Need Help choosing: AMD or Intel ?

C

chaabk

New Member
Hello, I live in Canada and the nearest store to me is Future Shop. I am interested in those two computers :
1. http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro... 070825&catid=
2. http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro... 070827&catid=

The first one :
-Intel Pentium D 920 With Viiv 2.8GHz
-2GB PC2-4200 DDR2 SDRAM
-250GB 7200RPM SATA
-800MHz Front Side
-Sound Card: Intel High Definition Audio, 7.1 Surround Sound Capable
-Graphics Card: NVIDIA FX6200SE Graphics Card With Up To 256MB
-Dual Layer 16X DVD+/-RW With Lightscribe
-DVD-ROM
-----------------1300 $ CA---------------------------

The second one :
-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual Core 2.2GHz
-1GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
-250GB 7200RPM SATA
- System Bus Up To 1066MHz
-Integrated Audio, 6 Speaker Conifgurable
-Graphics Card: ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Graphics With 128MB Shared Video Memory
-Dual Layer 16X DVD+/-RW With Lightscribe
-DVD-ROM
-----------------1100 $ CA---------------------------

I see very well that the first one is better, but i don't know if an Intel processor is good for gaming, especially this one.

I am planning also to get a BFG GeForce 7800 GT, from the store.
They are selling it at 600 $ CA, but I've found it at tigerdirect.ca at 472 $ CA.
The store has a politic of the lowest price guarantee, and they will refund 110 % of the difference. So I can get this video card for 460 $ CA.

The hp computers has a weakness in power supplies. I need to know if I can add a 500 watt power supply (x-connect, ect.). Does it fit in theese computers ?

One last thing, the store offers product service plans. If I want to buy the first PC ( the 1300 $ CA), they offer a 3 years product service plan for 240 $ CA. For the video card, for 3 years, it will cost 45 $ CA. Do you think I will really need to buy a service product plan for the video card, seing that this combo (system) is powerful and can play games for at least the next two years ?

Recap :
Intel PC:
Computer Price 1300 $ CA
Computer warranty 240 $ CA
Video Card Price 460 $ CA
Video Card warranty 45 $ CA
_____________________________
Total before Tax 2045 $ CA
_____________________________
Total after Tax 2341 $ CA

Amd PC:
Computer Price 1100 $ CA
Computer warranty 240 $ CA
Video Card Price 460 $ CA
Video Card warranty 45 $ CA
_____________________________
Total before Tax 1845 $ CA
_____________________________
Total after Tax 2112 $ CA

The reason I can pay this amout of money is because this store permit me to pay in 12 month (open and no monthly payments).

This is the situation. Give me your opinions about this. Thank You
 
Its hard to say, The AMD would be a better CPU choice, but the Intel has better graphics and more RAM.

I'd say get the AMD system, and the money you save buy another GB of ram as well as a better video card.
 
But the ram in the intel's desktop is 4200 and in the amd one is 3200. What a 4200 Ram has more then a 3200 ?
 
chaabk said:
But the ram in the intel's desktop is 4200 and in the amd one is 3200. What a 4200 Ram has more then a 3200 ?
Click to expand...

that is the speeds. the intel has much faster ram and more ram. but amd dual core processors are all around faster than intel dual core. they even beat them out in multitasking and other tasks that intel shuld be better at.

i wuld get the amd and upgrade later. even if u werent playing games the AMD wuld still be the better choice.
 
chaabk said:
But the ram in the intel's desktop is 4200 and in the amd one is 3200. What a 4200 Ram has more then a 3200 ?
Click to expand...

4200 goes at a speed of 533 mhz and the 3200 goes at a speed of 400 mhz. get the amd one and upgrade the ram to 2 gb and get a better videocard and powersupply and youll be set.
 
ya go with the 4200 and get extra 1gb from the money you dont use for not buying the intel.
and guys he is gettting a better video card
chaabk said:
I am planning also to get a BFG GeForce 7800 GT, from the store.
They are selling it at 600 $ CA, but I've found it at tigerdirect.ca at 472 $ CA.
The store has a politic of the lowest price guarantee, and they will refund 110 % of the difference. So I can get this video card for 460 $ CA.
Click to expand...

The hp computers has a weakness in power supplies. I need to know if I can add a 500 watt power supply (x-connect, ect.). Does it fit in theese computers ?
Click to expand...
it would work but youd habe to check if the PSU will fit in the case which most likely will.and its not about the watts, you want a PSU with at least 30A on the +12v rail

as for the warranty, its totally up to you. me i dont really pay for the extra warranties as i see it as a waste of money.
 
Go for the AMD. You can't really compare the RAM based on speed, as one is DDR2 and one is standard DDR. The video card is irrelevant if you're getting a new one anyway (and you'll need to to play modern games). The extra $200 is more than enough to buy another gig of RAM, and the better processor will be decisive.
 
I would say leave future shop allone and get a self built system or built your computer even yourself. spend a couple dollars more and you get what YOU want.
 
from a pure processor point of view the AMD will smoke that paticular Intel
(I know these are not the EXACT processors, but they are both just a little under what you are comparing)

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