NationStates Jolt Archive


64 bit vs. P4 ??

Hullepupp
09-12-2005, 19:19
Hi Folks
I want to buy a new computer , but i cannot decide which...
I is better to wait til Intel decide to make a 64 Bit processor or should I choose an AMD ..for example ?
My financial situation is as good at the moment I can spent a lot money in my new PC, but I am not sure , if it is maybe better to wait...maybe a half year...
And what about the operation system I need then??
does every 32bit program run ?

So can anyone help me to solve my problem ?
Anarchic Christians
09-12-2005, 20:06
And AMD 64-bit processor runs 32-bit applications just fine, my parents computer runs on an Athlon XP and runs windows and all the associated stuff with no problems, 64-bit stuff won't hit the mainstream for years yet unless you use Linux or really want Windows Vista.

However, AMD processors generally provide more bang for the buck, especially in gaming applications. The P4 beats them for office work but not by nearly enough to justify the price.

As a little tip, the AMD Opteron processors are basically Athlons but optimised for a workstation a little better. As a side effect it makes them dead easy to overclock to the speeds of the top AMD processors without fancy watercooling. The opteron 146 even without overclocking matches the 3.2Ghz P4 quite happily.
Fass
09-12-2005, 20:08
Hi Folks
I want to buy a new computer , but i cannot decide which...
I is better to wait til Intel decide to make a 64 Bit processor or should I choose an AMD ..for example ?

Intel already makes "64bit" processors, in the sense that AMD makes them as well (i.e. not "true" 64 bit, but an extension to IA-32.) Anyhow, their adaption of the AMD64 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD64) extensions is called EMT64. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMT64)

Anyway, AMD are better and give more bang for buck. You're better off going with them. If you can wait until Q2 2006 for Socket M2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlon_64_X2), then you might want to do that.
The Soviet Americas
09-12-2005, 20:08
Buying a 64-bit processor right now is like buying a 512 MB video card right now.

Why buy a 64-bit processor when programmers won't compile stuff in 64-bits for a little while? When 32-bits loosen their grip on the market, then I would consider going for one. Not now though; too much money for too little extra power.

May I suggest a dual-core?
Jacobzcoool
09-12-2005, 20:11
go for AMD. Intel will take years to make a decent 64bit chip, and even then, it won't be as good as an AMD chip. Intel processors also use a LOT of power and produce even more head, and AMD processors are much better performance and better value for money

AMD all the way!!!
I have a dual core Athlon 64 X2 4200+ overclocked to 2.4GHz

Dual core is great, especially when apps will start to take full advantage of multiple cores

PS. Soviet Americas, I have a 512MB graphics card (XFX 7800GT), what is wrong with that?
Fass
09-12-2005, 20:12
Buying a 64-bit processor right now is like buying a 512 MB video card right now.

Why buy a 64-bit processor when programmers won't compile stuff in 64-bits for a little while? When 32-bits loosen their grip on the market, then I would consider going for one. Not now though; too much money for too little extra power.

May I suggest a dual-core?

Why choose? If money is of lesser concern, the Athlon 64 X2 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athlon_64_X2) has both.
Anarchic Christians
09-12-2005, 20:16
The best way to see it is that AMD make good chips that outperform Intels for cheaper.

64-bit just gives a little extra icing fror Linux users and those who want a little future-proofing.
UpwardThrust
09-12-2005, 20:44
And AMD 64-bit processor runs 32-bit applications just fine, my parents computer runs on an Athlon XP and runs windows and all the associated stuff with no problems, 64-bit stuff won't hit the mainstream for years yet unless you use Linux or really want Windows Vista.

However, AMD processors generally provide more bang for the buck, especially in gaming applications. The P4 beats them for office work but not by nearly enough to justify the price.

As a little tip, the AMD Opteron processors are basically Athlons but optimised for a workstation a little better. As a side effect it makes them dead easy to overclock to the speeds of the top AMD processors without fancy watercooling. The opteron 146 even without overclocking matches the 3.2Ghz P4 quite happily.

