Athlon or Pentium ??

[Andrew]

You might have seen from my earlier post that this PC is on its way out
!!!

So i am thinking along the lines of getting a new base unit. I don't
really use the PC for any video editing etc, but i use it for web
browsing, MS Word / Excel, e-mail, music, CD burning, digital
photography. I guess the most demanding thing we use it for it for the
kids playing on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.

Big question is, do i go for Athlon or Pentium 4 ? and what speed do you
recommend (i.e 3GHz, although i had seen a Pentium 4 5.3GHz on e-bay
for about £300, brand new). Is DDR better ? Is dual core better ??. I
half know what i'm talking about but i'd like help from the experiences
of others on here if possible.

What things should i look out for when buying a new base unit, i.e. for
possible future upgrade ??


Cheers
Andrew

 

[Kerry Brown]

You might have seen from my earlier post that this PC is on its way
out !!!

So i am thinking along the lines of getting a new base unit. I don't
really use the PC for any video editing etc, but i use it for web
browsing, MS Word / Excel, e-mail, music, CD burning, digital
photography. I guess the most demanding thing we use it for it for the
kids playing on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004.

Big question is, do i go for Athlon or Pentium 4 ? and what speed do
you recommend (i.e 3GHz, although i had seen a Pentium 4 5.3GHz on
e-bay for about £300, brand new). Is DDR better ? Is dual core better
??. I half know what i'm talking about but i'd like help from the
experiences of others on here if possible.

What things should i look out for when buying a new base unit, i.e.
for possible future upgrade ??


Cheers
Andrew

For future upgrades make sure the CPU is 64 bit and if possible the
motherboard supports more than 4 GB of RAM. If Vista becomes popular those
will be key features.

 

[Andrew]

Kerry Brown:

For future upgrades make sure the CPU is 64 bit and if possible the
motherboard supports more than 4 GB of RAM. If Vista becomes popular those
will be key features.

Ah, thanks. So i have heard quite a bit about Vista. Is it much improved
over Windows XP ??. I think XP is great compared to Windows 98, will
Vista be as better over Windows XP ??

Cheers,
Andrew

 

[DatabaseBen]

from what i understand the dual cores are out now, but the quadro cores are
going to be selling around the end of the year....

Basically, I would focus on the CPU, because whatever cpu you choose, the
motherboard and everything else will be centered around the CPU.

Me?, I use an intel cpu on an intel motherboard and I have been headache
free eversince...

 

[Kerry Brown]

Ah, thanks. So i have heard quite a bit about Vista. Is it much
improved over Windows XP ??. I think XP is great compared to Windows
98, will Vista be as better over Windows XP ??

Cheers,
Andrew

Time will tell. I like it, others don't. Opinion is mixed to say the least.

 

[ChadMan]

from what i understand the dual cores are out now, but the quadro cores
are going to be selling around the end of the year....

Basically, I would focus on the CPU, because whatever cpu you choose, the
motherboard and everything else will be centered around the CPU.

Me?, I use an intel cpu on an intel motherboard and I have been headache
free eversince...

On the other hand, Intel is supposed to impliment DRM in hardware, where AMD
just said no thanks (Kudos AMD). I've repaired 2 Intel boards by replacing
the Caps for the CPU V-regulators. Others I've had to scrap. Seems to be a
rash of Intel board in the last year or so.

 

[DatabaseBen]

yeh, i can understand that.

But bad mobo's can be found with lots of mfg's. I've personally have seen
bad mobo's of other makes. And my guess would be that the bad components
like capacitors come from a centralized sweat shack in deep china by the
gazillions, and used for many products throught out the civilized world.
I'm sure that I am a victim too, not of a bad pc mobo, by a bad microwave
mobo. The d--- thing went out after three months and not microwaving my
burritos gives me a headache....! I think they made the mute component on
my t.v. too....

 

[ChadMan]

yeh, i can understand that.

But bad mobo's can be found with lots of mfg's. I've personally have seen
bad mobo's of other makes. And my guess would be that the bad components
like capacitors come from a centralized sweat shack in deep china by the
gazillions, and used for many products throught out the civilized world.
I'm sure that I am a victim too, not of a bad pc mobo, by a bad microwave
mobo. The d--- thing went out after three months and not microwaving my
burritos gives me a headache....! I think they made the mute component on
my t.v. too....

Chuckle chuckle on the Cap thing and yes you are correct. Just pointing out
that Intels fail too.

I've been reading about this supposed lead over AMD with the "Core" duo
thing. Looks like some smoke and mirror shenanigans possibly on Intel's
part. Apparently they would not allow close inspection of the test bed
systems nor are they taking AMD up on a certain challenge. Remains to be
seen. Right now I'm leaning towards AMD. The only reasons I went with Intel
was for certain features that AMD lacked once upon a time ago. No longer the
case. I could settle for less proc speed on the principle of the DRM thing
alone!