Computer Spec's (Opinions Please)

J

johnny

New Member
Hi there I was wondering if I can get your expert opinions on these computer specs/components. This is what Im planning to put together for college/university. I would just like some opinions on it. The url's are there so you can check it out.

Xion Solaris Black/Green Mid ATX Case
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1786776&sku=A406-1054

Intel 975XBX2KR Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2563503&sku=I69-2145

OR

Asus M2N32 WS Pro NVIDIA Socket AM2 ATX Motherboard
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2456794&CatId=0


Intel Pentium D 960 3.60GHz 4MB Cache 800MHz FSB Dual-Core
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2357487&sku=CP1-PD-960 C

OR

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ 2.60GHz FSB Socket AM2 Processor
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...ails.asp?EdpNo=2772913&sku=CP1-AM2-5200 PROMO


Kingston Dual Channel HyperX 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz LL Memory (2 x 1024MB)
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2176265&sku=K24-5418

Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200PRM 16MB SATA-300 Hard Drive
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2273393&sku=TSD-500AS2

BFG GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB PCI Express Dual DVI/HDTV/HDCP Enabled Video Card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2570716&CatId=0

Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty PCI Sound Card
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1618858&CatId=0

Sony DVD Burner
Sony 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
Green Neon Glow
24" Samsung LCD TV/Monitor

Price with the Intel Motherboard + Intel Processor $2,391.91 (excluding monitor)

Price with the Asus Motherboard + AMD Processor $2,490.91 (excluding monitor)
 
Im not really into the Core 2 duo processors. They are not fast enough for me. If I were to put a Core 2 I would put the Extreme Edition but that's 1300.00 CND + tax on top of that. This machine will be used for mostly CAD application plus 3D Max.
 
I would think so caues the average clock rate for a Core 2 is usually 1.8Ghz and D930 is 3.6Ghz thats double the speed. I would also think that the D is better since it is based on the P4 platform opposed to the Core 2 which is based on the Core 2 is based on the same platfor, as the PIII and the M processors I believe.
 
The Core 2 processors are based on the Core processors, which in turn are based loosely on the Pentium M processors which are based on the Pentium 3. Thats why I would think that a D is better the a Core 2
 
Look around for the benchmarks

The core2duo smokes any other chip architecture on the market at the moment and would be a much better buy than the Pentium D.

Don't be fooled into thinking that the higher GHz on the pentium D automatically make it faster than the C2D because believe me it doesnt.

I can guarantee you everyone here will tell you that C2D is the way to go

edit : see for yourself

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=436&model2=433&chart=169
 
Yeah your right the Core 2 has better results then the D. But now which Core 2 do I put. The 1.8Ghz @ 2500.00 or the 2.93Ghz Extreme Edition @ 1300.00 ?
 
johnny said:
I would think so caues the average clock rate for a Core 2 is usually 1.8Ghz and D930 is 3.6Ghz thats double the speed. I would also think that the D is better since it is based on the P4 platform opposed to the Core 2 which is based on the Core 2 is based on the same platfor, as the PIII and the M processors I believe.
Click to expand...

No no no no. Please do not make the mistake of just looking at the clock speed. If this were the case then EVERYONE would have a pentium D correct? Look at everyone's specs on this board and you'll notice the very opposite. Why? That D930 "claims" to run at "3.6GHz" but it is only running at an fsb of 800Mhz while the e6600 here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2341562&Sku=CP1-DUO-E6600
runs at an fsb of 1066Mhz. MUCH faster than your D and about $100 less.

You need to trust me on this and everyone on here can back me up. Pentium D's have always claimed to be "faster" than any other chip with just a clock speed. However when they are compared to real processors such as AMD's or the core duo/core 2 duo they can never stack up. They also run extremely hot. I would hate to see you have such an awesome system with that beautiful video card and motherboard and stick an overpriced, overvalued, and under powered chip in that thing. If you like Intel go with a core 2 duo which runs 25% faster than the core duo, consumes less energy, and puts out less heat. If you like AMD, go with the 5200+ chip you suggested. I was like you about a year ago just looking at the clock speed until the nice guys on here showed me the difference. Dig a little further into the real specs of all of your components. The slightest difference in any of them, good or bad, can make your system that much better or under perform that much worse.