Modification generaly opterons are made for SERVER applications
The amd64 series desktop and the FX series gaming

You are right that the opterons are easy to boost :) I love my dual 246 setup
UpwardThrust
09-12-2005, 20:46
Buying a 64-bit processor right now is like buying a 512 MB video card right now.

Why buy a 64-bit processor when programmers won't compile stuff in 64-bits for a little while? When 32-bits loosen their grip on the market, then I would consider going for one. Not now though; too much money for too little extra power.

May I suggest a dual-core?
Do they even have any non 64 bit dual core?
I have not seen any

And if not then does not your complaints about buying a 64 bit processor transfer over to the x2 desidn as they are 64 bit as well

(if I am mistaken about there being 32 bit x2's please correct me I just have not seen them while shoping)
Anarchic Christians
09-12-2005, 21:59
Modification generaly opterons are made for SERVER applications
The amd64 series desktop and the FX series gaming

You are right that the opterons are easy to boost :) I love my dual 246 setup

Either way, Opterons tend to get higher quality materials to deal with long term stress. In other words, get a CABYE and you can clock it up to 3Ghz and it'll keep on rocking.

EDIT-FX's are rebadged A64's, the current A64 4000+ used to be the FX-53
Zaszcyt
09-12-2005, 22:07
go with a 64bit intel pentum 4
Anarchic Christians
09-12-2005, 22:15
go with a 64bit intel pentum 4

It doesn't exist. Not until the Yonah core comes out anyway which is mid-2006.

And in any case, AMD still make better processors (though, again this may change when Yonah hits the streets).
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:20
It doesn't exist. Not until the Yonah core comes out anyway which is mid-2006.

And in any case, AMD still make better processors (though, again this may change when Yonah hits the streets).
Yeah as much of an AMD fan as I am I have been hearing some crazy stuff out of yonah
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:23
Yonah?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:25
Yonah?
New archatechture

Suposed to have some considerable performance advantages

They are starting to follow AMD's path , more work per cycle rather then more cycles
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:27
So, this is good thing?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:31
So, this is good thing?
Yes helps the heat situation ... alows them to do a lot of work

It will be cool to see where they perform in the civilian market

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2627
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:35
Oh. This looks nice.

How much ya think It'll be, ye of mighty downlow.
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:41
Oh. This looks nice.

How much ya think It'll be, ye of mighty downlow.
Simmilar to the M 700 series

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/picture_library/dir_86/it_portal_pic_43460.jpg?4014
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:42
Damn! 800 bucks for a processor!
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:46
Damn! 800 bucks for a processor!
I know CHEEP with the standard only being released within a month

I mean AMD's x2 4000 came out at 1800 out of the gate

They drop in price fast
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:49
1800 bucks for a processor!

You could by a nice computer for that!
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:50
1800 bucks for a processor!

You could by a nice computer for that!
That price lasted all of what a month and a half

Just like top end graphics cards they come out expensive then drop rapidly
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:54
Yeah, but 1,800 Dollars!

Speaking of graphics cards, I've been meaning to ask you something. I'm looking to upgrade my card.

What is the best PCIe graphics card on the market right now?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 05:56
Yeah, but 1,800 Dollars!

Speaking of graphics cards, I've been meaning to ask you something. I'm looking to upgrade my card.

What is the best PCIe graphics card on the market right now?
Price range?
Posi
12-12-2005, 05:57
Yeah, but 1,800 Dollars!

Speaking of graphics cards, I've been meaning to ask you something. I'm looking to upgrade my card.

What is the best PCIe graphics card on the market right now?
The XFX Geforce 7800 GTX 512MB.
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 05:57
Price range?
Anything right now.

I'm getting a boatload of money for christmas, and I want a card that has longevity.

Pretty much anything.
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 06:03
Anything right now.

I'm getting a boatload of money for christmas, and I want a card that has longevity.

