New build- AMD dual core or single core?

[Zakman3]

My Intel system has finally given up the ghost after a botched upgrade- it's time to buy a new CPU, mobo and video card. I'm sticking to AMD at the moment because I have 4 x 512 MB DDR sticks I want to re-use.

I would also like to reuse my ATI 9800 Pro AGP card if possible- is there any AMD NF4 board that would allow this?

I'm going to be using this computer mostly for Photoshop- that means processing lots of digital SLR RAW files, editing them, and outputting for printing. I do NOT plan to game, so please don't recommend a fast gaming card unless this will somehow help in PS. My main dilemma is whether or not I should spend the extra C$150 for a dual core processor- will this make a big performance difference for me?


So I have the following already:

2GB PC3200 DDR RAM
1x 100 GB WD
1x 120 GB WD
1x 36 GB Raptor
1x 250 GB Seagate
Antec Neopower 480W
16x NEC DVD-RW

Need to buy:
Mobo- Asus A8N-E? (C$125)
Video card- Asus Silencer 128MB (EN6600) OR MSI/ Sapphire X600? (C$125)
CPU- AMD Athlon 3500+/ 2.2 ghz (which one of the three below) (C$279)
http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php?module=catalog&catID=4

OR

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ ?

Case- Antec Sonata II OR Antec P160. (C$140)


Any advice would be much appreciated- I would like to keep the net cost of this as much below C$600 as possible, since this was not a planned upgrade (more an emergency one due to the failure of my old mobo).

Regards,
Zak

 

[PKing1977]

Dual core will make a huge diffrence for you. I do not believe there are any NF4 boards that have an agp slot, but since your not gaming you should be able to pick up a nf3 board that supports the X2 processer. Also there are a couple other boards that have agp and pcie. If you do want a nf4 board you will be able to pick up a cheap pcie card to suit your nongaming needs. The 3800+ is the best bang for the buck right now.

PKing

 

[Sunrise089]

Easy decision - X2 3800+ and ASRock 939Dual-SATA2. Keep your current card and still have an upgrade path. Best of luck with your build.

 

[theMan]

yeah, for photoshop, a 3800+ would be good. also, i mean, a 6600gt is only 20 dollars more....

i wouldnt recommend getting a 36gb raptor. they have a lot of bugs and other problems.

 

[Topweasel]

I am a big recommender of the X2 so I am a Little Biased and I absolutely love my P160 so again Biased. But both of those purchases are great, I absolutely love how the P160 has the temp monitors set up with the ajustable console.

Unless You absolutely run nothing else in the back ground and are always doing formats to get the absolute Highest frame rates I reccomend the X2 (not an Issue because you're not a "gamer"). Specialy when your only losing 200MHz but gaining an extra core and extra cache. If you like to over Clock the 3500+ would probably better for it but the 3800+ will probably do pretty well (2.4-2.6).

Honestly with the Case thoug it depends Do you like the lower wieght and do you mind a little (and I do mean little) extra noise? If Wieght is big in your mind and the fact that its aluminum which tends to let niose carry a bit more (the thin metal vibrate a little with the case which slightly amplifies it) the the P160 is great. If you don't plan on moving it and want to be even more quiet (not saying the P160 isn't quiet because it is) then the Sonota II is your case. A;though if your going with a Sonata II I believe it comes with a PSU, I would look at a P180 which is a Sonata II in silver on uber crack when it comes to noise and cooling, but then again I don't think the Neopower will work throught the PSU chamber.

So again P160 and X2 3800+ are my picks and what I recommend for you.

Read that you normally are using Photoshop..... AT, HardForums, and a MAC (apple) Forum, all ran Photoshop benches and found that across the board Dual CPUs (including Dual cores) decrease processing time buy almost 66% or basically took one third the time of the fastest single core machines.

 

[kleinwl]

An additional thought is go for 4GB ram and Xp-64.

This may be a little outside your budget and requirements right now... but XP-64 would let you up your ram to 4GB to speed up your processing.

