New MoBo/CPU!!! Any suggestions?

b182tm

b182tm

New Member
Budget: $350.00. Preferably around $300.00 or so.

Hey guys,
First off, I cannot decide whether to get AMD or Intel. I have used Intel all my life, so I am more comfortable with them, but I have heard tons of great stuff about AMD. I will be using my computer for listening to music, using Word, surfing internet, VERY light gaming, and video editing. I know that AMD is better for gaming, Intel better for multitasking (which video editing uses a lot of). Below is a list of mobo/CPU requirements/likes....So there is my CPU standpoint.

Secondly, I need a good mobo. Below is a list of what I'd like/require from the motherboard/CPU.

Required:
-PCI-Express x 16. I am currently using a 6600GT
-SATA
-This is my RAM, GeIL PC3200 so it has to work with that.
-Floppy drive port
-2 CD ports
-Cool idle is VERY VERY Important to me. NO PRESCOTT's!!!! :) I just looked, all P4 HT processors are Prescott....WTF? I seriously hate high temps, they stress me out...

Optional:
-About 4 PCI slots
-Firewire

I dont need onboard sound or video, I have a sound card and video card, but whatever works.

I think thats about it. I'm not sure what CPU i will be using, but I will try and figure it out and update. And, I am not expecting you guys to bust your ass looking for this, I just need some suggestions to get me started. I am researching everything, and I will be reading CPU 101 shorly (i have already gone over it a few times, just not read everything)

Budget: $350.00. Preferably around $300.00 or so.

Thanks for any help guys,
D

BTW, should I make a seperate thread in CPU's about what CPU would fit me? I'll hold off for now.
 
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b182tm said:
Budget: NO MORE than $300.00. Preferably around $250.00 or so.

Hey guys,
First off, I cannot decide whether to get AMD or Intel. I have used Intel all my life, so I am more comfortable with them, but I have heard tons of great stuff about AMD. I will be using my computer for listening to music, using Word, surfing internet, light gaming, and some occasional video editing. I know that AMD is better for gaming, Intel better for multitasking (which video editing uses a lot of). Since I'll be doing both, I'm not sure what will best suit me. I am really pulling towards AMD, but Intel would be nice for my video editing with Hyper Threading. Below is a list of mobo/CPU requirements/likes....So there is my CPU standpoint.

Secondly, I need a good mobo. Below is a list of what I'd like/require from the motherboard/CPU.

Required:
-PCI-Express x 16. I am currently using a 6600GT
-SATA
-This is my RAM, GeIL PC3200 so it has to work with that.
-Floppy drive port
-2 CD ports
-VERY COOL running CPU

Optional:
-About 4 PCI slots
-Firewire

I dont need onboard sound or video, I have a sound card and video card, but whatever works.

I think thats about it. I'm not sure what CPU i will be using, but I will try and figure it out and update. And, I am not expecting you guys to bust your ass looking for this, I just need some suggestions to get me started. I am researching everything, and I will be reading CPU 101 shorly (i have already gone over it a few times, just not read everything)

Budget: NO MORE than $300.00. Preferably around $250.00 or so.

Thanks for any help guys,
D

BTW, should I make a seperate thread in CPU's about what CPU would fit me? I'll hold off for now.
Click to expand...


well for ur processor question:

if ur goin dual core, which with ur budget i doubt it. no matter wat go AMD they win the dual core area no matter wat.

but for single core i think intel will do u just fine. for the light gaming u are doing, the intel can handle it.(not as well as AMD) but if u think ur gaming u wil become more into gaming the future go AMd.
 
I just realized I am lying to myself in saying I will do gaming. I kind of just wanted an excuse to get an AMD, just to see what all the hype is about. But I realized I do way more video editing than gaming, so HT is prob. a must. I just wonder if I would really notice a difference having a Intel with gaming and an AMD with video editing, as opposed to AMD with gaming and Intel with video editing? So I will edit out my original post, to fit what I really want.

D

BTW, is Hyper Transport the same on AMD as Intel's HT?
 
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Yeah Dual Core is out of the picture. I still dont really understand AMD (I think more in Intel terms) Is the 3500+ mean it is comparable to a 3.5GHz Intel? Is Athlon64 the top end AMD right now? And is Pentium D better than Pentium 4? I'm a little confused, I have some research to do.

