what is different form 423 to 478

You really don't need an absolutely top performing computer from what you've told. Buy a generic low priced AMD Athlon XP based system (XP 1600+) and save your money for something better. I doubt the rumours regarding AMD's stability, as long as the system is proper cooled.

If money is no issue, a P4 system with RDRAM is certainly a nice thing to have. In my opinion it's a more fool-proof system. It's virtually impossible to destroy the CPU, even if you mess around with overclocking and inadequate cooling. That's not an issue for an experienced DIY, but if you're a newbie a P4 system is less likely to give you trouble.

You have to go for Socket 478 though, if you want the option of upgrading the CPU sometime in the future.

If you can wait just a little longer (I know, you're always told) then wait about 2 month where Intel will be releasing the P4 Northwood which will only be Socket 478. Then buy a CPU that is one or two clockspeed steps below the top. This usually gives the most bang for the buck, especially when talking Intel CPU's.

The P4 needs a decent motherboard; go for one based on the Intel 850 chipset (Abit TH7-II RAID or ASUS P4T-E). It's a common belief that really high clockspeed P4's will be able to utilize the extra memory bandwidth that RDRAM provides. There are cheaper alternative DDR based chipsets popping up and they may be worth taking into consideration in a couple of month.

Naw, save your $$ and go for an AMD system. P4's are just overpriced pieces of junk. Plus teh RDRAM will cost more. AMD systems are very very stable. As long as you don't pull of teh heatsink while it's operating, you'll be fine. Also, you don't even need an XP1600. Get like a 1.2 Ghz T-Bird.

If it's working...overclock it!

is there really that much of a gap between using a p4 with sdram instead of rdram?

Hey Baby, I'll install YOUR RAM, if you boot my Hard drive!

A p4 with sdram BLOWS, it is owned by almost everything else on the road. A 1.7ghz p4 while with rambus is about the same speed as a 1.33ghz tbird cant even best a 1 ghz tbird when crippled by dram, did I mention that the p4 costs 3 times as much as the p4.

"The Cash Left In My Pocket,The BEST Benchmark"
No Overclock+stock hsf=GOOD!

Damnit, no more posting for me after 13 hours of looking at defects on wafers....im headin to bed now.


Tbird costs 3 times as much as the p4.

"The Cash Left In My Pocket,The BEST Benchmark"
No Overclock+stock hsf=GOOD!

I dont think the cpu is gonna matter much to you, from what you write, a Celeron, Duron, P3, P4, Athlon.. all of them will do nicely. WHat you should look out for, is piles of RAM, a GREAT monitor, a quiet cool looking case.. the sort of stuff that enhances your computing experience when speed is not the main issue.

As for the cpu platform.. I'd still go the AMD route. HAve a local dealer build you a nice Duron or low end Athlon XP system. Save on the cpu, but on nothing else ! Get a decent PSU, a silent but adequate cooler, quality RAM, etc. That way, you'll have an afordable, upgradable, reasonably fast, stable and future proof system.

If you have little or no experience building PC's, dont try it.. let someone do it for you.. especially if you go the AMD way.



= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my wife. =

Goddamnit...............sighs

ok, I am stressed about possibly violating ndp with my other post, but it had no trade secrets in the pic, so I am ok, regardless I have been up for 20 hours......one last try


THE P4 IS 3 TIMES AS EXPENSIVE AS THE TBIRD.....::sighs::

ok thats better.



"The Cash Left In My Pocket,The BEST Benchmark"
No Overclock+stock hsf=GOOD!

Is it me or is the UK trying to screw you guys by buying P4s, and disregard AMD? Conqueror has this problem too! He claims his P4 1.8ghz from Dell is less than a XP1800 OEM! Didn't know the government had a secret "let's-overprice-AMD-CPUs-so-we-can-get-funded-by-Intel" room!
Trust me here in Canada, Athlons have always been the cheapest priced, no hassles.

well its a bit better in australia...
top of the line p42.0's going for $1000+...
and old athlons for less tahn $250.
XP's are still a tad pricey, with the top of the range ones comming in at around $500.


Why do i feel like the lone sane voice in the mental assylum?

Charlie, the 1 ghz athlon is three times less than the 1.7p4, if you would read from my origional post.

"The Cash Left In My Pocket,The BEST Benchmark"
No Overclock+stock hsf=GOOD!