A few days ago, I posted asking for advice on building a brand-new machine. My main question was whether to get an Intel motherboard that would support Conroe, or whether to just build an AMD machine. (Unfortunately, just waiting isn't an option, since I'll need a PC in June.) The majority of the advice suggested buying AMD, and I'm trying to understand why.
It seems to me that if I go Intel, I'll need:
Conroe-ready Motherboard: Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard $233
Temporary CPU for June/July/August: Intel D930 $196
Conroe CPU, once released and stable: E6600, 4M cache, 2.4GHz, $316
(based on the pricing here.)
A total of $745 gets me the Conroe chip in August/Sept, and I can still keep the D930 for use as a VERY good CPU for a file server/whatever.
If I go AMD, I'll need:
Motherboard: DFI LP nF4 $122
CPU: AMD 4400+ $460
I've now spent $582, and in Fall, I'm locked into a chip that everyone seems to agree is inferior to Conroe, *and* there's no upgrades for the 939 socket.
It seems like the $170 difference is a small price to pay for the improved performance of Conroe *and* the upgradability of the system. Then again, frankly, I know next to nothing about this. Where have I gone wrong in my thinking? Are there hidden costs I should be worrying about?
(Not a fanboy of any sort, just a confused prospective first time system builder.)
Thanks!
Todd
p.s. Apologies if I just triple-posted. Maybe cross-posting to newsgroups doesn't work so well?
It seems to me that if I go Intel, I'll need:
Conroe-ready Motherboard: Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard $233
Temporary CPU for June/July/August: Intel D930 $196
Conroe CPU, once released and stable: E6600, 4M cache, 2.4GHz, $316
(based on the pricing here.)
A total of $745 gets me the Conroe chip in August/Sept, and I can still keep the D930 for use as a VERY good CPU for a file server/whatever.
If I go AMD, I'll need:
Motherboard: DFI LP nF4 $122
CPU: AMD 4400+ $460
I've now spent $582, and in Fall, I'm locked into a chip that everyone seems to agree is inferior to Conroe, *and* there's no upgrades for the 939 socket.
It seems like the $170 difference is a small price to pay for the improved performance of Conroe *and* the upgradability of the system. Then again, frankly, I know next to nothing about this. Where have I gone wrong in my thinking? Are there hidden costs I should be worrying about?
(Not a fanboy of any sort, just a confused prospective first time system builder.)
Thanks!
Todd
p.s. Apologies if I just triple-posted. Maybe cross-posting to newsgroups doesn't work so well?