rendering server

[Nico3k]

which one of these configurations would be best for heavy processing. the computer would be running 4 or 5 days a week over night. which one is the best for speed, reliablility, noise/heat (mpeg2 file processing and rendering).
AMD Athlon 1.2GHz
AMD Duron 1.3GHz
Intel Celeron 1GHz

i am thinking about the celeron, because they dont run so hot. these are all motherboard/cpu combos in the 100$ range. any other comments or suggestions are welcome. thank you 4 replys

[SniperXX]

The Athlon 1.2. Its got a bigger cache than the Duron if I remember correctly. The Athlon also is just more powerful than a duron or Celeron.

BTW: Durons are more powerful than Celerons.

[Inept]

I find it laughable that you would even think of considering a Celeron for the purposes of rendering.

The Athlon 1.2 would be your best choice, and still gravely insufficient. The heat it generates is of no consequence to you, and the noise from the stock heatsink is minimal.

I would absolutely get the fastest processor you can afford, and two even if you have the money. Don't forget RAM, because it can be as important as anything else when rendering. 512MB at a minimum for any serious rendering, 1024MB or more are preferable. 256MB is fine for a hobbyist.

[SniperXX]

I agree with Inept, you should have at least 256 RAM. Basically if you want it done as quick as possible I would say you would want an ATA100 or 133 HD and fast ram.

I have done small videos and some DivX on my old Athlon TBird 950 but it was a little under powered. I bet the Athlon 1.2 will do fine.

[Nico3k]

hmm well i guess then its athlon.
now i gotta make another choice. the athlon combos come with 200 and 266 fsb. if i want to stay in the price range, i have to choose between Athlon 1.2GHz 200fsb or Athlon 1GHz 266fsb

which one would be best? if they are the same, which one runs cooler or better in any way?

[Nico3k]

BTW: the server now is an AMD K6-3 450MHz w/ 192MB PC100 SDRAM. 40GB WD 5400RPM ATA100 HDD. 12x8x32x8 CDRW/DVD combo drive (for dvd ripping). Voodoo3 TV-out w/ 4 inch LCD. Mini Keyboard, Touchpad Mouse. The whole server is just the box and nothing else. Speakers are wired internaly. Just the processor part inst meeting my expectations... i dont like waiting 2 days for that 698MB DivX SBC DVDrip to complete.

[Inept]

There will be no real difference between the 133MHz FSB Athlon and the 100MHz FSB Athlon in terms of processing performance, but the bandwidth of the memory subsystem should be better on the 133MHz FSB chip.

Typically, the 133MHz FSB chips are also less expensive.

The heat the two chips will be identical, and let me just state plainly that heat will not be any issue of concern in a proper case. For an inanimate object like a CPU, temperature doesn't matter. It's just people that make it an issue.

I think that you'll see quite an improvement in the Athlon 1.2 over a K6-3 450.

[SniperXX]

Go with the 133MHz (266) bus. They are cheaper and memory performance is better. If you could afford you may want to sell the current HD and get version with 7200RPM. There will be a HD boost and should speed up the rendering.