Author Topic: Athlon VS. P4? (Read 857 times)

chug4u · « **on:** June 26, 2004, 11:34:07 AM »

Which is best gaming CPU for the $$$ AMD Athlon 64 FX-53, 1MB L2 Cache, 940-pins, Windows Compatible 64-bit Processor - Retail

Price: $811.00

Intel Pentium 4/ 3.2E GHz 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache Price $279.00

Intel Pentium 4 Processor "550" 3.40GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L3 cache, LGA 775 Hyper Threading Technology - Retail Price $425.

Model# BX80547PG3400E
Item # N82E16819116182
Specifications:
Model: Intel Pentium 4 w/ Hyper Threading
Core:Presscott
Operating Frequency: 3.4GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: 512KB L2, 1MB L3 cache
Process:90nm
Socket:LGA 775
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2
Packaging: Retail (with Heatsink/Fan)

Orig · « **Reply #1 on:** June 26, 2004, 12:35:36 PM »

From what I've read in reviews, the new 64 bit Athlons are pretty much unbeatable for games.

Rasker · « **Reply #2 on:** June 26, 2004, 01:27:39 PM »

Geek.com was putting together a reasonably priced gaming rig based on the AMD 2800 64, havent been able to find the article again.

I've read that the Amd 64 can take full advantage of the new DDR2 533 memory, but the Pentiums can't do that until their bus speeds reach 1066 Meg or higher.

XtrmeJ · « **Reply #3 on:** June 26, 2004, 03:28:24 PM »

Everyone has their own opinions. I like AMD.

Reschke · « **Reply #4 on:** June 26, 2004, 05:10:57 PM »

Don't drop the cash on that high dollar CPU. Go with the socket 754 CPU to keep your cost down. That FX based CPU is great but why spend $800+ on a component that is as much as the rest of your system will cost to build around it.

I have a "Clawhammer" Socket 754 Athlon64 3200+ that I spent around $250-$260 for it now its a bit higher with the 1MB L2 cache.

guttboy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 26, 2004, 09:33:26 PM »

My 3 centavos.....

DONT GO WITH THE TOP OF THE LINE.....back up a few steps and go with that! Much cheaper in the long run.....

Was an INTEL guy forever but the AMD 64 3000+ I got running in my rig absolutely KICKS BUTT!!!!

Regards,

Kev367th · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2004, 12:35:23 AM »

The new Athlon 64 socket 939s are way better for games than the P4s.
I have an Athlon 64 3500, 2 x 512Mb Corsair TwinX mem, and a 9800SE modded to a 9800 pro. Works awesome.

Rasker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2004, 12:39:45 AM »

how does one mod a 9800 se into a Pro? do you save much $ doing it that way?

deSelys · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2004, 04:27:23 AM »

I just build a system with AMD Athlon 64 3200+ on an ASUS K8V SE Deluxe socket 754. It seems pretty impressive so far.

AMD Barton are still very good for gaming and very cheap, but your upgrade road is closed.

Pentium 4 is better when compressing audio/video tho.

I would avoid the Prescott at all costs: it performs worse than the Northwood, and contributes a lot to the Global Warming.

deSelys · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2004, 04:27:50 AM »

Holy Double Post Batman!

deSelys · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2004, 04:28:19 AM »

Holy Triple Post Batman!!!

FOGOLD · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2004, 04:59:13 AM »

I used to think "don't buy cutting edge", but I find that if you can afford to buy it, you are not champing at the bit to upgrade the whole rig quite as quick. If you buy last years kit a bit cheaper, a year or so and you're feeling like it's a bit slow. I bought an xp2000, Ti500 Rig 2 and a half years ago and although I now have an 9800 Pro and another 512 Mb RAM, I'm thinking it'll do me another year at least. It still runs Far Cry and Halo no probs. Hopefully It will last untill PCX and BTX are out good and proper.

Having said all that, the upgrade cycle is abit longer than it used to be.

Kev367th · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2004, 03:52:14 AM »

Rasker - If you have a 9800SE with the ram arranged in a 'L' shape on the board and not an 'I' shape the only difference between your 9800SE and a PRO is the number of pipelines.
PRO has 8 (256 bit), SE has 4 (128).
Good news though - If you do have 'L' shape ram use drivers from http://www.omegacorner.com and when installing choose the softmod option. This opens up the other 4 pipelines on the SE making it a PRO.
Powercolor Sapphire 9800SE have a very high success rate.

zmeg · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2004, 01:13:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kev367th
Rasker - If you have a 9800SE with the ram arranged in a 'L' shape on the board and not an 'I' shape the only difference between your 9800SE and a PRO is the number of pipelines.
PRO has 8 (256 bit), SE has 4 (128).
Good news though - If you do have 'L' shape ram use drivers from http://www.omegacorner.com and when installing choose the softmod option. This opens up the other 4 pipelines on the SE making it a PRO.
Powercolor Sapphire 9800SE have a very high success rate.

The other 4 pipelines on the SE are closed because they're defective, opening them up will only cause system crashes.
The best upgrade for an SE is a sledge hammer.

SunKing · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2004, 01:25:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rasker
Geek.com was putting together a reasonably priced gaming rig based on the AMD 2800 64, havent been able to find the article again.

I've read that the Amd 64 can take full advantage of the new DDR2 533 memory, but the Pentiums can't do that until their bus speeds reach 1066 Meg or higher.

ever find that article?