What kind of processor should I get?

[Bridge203618]

OK, so I am good on the computer but dont' know too much about the insides and how they work. My husband and I are debating on if we should buy a new computer or have someone build it. We are also debating a processor. He thinks we need Pentium iv I am considering AMD. Which is better or are they so close it doens't really matter?

Musts for us are a big hard drive like 160GB, DVD and CD RW and the basics. We use our computer mainly for internet, games and store and transfer pictures. We also have a 9 year old and plan on having 2 other kids so we would be having computer games galore. what are we looking at? Should we build or buy? Oh alse he wants flat screen, not necessarily flat panel, but flat screen. Should we get amd or pentium? THanks/

[Ro1]

Having been in the industry for many years, I would always recommand Intel above AMD. You just get less errors and hassles. I have tried them both for many years, but Intel is much - MUCH - better.

Hope that helps.







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[splatfreak]

You can get almost the same speeds out of the AMD as the Intel.AMD is also cheaper.As for build or buy if your old PC motherboard can handle the bigger better CPU then just get a bigger hard drive and new CPU.But if you have to upgrade the motherboard ,CPU,and the Hard drive then your half way to a new computer so just build one.Hope that helps.

[caswelltech]

If you intend on adequately cooling the system, an AMD CPU will do you a fine job. Intel does run cooler and I personally think that is why a lot of major manuf.push Intel so hard(less work for them).
When I say adequately cool, I mean use a good quality heatsink and fan combo for AMD. A lot of people buy AMD and because it is priced lower than Intel can take that approach to the rest of the system too. That is wrong. Buy a $30 heatsink/fan combo and save yourself some grief. A lot of places sell those little cheap $10,15 heatsinks that just are NOT up to the task of cooling anything,especially an AMD XP or 64 CPU.
I would put any AMD system I built up against someone else's Intel system and would not fear for one moment that the AMD system would have "errors and problems" as some say it. The power supply also is a major consideration in building a system. Always look for a PSU that has at least 18A on the 12 volt side. Anything less is inviting problems.
AMD vs. Intel has been around for years. I do not hate Intel. I do not LOVE AMD. I think that AMD does make a good product and I also think Intel makes good CPU's too. But Intel has always bloated their prices. And you know what, I am not going to pay 20-40% more for "INTEL" when I can get the same performance out of an AMD.
It's a matter of preference.