which computer is best with Intel or AMD?

[georgesl]

Which computer to choose for a general and familial use + some light video editing (Firewire slot or card required) + light gaming:

1. a computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo 6400 processor + Intel motherboard DG965RY (with integrated video X3000) + 1 or 2GB 667Mhz memory + 250Gb HD + DVD-R drive

or, with the same cost for:
2. a computer with an Athlon 64 4600+ X2 dual core processor + Abit motherboard KN9 Ultra + 7300GS videocard + same 1 or 2 GB 667Mhz memory + same HD and DVD-R drive

Which one will give the best overall performance?
Will the addition of a 7300GS video card significantly improve the performance of the above Intel computer?
How to compare an Abit motherboard and an Intel motherboard of a similar price?

 

[bamacre]

What are you going to use the computer for?

 

[happy medium]

Those system are neck and neck in performance. Yes the 7300 gs card will help the intel system. Anythings better then integrated video.

Edit: welcome to the furums georges

 

[trOver]

Go w/ the amd. You will not notice much differance between the intel and amd cpu's, but the graphics card you will notice a HUGE leap from the integrated to the 7300gs.

Also- deffinately get 2gb of ram!

 

[bob4432]

anyway you can make some hardware changes? the reason i am asking is because @ stock they are ~ =, but you won't get much more out of a 4600 o/cing wise, but a 6400 is just begging to be o/ced and that is where the c2d really shines as it will own the 4600 once you can really open it up. sadly, the intel board isn't going to offer you much in the way of o/cing options and onboard is not a good option if any gaming besides solitare is going to be used, but their boards are usually the most reliable due to their conservative bios options.

in this case i think the c2d would edge out the x2 in the encoding dept, but just by a small amount, but would be owned by the 7300 in gaming and this what you are going to see visually.

and that abit board is a good boart, in fact i have had a couple abit boards and they have all served me well, along with msi, foxconn, asus, tyan, gigabyte

 

[BladeVenom]

I'm not sure what you mean by "light gaming," but if you want to play new 3d games then I would recommend something a bit more powerful than a 7300GS. A 7600GS minimum, but preferably something like an ATI X1900GT or better.

 

[Amaroque]

How long do you plan on keeping this system for? The reason I'm asking is because the Intel system will be able to be upgraded to quad core in the future if you so desire. The AMD system will only accept a dual core CPU.

Also, you can always buy a video card later, and use the onboard video for a while.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: Amaroque
The AMD system will only accept a dual core CPU.

Where do you get that? I've heard AMD's next generation of processor, the AM3, will work in AM2 boards. link

It sounds like an AMD board will last longer than an Intel board. Won't Intels next processors require a 1333 FSB, so you'd need a Bearlake chipset for future Intel upgrades?

 

[Amaroque]

Interesting. I don't know how I missed that, as the news is 8 months old! :Q

I was just reading about here.

 

[bob4432]

so a am3(am2+) will work in a am2 board, but a am2 will not work in a am3 (am2+) board?

man, this is going to be confusing for then noobs

 

[bamacre]

If AMD's new cpu's work in AM2 slots, then that makes me think they won't be any good.

I doubt that will be the case though.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: bamacre
If AMD's new cpu's work in AM2 slots, then that makes me think they won't be any good.

...explain that one to me. The only real reasons they might need a new slot right now are:

1) Significantly higher power delivery.

2) Significantly different memory interface.

3) Significantly higher throughput to the northbridge.

#1: not an issue unless they expect new chips to need more than 125-130W.

#2: AFAIK they're still using dual-channel DDR2. They can use higher speed/lower latency memory with the same socket (to a point) by upgrading the memory controller in the CPU.

#3: AFAIK, this is not a limiting factor right now in terms of performance, and probably wouldn't be even with quad-core. The HyperTransport links they have can carry a lot of bandwidth, and remember that you don't need to push CPU<->RAM traffic through it at all in single-CPU systems.

 

[jzodda]

Originally posted by: georgesl
Which computer to choose for a general and familial use + some light video editing (Firewire slot or card required) + light gaming:

1. a computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo 6400 processor + Intel motherboard DG965RY (with integrated video X3000) + 1 or 2GB 667Mhz memory + 250Gb HD + DVD-R drive

or, with the same cost for:
2. a computer with an Athlon 64 4600+ X2 dual core processor + Abit motherboard KN9 Ultra + 7300GS videocard + same 1 or 2 GB 667Mhz memory + same HD and DVD-R drive

Which one will give the best overall performance?
Will the addition of a 7300GS video card significantly improve the performance of the above Intel computer?
How to compare an Abit motherboard and an Intel motherboard of a similar price?

With the parameters defined by you its an easy choice. You mentioned "light gaming". Well you gaming experiences will be VERY LIGHT with an integrated graphics card so go with option number 2 and 2 GB 667 memory

the 7300GS is still subpar but its not POS integrated.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: bamacre
If AMD's new cpu's work in AM2 slots, then that makes me think they won't be any good.

C2D worked with several older chipsets, I guess you think it sucks?

 

[piasabird]

Intel seems like a better bet. Probably in the longrun you may want the Core 2 Duo especially if it can upgrade to the Quad Processors. Having that option might have a significant advantage. But in reality it usually better to buy newer technology. I very seldom ever upgrade anything.

If you want integrated Video you want to look for the X3000 video. Some motherboards have 3000 integrated video and there is a difference.

 

[georgesl]

Thanks a lot to all those who answered and gave helpful advice.