amd or intel for folding?

[freagul]

i am sure you get this question a lot, but i did cycle back a few pages just to check. i am planning on upgrading my system soon. i will most likely go amd x2 just out of brand loyalty (i havent even really looked at intel lately), but i am wondering if amd or intel performs significantly better than the other at folding? i plan to do a bit of gaming (OBLIVION), but i am not in any way a serious gamer. i game during finals and break and thats about it. what i am more concerned about, especially in terms of swaying my buying decision, is which processor/mobo/ram combos are best at folding. so for the three months of classes when i'm NOT gaming, my comp is going to some good use. thanks guys.

 

[OSUguy98]

Actually.... both have their strong suits.... X2 OC like a mofo, and traditionally, AMD has been the cheaper-better solution for folding...... Take a look at the link in my sig to get some basic ideas of price comparison between AMD and Intel.....


Keep on Folding!! For the [H]orde!!

 

[Duster]

I say go with amd get a 3800+ x2 and OC it.

I notice my amd systems get better ppd then my p4 systems that have about the same clock speed. And well I just like amd better

if you are going the SFF route I would get a biostar tforce board they are good I have the 754 one myself and really like it

if you are going ATX I would get a DFI nF4 board

OR you can get a opty that will OC real nice and you can get a
Asus A8R32-MVP board to go with it

ofcourse I beleave all of these will have pci-e

Memory you should read http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=952359 should get you what you want to know

I would say at least 1 gig if not 2 not sure how much that game uses and if you plan on taking this comp to vista def get 2

 

[Duster]

oh also get a good heatsink/fan I am using this It is nice keeps my temps down and is pretty quite for my proc running 100 % 24/7

 

[freagul]

oh also get a good heatsink/fan I am using this It is nice keeps my temps down and is pretty quite for my proc running 100 % 24/7

yeah i water cool. my current temp, full load, 32C. not bad, not bad. i will get a new waterblock for the new proc, i was planning on getting the x2 4200, but are the 3800s like my current 2500, in that they overclock a lot better than their brethren? if so i might just go that route and not spend the extra $$$ on the 4200.

 

[LoneWolf]

Note that if you want folding to run on each core of a dual-core cpu, you'll need to run the console version, and configure two instances of it, one for each core. They'll start up as a service unlike the graphical client, which is kind of nice. The graphical client is only aware of your first core in a dual-core CPU.

 

[Duster]

yeah i water cool. my current temp, full load, 32C. not bad, not bad. i will get a new waterblock for the new proc, i was planning on getting the x2 4200, but are the 3800s like my current 2500, in that they overclock a lot better than their brethren? if so i might just go that route and not spend the extra $$$ on the 4200.

I think it turns out you get more bang for your buck with a 3800+

Also I think the opty OC really really well but I am unsure of this you need to stop by in the AMD forum. If I was to build a new system I would get a Opty prob. They are really nice from what I have read

 

[Imitation]

Both dual cores are very nice. If you get a board that can go high htt, like a DFI or new asus boards, you can swing a opty 165 up to 2.7 to 2.8 if you get a good chip. But some chips aren't that great, my 170 hits a wall around 2.68 no matter what voltage I give it. Contrast that with my roomie's 3800+X2 that hit 2.6 with only 1.45vcore on air. He's running about the same speed with less voltage. So the moral of my story is, get whichever you like and think you'll be most happy with.

What kind of watercooling are you running? These things put out a pretty good amount of heat, esp once you start upping the voltage. But still WAY less than Pentium D's.

 

[MN Scout]

From reading the ocing threads in the AMD forum the optys have been hit or miss lately and are not gauranteeing 2.8-3.0ghz any more. And a lot of people feel the the X2s all clock up to about the same voltage relatively, so just choose which one you like the multis better and if you are [h]ard enough which steppings you can get your hands on. Some also feel that the optys have a better memory controller. I don't know anything about that, just heard it mentioned a few times.

 

[tdg]

Dual core AMD is probably the best way to go, OC it as high as you can, run one instance on each core and watch the WU's get obliterated.

 

[ICE_9]

I have been hearing that the Pentium Ds 9XX series are some good overclockers. Also the 805 is getting pretty high also. I am picking up an 830 tommrow and hope to get some times on it over the next month.

