which is overall better? P4 820 or A64 3400+ or P4 630?

[JWade]

which is better over all? light gaming, office work, web surfing. just general use.

I know each has their own strong points and weaknesses. Just looking for an opinion on which one to choose, none of them will be overclocked.

 

[Markfw]

a64 3400 for that list by far.

 

[RussianSensation]

Ok do not get A64 3400+. This means Socket 754.

P4 820 will be faster in all multitasking scenarios. For gaming, A64 will win, but this is largely dependent on how good your videocard is.

I would consider P4 920 over P4 820 however (there is a thread on this forum of how a user got 4.4ghz overclock from 2.8ghz.) This even beats with FX60 at 2.9ghz. I strongly encourage overclocking since it is very easy. For single core, you can get Opteron 144, 146 if you are on a budget.

If you insist on stock speeds, go with Socket 939 and A64 3200+. Of course digging deeper, surfing will depend on your Internet service provider, office work will be faster on P4 dual core vs. single core A64 in heavy multitasking scenarios (but slower when working with few programs since A64 has lower latency and will open individuals programs faster), and A64 will pull away in gaming scenarios. But if you have a weak videocard, the processor wont make any difference.

 

[Sunbird]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
Ok do not get A64 3400+. This means Socket 754.

Yeah, for a office machine he is definately gonna need a 939 socket for that upgrading he will be doing in a year from now from that 2.4GHz processor.
[/sarcasm]

If you did heavy multitasking the 820 might have been a good option, but between the 630 and the 3400+, go for the 3400+, I have a 1,8GHz 2800+ and that thing already flies at starting windows and opening apps and even my gaming, and they cost about the same right?

 

[JWade]

i am not building the systems. They are three i can pick from. the 3400+ is socket 754, none of them will be upgraded past their current configurations and like i originally posted, none will be overclocked.

 

[stevty2889]

For what you are doing, definatly the 3400+.

 

[RussianSensation]

I was just saying getting socket 754 is not thinking long term. I bet anything it has an AGP slot since 754 with PCIe are rare. S754 has no dual core upgrade path. Spending a bit more on S939 is very smart. You extend both videocard and cpu upgrades. In 2 years time you'll save yourself $100 since you wont need to buy a new mobo and could simply get x2 4800+ for cheap. My 2 cents.