To Prescott or Not?

[shurato]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer right now and I don't care to wait around much longer for the next big thing around the corner.
I've been a die-hard AMD fan for a while now but as I am getting older and free time is getting slimmer...I want to go Intel and build a rock stable system. I don't think I am cut out for so much of the trouble/headaches that can arrise from overclocking anymore.
My only question now is should I get a 3.2 Northwood or a Prescott. I've been reading early reports that the prescott runs hotter and does not necessary perform better. Is this because they are not using the most compatible motherboard? Unless I'm missing out big by getting a Northwood, I think i am swaying towards that over the Prescott. What do you all think? Also what is a reccomended motherboard? Years ago, I used to only use Intel made motherboards back when I had a p3-500. Anything else to look out for with Intel systems? My AMD 1600xp o/c'ed to 2100xp is just about been laid to rest.

 

[Big Lar]

Anand has a coupla articles as to Prescott and Northwood, would be worth a look for you, they did state that Prescott, Is Not the chip to buy, if you do not OC.

 

[THEREALJMAN]

Why not get a A64 system? They are better than anything Intel has to offer right now.

 

[HemoPhilic]

If you're going to buy AMD, wait for the socket 939 stuff. Socket 754 is dead/dying and 940 needs expensive memory.

I can't say I'm too excited about Intels offerings. I'm an open minded person and not a fan of either company or cpu.

That said, DO NOT GET THE PRESCOTT. It's hot, it's not a performer in its current speed grades, and it's hot.

Northwood is a safer bet.

If it were me I'd get an Athlon XP-Mobile CPU and good overclocking board and ram because I PROMISE that you will be tempted to overclock once you get your new stuff.
I swore the same thing before "Ya I'll never overclock again, too much hassle". And look at me now, my current board has VERY limited overclocking potential and I'm cranking out 2.4Ghz+ on DEFAULT voltage. If I had a better board and cooling I'd prolly hit 2.6Ghz.

Don't sell yourself short.

It's like crack, you never get it out of your system

 

[shurato]

Originally posted by: THEREALJMAN
Why not get a A64 system? They are better than anything Intel has to offer right now.

Because maybe its my own stupidity or my dumb luck but I've always ran into some problem initially or later with AMD systems whether they were overclocked or not. Honestly I think its mainly bad luck because I am or was quite a performance computer enthusiast. This is starting with the AMD Duron 600 days. My computer is mainly a gaming rig. I have my laptop for work related stuff and I just want a rock stable system that I dont have to worry about when playing games. I no longer care to overclock at this point and try to squeeze everything I can out of the processor or video card. Because honestly, before it was a money issue and I think it ended up costing me more problems and money in the long run. I shouldn't have to have a dozen fans in my system and the latest artic silver on my high-tech aftermarket hsf. Now, I just want something out of the box that will work...work fast.

 

[charloscarlies]

Definitely go with a Northwood. I just picked up a 3.0C today, and it's idling nice and cool at 34C with the stock hsf. The Ceramique hasn't even had time to break in yet. For $220 it really isn't a bad chip at all. You won't be disappointed.

 

[slag]

I have a 2.6c northie right now and just bought a 2.8e prescott so I will be doing some benchmarks this weekend to compare as well.

I might chuck the entire setup (1 gig of bh-5 pc3500 memory), both chips, and this p4p800 and go amd again...

shrug..

 

[ntrights]

Prescott D-0 stepping is supposed to have power optimizations but shipping date according to xbitlab is the first week of may. If you need a p4 chip today go with Northwood as charloscarlies suggests. If you can wait a ~month then Prescott D-0 is the way to go. Less heat = higher OC :evil:

The fresh D-0 stepping will incorporate planned power optimizations to enable speed enhancements Link

 

[THUGSROOK]

Originally posted by: slag
I might chuck the entire setup (1 gig of bh-5 pc3500 memory), both chips, and this p4p800 and go amd again...

shrug..

intel OCing has been stagnant for a year.
i dont blame you one bit for going to AMD64.

(are the agp/pci lock A64 boards available yet?)

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: THEREALJMAN
Why not get a A64 system? They are better than anything Intel has to offer right now.

Agreed. I went from a P4 northwood to a Athlon64 3000+ and love it.

 

[Budman]

To Prescott or Not?

NOT

 

[slag]

refresh my memory.. an athlon 64 3000+ system in games is comparable to a p4 3 ghz? or a 3.2? I know the pr rating system, but is it actually true this time?

 

[gwag]

to slag: for modern gaming a 3000+ is about the same as a 3.0Ghz P-4. also athlons are usually faster at cpu related tasks(non MMX/SSE)with this rating, slower at mulitmedia(MMX/SSE) and memory related stuff. being sys admin playing with lots of computer I find that athons feel faster at the desktop than intels my guess because of the lrger caches. I use a P4 2.6 and a P3 1133 at work an my XP1700@2.0 feels faster, I do know the P4 could encode video faster or something but it feels like a slug compared to my home rig.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Budman

To Prescott or Not?

NOT

 

[First]

Wait for Socket 775 Prescotts and boards in 2-3 months.

 

[smahoney]

Go for an M0 stepping Northwood (2.4 or 2.8) - not expensive, you can overclock like crazy when your tempted, very stable, lots of choices in motherboards and memory and you don't have to deal with a hundred watt lightbulb in your case at stock clock speeds...