New PC recommmendations

[againstTheWind]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to build my first computer and I am looking for some recommendations.

I'd like something that is going to last a while as well as be able to run image editing software, SQL Server Express, Dreamweaver, burn cds, have 50 tabs open in IE 7, and crunch the latest SETI data. Ok - the SETI part was a joke, but it would be nice to have the power.

For the moment I am looking at a Pentium D 920 2.8GHz processor on an Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe NVIDIA Socket 775 ATX Motherboard or the roughly equivalent Intel D975XBXLKR Intel Socket 775 ATX Motherboard . Both boards support dual channel DDR2 memory. For the moment this looks like a good combination. Since I am not a computer gamer,I am wondering if I this is more than I need.

I am also not an expert on the benfits provided by 64 bit processors and 8xx versus 9xx Pentium Ds which support HyperThreading ( which I read doesn't even really work with this processor, but it does in the Pentium Extreme processors). I know most benefits are application-specific but it would be helpful to know how much power it is worth buying. For the moment it's safe to say the I want a system capable of multi-tasking.

What do you think? Can you make any recommendations?

 

[gbaughma]

You might want to look at thread

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1252651&page=1

Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

 

[paparazi]

gbaughma
Only trouble is that thread was about laptops not desktops.

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[paparazi]

Since your main priority seems to be the ability to multi task then dual core is a sensible option.
There aren't any real benefits of 64bit at the moment but as with all things eventually thats the way it will go and so it will pay to be 64bit capable.
Later 900 series are much improved over the older 800's, better power and heat characteristics, the 2meg L2 versions are peachy, dual cores especially good for multi-tasking but as you point out, only with applications that benefit.
The new Conroe is supposed to be the next big thing!!!

Martin


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[gbaughma]

But the same principals apply when making *any* purchase. Look for good support, make sure it has the power to do what you want, shop within your budget.



Just my 2¢

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg

 

[tf1]

Ignoring what is 'just around the corner', this looks a good mix that you have chosen. However, if you are not a gamer, then the SLI version of the MoBo isn't really necessary. Likewise, you cannot really benefit from 64-bit at the moment and the Intel Extreme dual core processors may pack a punch but the bangs-for-bucks ratio is abysmal!

If you check out Toms Hardware, they tested the cheapest Intel dual-cores and found that it could be overclocked beyond their wildest dreams resulting in the fastest machine they ever built (at that time). So if you really need more power, then look at that solution.

Regards: tf1

 

[wahnula]

I'd like something that is going to last a while

Lets not forget about the new AM2 socket that supports DDR2. It will be supported for quite some time.

With the Pentium D thermals I would be more inclined towards AMD's latest, rather than an end-of-cycle processor like the current Pentium D.

If you're an Intel fan then I would agree:

The new Conroe is supposed to be the next big thing!!!

and wait a few weeks/months before purchase. Good luck!

Tony

 

[kmcferrin]

Agreed. Right now is a time of great turmoil in the PC component business. AMD just slashed prices on their CPUs, but not all retailers are selling at the new prices yet. Intel has the new Conroe that should start showing up in shops any minute now, and allegedly will be available in volume on August 7th. At that point it may offer the most bang for the buck. Retailers will be adjusting prices to account for these two situations for a little while, so the best advice that I can offer to anyone looking to build a new PC is to wait 2-4 weeks if they can manage. Four weeks isn't a long time at all, and you will be able to buy a lot more PC for less money than if you bought today.

 

[paparazi]

As others have said.
We are right in the middle of the Intel Conroe release!
Which means that there will be several weeks of adjustments by both companies (AMD and Intel) AMD particularly, whilst they evaluate the position of their CPU's in the market place.
It isn't entirely clear just where all the CPU's will fall in the performance charts but one thing is certain, Intel have gained a massive lead and AMD will almost definately have to drop their prices several times in order to find each of it's processors viable price point.
To get things into perspective, the entry level Conroe's are rumoured to have similar performance to AMD's TOP FX62 which would mean AMD having to halve it's flagship's price just to be commercially acceptable against the Intel part.

Martin


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[Nelviticus]

the entry level Conroe's are rumoured to have similar performance to AMD's TOP FX62

This is true, check out the benchmarks and conclusion of this review at Hexus.net.

I've just ordered an E6400 for £180; the FX62 is currently about £1,000.

Regards

Nelviticus

 

[paparazi]

Even more dramatic than I indicated! lol
And AMD have nothing even coming close until the middle of next year!
It looks like the whole of AMD's CPU range has just been demoted to the entry level/middle range PC market.
It's been five years coming, five years of overpriced/hot running and inefficient CPU's from Intel but the tide has well and truely changed.

The only spanner in the works could be! roll out! demand far outstripping supply, and Intel partners like Dell and HP taking ALL the CPU's leaving the wider market scavenging with what is left over.

Martin


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[kmcferrin]

paprazi, I agree with most of what you said, but it's important to note that most people do not buy the fastest CPU available. More often they are looking at price/performance ratios (aka, bang for the buck). For the past couple of years the AMD FX-series of CPUs were hands-down the fastest CPUs available, but they sold in very small volumes. The Pentium D 805 CPUs offerred much less performance, but because of their very low price (and high price/performance ratio) they sold in very high volumes.

