AMD or Intel? New PC questions

[FBScud]

I think I may bite the bullet and shell out  some $$ for a whole new system including a major monitor upgrade to 20" flat screen.  This system is to be designed around AH2, seriously.  So, what do the experts say on the chip?  I'm prepared to spend some dollars, but why put it on Intel if AMD works as well?  If it makes a difference, I'm using CH PRO HOTAS USB.

I'm thinking the intel 3.4 or 3.6 mgz chip or the AMD equivalent (which is what?)
1 gig SDRAM as fast as I can find
SB Audigy
vid card with 256mb....ATI or GeForce for AH2???
cd-rw/dvd drive
80 meg hard drive
Windows XP ---  home or professional?

Any other suggestions?

[Jasta]

Looks good, but the only thing is about your ram.

Buy the AMD equivelant, because it will be cheaper.
Buy the Nvidia for Aces High, anything else is ATI.

If you are gonna have a processor that high, dont even mess with SDRAM, go DDR all the way.

1 Gig of DDRAM will go a lot further with a bigger bang for the buck.

[Jasta]

BTW you need at BETTEr than a GeForce FX 5200 to get appropriate Frame rates. i have a 5200, and no matter what processor i put in, i dont see much improvement. Im about to buy a 5700.

[FBScud]

Thanks.  That's the kind of info I need...particularly about the RAM and the vid card.

So...can anyone tell me about AMD chip speeds?  Intel is easy, higher ghz # is how to go.  How do we measure AMD chips?

[Kev367th]

AMD cpus use a rating system.
i.e. a 2600XP is supposed to have a comparable performance to a P4 2.6Ghz.
If buying completely new system go for Athlon 64 3500 or 3800, if you don't mind spending the big bucks go for the FX53.
All three are streets ahead of a similarily priced P4. The FX53 is THE cpu for gaming, but comes at a cost. Check http://www.pricewatch.com
According to what I've read here nVidia seems to work better so go for a 6800. Also works better if you decide to run Windows XP64.
My system (check sig) with vsynch on (85hz) 1280x1024x32 gets steady 85fps. vsynch off seen it as high as 540+.
The socket 939 Athlon 64 3500,3800 and FX53 all use dual channel memory setups, so you will need 2 x DDR400 memory sticks to make the most of it. Tip here get Corsair TwinX memory, guarenteed to work at advertised speeds together. Also make sure they a LL modules, Athlons work best with Low Latency memory ( CAS 2).
Last thing- if you get socket 939 Athlons, ensure board is socket 939 also.

[Roscoroo]

Heres the standard ghz for the athlons

AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (1.66GHz)        
AMD Athlon XP 2200+ (1.80GHz)    
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ (2.00GHz)  
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83GHz) Barton Core 333MHz  
AMD Athlon XP 2700+ (2.16GHz)    
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ (2.08GHz)  Barton Core 333MHz
AMD Athlon XP 3000+ (2.17GHz)  Barton Core 333MHz    
AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (2.20GHz)  Barton Core 400MHz  


now most of these over clock, AE the xp 2500+ normally will run at 200x11  which =  2.2 ghz  

the 2500+mobile barton runs at a lower core voltage 1.4 and will oc alot higher then 2.2 ghz

id recommend you go with the amd 64 bit though if you can afford it .

[Edbert]

FX51 gives you great performance without the FX53 price. You may want to decide if you want an AGP motherboard or not. AGP is just about at the end of its life. PCI-E (Express) is the replacement. Its kind of like buying a VLB motherboard after the 1st wave of AGP1x MBs came out.

Your call, the PCI-E video cards are pricey, but they have a bright future when AGPs future is toast.

[Edbert]

FX51 gives you great performance without the FX53 price. You may want to decide if you want an AGP motherboard or not. AGP is just about at the end of its life. PCI-E (Express) is the replacement. Its kind of like buying a VLB motherboard after the 1st wave of AGP1x MBs came out.

Your call, the PCI-E video cards are pricey, but they have a bright future when AGPs future is toast.

[GunnerCAF]

Another good place to start:

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/WCPG/index.php

Gunner

[Kev367th]

Only prob with fx51 is it requires registered (more expensive) memory.