Opinions wanted for BEST kick-arse CPU, mobo, ram combo, Intel or AMD?

[EvilHorace]

I havent felt the need to upgrade my stuff in probably 2-3 years, my main PC is currently powered by an AMD T-bird 1.4 ghz cpu (not OCd anymore) but now that cpu speeds are currently way faster than that, I'm thinking about replacing the cpu, mobo and memory with the latest and greatest YET best "bang for the buck" (IE, NOT paying full price for todays newest cpus, which are always VERY costly when new).

I've been out of watching this stuff for a long time so I'd like opinions as to what people here like and why. I'm not a pure AMD guy even though I have no complaints with their stuff so IF a Intel's now better (perhaps opinionated?), I have no problems going that route.
If one's tested better than another, can you post tested specs or a url?

I'm not going to say "money's no object" but I don't mind spending a few bucks if it keeps me from needing to do another upgrade in the near future.

My current SCSI HDDs are fine (although I could use more disc space again) and my soon to arrive video card will work too.

Question: I read somewhere (I believe that the Executioner said it not long ago) that with WinXP, one can swap mobos w/o a system crash? Is that true?
I'm using Win2000 (still) and everytime I've swapped mobos, it required a fresh OS install as it'd crash (failed to run the OS) otherwise afterwords. SCSI HDDs do complicate the process IMO.
I've never liked XP as it had too much added BS for me (out of the box that is).

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

Originally posted by EvilHorace
I'm not going to say "money's no object" but I don't mind spending a few bucks if it keeps me from needing to do another upgrade in the near future.

I've not tested it myself, but many here have. But I'd go with an A64 Setup.. Because afterall, 64bit will be the next step in the game.

eGo

[EvilHorace]

I've been looking at that 64 bit option and I agree. Doesn't Intel offer a 64 bit cpu yet and if not, why not?

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

According to a few of the first links here by google :

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=In ... gle+Search

But, if they're current flagship processor the P4 EE's price is any reflection as to what their 64bit CPU will cost, I myself, would not consider it affordable by any stretch of the imagination. Retail on the P4 EE is about $900 at NewEgg. Whereas you can get an Athlon A64 3200 for about $200 (this is an OEM price). I myself am looking at getting the above mentioned athlon chip. Only reason I haven't done so yet is because I'm waiting for someone to spit out a mobo that everybody loves and adores

I hope this helps

eGo

***edit*** To be fair, it appears pricewatch shows the OEM versions of the P4EE going for about $789

eGo

[EvilHorace]

AMD also now has newer cpus that also cost about $900 according to Pricewatch (many now besides the Athlon A64 3200) and no, $900 for a cpu is hardly a good buy or affordable to me either. Sure, sometimes I have a good week (comission) and might feel "rich" for a moment or two, but I can't see wasting good money like that on a cpu especially when it'll be way cheaper in a few more weeks when the next new cpu arrives.

[eGoCeNTRoNiX]

I was only using the P4EE as a possible price comparison (sp?) for their new 64bit CPU and pointing out what most (I think?) here have picked up on the A64 end and the price differences I'm anxiously looking forward to my upgrade as I can't wait to see what it does for my folding #s.. Not to mention any other performance boosts I might get. GL in your search.

eGo

[nexus_7]

dont even Look at it as a 64 bit cou. the a64 is faster then an intel at the same speed.

I say 3400+ 754 and abit kv8 pro

Greg

[DocSilly]

AMD Athlon64 3000+ 939 socket (seems to have some great o/c potential, at least anandtechs test reveals great potential) on a nforce3 board sounds like another good combo.

EvilHorace, I'm in the same boat and with Half Life 2 just around the corner I certainly feel the urge to build a new machine. I might post tomorrow a list with parts that I'm going to use when I build it nov/dec.

[wvjohn]

I went with a socket 754 and the DFI nforce3 board - if nothing else it is stable and fast - the anandtech review said lit is a very good overclocker as well

i have run this to a 225 bus with no problem just using default settings and a little more jouice tothe cpu ~about 2.4 ghz butit was running a little warm and i am using retail hsf - when it cools off outside and i am working wiith lower temps in my "lab" - like about 62F near the conclrete floor i may open it up some more - i value quiet more these days

[EvilHorace]

With a current day cpu, is there really any need to OC them anymore? I could see doing that when we were using 300 mhz cpus but today, how much over rated speed is necessary?

[Viperoni]

I found very little difference between 2.2ghz and 600mhz (200x11 and 100x6) on my Mobile XP2500 for internet browsing, even file extractions and photochopping. Gaming is a completely different animal though.

Basically as long as you have a quick bus and a fast hard drive, CPU frequency isn't that important. I'm running at 1.65 right now just to keep the CPU running cooler, perfect for my needs.

[EvilHorace]

Years ago when I went to fast SCSI HDDs, I found that more noticeable than a slightly faster cpu or OC. My last cpu speed jump upgrade was 400mhz so now, todays cpus should be more noticeable. I couldn't really notice much when I last OCd my current cpu which was why I then opted to just keep it at its normal speed instead.

[blade]

Usually when changing a mobo with XP, you don't have to format. But I learned if it's a different chipset, you do. I went from whatever the shuttle ak31 is to other similar boards with the same chipset and all was fine. But when I went to nforce 2, I had to format.

I'm using a shuttle an35n ultra with a barton 2500 oc'd to 3200 (11x200). It can go higher, but as John I value peace and quiet. That's the best low-cost upgrade now and has done me well with all games, so far. Of course that will also depend on what video card you use.

But if I were upgrading now I'd go for the 64bit.

[renovation]

Originally posted by blade

I'm using a shuttle an35n ultra with a barton 2500 oc'd to 3200 (11x200). It can go higher, but as John I value peace and quiet. That's the best low-cost upgrade now and has done me well with all games, so far. Of course that will also depend on what video card you use.

But if I were upgrading now I'd go for the 64bit.

you and me blade are running the same set up and i have the same plan .
i do plan on upgrading my ATI 9600 128 .but i think all will have to be on hold till after xmas now .
santa is just around the corner and my pocket is getting tight again !

[DocSilly]

Originally posted by EvilHorace
With a current day cpu, is there really any need to OC them anymore? I could see doing that when we were using 300 mhz cpus but today, how much over rated speed is necessary?

They say that you need 25-30% CPU speedincrease to "feel" a difference. Anand got a Athlon64 90nm 3000+ (stock 1800MHz 512k L2 Cache) and pushed that baby to 2600MHz with modest increases in CPU voltage (CPU default 1.4V to +8.3% 1.52V and memory from 2.75V to 2.8V).
That is a nice 45% overclock to the current speeds of a ~4000+ rating, a 150 euro CPU running at the speeds of a 700 euro CPU. Well, YMMV, as it is with every o/c, but still a great potential.
What good does it do in games?

Here, we see games like Return to Castle Wolfenstein, Unreal Tournament 2003, Quake 3, and Comanche 4 improve 34% to 42% as we move from 1.8Ghz to 2.6Ghz. At the other end of the spectrum, Halo and Aquamark 3 only improve 12% to 13% while the CPU speed increases 45%. Doom 3 falls in the middle with a 24% increase in frame rate for the 45% boost in CPU speed.

You can find the rest here > http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/sh ... spx?i=2242