wanted : new PC

[Monolitus]

Hya,

since my girlfriend took over my athlonXP computer, i've decided to buy a new compter just 4 me ....

I'm a HUGE fan of AMD, however - i'm thinking about an Intel config due to its better performance. I've also considered the Athlon64 but it's quite expensive.

my comp will be mainly used for surfing, downloading and playing music + movies. I'm also an occasional gamer (i simply don't have the time .....)

desired config:

Intel 2.8 HT / 1MB Cache
Abit IS7 (is it PAT activated or only the IS7-G???)
2*256 micron DDR400
Abit GF 5700
Maxtor 160GB

main issues:
1. AMD 2800 vs P4 2.8 - 100$ difference (Intel and AMD mobo's pricings is quite the same) - what's the real performance differnce between the AMD and the Intel ?

2. Abit FX5700 vs ATI 9600Pro - only today i found out that the 5700 has better performance over the 9600Pro in almost all benchmarks.

3. Asus - P4P800 vs IS7 - including the newly PAT issue.

waiting 4 comments.

Cheers,

Mono.

 

[Cybercraig]

I would go for the P4 2.8C Northwood right now. Cheaper, cooler, and just as fast as the Prescott. They will clock up pretty easily too. When faced with the same decision last nite, my buddy went with an XP-2500 & an NF7-S ver2. It all came down to bucks. With Mushkin green we are just going for XP-2800 speeds. I would think a XP-2800 would lose to a P4 2.8C on 60% of benchmarks. The big problem here is that some INTEL prices are actually rising instead of falling. It's the same with the XP-M chips. Believe me, he will be in hog heaven compared to the Duron 750/Biostar junk he is currently trying to use.

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!

 

[pat]

With the mobile 2500+ and good nforce2 board, speed of 2,4GHz is easily possible without hi-performance cooling. Mine run good at 2,4GHz with a Thermaltake Silent boost cooler. With good cooling, 2,5-2,6 GHz can be done too. So I would forget the Intel for now and go mobile. Unless you are incomfortable with overclocking.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!

 

[pat]

And I forgot!!! for what your are doing, the AMD is really sufficient. I use mine for mostly what you're doing and I clocked it at 9x200 (1800MHz)and 1.45v and run my Silent Boost at 7 volts with all my other fans. A perfect silent PC for multimedia stuff. I even play Farcry at this setting on my AIW9600XT. When I need serious crunching, I just go in BIOS, I up the multiplier at 12 (2,4GHz) with 1.675 volts. Put the fan to the max to have enough cooling. I have a Sunbeam Rheobos fan controller that does the job well.

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!