Should a person go xp athlon or is 64 necessary?

ingeborgdot · January 03, 2005, 14:37 hrs

This computer is going to be for general purpose use. Emails, web browsing, music, pictures, word processing and maybe some games. Is xp 64 necessary or not?

query · January 03, 2005, 16:23 hrs

Let your desired level of gaming decide for you. For all the other applications, an Athlon XP or Sempron will do very nicely.

If you are into the lastest leading-edge games (Doom, Half Life, etc.), and A64 is probably a very good idea - along with the highest-end (ATI 9800/X8x0/nVidia 6800) video card you can manage.

Carskick · January 03, 2005, 17:36 hrs

Nice explanation Query. The cheapest Athlon 64s are now not much more money than an Athlon 64, yet is still quite a bit faster, and is compatible with the future of 64-bit windows.

Here is an older benchmark from AnAndtech.com that compares the fastest AthlonXPs with the Athlon 64s and the P4s in multiple benchmarks. The prices have changed, so you must decide whether the extra cost of the Athlon 64 is worth it to you. For the most part, the Athlon 64 is faster.

Now, the low end Athlon 64s are comparable in price to the Athlon XPs. And Athlon XP 3000+ is currently $157 on Newegg, and the Athlon 64 3000+ is $150, if you wanted retail versions. The Athlon64 is faster, but in this case, it is actually cheaper. I would therefore deffinently reccomend the 64 over the XP, though a 64 motherboard will be a little more expensive.

ingeborgdot · January 03, 2005, 19:54 hrs

After checking the athlon xp 2800+ is is 142, the xp 64 is 129, and the sempron 2800 is 109.

ingeborgdot · January 03, 2005, 21:34 hrs

I am probably going to go with the 64. What motherboard do you recommend? $100 or under if possible. No need for overclocking.

pml1234 · January 03, 2005, 21:41 hrs

ASUS "K8V-X" VIA K8T800 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-513&depa=1
That should be good!

Buffalo2102 · January 04, 2005, 02:08 hrs

You probably know already, but the A64's come in socket 754 and socket 939 flavours. Make sure that you know which version of processor you are buying and get the motherboard to match!

ingeborgdot · January 04, 2005, 16:04 hrs

I have decided to go with an athlon 64 2800 and a gigabyte mobod. I have a couple of questions now concerning the cpu. I have heard that the heatsink and fan that come with the retail package are not so good. ??? What is your take? If not, what do you suggest? I want something QUIET. Also, need a case. Where can you find the best prices and best selections? I don't want anything fancy. Just a descent looking case under $40 if possible with a power supply. Any suggestions??? Thanks.

Buffalo2102 · January 04, 2005, 16:19 hrs

The stock heatsink and fan are fine, unless you want to get into overclocking. I have a athlon 64 3000 and am using the stock heatsink and fan - very quiet and it runs at normal temps. The retail versions are cheaper than the OEM ones at the moment (in the UK) so you might as well go with the stock hs/fan and change it later if you feel you need to.

ingeborgdot · January 04, 2005, 16:31 hrs

Great, anybody on cases?? ;D

query · January 04, 2005, 17:26 hrs

Go with Socket 939 if you plan future upgrades - 754 is transitional and will go away soon.

Cases are a matter of choice - if you want the best, go Lian-Li. Antec sells nice cases (made by Chieftec). Choose what suits your taste.

ingeborgdot · January 04, 2005, 18:21 hrs

What place has the best prices and choices?/

pat · January 04, 2005, 18:27 hrs

If you're in the states, www.newegg.com or www.mwave.com are a couple of good choices.

Edit, I also moved this topic to the System builds area, since that's what it's about. ;)

Roopert · January 04, 2005, 20:33 hrs

If it's a pure internet system there, if you are on a budget, are a lot of options.

If it is a base system you are planning on upgrading - I would go with a base level motherboard that can support 939 cpu's (as Q suggetsed). I would also, if an upgrade platform, suggest a motherboard that supports PCI-X (give it a while).

I would think that a PIII 500, with 512k ram, could handle that duty. I use one now on WIN98/DSL and it is fast as heck (on the internet).

If you are going to build a 64 system make sure (IMO) its 939 and has more than 512k onboard.

trav · January 09, 2005, 13:48 hrs

Quote from: Roopert on January 04, 2005, 20:33 hrs

I would think that a PIII 500, with 512k ram, could handle that duty. I use one now on WIN98/DSL and it is fast as heck (on the internet).

i think he meant 512MB ;)

Buffalo2102 · January 09, 2005, 15:21 hrs

I hear what everybody is saying about socket 939 but I decided to go 754 myself. The reason behind this was that the socket 754 stuff is much cheaper at the moment for very little (if any) performance difference and if you arent' about to upgrade again any time soon why go S939? By the time I upgrade again we'll probably be on "star-shaped hole number 42". Or something.

Roopert · January 14, 2005, 20:13 hrs

Thanks trav ;D

Bill · January 15, 2005, 23:03 hrs

Somewhere Chandler mentioned the dual channel memory for 939 which is not on the 754 socket.

Anyone willing to estimate the performance difference with identical speed CPUs?

Buffalo2102 · January 16, 2005, 06:52 hrs

I think I read somewhere that it won't give you more than about a 5% increase in performance. I'll try and find again.

pat · January 16, 2005, 10:35 hrs

I suppose everybody?s upgrade paths are different. I really don?t look so much at what I may need in the future, more along the lines of what I need in the here and now.
At the current price difference between socket 754 and 939, you can get a very adequate 754 processor and motherboard for the price of a 939 alone.
At the rate that the technology progresses on motherboards when the time comes to upgrade to a 939 or what ever may be the current darling out there, in all probabilities a new motherboard would also be an asset.
In my case, whenever I?ve felt the need for a faster processor, I?ve also included a new motherboard.
At the price differences between an Athlon XP and the current crop of Athlon 64?s using the socket 754, unless you truly have the need for top of the line performance, a socket 754 would most likely serve you quite well.

Bill · January 16, 2005, 10:55 hrs

Thanks pat, your logic certainly speaks to a practical upgrade approach.

I asked the question re: the 939 dual channel issue to satisfy myself that almost doubling the price for 939 system, at least for my needs, is more a function of "bragging rights" and fantasy than usefulness.

Bill

Whizbang · February 22, 2005, 17:29 hrs

The best rule of thumb is that you go for as much as you can in technical advancement that you can afford. The way computers become obsolete, the most advanced unit is always the best bet, and developers always work with the best out there.

Carskick · February 22, 2005, 18:41 hrs

Use the latest technology in the cheapest way possible without cutting too many corners, and you will be on top.

Neon · February 23, 2005, 13:21 hrs

AMD announced yesterday that AthlonXP will EOL (End of Life) / discontinue, with last orders placed on March 1, and last deliveries on September 1 - less than 2 years after the Athlon 64 was launched.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21377

ingeborgdot · February 23, 2005, 14:09 hrs

I decided to go the 64 route because the price difference was not anything at all. I have built 2 and am building 2 more. Awesome.

Carskick · February 23, 2005, 16:33 hrs

Are they still going to make the 32 bit Semprons? If so, then it's logical, as the Semprons are essentially the same.

Neon · February 24, 2005, 09:38 hrs

Sempron will continue on socket 754, but the socket A Semprons will be phased out shortly after AthlonXP. In other words, bye-bye to socket A. :'(

Igloo · February 24, 2005, 11:22 hrs

well, i am running a 3200 socket a, so the only way for me to go is up, and onto a 64

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Should a person go xp athlon or is 64 necessary?