 

[Imitation]

I have been hearing that the Pentium Ds 9XX series are some good overclockers. Also the 805 is getting pretty high also. I am picking up an 830 tommrow and hope to get some times on it over the next month.

Good luck with your power bill

But seriously, why not at least get the 930 over the 830? I've heard that there are zero advantages to the 8 series over the 9 cept maybe that they might be cheaper.

I'd still take a 3800+ X2 at 2.6ghz over a 930 at 3.8-4.2ghz, esp since the QMD's aren't around anymore. But thats my opinion.

 

[Hito Bahadur]

Honestly, the longer you fold, if you pay your power bill, the more important points per kilowatt become. From this standpoint, look at the wattage of the system you are buying. I think X2s are probably the best per watt if you look at their ppd output. dual core laptop solutions (in a desktop solution) from intel will probably be very good also. Figure roughly $1 saved in yearly power bills per 1 watt less needed by the computer. Areas to save: (CPU is huge, Video, HDD and, very important, PSU). Get an 80%+ efficient PSU, think about scavanging a laptop HDD and be mindful of video card power draw. You could save $30-100 in utility costs per computer per year easily for minimal premium in purchase price. Also, in my mind, more efficient parts are less likely to break (higher quality and less stress).

 

[Hito Bahadur]

I'm assuming you pay your electricity bills:

To better answer your question, I would go with a AMD X2 3800+ - 4400+ CPU (or Opteron) based on what money you have (anything over that is probably overkill for your stated usage).

Mobo, go ahead and get an SLI board they aren't much more espensive and give you some upgrade options.

Get at least 1GB (2x512) of memory or 2GB (2x1GB) if you can afford it.

i'd get a 7200RPM HDD (personnaly I like Samsung for their quietness and they been very reliable for me).

Video, I would go with a 7900GT if you can afford it or look at the 7600GT if you can't. NVIDIA definately has the more efficient video cards right now.

Finally, I like SeaSonic PSUs, but pick a PSU that isn't overpowered. For the solutions above, a high quality 550W PSU is probably fine for your needs. It will run good CPUs and even SLI systems as long as your aren't doing crazy overclocks. If you add more HDDs or really want to get into overclocking or are running 7900GTX SLI you might need to beef up a bit. Don't just buy the biggest PSU you can find though as PSUs are more efficient the more they are loaded so you want to match the PSU to your load with a 15-25% buffer for future upgrades.

P.S. The other benefit to a more efficient computer is that it will be more quiet.

 

[wraieghaeien]

I am an AMD guy myself, but the dual core solutions from AMD
are super nice these days.

In addition to the X2 stuffs, look at the Opteron 165-175's
Dual core, and people have had really good sucess OC'ing them
as well.

 

[marty9876]

Ahh grow a pair...

Intel FTW!!!!!!

Dual core, running QMD's no AMD can even come close to the PPD those suckers will do.

 

[Mohonri]

Dual core, running QMD's no AMD can even come close to the PPD those suckers will do.

And exactly how many of those QMD's are you getting lately?

 

[Duster]

And exactly how many of those QMD's are you getting lately?

LOL

I wonder when those QMD's will be coming back

 

[ICE_9]

Good luck with your power bill

But seriously, why not at least get the 930 over the 830? I've heard that there are zero advantages to the 8 series over the 9 cept maybe that they might be cheaper.

I'd still take a 3800+ X2 at 2.6ghz over a 930 at 3.8-4.2ghz, esp since the QMD's aren't around anymore. But thats my opinion.

Cheaper is right. It was that magic word....FREE!!!!

 

[Killer[MoB]]

So I was bored yesterday morning. I got a list together of the top 100 [H] folders based on 24 hr average. Then I visited the stanford userpage for each of those 100 (yes, manually to each and every one) to get the 7 day CPU count. I know it's not controled or scientific. Like I said, I was bored. I tossed out a couple with obviouly faulty CPU counts. You know how that "oops, I forgot to clear the UserID before the image went out" thing works. Anyway, the objective was to see who (or what) was producing the most points per CPU. As of yesterday morning, the top four producers per CPU are all AMD farms. I don't know past 4th on the list because I have not tried to confirm any farms past that.

I'm not supprised. But hey, I was bored.

