[MacUserMDM]

I'm looking to build my first PC and I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the components. So, any info and suggestions would be appreciated. AMD seems to have the advantage over Intel on the price side, but I'm sure there's a whole lot more to it than that.

[Maxvla]

you are right. AMD has the price advantage, and its a big one. intel is quite a premium but you end up with the fastest computer. if you can be satisfied with 90-95% of the speed of a more expensive intel rig then amd is for you. if you have to have the very fastest thing on the earth then go intel.

any other information you need needs to be specifically requested. i'm not psychic. (but i'm working on it )

[MacUserMDM]

I guess one of my biggest question deal with the FSB between the two. If I decide to go Intel, I can get an 800MHz FSB. If I go AMD, I'll get a 333MHz or a 400 MHz FSB. How big of a difference would this make?

[ShakyJake]

I think it depends on the money factor. If price is not a concern, then obviously you can get yourself a very fast P4 setup. However, if you only have X amount of money to spend, then you can purchase an Athlon that will be considerably faster than the comparatively priced P4.

[MacUserMDM]

So, would an Athlon 3000 Barton be as fast as an Intel P4 2.8 800 FSB? They're priced about the same.

[ShakyJake]

I'd have to say that P4 coupled with a good i865/875 motherboard with DDR 400 memory would win out on most tests.

[Maxvla]

Originally posted by ShakyJake
I'd have to say that P4 coupled with a good i865/875 motherboard with DDR 400 memory would win out on most tests.

[MacUserMDM]

Maxvia, I love that Avatar!!!

[#18]

His avatar changes every hour. Too much free time

[Maxvla]

Originally posted by #18
His avatar changes every hour. Too much free time

not quite. just every 24 hours.

[Chris_F]

Originally posted by MacUserMDM
So, would an Athlon 3000 Barton be as fast as an Intel P4 2.8 800 FSB? They're priced about the same.

If you have the money for a 3000+, you should just go with Intel. If you need a processor for less then $100, I would get an AMD chip. If you have $250 - $300, get a good Intel chip. You'll be happy you did.

[JoT]

AMD has price, Intel has speed. AMD is close to the speed of an Intel, but at a much lower cost. The quad-pumped FSB of an Intel can't really be taken advantage of in most systems. The FSB of an Athlon can and is in a lot more systems. I know some o/cers here that have a 400MHz FSB or close to it on their Athlon (because of their tremendous o/c).

...Wait...what was my point when I started talking? *blink* um..sorry, whoops

I just woke up, so I'll come back when I figure out what I was talking about.

[c627627]

You simply cannot ask an AMD vs. Intel q without mentioning your budget!

$49 1700+ AMD T-Bred B OCs to 3000+ > Some people get blinded by that so much that it makes no sense to them to get anything else...

[gamefoo21]

yea but a 2.4 c oc'd to 3ghz will lay the smack down on that 1700 to 3000+ hell i am sure at stock the 2.4 could beat it out in some things. gotta love optimizations and HT :P.

if you are going to be a heavy into gaming or heavy into encoding videos/music den you want the p4 with its ability to take advantage of dual channel ram. specially consider dual channel has no point on a amd platform since ddr400 already floods its fsb.

[c627627]

Whoever gets pass the point that it costs three times more wholeheartedly agrees with you.