Comparing who makes the absolutely fastest CPU doesn't really do much for people who don't work in the PR department of the CPU maker. We just have to decide how much we're willing to spend, and then pick the best performing solution for our price point. AMD knows that, which is why they're cutting prices and promising to maintain the competitiveness on a price/performance basis. They may not be able to offer as much "bang" on the top end, but if they can offer the same levels of "bang for the buck" in the low- and mid-range sectors, then people will continue to buy their CPUs.

 

[paparazi]

I agree but the point I am trying to make is this release is very significant, that a manufacturer introduces a new product line that is so far ahead of it's competitor as to relagate it's best rival product a.k.a FX62 to near "Entry level" when compared to the Conroe part.
And By the way! I'm a AMD X2 4200 user so NOT Intel bias!

And another point! because of this advancement! the drops in pricing won't be the usual 10 to 20% they will have to be brutal! with high end AMD's taking a 60 PLUS percent hit overnight.
That's extremely significant and why I was pressing the point about this landmark product.

Martin


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[kmcferrin]

You're right about the huge price drops of course. Still, I wouldn't get too excited about comparing Intel's brand new "hot off the presses" technology to AMD's 3 year old technology. My hat is off to Intel for being able to push up their development schedule enough to get ahead of AMD again, but I expect that it will not be long until AMD is competitive not just on price/performance, but on outright performance as well.

 

[againstTheWind]

I am not looking to buy very high end - A Pentium D 940 would be good for now. Does anyone really think it is worth waiting for the Conroes? What about finding a motherboard that will support them? Will all Pentium D boards be compatible. Finally, what is the price comparison?

I am looking to build a new computer very soon - so I am not sure if it is worth the wait to pay the premium price for the new Intels.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[paparazi]

It's honestly difficult to say as I don't know where you are in the world and what you are paying for things.
The entry level Intel Core 2 DUO E6300 looks to be cheaper than your D940 and with good performance.
See

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2797&p=1

There are plenty of Intel 965/975X motherboards coming on stream now, even some low priced options "read the review"
with differant chipsets beginning to support this new core.

Martin

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[Nelviticus]

The E6400 is selling for about 180 UK pounds. I think the E6300 is about 150, but most reviews I've read say that the best 'bang for the buck' in the range is the E6400 (meaning that the E6300 is a bit of a false economy).

Although small numbers are available now, Intel have said that there will be huge supplies available by 7th August. Many suppliers are already dropping the prices of other CPUs so the Pentium D940 should already be a whole lot cheaper than the cheapest Core 2 Duo.

At the moment Core 2 Duos need an Intel 965- or 975-based motherboard, but not all older boards with those chip sets will work - some may need a BIOS update. The seller should be able to tell you whether any board is Core 2 Duo-ready, assuming they aren't already advertised as such.

So what should you buy? Decide how much you want to spend and if you can afford a Core 2 Duo, buy one, as anything else will be slower. If you can't afford one, check out the web site of a supplier who has already cut prices on other CPUs - some haven't - and choose one of those.

The bottom line is that if you're willing to spend £180 on your CPU there's really no point in getting anything other than a Core 2 Duo. AMD might trump this with a new release at some point but who knows when? You can't wait forever.

Regards

(P.S. - I'm not an Intel fanboy. I was just about to buy an Athlon X2 when I read about the forthcoming Intel chips and held my horses.)

Nelviticus

 

[Nelviticus]

Price update: the place where I ordered my new Core 2 Duo (

http://www.dabs.com)

has just dropped the prices significantly for the whole range. The E6400 was £182, it's now £155. That's just insane!

Nelviticus

 

[againstTheWind]

The new Core 2 Duos are finally on the market. For me it is a toss-up between the Pentium D 940 3.2GHz @ $190 or the Core 2 Duo E6300 1.86GHz at $220 or the E6400 2.13 at $240.

Right now I am looking at the Pentium D unless the performance for the Conroes is really that amazing. It looks like the only fair comparison would be between the Pentium D 940 and the Core 2 Duo E6300.

What do you guys think?

 

[NoBigDeal]

I would say look at articles in Tom's Hardware as far as bench testing goes. You want a processor that does not get too too hot, or if it does, then it can withstand it. Also, you may consider RDRAM, 800MHz "rambus" RAM. The Pentium D 940 is the best bet as far as I'm concerned. Will you be doing a lot of video editing as well? A good graphics card would be best for the photo imaging and Dreamweaver. CD burning is very CPU intensive, and multitasking with a bunch of windows open in IE is a bad idea. I would use Firefox, and type "about:config" in the address bar. Then tweak things like "networking/http pipelining", double click to "true", and "networking/http pipelining/max requests", double click and change to 100. Get a few SATA drives in a RAID0 array, for even faster performance. If your MoBo has 4 SATA ports, I would do 4 in a RAID 0, and use an IDE drive for a backup.