 

[morningreis]

I think Pentium Ds and X2s will perform comparably. In gaming, AMDs will win hands down, but folding != gaming... So performance wise I wouldn't hesitate with either. Don't quote me on this, but IMO f there is a difference, it will be negligible.

However I would still choose the X2, because if you think about it, you will be folding 24/7. Now I don't like the idea of leaving a Pentium D on 24/7. Think of the heat! Even if you have the temperatures under control, it's still going to be using a lot of power.

There is also the OCability of the X2s (apparently the 90nm Pentium Ds can OC too) and the initial cost of them to consider.

 

[Joe Fission]

I asked a similar question as the OP awhile ago... I got answers from both Intel and AMD supporters, and in my case, I think I've decided my first farm will be built on Intel... the Pentium D 805s are nothing to shake a stick at... they're cheap (and appear to be getting cheaper as the months go by), and they appear to OC like a mofo (when paired with good mobo, ram, etc.)... some guys are getting 3.4GHz stable on the stock HSF... their temps might get a bit high, but with a slightly better HSF, that can be fixed. Sure they require a bit of extra power than AMD offerings, but I'd be curious as to how the PPD would compare if, as I've heard, it's mainly the GHz that matters. The extra power might be justified. Just my 2 cents.

 

[BillR]

I asked a similar question as the OP awhile ago... I got answers from both Intel and AMD supporters, and in my case, I think I've decided my first farm will be built on Intel... the Pentium D 805s are nothing to shake a stick at... they're cheap (and appear to be getting cheaper as the months go by), and they appear to OC like a mofo (when paired with good mobo, ram, etc.)... some guys are getting 3.4GHz stable on the stock HSF... their temps might get a bit high, but with a slightly better HSF, that can be fixed. Sure they require a bit of extra power than AMD offerings, but I'd be curious as to how the PPD would compare if, as I've heard, it's mainly the GHz that matters. The extra power might be justified. Just my 2 cents.

If only Intel had AMD’s math coprocessor I’d agree, they don’t.

Plus Intel is still stuck with the onboard chipset issues, add the heat problems and sorry, I’m not interested.

I stopped folding on my 3.0 P-4 when my XP at 2.13 started killing on ppd, that’s never changed.

 

[roftranspo]

If only Intel had AMD’s math coprocessor I’d agree, they don’t.

Plus Intel is still stuck with the onboard chipset issues, add the heat problems and sorry, I’m not interested.

I stopped folding on my 3.0 P-4 when my XP at 2.13 started killing on ppd, that’s never changed.

Why did you stop???? a machine is still a machine???

 

[Killer[MoB]]

Why did you stop???? a machine is still a machine???

I know. I know. /me raises his hand.

When you have paid for the electricity for every point you have produced (such as Bill has) you sometimes have to shut off the really poor producing stuff to manage the power bill. In his case, the slow stuff just happens to be a P4 3.0.

 

[roftranspo]

I know. I know. /me raises his hand.

When you have paid for the electricity for every point you have produced (such as Bill has) you sometimes have to shut off the really poor producing stuff to manage the power bill. In his case, the slow stuff just happens to be a P4 3.0.

Gotcha...ok thats a good excuse...Just make sure ...i just shut down two cuz i just bought a house and yea...mortgage in cali SUCKS!!!!!!!

 

[Mohonri]

... some guys are getting 3.4GHz stable on the stock HSF... their temps might get a bit high, but with a slightly better HSF, that can be fixed.

Don't forget to factor the cost of an aftermarket heatsink into the equation--if the cost of the aftermarket heatsink could bump you up a level or two, that may be the better option.

 

[ICE_9]

I know. I know. /me raises his hand.

When you have paid for the electricity for every point you have produced (such as Bill has) you sometimes have to shut off the really poor producing stuff to manage the power bill. In his case, the slow stuff just happens to be a P4 3.0.

I agree. That is why I am in the process of upgrading to the 830. Shutting down a 500, 700, 1700 and 2400 boxen should help on the power bill.

 

[Tigerbiten]

I like my X2's
145 watts of power used for 4.6 Ghz of folding power.
That beats the 181 watts for 4 Ghz of my MP's.

Then again my main box sucks up 355 watts all by itself......
Must put some dual cores in it just for fun........

Luck.........