 

[suszterpatt]

Definately dual core. You could also use more RAM, but 2 gigs will suffice.

 

[Zakman3]

Wow, thanks for all the great replies guys! It's amazing to be able to access so much help so quickly on AT Gotta love this place.

I guess I'm definitely going for the dual core processor then. Not sure I want to buy an ASRock 939- prefer the stability of the NF4 chipset.

As per the video card- I doubt I need the gt versions. Should I get the silenced Asus 6600 or the ATI X600? I just want excellent 2d quality and quiet, stable operation.

Will the 450W Smartpower on the Sonata II suffice for all the hardware I'm running (four hard drives, dual core proc, 2 optical drives, etc)? I looked at the P-180, P-160 and Sonata II and ruled out the P-180 because it weighs almost 16 pounds more, which is out of the question for me right now, since I WILL be travelling with this shortly. That is part of what makes the P-160 so attractive. I'm thinking Neopower 480+ P160 should be good for my needs, although if the PSU on the Sonata suffices, I might as well go for that to save money.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: Zakman3

I'm going to be using this computer mostly for Photoshop- that means processing lots of digital SLR RAW files, editing them, and outputting for printing. I do NOT plan to game,o please don't recommend a fast gaming card unless this will somehow help in PS. My main dilemma is whether or not I should spend the extra C$150 for a dual core processor- will this make a big performance difference for me?

Given your uses, Dual Core. The cheapest AMD X2 ($360ish) will blow away the Best single core ($1k +) for Photoshop. For what you want to do, the X2 is definately worth the extra cash.

The 3500+ is a fine chip, but the 3800+ X2 is better.

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: Zakman3
Wow, thanks for all the great replies guys! It's amazing to be able to access so much help so quickly on AT Gotta love this place.

I guess I'm definitely going for the dual core processor then. Not sure I want to buy an ASRock 939- prefer the stability of the NF4 chipset.

As per the video card- I doubt I need the gt versions. Should I get the silenced Asus 6600 or the ATI X600? I just want excellent 2d quality and quiet, stable operation.

Will the 450W Smartpower on the Sonata II suffice for all the hardware I'm running (four hard drives, dual core proc, 2 optical drives, etc)? I looked at the P-180, P-160 and Sonata II and ruled out the P-180 because it weighs almost 16 pounds more, which is out of the question for me right now, since I WILL be travelling with this shortly. That is part of what makes the P-160 so attractive. I'm thinking Neopower 480+ P160 should be good for my needs, although if the PSU on the Sonata suffices, I might as well go for that to save money.

If you already Have the NeoPower then get the P160, The Sonata II has a Smart Power 450W in it so that should be fine if not better (the amps on a Modular usually aren't as high on 12v as a regularly corded one) but keep in mind the Sonata is smaller but is still no lightwieght.

 

[natto fire]

Another vote for dual-core. There really isn't much of an option IMHO, especially considering your uses. As for the P160, I have had one for over a year now, and I absolutely love it. It is hands-down the best case I have ever used. The bling front is kind of annoying, but it is a very light case and suprisingly quiet. I have 2 120mm, 1 92mm, and 2 80mm fans going in mine, and it is still very quiet. Granted I have a room for my computers, so I don't know if I could sleep with it in the room (would definitely have to unhook those blue LED's ), but it is still the most quiet comp I own (it also has the most fans, go figure )

 

[Zakman3]

Why would the 450W Smartpower be better? I don't get the modular vs regularly corded one bit? I've just found out that I can return the Neopower and get the Sonata II if I buy all my parts from the same store, which works well for me- now I can buy the dual core easily enough. Thanks guys! I would love the P-160+ Neopower, but the extra $150 is better spent elsewhere.

Anyone with advice on the video card, keep er comin!

 

[i1o0i]

I would recommend 6600gt video card and ASUS A8N-E is good as long you're happy with it and antec 480 neopower will do good.