 X2 instead of a P4 or a PD.

Bad advice. He doesn't even know what a dual core processor is. He doesn't need one.

 

[theMan]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Insomniak
No, you should get an Athlon 64 X2 instead of a P4 or a PD.

Bad advice. He doesn't even know what a dual core processor is. He doesn't need one.

some people dont know what computers are but that doesnt mean they dont need one...

dual core processors help almost everyone.

the main thing is that he has to get intel because hes buying from gateway.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Cooler
X2 3800 is Much Better then any P-D If you Have a little exta $.
This Comes form an P-D Owner.

Ditto

Edit: I thought gateway carried AMD . When did they stop ? Also HP sells AMD systems.

 

[Scott78945]

Ok, here is another question. What is the difference between the P4 with Hyperthreading and the dual core systems? I know that the HT is turned off on the dual core models. Thanks guys for the input.

 

[Markfw]

HT makes up a little bit for the long piplines the P4 has. Dual core is two cpu's in one. Like a cheap dual processor system, but only one socket. Once you have had one you neve go back. And see my post above, HP sells AMD systems. So...

dual-core >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> HT.

 

[Lithan]

Ht doesn't make up for long pipelines. If that were true a ht p4 3.733 would compete with an FX @ 3.733. Ht helps in a few multitasking scenarios and helps with several software encoding/decoding programs. Truth be told, if you're buying new, HT isn't a smart move simply because intel charges close to $200 for their cheapest HT proc these days, and for another $125 you can get a 3800+ that completely destroys it.

Now if you just want an affordable gaming rig, don't even look at dual core. Get the best deal you can find as long as it has pci-e, then drop the best gfx you can afford in it.

 

[Shenkoa]

Well it all depends on what he is doing as well.

If your encoding videos and audio then I would.... wait that was last week, X2 is the best out .

If you want Intel, wait for the VIIV if not then go AMD. See my specs??? I payed $190 for that CPU and it will (overclocked) beat a P4 4GHz POS any day of the week.

 

[AkumaX]

lol that bunny is creative

 

[Elcs]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Scott78945
I got my system from Gateway and they don't even offer AMD. My next system I might take the plunge and learn how to build my own system. I have heard that it isn't hard these days but I know nothing about it. It appears that these forums are a wealth of knowledge to be had. I guess I have no idea what a dual-core processor even does so I guess I don't need one then. LOL

That's correct.

Stick around here and participate and ask questions and by the time you're ready for your next computer you'll probably have enough knowledge to select the parts and put it together yourself.

One point Id like to add to this...

If you are going to take the plunge on making yourself a new system, Id personally make a thread in General Hardware detailing what you components are thinking of buying, what stores you are buying from, prices, what the system will be used for... etc.

Most of the time, opinions will agree with you and only differ on minor subjects like Crucial Value RAM Vs. Corsair Value RAM, Seagate Vs. Samsung.

I didnt do that with my current system (Athlon XP) but the jury was rather unanimous in its decision about what I should get

 

[Shenkoa]

"I didnt do that with my current system (Athlon XP) but the jury was rather unanimous in its decision about what I should get " - Elcs

There is a solution to that, POLLS! :thumbsup:

 

[Markbnj]

[Bad advice. He doesn't even know what a dual core processor is. He doesn't need one.]

If I don't know what a direct memory access controller is, do I need one?

 

[Scott78945]

I didn't plan on building this one, but my next one I was thinking about it. I am getting the P4 3.0 ghz w/ HT, 1g ram, 250mb hd, 21" widescreen HDTV LCD, 2 bay- DVD burner in one and DVD rom in the other. It has the integrated video card which will have to be upgraded. I paid $1500 for the whole thing. I didn't think it was a bad deal since the 21" LCD is going for $600 alone. So really I am paying $800 for the computer. I figured it would be as much as if I built it myself minus the hassle.

 

[Lithan]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
[Bad advice. He doesn't even know what a dual core processor is. He doesn't need one.]

If I don't know what a direct memory access controller is, do I need one?

You dont? Seems pretty self explainatory to me.

 

[Leper Messiah]

Originally posted by: Scott78945
I didn't plan on building this one, but my next one I was thinking about it. I am getting the P4 3.0 ghz w/ HT, 1g ram, 250mb hd, 21" widescreen HDTV LCD, 2 bay- DVD burner in one and DVD rom in the other. It has the integrated video card which will have to be upgraded. I paid $1500 for the whole thing. I didn't think it was a bad deal since the 21" LCD is going for $600 alone. So really I am paying $800 for the computer. I figured it would be as much as if I built it myself minus the hassle.

lol no....you got robbed. Thats maybe a $600 PC tops, if you go with the AMD equivalent. And 21" LCDs for $600 I don't think they're that much anymore... Dell's got 21" widescreens for like $450 or something...

 

[Markbnj]

[You dont? Seems pretty self explainatory to me]

Um, I said: _if_ I don't. I actually do know what a DMA controller is, but I question the logic that says if someone doesn't know what a dual core processor is, they won't benefit from it.