Which processor (AMD 64 or P4) is easier to keep cooler?

[TrekCycling]

Also, any disadvantages of the AMD 64 vs. Pentium 4?

I'm wondering because I upgraded my computer
last weekend. I did upgrade to the P4 3ghz. It's very fast, so no
worries there, but it's pretty noisy. The company I bought it from has a
7 day, no questions, return policy. So I'd like to know before those 7
days are over two things.

#1 - Is the AMD 64 quieter? And I think what I mean when I ask that is
if it runs less hot and thus the fan is quieter. I've heard this
argument made. I'm wondering if there's truth to it.

#2 - Additionally, Are there any significant problems with running 64bit OSes?
(in my case SuSE Linux) Trouble compiling programs, trouble running certain
programs, slower overall performance for business functionality, etc.

I could, of course, always go buy an ultra-quiet fan and heat sink. I've
heard they make those and that may be the way I go because even with my
new Antec Sonata the P4 is noticeably louder than my P3 was. Do those copper
heatsinks really work? Do they really reduce the noise that much?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Markfw]

The Athlon64 does run cooler, and thus is easier to get a quiet CPU fan. I have heard the SuSE Linux 64bit rocks ! If you do go Athlon64, the Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 is very quiet , 21 dba (I know what you mean since I hace a Sonata as one of my cases.)

 

[Burtie21]

markfw900, that's the car from X-Men 2 isn't it?

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Burtie21
markfw900, that's the car from X-Men 2 isn't it?

Yup...

 

[Burtie21]

i hate u........

 

[AluminumStudios]

The Prescott P4's do run quite hot, but the noise is the fault of the heatsink and fan. There are tons of different companies offering different products, you can find quiet ones for both P4 and Athlon. I don't think the noise of your current fans and case should have ANY bearing on your CPU choice because you could just as easily get a heatsink-fan combination for an Athlon 64 that's just as loud.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Burtie21
markfw900, that's the car from X-Men 2 isn't it?

Damn my 1024x768 screen resolution

Pretty car btw :thumbsup:

 

[TrekCycling]

^^ Well, that was the overall gist of my question. Comparing the two processors side by side, will I have a harder time keeping the P4 cool and quiet than keeping the AMD64 cool and quiet?

 

[gnumantsc]

CPUs don't make noise its the cheap fans that are used that do

But honestly if you go with a better fans it will run quieter, but the P4 Prescotts run extremely hotter than A64 assuming that you do have the Prescott version and not the Northwood one....

 

[CSMR]

You will want a cool-and-quiet compatible motherboard for the AMD 64.

 

[Penguinus]

Zalman CNPS7000 series would be a great HSF choice to quiet your system with either intel or AMD...

 

[barnett25]

Just making sure you know (there are alot of n00bs around) the athlon 64 can run a 32 bit operating system just fine.
Please disregard if you already knew this.

 

[TrekCycling]

Yeah, I knew. Since I run SuSE Linux I'd be interested in running it in 64 bit mode, though. I'm more interested, though, for the sake of this question, in whether one is significantly cooler than the other and thus easier to keep cool and quiet.

 

[Cheetah8799]

As others mentioned, it's not the CPu that's noisy, it's the heatsink and fan. Upgrade to a Zalman or Thermalright model that fits your system and you should be fine. For the Thermalright, you'll have to buy the fan separate, but then have many to choose from. Zalman provides a quiet fan with their heatsink.

EDIT: as for which is easier to keep cool/quiet, it all depends on your rig. I think it's pretty close, since the high-end heatsinks from Zalman and Thermalright, and other companies, are very similar, if not the same in some cases, for both brand's CPUs.

 

[LTC8K6]

Do you have a Prescott (E model - 1MB Cache) or Northwood (C Model - 512K Cache)? The Prescott is harder to cool than the Northwood.

You should be able to cool either okay, but the Northwood should be no problem to cool quietly.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Penguinus
Zalman CNPS7000 series would be a great HSF choice to quiet your system with either intel or AMD...

Another vote for this, my brother added one to his P4 3.2 GHz and temps dropped even with it running in quiet mode.

FYI, the "alcu" aluminum-copper hybrid version is better than the "cu" for most users since it cools 99% as well but is within specs for weight (the cu is so far above spec it can bend your motherboard much more).

Newegg is one good place to get these.

PS - if you have an Asus motherboard the Q-Fan CPU fan control in the BIOS really does help. It acts as a fan controller to slow down the fan when you're not stressing the CPU.

 

[TrekCycling]

Yeah, since I've been reading about these issues (I was stuck in the "Dark Ages" with a P3 until a few days ago) I've learned a lot. And I read about the weight issues, so I'm definitely going to keep that in mind. I think my big choice right now, is that while I'm still within the return policy, should I consider (for performance and for heat purposes) going with the Athlon64 instead? Or should I proceed and get a Zalman for my machine?

 

[rahvin]

I remember reading an article on this, can't remember if it was on Anandtech. The conclusion was this, the AMD's are rated for a maximum heat dissipation of around 79watts, the Intels are rated for an AVERAGE dissipation of something like 110 watts. In summary the P4's run quite a bit hotter than the A64's so in theory it should be easier to have a cool AND quiet system with AMD.

 

[toadman]

If you decide to go with the zalman make sure to check there site to see if your motherboard is compatible with it.They are huge hsf's,specially they cu all copper version.But they are great coolers.Mine cools very well.

 

[MegaWorks]

The Athlon64 runs much cooler