New rig. AMD64 or P4

[globalcitizen]

Hey guys/gals,

I will be building myself ny first rig in the coming month for my dorm and I need your opinion on the cpu/chipset combo to go with. Right now I am split between the AMD64 2800+ and the P4 2.4C.

I am not going to be overclocking(that much). My main uses for this rig will be gaming/home entertainment in the dorm. I will also be doing a little graphics work but most will be limited to recreational stuff. I know P4 is better for rendering, but is the difference that much greater that I have to go with it or is the AMD setup almost as good?

btw I have checked the System Buyer's Guide sticky and stuff and my rig is pretty much the same as the midrange system.

Any help greatly appreiciated

 

[high]

amd for future proofing and better gaming performance

 

[Sid59]

AMD!

cheaper and faster for GAMING, home entertainment, Photoshop (though not by much in all cases.) BUT CHEAPER!

 

[chuwawa]

If the midrange guide is still recommending the MSI board, don't buy it.


You'll be better off with one of these:
chaintech vnf-250, znf-250
epox 8kda3j
soltek k8an2e-gr

 

[Lyfer]

Another vote for the AMD Athlon 64 WITH a Chaintech VNF250 board.

 

[nick1985]

amd

 

[globalcitizen]

Originally posted by: chuwawa
If the midrange guide is still recommending the MSI board, don't buy it.


You'll be better off with one of these:
chaintech vnf-250, znf-250
epox 8kda3j
soltek k8an2e-gr

chuwawa, do you mean the MSI K8N Neo Platinum?
I was thinking about getting it because of the firewire ports. But that was based off the reviews from Anandtech.

 

[raildogg]

Between those two processors, AMD. But i m not one of these people who says AMD is better, or Intel is better.
Right now, AMD offers more value and performance but that could change easily if Intel lowers prices or introduces faster chips.

Me?? im happy with my Pentium 4 3.0 hehe

 

[Goi]

The A64 2800+ is faster than the P4 2.4C, all other things being equal.

 

[Mik3y]

note that the 2800+ is comparable to a P4 2.8-2.8ghz in performance except for encoding, but at those speeds, i'm guessing that the amd will be faster then the p4 at rendering.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: high
amd for future proofing and better gaming performance

I'll second that. Loving my A64 2800+ right now.

 

[denon]

I just bought a p4 3.2 (make sure to get northwood at this point unless you want an extra heater in your room) and am very happy with it. I am loyal to intel, what can I say. I think you will be happy with either processor. Make sure you get what you want though. You will probably kick youself in the ass if you want the intel but get the amd and vice versa.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: denon
I am loyal to intel, what can I say.

thats awesome. even when their product is inferior, stay loyal. :thumbsup:

 

[globalcitizen]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I will be going with the AMD 64.

Can anyone recommend me a good motherboard? I was think of the MSI K8N Neo FSR which is the nForce 3 250 Gb without the firewire. The System Building guide sticky recommends the Chaintech vnf-250 and Epox 8Kda3j. But I am not very familiar with these manufacturers. Are their motherboards of good quality (by that I mean reliable) and is their RMA and tech support as good as MSI? I would rather pay the extra for MSI if their tech support is of better quality than the other two. I think all these three have the PCI/AGP lock so I know they will overclock pretty good

 

[Davegod]

i fyou want to double check your decision have a look at some benchmark round ups on the web.

they wont be changing your mind though.

 

[modedepe]

I know some people don't like the msi motherboards, but my k8n neo has been very solid. Hasn't had any problems, so I'd recommend it.

 

[Kaspian]

AMD Athlon 64 WITH a Chaintech VNF250 board

 

[Goi]

Originally posted by: Kaspian
AMD Athlon 64 WITH a Chaintech VNF250 board

Exactly what I'm using

 

[zodder]

I recommed MSI wholeheartedly. Both my K8T and K8N Neo Platinums have been fantastic. My iPod loves the firewaire port, too.

 

[globalcitizen]

thanks guys

The chaintech vnf250 sounds good and it is $40 less than the MSI:thumbsup: That is big savings for a budget conscious college guy.

Just a question to all the guys voting for the chaintech. How good is the onboard sound solution? I am not buying a sound card and will be using the Logitech z2200 speakers. That is the only thing holding me back from this board. The MSI and Epox have different onboard audio and I hear that those ones are pretty good for an onboard solution.

 

[Tab]

I'd say a Sun system Fsck AMD and Intel!!! Too be honest I'd wait for 1066Mhz FSB Intels and the Nforce 4 Chipset...