To tell you the truth I love the set up you're going with except the chip. The case is beautiful, the motherboards are untouchable, the AMD 5200+ is screamin right now, I like the hard drive for storage wise but if you want an edge in gaming go with the something like western digital raptor X running at 10k rpms and 150GB storage and a second hd like a 350GB for back up and school storage. They'll be the same price as you're 500GB right now only faster and with the SATA setup it'll be a snap. I like the sound card too. Are you getting dolby 5.1 or 6.1? That sound card would be great with a JBL setup or I think Harmon/Kardon has a 5.1 system that would sound sick. Make sure you get a DVD/CD burner and reader as well. Sony's can be expensive but it's your choice. Oh and you may want Windows XP Pro with the upgrade to Vista later on. Pro just seems to run faster.

Anyways I'm jealous of your system. Let me know what you think of the suggestions.
 
Pck21 said:
No no no no. Please do not make the mistake of just looking at the clock speed. If this were the case then EVERYONE would have a pentium D correct? Look at everyone's specs on this board and you'll notice the very opposite. Why? That D930 "claims" to run at "3.6GHz" but it is only running at an fsb of 800Mhz while the e6600 here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2341562&Sku=CP1-DUO-E6600
runs at an fsb of 1066Mhz. MUCH faster than your D and about $100 less.

You need to trust me on this and everyone on here can back me up. Pentium D's have always claimed to be "faster" than any other chip with just a clock speed. However when they are compared to real processors such as AMD's or the core duo/core 2 duo they can never stack up. They also run extremely hot. I would hate to see you have such an awesome system with that beautiful video card and motherboard and stick an overpriced, overvalued, and under powered chip in that thing. If you like Intel go with a core 2 duo which runs 25% faster than the core duo, consumes less energy, and puts out less heat. If you like AMD, go with the 5200+ chip you suggested. I was like you about a year ago just looking at the clock speed until the nice guys on here showed me the difference. Dig a little further into the real specs of all of your components. The slightest difference in any of them, good or bad, can make your system that much better or under perform that much worse.

To tell you the truth I love the set up you're going with except the chip. The case is beautiful, the motherboards are untouchable, the AMD 5200+ is screamin right now, I like the hard drive for storage wise but if you want an edge in gaming go with the something like western digital raptor X running at 10k rpms and 150GB storage and a second hd like a 350GB for back up and school storage. They'll be the same price as you're 500GB right now only faster and with the SATA setup it'll be a snap. I like the sound card too. Are you getting dolby 5.1 or 6.1? That sound card would be great with a JBL setup or I think Harmon/Kardon has a 5.1 system that would sound sick. Make sure you get a DVD/CD burner and reader as well. Sony's can be expensive but it's your choice. Oh and you may want Windows XP Pro with the upgrade to Vista later on. Pro just seems to run faster.

Anyways I'm jealous of your system. Let me know what you think of the suggestions.
Click to expand...


You see I didn't know that about Pentium D's. Everyone said that they were best which lead me to believe (after using them on other computers) that they were the best processors on Intel's roster. I've always been an AMD fan. My system currently has an AMD and I'm happy with it, it can run programs that require 500 MHz processor fine (cause mine is @ 367Mhz).
The case is gorgeous I fell in love with it the moment I saw it like almost 1 year ago. The sound card says it has a Dolby® Digital EX so I'm not sure if it is 5.1 or 6.1. The video card I love it to tell you the truth I'm a bit dissapointed with it cause I wanted the BFG Nvidea 7900 GTX 1 GB but they dont carry it anymore. The hard drive is incredible, especially in size. Im going to need it what I might do is put another 500gb drive and use that as storage. Im going to need the extra storage because besides school im planning to get into Djing to help pay for my schooling casuse Im going to Ottowa for unversity. So im going to need the extra space for music besides the CAD and graphics that its going to be used for (besides everyday office use). The music reason is also why I choose that sound card. As for the vido card I want something good where I can use not only for watching movies and producing some movies out of graphics but also for gaming sice I wont have enough space to bring in a separate gaming unit. You think I should put in a reader drive as well? Maybe or what I might do is put a second burner since the price is almost the same, cause the Sony drive is only 50.00.
XP Pro is definatley going on that system. I'm currently running Pro on my system and Im happy with it, I wouldnt trade it for Home even for a million dollars. As for Vista I dont think I'll put it anytime soon. I tried the Beta on my friends computer and I wasnt happy with it so I think I'll use Pro until all the bugs are worked out of Vista.
Thanks alot for your suggestions and opions.
 
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