YES! laptop b0rken! time for a desktop! :)

[andylawcc]

Constraints: mid-range, gaming, no overclock, no SLI, AMD-fan boy, and if not asking for too much: quiet.

Antec NSK4480 with Antec Earthwatts 380W
Athlon X2 4000 (2.1gig) Brisbane (not the BE one)
Biostar 570SLI
DDR26400 2x1gig CL4 (whatever brand that's under 60 after rebate, either the muskin or crucial or corsair)
250gig or 320gig HDD SATA (not sure which brand though)
DVD burner SATA (not sure which brand either)

now, the biggest headache I have now is the GPU. it is either the 1950Pro or the 8600GT. The nvidia's card is 10-20 bucks cheaper, but the 1950pro outperforms it by a noticable margin, which I'd gladly fork over the money. However, clearance is an issue, it seems like them 1950Pro are HUGE (fat AND long), so they may not fit in the case. I will head out to Fry and try to measure the Antec case to see whether it fits or not.

for now, anyone can provide some insight? like, which HDD, DVD burner, and video card?

 

[nick1985]

Have you looked at Core 2 Duo vs. AMD benchmarks?

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: nick1985
Have you looked at Core 2 Duo vs. AMD benchmarks?

yes, I know C2D would outperform AMD, and not for a whole lot more money

it's more than a personal issue: I am doing this to challenge my Intel-fanboy friends. They insisted AMD are nothing but crap. so I want to disprove them.

yes, I understand I will get less-bang-per-buck. but the similar amount of money for the mobo and cpu, I only can score a Allendale E2140-60 with a lowend P35 mobo from the intel camp.

 

[nick1985]

And that C2D would OC like fricken crazy. People are often getting well over 3Ghz out of the 1.8's.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: nick1985
And that C2D would OC like fricken crazy. People are often getting well over 3Ghz out of the 1.8's.

yes yes, Anandtech did a review on the E4400 with amazing OC results.
but with that I would need to get a quality mobo, HSF, and case ventilation.
I don't need a performance all-star, just something stable, cheap, and hopefully quiet.

 

[konakona]

at high rez with current games, does it really matter all that much?
I was in the same boat as you vid card wise. The contenders were 7900gs, 1950pro, 1950xt. The XT would have been sweet, except I couldnt find any good deals on it; once something decent comes along, its gone in matter of hours. 1950pro is known for very little room for overclocking, and 7900gs wasnt that cheap. At the end of the day, I settled for a 1900gt. These things should be equal if not better than 1950pro after overclocking IRC.

 

[jacktesterson]

the best bang for the money in the $130-150 range is the ATI x1950 pro in my opinion.

and I have a AMD fan boy friend now haha jk.

I went AMD too and wasn't well liked for it 😕

 

[aigomorla]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: nick1985
Have you looked at Core 2 Duo vs. AMD benchmarks?

yes, I know C2D would outperform AMD, and not for a whole lot more money

it's more than a personal issue: I am doing this to challenge my Intel-fanboy friends. They insisted AMD are nothing but crap. so I want to disprove them.

yes, I understand I will get less-bang-per-buck. but the similar amount of money for the mobo and cpu, I only can score a Allendale E2140-60 with a lowend P35 mobo from the intel camp.

Sorry, the only thing you'll prove is AMD is crap. :X I used to be an AMD junkie. I was one of the first people with an opteron 175 which oc'd to 3.0ghz on S939. But alas, my E6600 replacement seriously SPANKED that living hell out of that. S939 vs AM2 <not a big difference>

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: nick1985
And that C2D would OC like fricken crazy. People are often getting well over 3Ghz out of the 1.8's.

yes yes, Anandtech did a review on the E4400 with amazing OC results.
but with that I would need to get a quality mobo, HSF, and case ventilation.
I don't need a performance all-star, just something stable, cheap, and hopefully quiet.

Abit IP35-E ~89 dollars
E2160 ~ 100 dollars <--- moderate OC to 3.2ghz. Allendales are better clock / clock. Only AMD you should look at is barcelona or Phenom. But those are out of your budget

AF Freezer7 or the Sunbeam Nock off ~ 25 Dollars
Decient PSU <Required for both> 100 dollars

The satisfactiion of having a much faster, better performing better overclocking machine ~ Priceless