Pretty much anything.
Looking for a good midpriced card x700 pro (the one I use right now)


But if you have a bit more money right now this would be the card I personaly would spring for
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102499
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 06:06
Looking for a good midpriced card x700 pro (the one I use right now)


But if you have a bit more money right now this would be the card I personaly would spring for
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102499

Ok.

2nd question. Is it worth my money to invest in a 512 MB card?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 06:09
Ok.

2nd question. Is it worth my money to invest in a 512 MB card?
Right now .... not as much the pci-e can feed the card as fast as the card can handle it
So buffer memory less critical

I mean its not a WASTE but it would only come into play as much normal usage
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 06:14
Right now .... not as much the pci-e can feed the card as fast as the card can handle it
So buffer memory less critical

I mean its not a WASTE but it would only come into play as much normal usage

I see.

I was looking at this newegg website you linked (yes, i am a dumbass when it comes to hardware stuff), and something caught my eye.

IT was all these differnt manufacturers for the GeForce cards. Whats up with that?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 06:18
I see.

I was looking at this newegg website you linked (yes, i am a dumbass when it comes to hardware stuff), and something caught my eye.

IT was all these differnt manufacturers for the GeForce cards. Whats up with that?
There are a massive amount for the ATI cards too

I linked you to saphire ... I love them ... by all means use them (I have 60 + Saphire cards in computers only one failure
Thats better then I got out of AOPEN GAINWARD for Gigabyte)

I have ordered over a 130 full computer setups from them
Flawless shiping service and return pollicy

There is a reason they are the TOP online retailer for processors
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 06:22
What makes a Saphire different from any other?
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 06:23
What makes a Saphire different from any other?
Good record ... cheep comparitivly ... and I have had an absolutly awsome record of reliability and performance personaly
The South Islands
12-12-2005, 06:30
Good record ... cheep comparitivly ... and I have had an absolutly awsome record of reliability and performance personaly

Are they any different Technicly?
Posi
12-12-2005, 06:31
There are a massive amount for the ATI cards too

I linked you to saphire ... I love them ... by all means use them (I have 60 + Saphire cards in computers only one failure
Thats better then I got out of AOPEN GAINWARD for Gigabyte)

I have ordered over a 130 full computer setups from them
Flawless shiping service and return pollicy

There is a reason they are the TOP online retailer for processors
Sapphires has two p's in it [/nit-pick]
Anyways, I was looking at NCIX.com and found a X1600 Pro 512 MB for only $199.50CAD. I thought it was a typo or something on NCIX's site. Then I checked out Sapphire's site and they said that their X1600 Pro was 512MB. What I cannot figure out is how they can sell a 512MB card as much as their 128MB cards.
Posi
12-12-2005, 06:33
Good record ... cheep comparitivly ... and I have had an absolutly awsome record of reliability and performance personaly
They also ship their cards overclocked. They are usually overclocked 10%.
UpwardThrust
12-12-2005, 06:53
Sapphires has two p's in it [/nit-pick]
Anyways, I was looking at NCIX.com and found a X1600 Pro 512 MB for only $199.50CAD. I thought it was a typo or something on NCIX's site. Then I checked out Sapphire's site and they said that their X1600 Pro was 512MB. What I cannot figure out is how they can sell a 512MB card as much as their 128MB cards.
Sorry lol

And yeah I am not sure I have been seeing reports of the X1xx series for cheep latly though I have not spent the time to figure it out yet lol
Posi
12-12-2005, 08:54
Sorry lol

And yeah I am not sure I have been seeing reports of the X1xx series for cheep latly though I have not spent the time to figure it out yet lol
I hope someone buys one and writes a user review saying that it is (or isn't) what it is supposed to be.
Fass
12-12-2005, 12:09
It doesn't exist. Not until the Yonah core comes out anyway which is mid-2006.

EMT64, anyone? If AMD64 is 64bit, then that is as well...