Desktops: Help with building new computer. Processors. AMD or Intel?
Help with building new computer. Processors. AMD or Intel?
by dragonfish09 - 6/13/08 8:00 AMSo I am building a computer for the first time and here is my choice. AMDs have a better rep, and according to cnet's own article smoke Intel. I can get a pretty decent one with 2.6 ghz for $46. I can also get a Intel for $69 with 3.4 ghz. Which is faster? Is AMD's advantage in efficiency enough that it can beat out nearly a ghz more clock speed? Which is faster, and which gets the most bang for buck in your opinions?
Cut to the benchmarks.
by R. Proffitt
- 6/13/08 8:18 AM
In reply to: Help with building new computer. Processors. AMD or Intel? by dragonfish09
Over at tomshardware.com you can try the CPU benchmarks and reviews but for now and today the deal and speed is the usual Intel Core 2 Duo. Then you dump C NOTES into your video card if you are a gamer.
Bob
Thanks
by dragonfish09 - 6/13/08 8:27 AM In reply to: Cut to the benchmarks. by R. Proffitt
Thanks for the help. Sorry about the crossposting. I don't often post on cnet, and I didn't think it counted as spam, and I was just trying to cover as many places of relevant topic. Thanks for the help though, and sorry about the trouble. I actually already tried Toms hardware, but maybe the forums there can help. Thanks.
Sorry
by R. Proffitt - 6/13/08 8:32 AM
In reply to: Thanks by dragonfish09
But the benchmarks I see for similar CPUs sees Intel in the lead. Why not just find benchmarks and then vote (with your money?)
You were not sharing the model numbers of what CPUs you were considering so no one should have you a great answer.
As to crossposting, that's not spam but can drain the board of resources and we want to avoid that.
Bob
Intel has the lead currently
by squirtlewa - 6/14/08 7:11 AM In reply to: Help with building new computer. Processors. AMD or Intel? by dragonfish09S'pose I'm lookin for a new vehicle. Which is better, a Honda or a Ford? The answer to that, and your question is, it depends.
Pretty decisively, Intel CPUs are better right now if you're looking for performance. On the other hand, most people don't need tip-top performance. If you're shopping the sub-$100 CPUs, then you're in that group.
Moreover, the CPU type is 100% determined by the motherboard.
If your question gave some more context of what you're trying to accomplish and more details about what equipment you're comparing, it'd be easier to give/get good feedback.
There's a couple of things you & we need to know.
by GinoShea - 6/16/08 8:18 AM In reply to: Intel has the lead currently by squirtlewaJust a suggestion. You should probable decide what motherboard you're going to use first. That'll dictate which CPU you can use.
Depending on the motherboard, you might not need a sound-card or video card.
Also, when you figure out what motherboard you're going to use, you can go to that motherboard manufacturer's website to determine what RAM will work with that motherboard.
Also, what do you plan to do with the computer? Play games, burn DVD movies from your camcorder, surf the web, word processing.
If you planon playing games you'll need to shell out more than $100 for a CPU.
The type of mobo/CPU you chose, and what you plan on using the computer for, will help other suggest what kind of power supply and video card you should get.
Hope this helps.
You're looking for more Bang for your Buck?
by macheholder - 6/19/08 2:48 PM In reply to: Help with building new computer. Processors. AMD or Intel? by dragonfish09you posted that you're a first time system builder,that means you did some "A+" course but you didn't understand the notes,you need to read some more to figure out your problem but you want more bang for your Buck then go with a CPU that runs cooler and efficient and the price is up your ally as a first time system builder but re-read your books
more bang for your buck Processor
by macheholder - 6/19/08 2:50 PM In reply to: You're looking for more Bang for your Buck? by macheholderAMD all-the-waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
A little bit more complicated than the chip.
by Jo Lynne Lockley - 6/21/08 10:46 PM In reply to: more bang for your buck Processor by macheholderIntel is in fact the preferred chip by most gamers, but AMD offers a solid, often cooler, quieter chip. You get, in general, more for your dollar with AMD. I use them frequently in my builds and am generally very happy. (Except when my MCI board went pfft and I had to run out and put a computer together in about three hours a couple of months ago.)
You leave a lot of open questions. What do you want the computer for. Why do you want to build it (Fun? Satisfaction? Money?) Are there budget restraints? What OS are you going to use?
Speed is as important as the make. If you want a gaming machine, you are interested in overclocking. Look it up. As you can see here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_cpu.asp cost per mhz is about half for AMD what it is in Intel.
You want at least 2GH, preferably more, but you probably don't want to start with a Quad core or top of the line AMD. Athlon 64 or Core 2 Duo will probably serve you well. As important as your chip is how much memory you can put on the board. With AMD you need socket AM2 for Athlon. You need socket 775 for Intel. Check them out on www.tigerdirect.com or www.newegg.com (or Thom's hardware..nice site). You want to be able to pu t in a respectable sound card and video card, should be able to expand memory to at least 2GB, need to decide how may expansion slots you will need.
There's a lot more to discuss. I find the the case makes a big difference in my life. Screw free slots are great, front USB and card ports (you can build them in, if it doesn't have it)make life a lot easier. Sides you can click on and off are also a great innovation (and you will probablly use your case longer than your chip, so look for a good deal on a top of the line case.)
As for it being the first build, everyone starts somewhere. The snarky comment about an A+ course is uncalled for. You learn a lot by researching your parts and software and more by building it. Check the various forums on the web. Customer support at Tiger Direct and NewEgg is very helpful.
Another crucial decision is which OS to use. You are probably going to use Windows (rather than Linux) for starts. You can use OEM software legally if you build. Check out the sites mentioned before and also www.dealnews.com for some good bargains.
Have fun.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
