I've got a Soltek Nforce2 mainboard, an XP2600+ clocked at 2.2ghz, 1024mb of Dual Channel PC2700 ram running nice on a 170mz fsb (340mhz @ DDR). The whole thing benchmarks just over all similar setups I've seen posted. (slight o/c)

Intel are tempting me away with the memory bandwith specs which doubles on Intel i865PE or i875 chipset mainboards. These boards support an 800mhz FSB with apparent easy overclock options on air cooling.

Is it reasonable for me to believe that I should get a budget based system using an overclocked 2.4gig P4 on an i865PE or i875 chipset mainboard running 1024mb of dual channel DDR400?

Buying a P4 3ghz CPU is not an option if this is to be a budget system.

Or isn't there any practical advantage?

I don't want to start a fued between AMD and Intel supporters, I just need to know if the above is practical in real computing. It looks ok on paper.

a p4 2.0 ghz is far superior to an XP2600 (512k l2cache) and it has a bus speed of 400 (or opt. 533MHz) a p4 2.2 is no better than a 2.0 and a 2.4 is a marginal (no noticable framerate changes).

Quote:


I don't doubt that. I had an AMD XP 2400+ but it messed up. Going from a 2400+ to a 2600+ made performance drop, the only differnce is that the 2400+ ran at 55-58 C and the 2600+ runs at 31-34C. As you see I had no choice but go ahead and get a 333FSB processor.

Next Upgrade will a Pentium 4 of some kind, I'd say something like a 3.06GHZ. AMD processors are good but the fact the a 2600+ 333 runs at 2.08 just bothers me, that processor should run at 2.60 or close. Look at the 3000+. It runs at 2.17 just like the 2700+ except it a different chip I beleive and it has more cache. That 3000+ should be running at 2.8 or 3.0GHZ. Besides AMD run hotter than pentium processor.

No pun intended for AMD users but I'm done with AMD.

Congo,

Before you overclocked your new P4 cpu how hot did it run?

??? ??? ???

I'm a ittle confused about the lettering and numbering which describe the specification and performance of the various computer components especially the motherboards, the memory and the CPU. Perhaps one of you guys can explain. also please tell me which do you recommend.
1.   Go AMD or P4?
2.   Are the manufacturers for Asus, ABit,Intel, ECS, MSI relatively good?
3.   I presently have an IWill KK266 motherboard measuring 305 mm x 235 mm which supports the ATX Form factor. I would like to keep my existing case. If I buy a new motherboard with the same dimensions, it should fit in my existing case, correct? I do have a 400W power supply.
4.   What do you think of mobos which support 8 ATAPI drives.
5.   What is the criteria by which a mobo will support memories. For example:  What FSB will support a PC2100, PC2700, DDR 400, DDR 333, RAMBUS 800 MHz?
6.    Lastly what would be the recommended specification for a bundle at around 2.4 - 2.8 GHz speed. I presently have 1.2 GHz.
Or I should keep my rig for awhile. I have no problem with my Flight Sim games thus far except CFS3 which gave me problems. I returned the soft ware.

Thanks gents ( and lady)

Hogans Alley

Well, after a couple weeks on the new Pentium PC,
having shelved the AMD - nForce2 computer temporarily,
I am still not convinced that one is any better than the
other.

Overclocking the Intel system didn't have much affect on my frame rates in FS2002.

The AMD system still has slightly smoother and faster graphics.

Benchmark tests show the Pentium is technically more capable especially in memory bandwidth.

Comparisons- both systems were tested using:
Seagate 7200rpm 80gig Hard Disk,
1024mb PC2700 DDR RAM and also, 512mb PC3200 RAM.
Both RAM sets were Kingston "Value Ram" in DUAL
CHANNEL configuration and were tested seperately of
course.

A Mercury GeForce4 TI4200 128mb 8x AGP was used as
the Graphics card.

AMD system:  Athlon XP2600+ cpu, nVidia nForce2 chipset mainboard. Front side bus speed equivalent to 333mhz @ Double Data Rate.

1. cheaper to buy CPU and mainboard
2. superb graphics
3. very fast computer in use

4. noise levels (CPU fan)  higher
5 higher CPU operating temperature


Intel Pentium system:  P4 2.4ghz with Hyperthreading
on an Intel i865PE chipset mainboard. Front side bus speed equivalent to 800mhz @ Double Data Rate.

1. More expensive to purchase CPU and mainboard
2. Graphics nearly on par with AMD system
(this judgement is based on actual gaming experience
rather than benchmarking results.)
3. very fast system in use

4. Quieter CPU fan
5. Lower CPU operating temperature
6. General system heat increase when overclocked to
   3.0ghz (cpu), and 1.0ghz (fsb)
  (This heating became a worry as i had no extra case
    cooling or any fans other than stock manufacturer
     supplied fans on the CPU, mainboard chipset and
     video card. The case was left open during the tests
      in a cool room.)
7. Memory bandwidth dropped dramatically with 512mb
of PC3200 @ 400mhz installed rather than the 1024mb
of PC2700 @ 333mhz in the Pentium system.

Conclusion..............

Both these systems seem very good and the price difference isn't great.

My greedy side says go for the high spec Pentium, but my gaming experience slightly favours the AMD rig.

-------------------------------------------

What you get for your money:

Mainboard, CPU and fan, 1024mb PC2700 ram, 80gig serial ATA Hard Disk, Samsung SyncMaster 17" monitor
(you will need a case/power supply and any peripherals)

The parts bought COD today cost me $1420 Aussie dollars or $968 US dollars for the Intel rig and $1203 AU or $823 US dollars for the AMD setup.

It's a tough call .............     8)