HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rick003391]

hi, i am building a computer but am stuck on what CPU to get!!!
the computer will have :-
Connect 3d ATI Radeon X550 256Mb VGA + DVI + TV PCI-E

CRUCIAL 1GB DDR PC3200 400MHz 184-PIN UNBUFF 128MX64 Memory Module

LG GSA-H10ABAL 16xDVDRW/RAM Internal Black - OEM

Mitsumi OEM Black Internal Floppy Drive 1.44mb 3.5 Inch

Maxtor 6L200P0 Diamondmax 10 200Gb 7200rpm ATA133 8mb Cache - OEM

but i'm stuck on what CPU to get. either a :-
AMD Athlon 64 (ADA3700DKA5CF) 3700 CPU Skt 939 San Diego *OEM*
£135.17 inc VAT
or
Intel (BX80551PE2666FN) Pentium D 805 Dual Core 64 bit LGA 775 2 x 2.66 GHz 2MB (1 Mb per Core) Cache
£86.00 inc VAT


for the motherboard with AMD i have found a reasonable one for £56.39 inc VAT
that makes a total for the AMD machine around £420

but if i go with Intel i can buy a better Motherboard without pushing the price up above £420.

the intel chip is cheaper and it dual core
but a few people have said to go with AMD

i know intel chips have a rep to overheat, but if i get a good case i can keep it cool, also, i can easily get a new chip should it 'blow-up', as it is reasonably cheap

but i just cant decide!!!
please help!!!

 

[muffin]

It depends what you want to use your computer for...the AMD 3700 will whip the Pentium at almost anything except for a few multithreaded applications...or if you are attempting to do multiple things at the same time. If you want to game, get a slightly slower AMD and overclock it and put the extra money into upgrading your graphics card. Just depends on what you are expecting of your machine...check out Tom's CPU charts.

 

[dvdpiddy]

Get the athlon it's <imitating tony the tiger> it's GREEEAT!

 

[Pompeii]

Gaming = AMD;
Business(encoding stuff, number crunching) = Intel;

Depends on what you are planning to use your computer for.

 

[rick003391]

i've been looking and have found a better 512MB graphics card, better case, and motherboard for the AMD.
a am building the computer for gaming, etc... so i'll probably go with AMD, thanks

 

[techtre2003]

You need to realize the 805 has a 533Mhz front side bus. It is a budget chip and at stock speeds I think the 3700 would smoke it (I could be wrong). However, if you are going to overclock, you may take a look at the 805. If you really want a good answer to your question, you need to do some reasearch and check out real world benches on the two processors. This way you get an unbiased answer.

 

[GherkinPekul]

I'm pretty Intel-ignorant, but won't the 805 need ddr2?
If the pc3200 is already purchased, you are locked in to the AMDif that is so.

 

[techtre2003]

You're right, if he does go for the intel he will need DDR2.

 

[rick003391]

PowerColor X1300 512mb DDR2 128bit Dual DVI TVO PCI-E (from ATI)
and the next intel dual core is like £140 and i haven't got enough money to spend too much more than £420

 

[GherkinPekul]

I didn't know they made a 512 mb x1300!
That's a bit like a moped with a 200 L gas tank.
I sincerely hope you can find a better gpu, perhaps with less ram, than that one. The x1600 with 256 mb of ram would be better.

 

[CompGeek]

No do not get that card.
Get a 256 mb X1600pro instead. 512 mb is hardly a pro for a midrange gfx card since it will rarely take advantage of all that memory.
As CPU:
Be mindful,for gaming a 3700 rips through the 805 in most games but for the rest 805 kills the 3700 especially multitasking.
Both OC well but with 805 you might need a cooler.
3700 right now is the better gamer,but you can wait a little. Intel will be releasing a 9xx(dunno the serial number) CPU at a low pricetag that will be clocked at 3 Ghz and will have a 800mhz FsB,not to mention smaller process(65nm). That will probably OC like nuts. Still,it might not be a better gamer but defenitely worth it for games.