amd 1.4 vs. 1.4ghz Pentium IV which is better for a student?

[gtr]

Used mostly for downloading and games. I'm so confused about which one is faster? So the amd chip a more efficient design when running at the same mHz as the p4? What about the bus speed. 266 vs the 400mhz and the support of rambus of the pentium and the ddr of the athlon. So when it comes down to the same mhz and motherboard disadvantage of the amd which is better?

[Imperion1]

Please define "motherboard disadvantage of the amd"?

For downloading and games, I'd say go with an AMD. You can't beat 'em for price.

Intel would be a better use for Cad, some graphics programs, and internet usage. It's pretty good for games too. But, if you will be using the system mostly for internet and game usage, then I'd go with the AMD.
Check out prices on the Intel and AMD cpu of the same Mhz. AMD costs quite a bit less.
Also check out the prices between DDR and Rdram. DDR costs less.
Oh, and Intel and AMD cpus of the same speed, the AMD will be faster than the Intel. AMD runs at full L2 clock speed, Intel runs at half.
Don't remember about how the bus speed runs though.

[Imperion1]

By the way
Welcome to Sysopt.

[Cody]

Either would be a viable solution. Just remember this though
1) The AMD's L2 (Cache) runs at full speed, and the P4s is at half.
2) The P4 runs at 100MHz X 4 and the AMD Athlon runs at 133MHz X 2. So, essentially, it is 133 vs. 100.
3) The AMD Athlon supports almost all optimizations, and can "optimize itself" for programs (it runs well with anything). On the other hand, programs run on the Pentium 4 will not perform as well, unless they are programmed just for the Pentium 4 (or optimized, and barely any programs are), and the programmers have to give their kidneys in payment to optimize for the hassle
4) Any AMD motherboard you buy will still be upgradable in the future (as far as new processors). Intel is discarding it's current motherboard socket, so upgrading will be much more costly with the P4 (The processors are way too expensive in the first place, and you would need to get a new MOBO for new processors).
5) AMD's cost less.

If that doesn't at least tell most of it, I don't know what will.

[Nick CPU]

If you are good with computers and know how to well maintain a computer get the AMD.

If you just want to turn it on go online and play games and never really tweak it go with the Pentium 4. It will work better over long periods of use.

AMD is a tweakers chip
Intel is a non-tweakers chip

But as far as performance goes my Pentium 4 has done very very very well.

[gtr]

Thanks for your inputs. As of price what's going on with the huge intel price cut on the 26th of this month? Sould i wait or built my athlon. I'm currently running a slot a 900mhz with the 200fsb so would the 1.4 266fsb be a large enought upgrade to see a difference? I'm also running a 7200rpm ata100 without the ata100 card. I just really feel behind since the ddr or rambus, the faster bus, and the ata100 is out.

[samwichse]

What's wrong with your current setup? I've got a slot A 750 and it's still good to go for pretty much anything. Downloading? No extra nothin' needed. If you're looking for better game performance, you will do better just buying a nice video card instead of a new processor. Unless you're looking at getting 200+ fps at 640X480X16.

[This message has been edited by samwichse (edited 08-10-2001).]

[gtr]

The main reason i wanted a new chip and motherboard b/c i don't feel my board is reliable. My computer crashes once in a while and i don't know if the board is damaged or the 250 power supply isn't sufficient. But for the price of a new board i might as well get the combo.

[Nick CPU]

Sounds more like you have an OS problem. your system is very good. I would save my money and wait for a better upgrade next year.

[jad1097]

gtr
How often does it crash and why? Does it just reboot when it wants to or does it blue screen you (any error codes?)? If you could provide some more detailed specs on the system such as the motherboard and other components (sound card, video card, etc..) to see if it has a known problem it may help. It could be something someone else had a problem with. The OS (Operating system) you are using may also help.

Anyhow welcome to sysopt, there’s a great bunch of people here with a ton of knowledge.


I would hold off at least several months before upgrading.

Imperion1, can you please explain to me how the P4 is better at "internet usage" than an Athlon? I am sure the P4 is just as slow on a 56k as an Athlon is, even cable or DSL as far as that goes.

[Cody]

Hey man, I feel your pain.

Here is my system:

PIII Coppermine 800EB
AOpen AX34 Motherboard
512MB PC133 Ram
Maxtor 7200RPM 30GB HD
Visiontek GeForce 256 w/ 32MB
SoundBlaster Live!Value
AltecLansing ACS33
17" .25 2xxxXxxx Max RES Monitor (very nice)
Microsoft Internet Keyboard & IntelliMouse Optical
16X DVD-ROM
PlexWriter 8/4/32A (Not a single coaster).

A while ago, I was having problem with my system just not running games good at all. I had been running Me while this happened. I finially broke down and ran 2000, and tweaked a little bit, and I have seen some 1+GHz monsters w/ GeForce 2s that I can beat the butts off as far as visual quality AND FPS.

In Tribes 2, All settings MAXed OUT, at 1024x768, my average FPS is around 150, maxes at about 220.

You can't say that ain't GREAT For a GeForce 256.

I suggest that you do some tweaking, and maybe check to see if your computer is running a bit hot (if so, get a better heatsink and some more fans, or an ORB).

Good Luck!

[VERT]

Cody thats some nice fps u r getting for T2

[conjh13]

Just a little thing to keep in mind: an AMD typically runs at higher temperatures than an Intel, so if you do go with the AMD, make sure you have adequate cooling. Along with that, it's true what they say about an AMD running faster than an Intel with a similar clock speed, but due to the Intel's lower standard running temperatures, you have more room for overclocking, which pretty much makes up the difference. So, performance wise, P4 and Athlon are virtually neck-and-neck. I'd base my purchasing decision on other things, like price of cpu, price of mobo, what mobo's are available for each, etc.

Edit: As for OS - I have Win2k and Win98SE on dual boot. I generally go with 98, since it outperforms 2k for gaming in every aspect (sound, 3D, etc.). WindowsME = computer cancer. I can understand why win2k does better for gaming than ME. If you can, get rid of ME and replace it with 98SE. It's considerably more stable, and still allows you to use DOS, if you for some odd reason would want to.

[This message has been edited by conjh13 (edited 08-11-2001).]

[gtr]

I'm thinking about getting the ata-100 card. Good idea?

Here's the specs.
os- Windows 2000 (NTFS)
Athlon 900 (slot A) Not thunderbird.
Biostar M7mke motherboard
256 pc133 ram
Geforce II mx 32 mb ddr ram.
Sound blaster live! Value.
western digital 30gb 7200rpms ata100
viewsonic 19" a90

I leave it on usually all day and shut it off at night but it restarts automatically for no reason once a month when i'm around usually. No blue screen just reboots. I keep my computer well defraged all the time and check disk when i have errors.

I have one question reguarding sblive. How come when I don't use amplified speakers the sound card can't provid proper volume for and the creative lab's sonique sound card can?

[samwichse]

Usually for me, a random reboot would be excess heat, but if it's that uncommon...

Mabye what happens is that your power supply is stretched thin as it is for resources, then there's a slight brown out (line voltage dips but doesn't die) and your p/s doesn't have the juice to make it through so your computer restarts.

I think you may need a 300 watt p/s.

EDIT: Also, I'm assuming your motherboard has 66, if so ATA 100 won't make a darn bit of difference, since the actual hardware of a hard drive can't even push 66MB/s in bursts.

[This message has been edited by samwichse (edited 08-11-2001).]

[Imperion1]

I also put internet with the AMD. I just didn't add the word "usage" after it. You know, when gtr said "downloading and games"?

Lets say it this way. Intel is better at CAD systems. Not by much though.