Thanks for the help everyone,
D
 
b182tm said:
Yeah Dual Core is out of the picture. I still dont really understand AMD (I think more in Intel terms) Is the 3500+ mean it is comparable to a 3.5GHz Intel?
Click to expand...
Not quite, but generally fairly close
Is Athlon64 the top end AMD right now?
Click to expand...
The X2 is the top at the moment (excluding the FX series, of course)

And is Pentium D better than Pentium 4? I'm a little confused
Click to expand...
Pentium D is Dual Core, which would be better for what you're looking for. Now if I could only find a decent mobo...

is Hyper Transport the same on AMD as Intel's HT?
Click to expand...
No, they are completely different

EDIT: Between your changes and mine, there's not much of any use in that last post, so i've deleted it. If anyone could find a board that supports the Pentium D 820 for ~$60, and meets the other requirements, it would make an excellent system. You may also have more luck in the desktop computers forum.

The only one of those systems specified earlier that still fits is:

AMD Athlon64 X2 3800 $301
Chaintech VNF4 $54
Subtotal: $355

Overbudget, but top performance for the price
 
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if u are gonna dual core, dont get intel. even if u wont be gaming. push a little bit more money and get the X2 3800+.
 
I am pretty torn right now. I figured that even with AMD, I will still be able to do good video editing. With my dad's Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz, no HT, the video editing worked fine. So I'm assuming that a high end AMD would do better than that. I'm almost 90% AMD right now, I just dont understand AMD, like top end, low end, All of their letters and stuff. I will look for a guide on AMD on the internet somehwere. Keep in mind I need a cool CPU. I also may consider dual core now....Let's make it about a $350 budget.

And I dont wanna go cheap on my mobo, I would like to have a good system all around.

Thanks guys,
D
 
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b182tm said:
I am pretty torn right now. I figured that even with AMD, I will still be able to do good video editing. With my dad's Pentium 4, 2.4 GHz, no HT, the video editing worked fine. So I'm assuming that a high end AMD would do better than that.
Click to expand...
Any build within your budget will do fine for video editing, it is just a matter of how fine.
I'm almost 90% AMD right now
Click to expand...
Then just go with them.
I just dont understand AMD, like top end, low end, All of their letters and stuff.
Click to expand...
They currently make 4 kinds of desktop processors ( I think)
  1. AMD Sempron---single core, 32-bit processors
  2. AMD Athlon 64---single core, 64-bit processors
  3. AMD Athlon X2---dual core, 64-bit processors
  4. AMD FX---single core, 64-bit processors
These are in order from low-end to high-end. You will not be able to fit a 3 or a 4 in your budget, and you don't want a Sempy, because they are crap. (AMD's Celeron) So that leaves you with the A64s.

Or, you could go with Intel. I beleive that they also currently make 4 basic desktop processors

  1. Intel Celeron---single core, 32-bit processors (there is also a celeron D, which is 64-bit)
  2. Intel Pentium 4---single core, 64-bit processor
  3. Intel Pentium D---dual core, 64-bit processors
  4. Intel Pentium Extreme Edition---single core, 64-bit processors
The processor numbers between AMD and Intel are roughly comparable. For Intel, you could get a P4 or a P4D. The only thing is that if you get a P4 Presscott, it runs somewhat hot. The problem is not to bad with the skt T processors, but you had mentioned that you want your idle temp really low. The other option was the P4D. These run really hot. They are a cheap dual-core option, but they suck. AMD's dual core CPUs easily beat Intel's in every test.

I will look for a guide on AMD on the internet somehwere. Keep in mind I need a cool CPU.
Click to expand...
Another option for this would be to get a laptop processor, they run cool and use very little power
 
Thanks a lot for that list, helps a lot. And you say just go with AMD. I am, I just need to know which one. So I did update my budget, if you didnt see that. $350.00. Could I possibly get a good mobo and a Athlon X2 for that? If not, then I will get a good mobo with a top end Athlon64. I just dont want to have an obsolete CPU (Athlon64) in a year. Is it worth it to just get the X2 now?

