Processor choices/questions

[Hunter/Killer]

Hi

I am thinking of buying a new gaming PC. I am not sure which processor to pick.
What are the differences between P4 with HT Technology and PD with Dual Core Technology?
Is Dual Core worth the extra money?
Do games use Dual Core?
If not when do we expect games to use it?

Thanks
Hunter

[Major SONAR]

I've been following this closely, so here is my opinion:

Currently you will see no benefit with dual processors if you are playing primarily games. Dual processors are good at doing multiple tasks. (e.g. playing games AND buring a DVD at the same time). Overall the dual CPU's are comparable in performance to a similar (non-dual) processor.

I see no reason not to buy a dual processor, unless you want a slightly faster single processor chip.

Here is a good articles.

http://www.tomshardware.com/business/20050708/index.html

I have read several great reviews about overclocking the AMD 64 X2 3800+ CPU. I think I will be buying this chip shortly. I think it has the best "bang for the buck".

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/200508011/index.html
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2484

One more thing. EVERYONE agrees AMD beats Intel.. hands down, when it comes to gaming. (and I am not an AMD fanboy) I currently run a P4 2.53 but will be switching to AMD on my next purchase. Hope this helps.

[deathBOB]

How much do you want to spend? Thats probably the biggest factor.

[Hunter/Killer]

Major
Thanks for the info.

Bob
I am not a PC Guy and do not want to build a PC. I did that once and it was a pain for me. I know this will be flamed but I like Dell. It works for us PC rookies. Because I will go with dell I do not have the choice of AMD.

I am looking at there XPS 600


thanks
Hunter

[deathBOB]

To be honest the difference in performance between a P4 and an Athlon64 isn't that large, certainly not enough for you to notice unless you really cared about benchmarks. The biggest factor by far is the graphics card.

That computer looks pretty nice. Even in the basic configuration it would be fairly fast. Considering a dual core is only 50 dollars more it might be a nice step up. Game performance won't improve but you will be able to multitask better and it may feel smoother in general operation. You also might consider stepping up to the 7800GTX, it will run BF2 on max settings smoothly if you care about that, but it is a lot of money. Also considering doing 2gb of memory.

Ignore the flamers and good luck

[Hunter/Killer]

Thanks Bob

I like the 7800GTX but I am not comfortable with the price. I figure I can add that later when the proce comes down.

[RCglider]

Speaking of video cards, in the $400 and under price range, what's the consensus, ATI or nVidia? I'm still using my 9700 pro (oc'd) and it has served me well, but it's time to move up.

Advice?

[Major SONAR]

You going AGP or PCI-E?

This is a little old, but might still be valid: AGP
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050705/index.html

or
PCI-E
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050524/index.html


I've always had Nvida, but my latest card is an ATI AIW X800 XT. It's a decent card. It doesn't seem a lot faster than my older card, but then again the CPU or Motherboard may be hampering my FPS.

I'm not sure which card manufacturer is better.

[RCglider]

Originally posted by Major SONAR
You going AGP or PCI-E?

This is a little old, but might still be valid: AGP
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050705/index.html

or
PCI-E
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20050524/index.html


I've always had Nvida, but my latest card is an ATI AIW X800 XT. It's a decent card. It doesn't seem a lot faster than my older card, but then again the CPU or Motherboard may be hampering my FPS.

I'm not sure which card manufacturer is better.

Upgrading pc so will be PCI, sorry should have said that.

[JimmyTango]

There is a way to save a good amount of money at Dell.

First, call them, do not just do it online.

You have to speak with the small business, not the home department. When it is time to order, your home address is 'Ed's Black Beauty Dildo's(with realistic warts and viens)' or whatever you want to call it.

This is where it gets fun. Dell employees have to sell X amount each day or they are canned. They also can give discounts as low as $1.00 over cost if needed. Again, this is the small business where they have more leeway in price reductions. It depends on the sales rep(could be a hard ass and not even budge).

Call them up and be a good guy, even crack a few jokes here and there(Windows is always good for a jab). You want them thinking you WILL buy more at a later date. Give them the product you want, but then start asking questions like 'does that 42" Dell Plasma easily hook up to this computer? I'd like to get that too, but in a few months when the cash flow is better.'

You want them to think you WILL call back, and order specifically from that sales rep in the future. Ask how far down they can go on that computer, keep talking, asking about other items you have no intention of buying but 'may' in the near future and you will give that sales rep the order, since they have been so great and helpfull!

You can get much better discounts than even their stackable coupons online. It doesn't always work, and week to week how much they can discount changes. Peripheral's are some of the better discounts, like video cards, sound cards, etc.

[Jim0322]

Before you run out and buy a Dell, take a look at http://www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm

From what I have seen of Dell they usually include a monitor and printer in many of their bundles. Do you need a new monitor? The site above might have better options for you than Dell does, including the AMD 64 option.

Jim

[NightCrawler]

Originally posted by Hunter/Killer
I am thinking of buying a new gaming PC. I am not sure which processor to pick.
What are the differences between P4 with HT Technology and PD with Dual Core Technology?
Is Dual Core worth the extra money?
Do games use Dual Core?
If not when do we expect games to use it?

Since this was the initial question and it sort of got sidetracked a little bit, Hunter was asking for opinions so I will place in my 5 cents worth.

Hunter, you are asking about "Dual Core Technology", not dual processors as Major SONAR addressed. As that is not the same thing. But if you play games primarily with your PC that you want, "Dual Core" will not help the performance out in any way. As addressed already above, a very good and fast 256mb or above Graphics Card along with OVER 1 gig of Memory will do that job. But the BEST PC Gaming processor out on the market right now is an AMD Athon Processor. The FX-57 will run circles over any Intel P4 in production.

In the arena of DELL, I am a little prejedice (spelling), but I just purchased a Dell back in April of this year. I am very happy with it, even though it "blew" a hard drive 2 weeks ago, I am still very happy with it. I have heard so many horror stories about Dell service, and even though it is not the best out there, they did back up their product and replaced it within 3 days. All free of charge, and a Dell Support Tech came out to my house and installed the new hard drive into my machine.

So you ask yourself, why did I just say AMD is a better processor over Intel, and Intel is the only processor DELL uses? Well I have to say, was the price that I paid for my Gaming Machine. As Jimmy Tango related to Phone them, don't use the website, and talk personally with a salesman. I pitched my business, which I don't have, like a salesman. I laughed, joked, made comments about Windows, and as Jimmy stated it worked. I got my fast gaming machine at almost the cost to make it. If I had configured it on the website, it would have ran me $3700.00, and here I only paid $2396.00 delivered. Was a very GREAT deal, to say the least. BTW; I purchased a P4 3.73EE, 2 gb of memory, ATI 850XTPE, SB Audugy 2ZS, 2 WD 10,000rpm Harddrives, and 2 years warranty.

My 5 cents worth.

[rseven]

check out this site http://www.velocitymicro.com i had my pc built buy them..got to pick what i wanted an all retail parts not oem bulk used buy dell an e-machine