AMD x2 complete systems vs. Intel 800 series complete system

[toddbe]

After reading this forum I have come to the conclusion that processor to processor AMD x2 is a better on a price performance basis than Intel 800 series. The problem I am finding is when I look at Gateway's system http://www.gateway.com/products/GConfig/prodconfig.asp?system_id=fx400xl&seg=hm for $2500, including a 21" LCD, I do not see anything close with any AMD system builders. My needs revolve around Photoshop CS2.

Any suggestions, or should I just buy the gateway? My budget is around $2,500.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Beowulf021]

Well you could always build it yourself for less, but if you are not interested in spending that much time in such a project I suggest you buy from this company here- http://ecollegepc.com/ - they are very reliable (I bought my little brothers computer there), as well as very cheap when it comes the price.

 

[toddbe]

There PC's aren't even close in price to the Gateway system. By the way, I am not an employee or necessarily a fan of Gateway, and have never owned a Gateway computer before.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[endyen]

You could design an X2 4200 sytem @ Monarch for that kind of money.
Buy the monitor locally, the shipping isn't worth it.

 

[toddbe]

I could not get to that price WITH money left over for a high quality 21" LCD. If you want to configure and show me, that would be great.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[SidVicious]

Why would you want an LCD for photochopping ? Even low end CRTs beat the crap out of LCDs when it comes to color accuracy and brightness, not to mention the viewing angle.

Flat panel displays sure are sexy but their technology still is immature compared to CRTs, things will change once SED/FEDs hit mass production and drive both CRTs and LCDs into obselescence.

 

[RichPLS]

I think I would be pleased photochopping on my soon to come Dell 2005FPW LCD $440.

 

[toddbe]

It isn't that much of a difference on a profiled high quality LCD anymore. They have improved at leat enough for me.

 

[endyen]

The gateway monitor is $500 @ bestbuy. May not be such a great monitor.
Your price @ gateway is $2920, not including S&H, putting together a system for that, less $500 for monitor is too easy.
AN8 ultra $119
X2 4200 $400
4 X 512 DDR by patriot $312
2 X seagate 250 gig $248
eVGA 7800gt $320
Enermax noisetaker 485w $85
total ~ $1500
Pick you own case and software for under $900, and you are there.
This system would really make that gateway smell bad.

 

[K8MAN]

I would go 2x1gig rather than 4x512. That way there is room for future expansion for an X2 system that will probably become a workhorse for a while

 

[RichPLS]

Will XP 64 really reauire over 2 gig for top performance?

 

[endyen]

For photoshop now, 2 gigs is it, but tomorrow?

 

[K8MAN]

Will XP 64 really reauire over 2 gig for top performance?

Well it runs like crap NOW with 1GIG and runs very nicely for the time being with 2, I imagine 4gig's will be the norm in a year for an enthusiest.

 

[kittle]

I got my dual AMD system www.mbx.com.
With 2 gigs of ram XP x64 is a screamer as compared to win2k on my older dual xeon system