Originally posted by: Rainsford ... The truth is that I think both are good and I will buy an Intel processor again when they get one thing right. In my price range, AMD offers much better value than Intel. For what I spend I get a faster processor. Why in the world would I care about the high end when I can't afford it? Sure, Intel has the fastest CPU out right now, but that's doesn't help me any when I don't want to spend that much on a CPU. My Athlon XP 1800 was $100 retail. Please point me to a competing Intel solution in my price range that's better. Oh wait, it doesn't exist. If I wasn't a poor college student I might support Intel more, but I don't have tons of money to spend on computers, and in my price range AMD beats Intel hands down. The day I can buy an Intel CPU in my price range that is both cheaper and faster than the competing AMD chip is the day I start buying Intel again.
Rainsford : Well written, I can't agree more.
So, if I read you right,
"Price vs the Performance you need" is what this whole question of "which processor is better" comes down to.
I've purchased both AMD and Intel solutions over the last few years: sometimes Intel got my money, sometimes AMD did...
To complement your idea : since both platforms do accept the same peripherals, and that motherboards* can be found with SAME features, for EITHER processors, at the same price, then
the only variable left here is
the price of the processor ! Isn't it ? Again, not that simple...
* : not counting the RDRAM option for the P4 since the XP doesn't have an equivalent Rambus solution today... another story, a different thread, but read on...
Anyhow, we should be talking about the price of a complete system (not just the processor), and be comparing "same price" systems to each other.
Fastest processor available TODAY (between an Athlon XP or a Pentium 4) : Intel Pentium 4 ! (easy)
Fastest processor available for your budget : here's where the line cannot easily be drawn...
SSXeon : Yes, you have a great system (for your own reasons and requirements) !
But then so does my mother, with a Celery 900 and integrated everything; for what she needs : browsing and e-mail ! (I guess she's an Intel fan just like you...).
And you did pay a whole lot more money than the vast majority of computer owners... Some people probably need the highest framerates and "benchmark" scores; some would rather pay substantially less, still get a darn fast system, and save the cash for whatever else they find more important... We sure can't be the judge on any requirements but our own.
Getting back to the subject of this thread (... remember ? ... helping out
budgieboo selecting a processor !! ...)
Originally posted by: budgieboo ... that is very tempting since it is about half what i am expecting to pay for the small form factor shuttle. The enlight looks like a good case, but I really do like the smaller case size though.
Do you really need to build a new system from scratch ? Replacing the processor of your existing system and adding RAM could be impressive enough for now, and give you time to research your next big purchase... You will need (most likely) new RAM sticks for a P4 or Athlon XP system, but not if you upgrade the processor in your current system...
Make sure to verify the compatibility of your current motherboard with the faster Intel processors : not many socket 370 motherboards will recognize the "Tualatin" Celerons and P3s; you would then be limited to the "Coppermine" versions (up to 1 GHz)... Good enough for you ?
On the other end, if you drop your old system completely : do you intend to keep some of your previous hardware to drop into the new box ? And, is the physical size of your system so important to you that you would pay extra for the smallest there is ? How much upgrading (RAM, video card, more peripherals to fit in your case, etc.) do you expect to latter do with your future system ?
The Shuttle barebones might or might no be expandable to your likings... not much room in there (if you ever need it). Also, a micro-ATX case is not that much larger than the Shuttle SFF...
Sooo many factors to consider,
budgieboo !
Tell us a little more, we'll might be able to help you circle the question even better...