2 Computers... which should I keep?

insanarchist

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Sep 3, 2004
Messages
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I've got two computers and not much cash, so I'm trying to figure out what the best combination of parts to keep would be. I'll list them both in their current configurations...

Old Reliable:

P4 2.4C @ 3.0+
2 x 512 PC3500 OCZ @ 3200 (board isn't 100% stable at 275 fsb, haven't messed with voltages though)
Abit IS7-E
80GB 7200 RPM 8MB IDE Seagate
Radeon 9700 128MB (with strange problems, so I can't sell it :( )


New Compy (got it in a trade)

A64 3400+ Clawhammer (socket 754) (won't overclock at all)
2 x 512 PC3200 Rosewill
Abit KV8 Pro
250GB 7200 RPM 8MB SATA WD
eVga 6800 GT


3400 positives:
- 64 bit
- faster in games (according to websites, haven't done much testing myself yet
- newer mobo, so possibly less likely to fail any time soon

P4 positives:
- HyperThreading, which I utilize quite a bit. I do multi-track music recording, want to get into video recording, and also have several background programs running at any given time.
- Overclockability. 1000Mhz FSB is nice, and getting 3+ Ghz out of a 2.4 at minimal temps makes me smile :) I'm not sure, but this might outweigh the 3400's performance margin
- Stability. While I can't comment on the 3400's as I haven't owned it for very long, the P4/IS7 combo has been rock solid stable since the day I bought it. I have a huge zahlman hsf that does its job very well.
- IS7 has 4 Dual-Channel ram slots, which = 2 GB Dual Channel DDR if I use the other ram as well.


Overall, I'm thinking the P4, but I'm not sure if I haven't given the 3400 enough of a chance. Obviously, whatever Processor I go with, I'll keep the 6800GT and the 250GB SATA drive.

Thoughts? Comments?
 
Keep most of the parts from the AMD rig. Even if it is 754, which is a little out of date, it's still a good computer. Move the 80G HDD from #1 to #2 so you can have have more space. Also move the RAM from #1 to #2, OCZ kicks Rosewill's butt.
 
Is the a64 really that much better even with the single-channel memory? Perhaps I should just benchmark/use them both for awhile...
 
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