Which road map? Intel or AMD 64

[seethoe]

Hi! I'm new here but i seriously need some advise.

I'm going to completely buy a new system. Generally i want to use it for post editing of pictures using Photoshop cause i'm a part-time photographer.

I'm considering either Intel P4 3.0Ghz (915P chipset) or AMD Athlon64 3200+ (socket 939). The way i see it is Intel has Hyper Threading, able to use DDR2 memory and PCI-express graphic card while AMD is 64bit and can great for gamers. Should i follow the 64bit path or DDR2 n PCI-express path? Currently socket 939 does not support DDR2 (nor PCI-express?? i'm not sure).

I'm also thinking of either using GeForce 6600GT with Intel or GeForce FX5700 or 9600XT with AMD.

Need help and advise

 

[n7]

Not true.

There are now several socket 939 motherboards for A64s with PCI-e (Asus, Gigabyte, Chaintech are a few i remember off the top of my head)

As for DDR2, you get less performance for more money.


A64 would be your best bet unless you do a ton of heavy multitasking, & you can still get that PCI-e 6600 GT


Oh, & welcome to the forums


Edit: Hmm, i just noticed where you are from. It may take a little longer for the 939 A64 PCI-e motherboards to show up over there, but they should soon enough

 

[seethoe]

ok. any recomendation for socket 939 mobo that supports PCI-express?

 

[Baked]

If you're not sure, read the motherboard section in the front page of Anandtech.

 

[n7]

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-131-517&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-049&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-128-268&depa=1


There's a few that are in stores in the US anyway.

 

[seethoe]

n7: Thanks man..

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: seethoe
n7: Thanks man..

Anytime


Just outta curiousity, how easy is it to get PC components over there?

 

[seethoe]

n7: actually, not much variety and about 2 months slower than in the States. That's the reason i wasn't sure whether there's amd mobo that support pci-express.

 

[deveraux]

Actually, its more like 3-4 months. 2 months for it to arrive at ridiculous prices. Then another month or two for the prices to "slightly" stabilize. If I remember right, socket 939 didn't arrive till September and now prices have dropped by quite a bit at Low Yatt. But usually, once prices have stabilized, they're generally cheaper than most anywhere else, better still if you know people at low yatt (I'm presuming you're from KL).

 

[seethoe]

yes, i'm from KL.

I've not seen socket 939 mobo that supports PCIe in Low Yat yet... u got any contact?

 

[deveraux]

Used to have but now he's not working there anymore. Sorry. About PCIe, I would say give it another month or so. New stock hasn't arrived yet I think based on their latest price list 31/12/04 (usually there is some change in price when new stock arrives). If you're buying the whole PC, biasalah, just go there buy a whole bunch from the same shop, then bargain.

I think the last time I bought something from there without any contact, I manage to reduce the price by around RM 100+ from an RM 3000 system. I know, not much, but better than nothing IMHO. If you don't upgrade your computer often, then you don't have to wait for PCIe, but if you do, it will give you much more options in the years to come.

If you're a gamer, which I think you might be, then wait until around Feb/March/April (If you can tahan) and get it then. Prices should have dropped even more. If you can't wait, then go for Intel, since their prices have probably stabilized more than AMDs. I honestly think that AMD is the way to go for gaming though.

Good luck!

 

[seethoe]

thanks. i'm still toying whether to get the AGP8X or the PCIe... the AGP8X mobo is so much cheaper ie RM 300plus. i can use that to buy a better PSU or Graphic Card...

 

[ts3433]

If you don't think you'll do much video card upgrading before a new board is in order anyway, build AGP with at least a 6600GT (here they are about USD 220, a small price delta over the PCIe versions for the moment).

 

[philler]

A8N-SLI/deluxe...

 

[Slik]

I'd say go with AMD, AGP x8, and I recommend the same board I have Asus A8V Deluxe.
With the money you'll put down for PCIe or DDR2 you could of bought a better video card or a faster processor, DDR2 and PCIe performance over regular DDR and AGPx8 sucks.
Waste of money IMO.

 

[seethoe]

slik: yes, that's true... i think by the time i want to upgrade again, i'll be changing mobo too..

i wish here is as fast as the states, price and availability....