Processors

[Strider]

I'm looking at buying a new processor, and I'm wondering what I should actually look for when buying a new processor. I'm currently looking for something intel based.

Right now I'm looking at a Intel Pentium 4 with an operating frequency of 3.0 Ghz, 800MHz FSB (no idea what FSB is... some help here?), and a cache of 1 MB.

Do you think that this will be pretty okay for my system? All I use it for is games/internet, so I just need something that can play the newest games for the next couple of years (run them pretty good that is).

 

[Zakharov]

What motherboard do you have at the moment? Do you intend to get a new one? The cpu you have listed might not fit in your current mobo.

If you play games (and you need a new mobo) you should consider an AMD cpu. They are much better than Intel for gaming.

FSB = Front Side Bus. Basically this is how fast the cpu communicates with the rest of the system. 800MHz is what you should be looking for.

 

[col]

Right now, I'd say the 3200 AMD 64 gives the best band for the buck.

 

[Zelig]

In the pentium line-up, the best deal is probably a 530J, which might be what you're looking at, or you might be looking at an earlier revision.

The AMD 3000+ Venice processos should rock, but I take it you only want a cpu, not a new mobo, etc.

 

[Strider]

What motherboard do you have at the moment? Do you intend to get a new one? The cpu you have listed might not fit in your current mobo.

If you play games (and you need a new mobo) you should consider an AMD cpu. They are much better than Intel for gaming.

FSB = Front Side Bus. Basically this is how fast the cpu communicates with the rest of the system. 800MHz is what you should be looking for.

Motherboard is not a problem, I plan on buying a new motherboard with the CPU.

Here is the specs for the Processor I plan on getting:

Intel LGA 775 Pentium 4 530J 3.0 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 1MB L2 Cache, Hyper Threading Technology

Model: Intel Pentium 4 530J w/ Hyper Threading
Core: Prescott
Operating Frequency: 3.0 GHz
FSB: 800MHz
Cache: L1/12K+16K; L2/1MB
Voltage: 1.4V
Process: 90nm
Socket: LGA 775
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Warranty: 3-year MFG
Packaging: Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)
Notice: This Processor Works with SocketT (LGA775) Motherboard ONLY!

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

I've always heard AMD is better at gaming, but my current Intel Processor works decently with most games (I have noticed a decrease in performance in the past 2 months, which is why I'm replacing it). I'm thinking that the Hyperthread technology might be good to have around, as I plan on having this processor for a good number of years and no telling what I'll end up wanting to do.

 

[Strider]

Another question, sense I'm replacing my motherboard also. Do I have to worry about my Hard drive being compatible with the new motherboard, or even my disk drive? I checked on my RAM, and I know it'll work with the motherboard I've chosen, but I have no idea how to check on everything else.

 

[Zakharov]

Another question, sense I'm replacing my motherboard also. Do I have to worry about my Hard drive being compatible with the new motherboard, or even my disk drive? I checked on my RAM, and I know it'll work with the motherboard I've chosen, but I have no idea how to check on everything else.

I assume that your current HDDs are IDE drives. I believe that all of the latest mobos are backwards compatible with IDE, so it shouldn't be a problem.

As for the cpu, if you are set on an Intel and you expect this processor to last a few years, I suggest that you look at the 630 model instead. It is the same clock speed as the 530J, but it has support for 64-bit apps. It costs around $50 extra but I think that the investment will be worth it.

 

[CruddyLeper]

According to PC Format magazine in the UK, the best current processor for gaming is (believe it or not) Pentium-M Dothan.

There's a couple of desktop motherboards now available for this, and they have been most impressed with how an (overclocked) 2GHz Dothan keeps up with a 3.6 GHz P4.

I'm trying to find a link now - give us a few minutes,. Homepage is

www.pcformat.co.uk

EDIT: The lazy scuts haven't input it yet - it was in issue 172. Product is a DFI 855GME MGF motherboard.


Of course, you could just get a laptop with a Pentium-M, but you won't be able to overclock it. One reason for the performance boost is 'cos it's got a 2Mb cache and less "look ahead" processor steps - bad news for maths work like encoding Mpegs but just what you want for games...

 

[Cheetah]

I'm not very up-to-date with the processortechnologies, but traditionaly Intel has had better heat-control (if the CPU-fan stops the processor won't burn up), while AMD has been a little cheaper.

