AMD or Intel

hey guys, im new here and just wanted to say hi, but i do have one question. ok, heres my question. I want to compare the AMD athlon 64 3000+ to the pentium 4 3.0ghz processor. I personally like the AMD better but the only thing that concerns me is that the AMD only has 1.8 ghz processor and some games are getting close to having that as a minimum system requirment for games but ive also heard that because the AMD processes at 64bit speed it acts as if it was like a 3.8 ghz proccesor, could someone please help me out, thanks.

 

ok, AMD use a performance index so that there CPU's can be compared to Intell chips.

on average a AMD chip can do 1.5 times more work per clock cycle (if you dont know what i mean, basiacally it can do 1.5 times more work if the processors have a EQUAL speed)

If you use a AMD chip your computer will be (a) cheaper to build or (b) more powerful for the same amount of money..... also if you buy an AMD 64 then its more futerure proof (will 'last longer') as its ready for 64 bit computing when you decide to use it.

the '64' in the AMD 64 refers to the number of bits it can proccess in a single cycle (a 1 Ghz CPU cycles 1,000,000,000 times a second) BUT you have to have a OS which supports this feature (other wise its runs @ 32 bits per cycle)

summery, AMD chips are more powerfull and future proof for the same amount of ££££ than a Intell.

 

AMD's also run cooler than newer intels so you can have a cooler, quieter computer.

 

my main concern is about the gaming and if the AMD 64 3000+ will be good enough to support future games and be able to play todays best games like battlefield 2 and the game i really want, " OBLIVION" so those are my main concern, ive just recently got a job and have been saving for my OWN pc and just want it to be good. but thanks for replying but i need the gaming question answered please. -hippie

 

The 3000+ will be easily better at gaming than the P4, AMD has held the gaming throne for several years now and for $150 you're getting quite the chip. On system requirements the the 1.8GHz is refering to a P4 processor, not the clockspeed of AMD chips. It would be about an 1800+ in that case.
At stock speeds the 3000+ does very well, I had it so I can tell you first hand it will play any game so far without a hitch providing that you have a good gfx card and a gig of ram. But it also overclocks very well, 2.6Ghz is very possible is you have some nice ram (not the value stuff).

 

everyone loves AMD and ive never used anything else!

I'd reccomend using the AMD Chip (as i said above, and eveyoen else said above!!!!)

have you picked a motherboard?

 

yea, i went to ibuypower.com to set up a comp and heres what i came up with, tell me what u think guys:
Case-Raidmax Ninja-918 ATX Mid-tower Case w/450W Power Supply Black More Options
Proccesor-[939-pin] AMD® Athlon-64 3000+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology
Motherboard-MSI K8N Neo4-F nForce4 Chipset w/7.1 Sound, Gb LAN, S-ATA Raid, USB 2.0 PCI-E Motherboard
RAM-512MB DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module (planning on getting another 512 once i can afford it)
Gfx Card-[pci-express 16x] Nvidia Geforce 6600 256mb w/dvi + tv out video
Harddrive-[S-ATA] Seagate 80 GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Hard Drive
CD/DVD RW Drive-[** Special !!! ***] 16X Dual Format/Double Layer DVD±R/±RW + CD-R/RW Drive
SoundCard-3D Premium Surround Sound Onboard (will upgrade later)
Speakers-600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System
OS-[New !!!] MS Windows XP Professional X64 Edition
Total:$755 w/o shipping and no monitor, i want to find the cheapest place for an LCD
thats what i have currently planned for purchase, im trying to keep it as cheap as possible but i want something that will last, so if u have any comments or advice i would greatly appreciate it, thanks

 

case needs a different power supply, a quality unit from a major name brand.

you should just get a 6600GT 128mb. It will perform better than the 6600 256mb. Evga makes a good one that's got a good price.

 

the specs for the case and its PSU are here:
Description:
Raidmax proudly present the Ninja Gaming case. The Ninja has everything necessary to keep cool and look good. The Ninja features Front panel cover, 120mm fan, a mirror shine paint job, HD responsive LED lights and yes... screwless design for easy installation.