Thanks.
D
 
b182tm said:
Thanks a lot for that list, helps a lot. And you say just go with AMD. I am, I just need to know which one. So I did update my budget, if you didnt see that. $350.00. Could I possibly get a good mobo and a Athlon X2 for that? If not, then I will get a good mobo with a top end Athlon64. I just dont want to have an obsolete CPU (Athlon64) in a year. Is it worth it to just get the X2 now?

Thanks.
D
Click to expand...
Well, IMO, the X2 is the best processor choice for right now. Here is the lowest price for the X2 3800. Later, you could upgrade to a higher one, or an FX. Or, if you want to save money for later, you could just get an A64 right now, and upgrade to a higher end X2 later, because they all use the same socket. It depends on how much you really want to spend right now. I hope I didn't confuse you ;)
 
I guess in a few years I could upgrade. I guess I will stick with the A64 right now. What's the highest end A64?

THanks again,
D
 
The X2 3800+ would be perfect for you. It's great for both games and video editing. I would definitely go with that. As for the motherboard, the Chaintech's not expensive, but i've seen Praetor pair it with the X2 3800+ and X2 4200+, so it couldn't be bad!

They currently make 4 kinds of desktop processors ( I think)
AMD Sempron---single core, 32-bit processors
AMD Athlon 64---single core, 64-bit processors
AMD Athlon X2---dual core, 64-bit processors
AMD FX---single core, 64-bit processors
These are in order from low-end to high-end. You will not be able to fit a 3 or a 4 in your budget, and you don't want a Sempy, because they are crap. (AMD's Celeron) So that leaves you with the A64s.

Or, you could go with Intel. I beleive that they also currently make 4 basic desktop processors

Intel Celeron---single core, 32-bit processors (there is also a celeron D, which is 64-bit)
Intel Pentium 4---single core, 64-bit processor
Intel Pentium D---dual core, 64-bit processors
Intel Pentium Extreme Edition---single core, 64-bit processors
Click to expand...
Just nitpicking, but there are 64 bit semprons, and dual core FX and Extreme Edition chips. The order's right though.
 
ceewi1 said:
The X2 3800+ would be perfect for you. It's great for both games and video editing. I would definitely go with that. As for the motherboard, the Chaintech's not expensive, but i've seen Praetor pair it with the X2 3800+ and X2 4200+, so it couldn't be bad!
Click to expand...

Well the 3800 is $300, which only leaves $50 for the mobo. IMO, that is low for a good quality motherboard, no matter what brand it is.
 
don't completely rule out the sempron processors, i just bought a new motherboard a case and a processor for 200 bucks from newegg, and i'm flying now i didn't think i'd see as big of jump from my duron to this but it's pretty big

Sempron 3000+
640 Meg Ram
ATI Radeon 9550 128 Meg
 
AdmnPower said:
don't completely rule out the sempron processors, i just bought a new motherboard a case and a processor for 200 bucks from newegg, and i'm flying now i didn't think i'd see as big of jump from my duron to this but it's pretty big

Sempron 3000+
640 Meg Ram
ATI Radeon 9550 128 Meg
Click to expand...

Well from a duron you will see a jump with anything new. ;) But they are waaaay better than the celerons. The only thing is that they are not 64-bit. How much that will matter in the next few years though, I dunno
 
AdmnPower said:
don't completely rule out the sempron processors, i just bought a new motherboard a case and a processor for 200 bucks from newegg, and i'm flying now i didn't think i'd see as big of jump from my duron to this but it's pretty big

Sempron 3000+
640 Meg Ram
ATI Radeon 9550 128 Meg
Click to expand...

well they're a budget processor, and for his budget an sempron would be too low end.

Bobo said:
Well from a duron you will see a jump with anything new. But they are waaaay better than the celerons. The only thing is that they are not 64-bit. How much that will matter in the next few years though, I dunno
Click to expand...

some semprons are 64-bit, and that sempron could be 64-bit
 
Hey guys. I ordered my mobo, an ASUS A8N5X. And now I am pretty set on this puppy, a Athlon64 3500+. I also might get this, depending on which is known to run cooler, Clawhammer. I decided not to get the X2, because I'm not a hardcore gamer or multitasker, and I prob. wouldnt notice a performance difference. I will wait a couple years until there is more stuff supported for the CPU. I havent placed the order yet, so any suggestions are great.

THanks,
D
 
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