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This Is Harder Than Buying A Car!


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Ok I'm planning on adding a new rig to the stables in a month or so. I've owned intels only because I've been more of a program junkie, now I'm starting to get into the guts. My first thought was going with a 2.4p4 with HT and a p4c800-e, but now I'm also considering a 2500+ with a NF7-S. I do alot of gaming, but I'm also going to be doing alot of CAD and 3d modeling (and folding of course). So I'm kinda lost on which I should go with.

 

Now I'm starting to have second thoughts about the whole process. It will probably be a month before I start rounding up parts anyway(I got other money hungry habits to tend to atm), which means the new intel prescotts will be out by then. Should I just wait this out a little bit and see how the new intel chips play out, or are they worth waiting for even? I figure at the very least the northwood chips should drop in price.

 

So basically I'm totally overwhelmed by which chip I should focus on. Based on what my uses are going to be, anyone got any sugestions? I would rather buy a used car at this point than try to decide whats going to work for me best. :huh: So I'm a blank canvas, paint some ideas on me please. :)

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Guest Ballz2TheWallz

the p4 will give you massive overclocking but so will the amd. basicly both those setups are good(i would prefer a abit board on the intel side)and will overclock you to ATLEAST 3.2ghz(very high fsb) or 3200+ but it also depends on what cooling and ram you get

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CAD and 3D Modeling benefit from high amounts of RAM and high cache latencys. Basically, you want a fast P4 with HT.

 

You don't seem to be that interested in overclocking, which makes for a cheaper computer!

 

I'd suggest an Asus or Abit motherboard of your choice (as long as it has dual channel memory!). Then get matching 512 sticks of PC3200. (For 1 gig total, you'll thank me in video editing). It doesn't have to be top of the line stuff either. I'd also suggest getting a FireGL from ATi, they can be had on Ebay used for decent prices. They play games similar to the Radeon series of graphics cards, but they have extra pixel shaders and the such for your 3D Modeling. As for the acutal CPU, a 2.8 or 3.0 GHz P4 C will be perfect. Then you're good to go.

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You don't seem to be that interested in overclocking, which makes for a cheaper computer!

Funny you should say that, as I'm mostly a car guy and not more than a few hours ago I used this same remark in a car forum... "It's no fun unless it's not stock." B)

 

I definitely want to OC this system too, so I don't want to be skimping on parts. I don't neccesarily mean I want the top and best of the line of everything, I just want a good reliable setup that will last for awhile(again those other money sucking hobbies come in to play). This is also why I ask if I should wait and see how the intel prescotts play out. I've been kinda active around here for the last month or so because I wanted to read up on the inner workings. As I said I never really got too much into internals before... I had a basic concept but I would of never attempted to OC. I gotta say I learned alot by reading here and been pointed in direction for more info, and I appreciate it, and thats why I turned to you guys with this question, and thanks again! :)

 

So that's why I was listing the 2.4 and 2500+ above, I've read alot about how good oc'ers they are. I also was leaning towards an intel because everything I've read says intel is the better cpu for apps. I'll take a little loss in games there, I mean Im on a p4 1.5 williamette lol, so a 2.4c would be a big diff and oc'in it to 3+ ghz I wouldn't be complaining about anything. I'd have to say this game will probably be more 60% gaming/entertainment, and 40% CAD and modeling... a man's gotta have priorities and play always comes before work. ;) Again thanks for all your input guys.

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Well, taking your new found input...My idea has changed.

 

Again, a mobo of your choice, with the 2.6 or 2.8 (Much better OCer IMO) and a decent heatsink/fan combonation. 512 of some low latency PC3500 memory and a great graphics card and you'll be in heaven.

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wait till feb 2nd and see what happens to prices. there is supose to be a few flavors of prescott at diff price points. one cpu you didnt mention was the athlon64 3000+ its pretty cheap paired up with a via mobo can be had for just lil more than a p4 rig with alot more gaming performance

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