p4? or AMD?

[Miss winnie]

why is a p4 processor good? I heard most people say that AMD is better hehe but I have no idea which...:eek:

[theflyingrat]

As much as people can flame each other about AMDs and Intels, both have their high points. AMDs are cheap and provide crude, fast fun. However, you have to keep huge, noisy heat sinks on them to keep them alive, and the chipset support for AMD CPUs leaves something to be desired. P4s are usually pretty expensive, but the chipsets that support them are of high quality, and can put out some pretty impressive numbers here and there.

Comparing them on a pure MHz to MHz scale is pointless, though; a 1.4 GHz Athlon XP will usually run head to head with about a 1.8 GHz P4. However, both CPUs have their share of applications and situations where the Athlon is always dominant or the P4 is always dominant.

It just so happens that some people like the cost-effectiveness of AMD systems, while others enjoy the exceptionally high quality of Intel products. Take your pick - you can't miss with either one.

[jazztrumpet216]

Well, I'm with Flyingrat on this one. I've always been an Intel guy, though AMD's are good processors too. The amount of debate on this subject is mind-boggling. Some people really don't like AMD's, some really don't like Intels. I believe AMD owes their success to Intel somewhat, back in the 80's, Intel contracted AMD to build them some 8086 chips (hahaha...), and since then AMD has been one of their competitors. To think Intel shot themselves in the foot on that one. Since then however, AMD has changed their archectiture and they have distinguished themselves. But I digress, some people will say Intel is better, some people will say AMD is better. It depends on what they use their computer for. Intel is better in graphics and they have better chipsets, AMD is better in gaming and overclocking, but they usually have less than stellar chipsets and little support in that aspect. I can't really go mor ein-dpeth into that without talking about 10 stage vs. 20 stage pipelines, etc..., but I will say both are excellent chips.

[Burning Phoenix]

I'm just glad the 1st answer towards this thread was a well thought out answer and sums it all up. I am hoping it doesn't turn out to be another who's better thread like they usually do. If not then good finally the regulars here are learning not to start wars and are posting constructive answers.

[Mr. $T$]

I have been around hundreds of computers in my life and for cpus I like amd. I have owned intel and amd, and for price, speed and realiblty Amd is the best. Don't get me wrong intel makes a fine chip but why have good when you can have better. I have some results from a non-bais third party on the average P4 and K-7. A.M.D. 30% COOLER than Intel A.M.D. 40% FASTER than Intel A.M.D. 1/2 the Price of Intel. Many people say amd gets hot and it does but not as hot as intel, an Intel standerd Heat sink is as small as 2x2x2 on a 1.2Ghz and as big as 3x3x4 on a 2.0Ghz. On my home computer I have a 1.4 t-bird With a 1.5x1.5x2 heatsink and a quiet fan all for 15 dollars and the current temp is 104 F with my room at 78 F (motherboard monitor five) no lie. If it was my desion I would go A.M.D.


P.S. My 1.2Ghz only fryed from fan falure.

[batboy]

You can't go wrong with either Intel or AMD. Right now, AMD chips do run a little hotter on average, regardless of what the last poster said. The AMD cores are also slightly more fragile. But, both are very good quality and excellent processors. It is very good to have Intel and AMD in direct competition, helps keep prices more reasonable and is good for us consumers to have a choice. Although I'm mainly an Intel guy, I do have a backup AMD machine too. I'm gathering components to build a nice P-4 computer right now, because I can afford it. But, the best bargain for those on a tight budget would have to be an AMD system at this current time.

[ol' man]

Originally posted by Mr. $T$
I have been around hundreds of computers in my life and for cpus I like amd. I have owned intel and amd, and for price, speed and realiblty Amd is the best. Don't get me wrong intel makes a fine chip but why have good when you can have better. I have some results from a non-bais third party on the average P4 and K-7. A.M.D. 30% COOLER than Intel A.M.D. 40% FASTER than Intel A.M.D. 1/2 the Price of Intel. Many people say amd gets hot and it does but not as hot as intel, an Intel standerd Heat sink is as small as 2x2x2 on a 1.2Ghz and as big as 3x3x4 on a 2.0Ghz. On my home computer I have a 1.4 t-bird With a 1.5x1.5x2 heatsink and a quiet fan all for 15 dollars and the current temp is 104 F with my room at 78 F (motherboard monitor five) no lie. If it was my desion I would go A.M.D.


P.S. My 1.2Ghz only fryed from fan falure.

Hmmm, seems you did make that decision. 2wice!

Well we knew the nonsence would start but you can only believe what, 20% of what you hear on the internet?

IMHO it depends if you are starting from scratch. If you are I would give AMD a good hard look right now. Try to find the 1900+ with a good stepping. Also for stability sake I would go with a AMD 760 chipset mobo even though the southbridge is still made by VIA. That is one of the things that ****es me off about AMD is that they don't support their chips like they should. If they quit making their own chipsets then I am afraid I will most likely never buy one.

