You are probably right about my usage and dual core. For about the same
price as the X2 3800+ I could get the San Diego 4000+, but that does not
seem like a huge jump in speed. I am going to search for some reviews of the
two processors and see what the performance difference is. I am curious
about dual core and would like to play with one so I am still leaning toward
the X2.
I am glad to hear you have found the NF4 a solid platform. Did you install
the nVidia IDE drivers or are you just using the Windows drivers? What about
the nVidia firewall? Any other tips for me when I begin my build?
Thanks,
Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Sevart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "The Hardware List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: [H] Going dual core CPU - suggestions?
I think that for your usage, dual core would be a waste of money. Get a
NF4U/NF4SLI s939 board, and a Venice or San Diego chip. 2GB would be nice,
but with 2x1GB sticks, forget any memory overclocking.
A dual-core/SMP platform is really only useful if you do a lot of stuff
that benefits from multithreading (none of which you mention do) or do
heavy multitasking (3 programs is nothing--I average about 20-40 windows
open on my X2). I think you would experience better performance from a
fast single core solution at this time.
As far as NF4 problems, this is probably the most solid platform I've ever
had. (NF4U on the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum board).
Greg
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Jones" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "The Hardware List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 17, 2005 10:16 AM
Subject: [H] Going dual core CPU - suggestions?
I am planning an upgrade to my main PC which is currently running:
Abit IC7-MAX3
Pentium 4 - 2.4Ghz (oc'd to 3.1)
1GB Ram
Radeon 9800 Pro
Going to put those parts in the kids PC and am thinking I would like to
go dual core. Would like to do some overclocking and I spend most of the
time using the PC for email, internet, MS Office, DVArchive (shows form
my ReplayTVs), burning CD/DVDs, and some gaming. Typically I have more
than 3 programs open and running so I figure I might benefit a little
from a dual core while multitasking. Have been reading a lot on the
various forums such as Anadtech, HardOCP, etc. and it seems like the
general consensus is that the AMD X2 3800+ is the best choice right now,
but I am not opposed to Intel. Planning on using 2GB of RAM and just a
single video card for the time being but am considering an SLI board just
so I would have the option in the future.
At one point I had thought I would go with the X2 3800+ and the Abit AN8
Fatality SLI . I have had good luck with my MAX3 and other Abits in the
past, but there seems to be lots of little problems with the board on the
forums. So I looked at the DFI and ASUS offerings, but they too seem to
have problems. Then I think that maybe it would be simpler to go with a
Intel 820 or 830 and not have to deal with the NF4 software problems
(many say the nVidia IDE driver, firewall, or the AMD cool and quiet
software all can cause problems). I do try to take what I see in the
forums with a grain of salt, I realize that most people post when they
have a problem.
So, help me choos the following:
dual core CPU:
Motherboard:
Video ($200-300 range):
RAM 2 x 1GB:
Jerry
