P4 2.4 or Athlon XP 2400

[sparky853]

I currently have a P4 2.4B system (specs below), but I just bought 2 Athlon XP 2400+ CPUs to build a couple computers for friends.

Would I be wise to keep one myself and exchange it for the P4? I would get a new mobo with Dual Channel memory and AGP 8x (current mobo doesn't support either). WOuld there be any kind of performance difference? Would the Athlon be better suited to gaming with the Dual Channel memory?

Intel P4 2.4B MSI 645E Max-U Mobo 1GB DDR333 ATI R9600XT 128MB SB Live 5.1 Samsung 120GB
Maxtor 120GB LG DVD+-R/RW WIN2K PRO SP4

 

[ChipDeath]

Athlons don't actually benifit much from dual channel. You wouldn't notice much difference, if any (the two systems would be fairly equivalent really).

since you want gaming, replacing your Gfx card will give bigger gains in that system for almost all games currently available... Going to a 9800 from the 9600XT wouldn't be much of a jump, but a Geforce 6800 or Ati x800 based card would be a fairly large step (but not that cheap). The rest of the system just isn't really that bad.

Another choice would be to get a P4 Dual channel board and overclock your existing processor in it. Your RAM has some headroom in it, and you'd probably be able to get to 2.7 - 3Ghz with that P4 without too much trouble.

If you don't fancy overclocking, then I just wouldn't bother doing either of your options - I'd Wait a little longer & replace Mobo/CPU/RAM for a nice Athlon 64-based System.

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Epox 8RDA+ V1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @200x10 (~2Ghz), 1.4 Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL/1x512Mb Corsair XMS PC4000 2.5-3-3-7
Sapphire 9800Pro @412/740

 

[sparky853]

I'm actually quite happy with my system the way it is. I'm getting a respectable average of 40FPS in DOOM 3 @ 1024x768 High Detail all effects, no AA/AF.

I was just wondering if it would be beneficial to build myself a system using the XP2400 with dual channel. If there is no major difference, I'm planning on waiting another year or so and getting a A64 system.

Intel P4 2.4B MSI 645E Max-U Mobo 1GB DDR333 ATI R9600XT 128MB SB Live 5.1 Samsung 120GB
Maxtor 120GB LG DVD+-R/RW WIN2K PRO SP4

 

[ChipDeath]

Yours is a decent enough system, that's for sure . I doubt I'd upgrade if I were you to be honest. Certainly swapping for a XP2400+ system wouldn't net you any noticeable gains.

---
Epox 8RDA+ V1.1 w/ Custom NB HS
XP1700+ @200x10 (~2Ghz), 1.4 Vcore
2x256Mb Corsair PC3200LL/1x512Mb Corsair XMS PC4000 2.5-3-3-7
Sapphire 9800Pro @412/740

 

[sparky853]

That being said, what is the best motherboard I can get for the XP2400 for a cheap price. It doesn't need SATA or RAID controllers, but integrated graphics might be a good idea. The users won't be doing any gaming, but the ability to upgrade to an AGP card might be handy.

Intel P4 2.4B MSI 645E Max-U Mobo 1GB DDR333 ATI R9600XT 128MB SB Live 5.1 Samsung 120GB
Maxtor 120GB LG DVD+-R/RW WIN2K PRO SP4