Specification:
- HD responsive blue LED strip light
- Custom side panel window with LED fan
- 2 Front USB 2.0 access ports
- Front Audio jacks
- Super Slience 120mm case fan
- Meets Intel CAG Regulations
- Intel Prescott Ready
- External Driver Bays: 5 x 5.25" and 2 x 3.5"
- Internal Driver Bays: 3 x 3.5" H.D.
- System Board: ATI Form Factor 12" x 10.5" or smaller
- Expansion slots: Standard ATX 7 slots
- Material: SECC Steal
- Power Supply: 450watts PS2 ATX12V Power Supply

I dont know if that says what brand but ill probably upgrade that too once i get enough money, thanks for the advice

 

oh yea, by the way that card costs about 50$ more than the 6600 256mb, is it really worth it? i dont really want to go overboard with this project but if its a very good thing to do then ill concider it

 

an eVGA 6600GT is definately worth it (don't know much about ibuypower.com but it should cost around $150). It's the best bang for the buck card right now. Pretty much it's the most common card being put into a gaming system that doesn't want to hit the 1k mark.

Generic brand power supplies aren't good for today's gaming computers, they are very demanding in power. http://www.hardwareforums.com/showthread.php?t=5218
very good read explaining power supplies and their importance.

 

i checked out that post and it was indead moving. but how much would a PSU like that put me back? i would have an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ and if im going to up my gfx card im definetly going over what i want to spend, what do u recommend i do?

 

Get a good PSU from the likes of Antec or Thermaltake. The Thermaltake PurePower PSUs over 400W will do.

 

Probably not a favourite with most users here but I bought a used
Enermax 470W Noisetaker. Although it is used, it still makes me more confident then the generic one which already blew up once on me....

I bought it on eBay for £35 (£45 with delivery...)

 

msi are your best bet for a decent motherboard at a really good price, i couldnt belive how much they had packed onto my1 when i finally got it!

Im not so sure about the 64 bit windoze [but i could be talking crap here], has anyoen heard of any compatability issue's? [running 32 bit aps]

 

Enermax is one of the best out there. I know they've got a 460W unit for around $55 over at Newegg. I believe ibuypower has their EG565-P VE unit for just under $80. Point blank, this power supply kicks ass. I use one and it's recommended.

Thermaltake is fine, but I've noticed their 400W units tend to have only about 18A on the 12V rail. They've got one 500W unit with some very good amps on the 12V rail, but that's not what seems to be common. For an A64 rig, most TT units seem to be lacking a little from the specs I've seen.

 

I would suggest that you check out a Thermaltake 420 W PSU. They're awesome power supplys for the money. $40 in the US, and never seen a problem with one. And as for your "overspending" problem - Unless you're set on the site you're using, you may want to consider checking out other sites also for price differences. Secondly, I know it sucks, but in the end, you're going to want to build a high end system no matter what it costs. It's better to spend a few extra bucks for a system that'll last you an extra year then have to build another one a year early, yunno?

 

yea, i know that i will want a high end pc, but i have to start somewhere and work of of that, as of right now i have a limit on my cash and so i was figuring something that would last me fo a bit but because this is my 1st PC and im not really got a high paying job and im in high school still, i think it will be fine, but if i get the standard PSU and later buy a more dependable PSU like the ones uve recommended will that screw up alot of stuff or would that be fine? ty for answering alot of my questions guys -hippie

 

I've allways used the PSU's that came with the cases ive bought, and ive never really had any problems (allthough i would buy a nice psu if i had the cash)

Just a note about building your computer, Your ALOT better off waiting untill you can buy all the parts at a high spec (save you cash, its worth the wait)

If you dont, you end up with an uber processor and a cheap graphics card..... and by the tiem you have th emoney for the graphics card, your procesor aint so good anymore.

I got stuck with this (but the opposite way around) as i had a 9800 XT when it was still rated as an amazing card but i only had a AMD Athlon 2200+!!! by the time i had replaced the CPU [and motherboard] it wasnt so uber as it was when i bought it

see if froogle gives you any decent prices!

 

When I had my PSU that came with my case, it spelled the end of my working well PC, to this day it still doesn't play games as the graphics card doesn't work properly.

Get a better PSU, like smoking; it'll kill you in the end.