I have several Intel and AMD processors, and haven't had any problems with any of them.

When you buy the new motherboard, check if it has IDE or S-ATA connections. Your current disks are probably IDE disks. S-ATA is faster so I would recommend that you buy a motherboard with S-ATA. Old IDE-disks can be connected to S-ATA, but you will need a small converter placed between the IDE disk and the S-ATA cable.

And don't forget that you want PCI-Express expansion slots. They are comaptible with old PCI cards, but much faster for PCI-Express cards.

 

[MarineCorps]

I'm not very up-to-date with the processortechnologies, but traditionaly Intel has had better heat-control (if the CPU-fan stops the processor won't burn up), while AMD has been a little cheaper.

I have several Intel and AMD processors, and haven't had any problems with any of them.

When you buy the new motherboard, check if it has IDE or S-ATA connections. Your current disks are probably IDE disks. S-ATA is faster so I would recommend that you buy a motherboard with S-ATA. Old IDE-disks can be connected to S-ATA, but you will need a small converter placed between the IDE disk and the S-ATA cable.

And don't forget that you want PCI-Express expansion slots. They are comaptible with old PCI cards, but much faster for PCI-Express cards.

.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-186-037&depa=1

Only downside to the thing is that it's a little cramped. But it's cheaper then other Nforce4 Ultra boards out there.

 

[Zakharov]

According to PC Format magazine in the UK, the best current processor for gaming is (believe it or not) Pentium-M Dothan.

I have read that article and I believe they are talking out of their backsides. The best available gaming cpu is the AMD FX-55.

In the article they are obsessed with power consumption and heat dissipation, with little mention of performance (which is far more important in my opinion). The Pentium-M runs on only a 400MHz bus and uses single channel PC-2700 RAM, on a mobo which is not widely available. Plus the models they are reviewing cost more than the A64 4000+ they compare them with. I would advise a casual buyer to steer clear of this cpu until it becomes a mainstream option.

I'm not very up-to-date with the processortechnologies, but traditionaly Intel has had better heat-control (if the CPU-fan stops the processor won't burn up), while AMD has been a little cheaper.

Actually AMD cpus run a lot cooler than their Intel equivalents, due to them running at a lower clock speed. If you run a cpu temperature monitoring program then you will have no problems with them burning up in the rare event of a fan malfunction, as you can switch the machine off when the alarm sounds.

When you buy the new motherboard, check if it has IDE or S-ATA connections. Your current disks are probably IDE disks. S-ATA is faster so I would recommend that you buy a motherboard with S-ATA. Old IDE-disks can be connected to S-ATA, but you will need a small converter placed between the IDE disk and the S-ATA cable.

All of the latest mobos should have both SATA and IDE connections, though you should always check before buying. You do not need a converter, the IDE cables can plug directly into the IDE sockets. Converting them for SATA sockets will not make them run any quicker.

And don't forget that you want PCI-Express expansion slots. They are comaptible with old PCI cards, but much faster for PCI-Express cards.

That depends on whether or not you want a new graphics card. If you want to keep your current (presumably AGP) card, then you will need a mobo with an AGP slot not PCI-E. If you are buying a new one then go for a PCI-E mobo.

PCI-E sockets are not compatible with PCI cards. They use a completely different bus and socket design. However, all PCI-E mobos have regular PCI slots on them as well.

 

[CruddyLeper]

Just gleaned a couple of posts from the PC Format forum;-

My point still stands.
they are for the PC format. that means anythin relating to this particular format.
Therefor if AMD is in this format, produces a product that is superior in many, not all, instances then why do we not hear that.
we hear when Intel makes a new chip. when they make a new process etc etc.
Intel are good but they lost this round a while back and the Pentium M is not a bad chip, definatly in the right direction but at the moment I have found a Pentium m 2ghz for £281.94.
however an XP3500 (clocked at 2.2GHz )will set u back £182.07 and stomps all over it in almost every test i could find online.
Was this mentioned? Were there a range of chips in the table?
Were we given a broad view of how this chip performs against is nearest competitor?
No
We were givn a table that had a p4 3.46EE, a Pentium 4 3.8, a Pentium M 2 and 2.3 and an XP4000.
So thats the ultra Expensive and 2 top line chips against 2 new ones. and its not biased?
Space may be a premium but surley even putting in another chip from lower in the AMD range would give the people who dont have £1000 to burn everytime a new CPU, GFx card or motherboard comes along, a better understanding on its placement in the range of not only its siblings but its competitors.

