New System: AMD X2 4400+ (@2.2G) or Intel P4 D 940 (@3.2G) ?

[Melandre]

OK, I used to follow advances in hardware but haven't for quite a
while. Still running an Athlon 1800+. As expected, things have
changed a lot and it is time to replace the ol" system. I know I want
dual Core technology and for about the same price I can get a system
built around the Pentium D 940 or the Athlon 64 X2 4400+.

Witout getting too technical (already read a lot of reviews) which
would you pick? The system is often used for multitasking (making a
slideshow while burning a DVD, downloading from newsgroups while
running a defrag, some video editing, lots of gaming such as car
racing, etc.).

Your input will be very much appreciated! Andre

 

[Rod Speed]

OK, I used to follow advances in hardware but haven't for quite a
while. Still running an Athlon 1800+. As expected, things have
changed a lot and it is time to replace the ol" system. I know I
want dual Core technology and for about the same price I can get a
system built around the Pentium D 940 or the Athlon 64 X2 4400+.

Witout getting too technical (already read a lot of reviews) which
would you pick?

I'd get a Conroe instead if you want something like the bleeding edge.

The system is often used for multitasking (making a slideshow while
burning a DVD, downloading from newsgroups while running a defrag,

Waste of time defragging.

 

[Paul]

OK, I used to follow advances in hardware but haven't for quite a
while. Still running an Athlon 1800+. As expected, things have
changed a lot and it is time to replace the ol" system. I know I want
dual Core technology and for about the same price I can get a system
built around the Pentium D 940 or the Athlon 64 X2 4400+.

Witout getting too technical (already read a lot of reviews) which
would you pick? The system is often used for multitasking (making a
slideshow while burning a DVD, downloading from newsgroups while
running a defrag, some video editing, lots of gaming such as car
racing, etc.).

Your input will be very much appreciated! Andre

Plenty of benchmarks here. It shouldn't be hard to make a
decision. The red bars should mark the two processors being
compared.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=235&chart=68&model2=321

Paul

 

[DaveW]

Rather than a Pentium D you would MUCH rather get one of the new Core 2 Duo
CPU's that Intel just released. They are faster, more efficient, and run
MUCH coller.

 

[Jed]

Rather than a Pentium D you would MUCH rather get one of the new Core 2 Duo
CPU's that Intel just released. They are faster, more efficient, and run
MUCH coller.

Here's my take: I just bought an AMD Athlon 64 4000+ for USD 128.00 to
replace an Athlon 64 3000+. I made the decision not to spend the extra
60 to 100 bucks for an X2 or much more than that for a flavor of
Conroe because I use no applications or games that can take advantage
of the dual cores and by the time apps and games generally make use of
dula core, the prices will have become much more reasonable and I'll
be ready to upgrade again.

I guess the question is: do you want to be on the bleeding edge for a
good reason or just to impress your fellow geeks?