[Miss winnie]

m.. I see... heh :)

[theflyingrat]

Well, AMD has already announced that they are discontinuing the production of chipsets altogether, except the dual-Athlon 760 chipset. The 761 (like in a KG7 or A7M) is done for. No big deal; I had an MSI board with this chipset, and it was a piece of trash. My brother, though, has a DFI board with it and it's terrific. So if you were going to get an Athlon with a 761 motherboard, you'd better do it quick! :o

[Yodums]

I like both but I sorta like AMD better... The performance really kicks for the price while Intel is a lil more expensiver if you have bucks to blow..

AMD tend to get hot but you can always cool it :p

[Zuck Gou :)]

I'd probably say AMD is better all around right now, but I'll always be an Intel guy.

I have 3 Intel machines (cel 700@1005, pII400,P1 133mhz) compared to my 1 AMD machine.

My AMD is my gaming machine, Intel is all about stability.

Overall though AMD is faster and cheaper, so if I was buying new it'd be AMD.

[BigRed]

Well, I'm with Flyingrat on this one. I've always been an Intel guy, though AMD's are good processors too. The amount of debate on this subject is mind-boggling. Some people really don't like AMD's, some really don't like Intels. I believe AMD owes their success to Intel somewhat, back in the 80's, Intel contracted AMD to build them some 8086 chips (hahaha...), and since then AMD has been one of their competitors. To think Intel shot themselves in the foot on that one. Since then however, AMD has changed their archectiture and they have distinguished themselves. But I digress, some people will say Intel is better, some people will say AMD is better. It depends on what they use their computer for. Intel is better in graphics and they have better chipsets, AMD is better in gaming and overclocking, but they usually have less than stellar chipsets and little support in that aspect. I can't really go mor ein-dpeth into that without talking about 10 stage vs. 20 stage pipelines, etc..., but I will say both are excellent chips.
actually the reason amd is still in business now is because they bought out nexgen like 10 years ago.
the when amd bought out nexgen, nexgen at the time was actually developing the k7 platform. so the athlon is nexgen's design.
if that never happened we would have the intel vs nexgen debate :p
and amd would have taken the path of cyrix. barley staying in business by putting out sub-par processors :p

[YMAN]

AMD - I have liked intels as well, but the performance of the
newer processors kicks intel in the behind!
Not to mention the price is alot better.

[funnyperson1]

if you already have a P4 (which you do), wiat till the new Sis645 or Intel 845 DDR chipsets come out, and that 1.5 should be plenty fast for you, i dont see why anyone with a Tbird or P4 needs to upgrade at all....that should be fast enough for any app imaginable.....cant wait till Northwood comes out though....

[dugans]

This is an excellent thread! Well thought out answers.

I have a 3/2 ratio right now: 3 AMD cpus and 2 Intel.
Another Intel is on the way soon.

I have only been using "fast" AMD's since early this summer, but I have learned a lot about them in that time and have formed some definite opinions:

First of all- AMD makes an excellent cpu, but to get the most performance out of them you will need to either make noise or use watercooling! I have 3 Athlons running in my "media room" and I have not turned the thermostat (electric heat) past 60f in here yet- and I live in Massachusetts. As well as crunching SETI work units very fast, they also heat this room! I am not kidding either.

Second point: Intel also makes an excellent cpu: they are more physically durable and less failure prone. They can operate more quietly due to running at lower temperatures, and the TCO can be lower since less money and time needs to be spent on cooling solutions.

I have developed a formula for people that ask me what kind of pc they should get:
I ask them if they want a pc that does stuff and that they never have to open up: if the answer is yes, I tell them to get Intel and maybe buy it from an oem.

I also ask them if they like to know how things work and if they are interested in adding future upgrades: if the answer is yes I recommend AMD, and suggest building it themselves.

Next I ask if noise is an issue, because if it is they should go with Intel, period.

So far most of the people I have made suggestions to have bought Intel and been happy; the few I suggested AMD to also seem happy (although they call me a lot more!)

Basically I just like fast, inexpensive systems: if I could get a Via 1ghz for $100 I'd take it.

I haven't actually used a P4 yet, or done much with a P3!

And that takes care of MY opinion.:)

[Qualtran]

I really liked your formula, rogerdugans. But in my recent experiences with P4's and the newer Athalons the noise difference is not that great. It seems that both AMD and Intel systems are loud! A couple of my friends have P4- 1.7s and they are just as loud as my system and the have all stock stuff. If you get an AMD and make sure to get a good but quiet hsf (Eg. Glaciator II), then noise will not be a factor any more. But I do agree that people that do not ever want to think about the insides of the computer or have absolutely no technical know-how should go with Intel. Intel has been proven to run significantly slower than AMD's but at this time they seem to be the processor for the general non-computer enthusiast crowd. But if your interested in speed, GREAT PRICE, and computers, AMD is the definate choice here.