And the other side of the coin...

We can't comment on reviews you might or might not have found online. As far as I'm concerned our tests support every claim we make for the Pentium-M. It has nothing to do with price (partly the reason we chose not to give the chip a percentage score), but the reason we love it is that it gives top level performance without needing a massive PSU or heatsink.

Next month we'll be building a high end games PC in a miniITX format - that's incredible and something you can't do with either an Athlon 64 or Pentium 4 EE. Far from carrying an Intel bias, our review makes clear that we think this chip is an enormous embarrassment for Intel, since it undermines the company's desktop strategy of the last year or so completely. This is not yet an officially released product, is not supported in the desktop format by Intel and is, in my opinion, an enthusiast's piece only. For this reason, I wouldn't necessarily recommend everyone goes out and buys one (again, a reason we chose not to score it) because there's no guarantee of stability or even compatibility with available motherboards. But technologically speaking, the Pentium-M is leaps and bounds ahead of anything else on the market for sheer efficiency and potential.

So there you have. If you want a mini PC, consider Pentium-M.

I have read that article and I believe they are talking out of their backsides. The best available gaming cpu is the AMD FX-55

But they might not be, and others will read this thread in the future. I'd say check it out and make up your own mind.

 

[gonzo_for_civ]

The pentium-M is simply an engineering marvel. Something to make up for the disaster named prescott. It will outperform the FX-55 in some gaming applications and fall behind in others. For about $150 less it's slightly more practical than the FX-55 though. Both will provide excellent performance in any game, however. The limited pentium M solutions available for the desktop is probably the deciding factor here.

Since you'll probably go for something at a cheaper price point I would suggest going with an offering from AMD. Based purely on gaming statistics you wont find a better bang for your buck. Dont buy anything dual core for gaming as you'll be wasting your money. If you want 64 bit support(which I would recommend) then go for something in the Athlon 64 series.

 

[the100thballoon]

First thing I would have to say is go with AMD. It is almost always cheaper, and most often more advanced. The fastes processor I have seen (available for purchase) was 4.0 GHz and it was an AMD. I dont think I have seen an Intel chip over 3.3 GHz.

 

[Zakharov]

First thing I would have to say is go with AMD. It is almost always cheaper, and most often more advanced. The fastes processor I have seen (available for purchase) was 4.0 GHz and it was an AMD. I dont think I have seen an Intel chip over 3.3 GHz.

I hate to sound picky but I do need to correct you here. The fastest Intel cpu runs at 3.8GHz not 3.3GHz and the AMD cpus are not rated by their clock speed. The fastest AMD available is the FX-55 which runs at 2.6GHz, but has a Pentium Rating of 4000+ or 4200+, though I'm not sure which one until it is rebranded after the release of the FX-57. The design of the two companies' cpus mean that AMD is better for gaming whilst Intel is better for media encoding apps. Clock speed isn't everything in determining what cpu is best for you.

 

[Zelig]

Intel's advantage in media encoding apps is much less than it used to be.

For non-gaming purposes I would prefer a 3.73 Ghz EE P4, but this wouldn't be much faster than an FX-55 for cpu bound tasks, and would be quite a bit more expensive. Not only is the Intel cpu more expensive, but for a top of the line Intel rig, 2Gb of DDR2 memory would be expected, which is way more pricey than 1Gb of DDR memory for an AMD platform.

 

[Zakharov]

@Zelig, that is all very true. However it is probably only professionals who need an expensive rig like that and they can charge the cost of the machine to the company.

 

[aneeshm]

I'd say wait until the AMD dual-core 64-bit gaming machines come out . Then you'll have one hell of a machine . If you can't , then go for a single-core AMD 64-bit 4000+ machine .

 

[Zelig]

The 4000+ is still really expensive... anything from the 3000+ to 3500+ is a much better deal. Venice chips should be out pretty soon for those models, which will improve their overclocking potential.

The 4000+ is going to be the last single core Athlon 64 by the way. All model numbers after that will be dual core, though the Atholn FX line will still have single core.

 

[Dabomb18359]

I thought getting a RAM upgrade would be much better than the difference between a 3000+ and like 3200+