Which way should I go?

[Geekling]

I'm going to build another computer soon and I'm not sure which is better for me. In the past I've prefered AMD cause I use to game a lot. But I don't do that anymore. Now I mainly burn CD-Rs and DVDs which take awhile with my current CPU(2.5Ghz Intel).

What CPU would you suggest for doing this? While I'm burning and encoding and such I'm also doing many other things. Can AMD keep up with this? or would you guys suggest intel?

I don't want to spend more than $270 on the CPU. Any suggestions on which one to get?

 

[KoolDrew]

An Intel w/ HT may be better.

 

[ryanv12]

Well, if you're going to spend no more than $270, stay with Intel and get a HT processor. The AMD 3200+ system I built for my younger brother is noticeably less "snappy" in a normal multitasking environment than my 3.2c Intel.

I would go with this guy: Text

Keep in mind that you can also get the Intel dual core 2.8GHz processor for a couple of bucks more, but it won't be faster in light multitasking environments than that processor.

 

[Geekling]

Originally posted by: ryanv12
Well, if you're going to spend no more than $270, stay with Intel and get a HT processor. The AMD 3200+ system I built for my younger brother is noticeably less "snappy" in a normal multitasking environment than my 3.2c Intel.

I would go with this guy: Text

Keep in mind that you can also get the Intel dual core 2.8GHz processor for a couple of bucks more, but it won't be faster in light multitasking environments than that processor.

How much of a difference do you think that CPU would make? Right now it takes me around 1hour to convert a AVI file to DVD format.

Also....how much does memory help with this? any suggestions on that?

I've heard that the intel dual cores don't do that well. I'll look into it tho.

 

[imported_Bleh]

The HyperThreading will help a lot over your current 2.5 ghz Intel with conversion of AVI files.

 

[n7]

I really hate recommending the Prescott Intels, particularly due to heat reasons, but they are slighty better for audio/video encoding & heavy multitasking.

 

[Geekling]

Thanks guys. Looks like I won't be going with AMD then

 

[n7]

I would read through the reviews on the main Anandtech page before you go order a Preshott

In some cases, the A64s come very close to the P4s, & are better in certain programs (which is why i say to check it out).

We may make suggestions here, but it's best to check reviews yourself too. (Just make sure you don't check THG for reviews )

 

[Furen]

Maybe (MAYBE) you should check out the 2.8GHz 820. It's performance should be rather weak in anything single threaded but the two cores should help out a lot in encoding tasks. Another good thing is that it should have some overclocking potential 'cause of the low default clockspeed.

The problem, of course, is that it run very very hot (so you'd need some better-than-stock cooling to overclock), draws power like mad and runs at such a low default clockspeed that it might feel slow in all the single threaded things.

Another thing: you say you're building a new computer? does that mean you're buying a new mobo, ram, drives, video card, etc? Remember that newer intel cpus require ddr2 and a pci express video card, so you wont be able to reuse that stuff from your old computer. There are some LGA775 mobos that support ddr and agp (I think) but they wont support dual core cpus.

EDIT: Here's a review of the 820 by Xbitlabs. Like I said, the cpu looks pretty crappy until you get to the multithreaded side of things, then it performs on par or better than more expensive cpus.

Personally, I would just go for a venice 3000+ and overclock that, but I'm kind of an AMD fanboy and I love overclocking K8s.

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

You have to look at your total costs not just the cpu
different cpus require different price range rams
whatch for the memory deltas in the benchmarks
an amd can work just fine with $80 per GB ddr 3200 while the newer intels (past p3) would die and the p3 would also be slower without premium memory

When we build systems for general business use I sell by office productivity benchmark comparisons at the same price point
Unfortunately it hs been impossible to sell any Intel systems recently as at a constant dollar comparison the AMD's are way out in front
Surprisingly the same is true with gaming systems
you'll have to look real hard to find a set of real applications where the same price Intel system will beat the AMD
let's see how your apps do

wyrmrider

 

[cheesehead]

Intel does seem to do better in video encoding. (Of course, the dual 2.7 ghz G5 owns the lot, but it's worth about three times what I am. Plus, I'm an old Mac fan, so you should ignore everything I say on the subject.) Throw on a XP-120 and a nice fan, and it might overclock to over 3 ghz without trouble. 1-2GB of RAM is a definite must.