Having trouble deciding on a CPU

[camaro]

I've liked AMD's price/performance for a long time, but now they seem to be lagging in speed. I know AMD is more efficient, but it's not making up the difference.

Here are two CPUs I'm considering. If anyone has a link to where they compare all the CPUs that would be great.

Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4GHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FS $172

Or

AMD ATHLON XP 2800 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM
Specifications:
CPU: 2.08 GHz
Type: XP 2800 Barton Core
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB
BUS: 333MHz $171


The main thing I see is 800Mhz FSB vs 333Mhz. I was also considering 2500 Barton for $94. But then I started looking at those high FSB Intels and now I can't decide. Which one is faster and by how much? I have no brand loyalty. I just buy the best price/peformance I can get.

[implexant]

go with the Intel. IMO, the heat, and the speed is not worth it. FSB doesn't make a HUGE difference, so don't let that be the deciding factor. For me it would be the heat of AMDs, and the fact that their core Mhz is below Intel.

-Chris

[EDIT] spelling

[chris64]

What are you planning to use the computer for. What kind of programs. Are you planning to overclock.

[Telexen]

okay

1. it's not 800mhz vs 333mhz. It's truley 200mhz bus vs 166mhz bus. AMD makes a 200mhz bus CPU, which runs at 400mhz FSB...which is the SAME THING as Intels 800mhz FSB (they do 4x the system bus, unlike AMD which does 2x the system bus...makes no difference)

2. That 2800+ Barton will blow the 2.4ghz away in performance.

3. A LOT of those 800mhz FSB CPUs are having problems, and needing to be recalled.

4. Heat is no longer a huge problem with AMD...with decent cooling Athlon XPs can be just as low as Pentium 4s...if not lower.

[implexant]

WOWA, i just re-read the original post. I thought you were comparing a 2.8 Intel and a 2800+ AMD.

DEFINATELY go with the AMD, it's performance at that level will be amazingly much more faster. But just so I can sleep at night... get a good heat sink and cooler. Like a Tt Xtaser or something

-Chris

[camaro]

You guys swayed me back to the dark side. I'll probably end up getting 2500+ Barton since it's almost half the price of 2800+.

[Omardeth]

it is wierd you can't really look at the mhz anymore . at one time amd and intel worked the same , persay . but now they are different . amd does the same amount of work with a lower mhz speed as the intel chips do . so in a sence they don't work as hard but do the same amout of processing .

intel is a v6
amd is v8

they both make 300hp

well the v6 has to spin at a higher rpm to make the same 300hp than the v8 has to to get 300hp .

also go with the xp2500 just get pc3200 ram . you can clock it at 185 x 11 = 2034 thats about the same speed as the xp2800 and it will do it no problem . i have mine clocked at that and i did it from the very first time i turned it on . you won't even have to do anything like change voltage . just get a good heatsink fan . like vantec aeroflow or or even the glacialtech igloo 2500/pro or there silent breeze . all will handle it no problem you can even overclock the chip more and they will handle it . and they are VERY quiet the silent breeze is on 19dba ....

also Hyper Threading Technology is like mmx it is a nice selling point but something that isn';t really used .

[nurdonsite2]

Originally posted by Omardeth
intel is a v6
amd is v8

they both make 300hp

well the v6 has to spin at a higher rpm to make the same 300hp than the v8 has to to get 300hp .

good description between the two processors Omardeth.

[Omardeth]

hey i try . it was the easiest way i could think to explain it .

[woodbutcher]

http://www.anandtech.com/cpu/showdoc.html?i=1783

http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030210/index.html

Some links that you have probably already seen.

WB