Intel or AMD64 setup?

D

Dra

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 4, 2004
Messages
196
I'm trying to decide with what CPU to go with for my next computer.

First thing's first, it can't be more than $250.

Okay with that aside, i can't decide which brand to build my computer around of.

If it'll help here's the list of things i do with my PC:

image manipulation (Photoshop)
music encoding (Mostly MP3's)
video encoding (VirtualDub), and video editing
web surfing
compiling C++ code (Dev-C++)

gaming:
Counter-Strike (1.6, and Source)
HL2
Doom 3
(I don't really play games much anymore though. Thinking of getting a 6600 GT)

Also, aside from when i'm gaming, i'm usually running a few of the other programs at once.

Based on those things, could someone help me decide what CPU to use? (P4 or AMD64).

Thanks.
 
Get a P4, then buy one of the next gen consoles. You'll have the best of both worlds :)
 
pigpen said:
Get a P4, then buy one of the next gen consoles. You'll have the best of both worlds :)
Click to expand...

could you clarify? which series should i go with? 6xx or 5xx?
 
IMO, these days it's really a matter of preference. also in your price range there is not much difference. The P4 might be a slight better at multitasking to where the Athlon will be better at single task stuff.

I lean to AMD, but I am abit of a fan for them.
 
Look for something around the 3.2Ghz mark, and DEFINITELY get a quality cooler, not the one that comes with it, cos these bitches get toasty. I don't think it makes much difference between 5xx and 6xx, anything 3.0Ghz - 3.2Ghz will be spiffy - alternatively, get a much cooler pentium M chip, though it'll mean rekafoobling your mobo choice
 
I am also in the same boat as you are. The only game I play is Counter Strike 1.6 and probably War Craft since I heard that game has the best strategy. Here's what I do:

A lot of web surfing
Photoshop
Watch a lot of movies and anime
Listen to music
Some programs for Mechanica Engineering <---- In future...

Game:
Counter Strike 1.6 and maybe Source in the future
War Craft

If I go for AMD this is what I would get

AMD 64 3000
Mobo?
1GB Ram
80GB SATA 250GB SATA
Dual DVD
6600GT

but if I go for P4, I would just get a Dell 8400

I have never experienced Pentium but I heard it's for multitasking like other have stated. For now, I am leaning toward Intel but I also want to build my computer. I know if I get a Dell, I would definitely save some money for sure. But what do you guys think?

I also have one last question, WITOUT BENCHING, can you guys tell the difference between Intel and AMD performance?
 
Chizu - Your setup there is a bit overkill for CS 1.6. If that's all you ever plan on doing, I think you can definately afford to downgrade.

Otherwise keep it, it'd be a nice system for in the future when you want to try the newer gaems, like CS:S.
 
I use my San Diego 3700+ now for encoding. And I'm talking about encoding that can get so intensive, it would take 2 days to encode half an hour on my old Barton 2600+ (slightly OCed). Haven't rerun that specific encode on this box yet though.
 
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