Convince Me

[dr_roberts49]

Aside from an old Z80, and my Apple IIE, I've always had an Intel based computer. Built all of them myself, starting in 1987. I've had my Pentium III 800eb for nearly 3 years now, and I'm just about ready to do an upgrade. All I need is the cpu and mob. Have everything else.

I've already scoped out a Pentium 4, 2.4 Ghz 800 fsb @ 171.00 from Newegg. Also from Newegg, the ABIT IS7E, with the Intel 869PE chipset @ 108.00. That comes to $279.00 before tax and shipping.

Today, I started looking at the AMD Barton 2500+ @ 88.00 from Newegg, and the ABIT NF7-nForce2 spp @ 118.00. Now that comes out to $206.00 before tax and shipping.

Now aside from the almost $75 price difference, what are my advantages to going with AMD or sticking with Intel? I play a few hig-end sports games, like Madden and Links 2003. I also have a massive music collection, and watch DVDs on my system. My main reason for upgrading, is I plan to start doing some major video dubbing of my family videos from tape to DVD. I'm keeping an open mind. I'm about 2 weeks from making my purchase.

Thanking all in advance

Robert

[dr_roberts49]

Almost forgot. I also have a DLS connection, and have 4 other computers networked in the house (I have 3 kids) Cable connected upstairs with a Linksys router/firewall, and then the Linksys 2.4 Ghz wireless connecting point for downstairs and my daughter's laptop. I have a shared folder of music on my computer, plus the printers are in my room. My P3 handles this pretty good, but I thought I better lay all my cards on the table.

[Xeroid]

I left the Intel camp 3 years ago and have never looked back. The main reason you already covered (a difference in price of nearly $100). I use AMD on all my builds. I only do Intel if the customer wants it. I know you won't be disappointed if you try AMD.

[Arcuivie]

Aye, I just made the AMD switch myself, same processor your looking at too, and AMD's overclock wonderfully, so you could boost your 2500 to a 3200 as long as you have some good cooling. Works awesome, save a crapload of money, and the 640kb of cache the "Barton" gives it awesome. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

[dr_roberts49]

I appreciate the feedback. Here is one of the concerns I have about leaving the "Intel" camp. The game I LOVE the most, is Madden's NFL Football. I've been playing this game since Madden 97, and I'll be purchasing Madden 2004 when it comes out tomorrow. I've never had a problem with this game. but on the forum I go to on EA Sports, a lot of people do have problems, and the majority seemed to be AMD users. Also, my best friend had major heating problems with his 2 AMD computers (he lives in the Arizona desert) a couple of years ago. That worried me too, but he stuck it out, and seems to be doing much better with his newest AMDs, which he ordered from DELL. He doesn't build his.

Anyway, I am leaning toward the AMD now. Any support from the "Intel" camp out there?

Robert

[rastorize]

Well, here's a vote for Intel...and for the extra $75 you are getting an 800MHz Front Side Bus, Hyperthreading (virtual dual procs), and one of the fastest available chipsets. But I'm not going to argue AMD vs. Intel. AMD is cheaper in your configuration...and most folks here will go the route of who has the fastest MHz for the money. Read through this article at Tom's Hardware Guide:
http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20030623/index.html

You'll see that even your 2.4 GHz proc bests AMD's fastest. To me, for $75, you get stability, hyperthreading, speed, Dual DDR 400, and the 2.4 easily overclocks to nearly 3.0 GHz...people have been able to up the FSB to 1000MHz with stock cooling.
You get what you pay for.

[Gait_Keeper]

AMD for life!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tortise and the hare baby, tortise and the hare

intel the faster Mhz hare, AMD slower mhz tortise, and winner!!!!

for what you wnat to do AMD all the way

[dr_roberts49]

Thank you, gentlemen. Rastorize, I really enjoyed the Tom's Hardware article. I've been paying close attention the FSB800 advantages for the P4s. I still haven't made my mind up, and probably won't until the last minute. Thanks again.

Robert

[gentry_joey]

ok well my school built a intel pentium 4 2.4 ghz. He also built a athlon xp with 1.5ghz or so. Well i used both of them and i had more probs with the intel than i did with the amd. But i dont know. I would go for amd due to the fact they are awesome for there money. I heard a story the other day on techimo. The moral is amd has a bigger bucket than intel but intel moves his bucket faster. Well i hope it works out for you in the long run. My amd 2000+ works awesome.

[rastorize]

Well, for what it's worth, I just purchased a Shuttle XPC 'mini' PC with a 2.4 GHz P4, the 800MHz bus, and the i865 chipset...upgraded from a 1.8 GHz P4 with a 400MHz FSB and 800MHz RDRAM...and the difference in speed is absolutely amazing! And, inside the little XPC case, using only a heat pipe and no fans, the CPU rarely hits 48C under a full load. You'll have no problems playing Madden's NFL Football.

The FSB speed combined with the dual DDR 400 and Hyperthreading, makes for one FAST PC.

Good luck with your decision!