NiZmo

A mate wants to buy a system: Its either an AMD64 3000+ coupled with MSI K8N mobo or Intel Pentium 4 (3.2Ghz prefably) with a motherboard I wouldn't have a clue of! Seriously I don't know jack about Intel systems, Ive only owned one in my life which was a PII 233Mhz, so I don't think it would help in this situation. However I've heard the ABIT IT-7 Max3 is the best...

Basically I'm not sure what to recommend. The 3000+ could be overclocked to about 2.4Ghz but how far could a 3.2ghz be overclocked? It is evident that an AMD64's excel in gaming and P4's for Windows based apps, but what would you consider as the best all round system?

Ram: PC4000 has already been purchased.
Price: Don't worry about it.
System longetivity: He will probably change his system before 64 applications are frequently utilized!

So what do you reckon?

YiffyGriffy

For pure gaming I'd go with the AMD, but for most other things and just some gaming here and there, the Intel might be a better choice. but with Athlon 64 3000's going for about $180 and 3.2GHz P4's going at about $250, the AMD might be cheaper too.

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Pernundel

The athlon 64 will be better at games and apps. The P4 will be better at video editing. It's simple really. Get whatever blows your skirt up.

NoAffinity

The overclock is variable on the 3.2's. There's some hitting 3.6 stable on air, there's other hitting 3.8+. Myself, I need sub-ambient temps (25C or lower) to stay stable at 3.85. If you need mobo recommendations for a 3.2, post up in the Intel section and we'll help you there. Basically what these guys already said, as far as the CPU is concerned: AMD for pure gaming, Intel for most other things (the difference in gaming is ~5-10 fps on average).

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YiffyGriffy

Not as an AMDfanboy or anything, but a 3000 A64 will probably perform close to if not slightly faster than a P4 3.2, and it'll be cheaper and you won't have to buy dual channel memory for it.

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RunningRioT

pentium 4's will out perform amd64 in a math comptation, if your buddy is not gaming, go with a hyper threaded p4, if he will be gaming, snag him a amd64 rig.

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NiZmo

Thanks peeps. Look like some good advice has been recieved here. Price is slightly more for the Pentium 4 but the margin isn't completely all that bad.

Yiffy: As stated in the above (sorry wasn't clear) Corsair PC4000 (2X512) has already been purchased, so they were pretty much ready for dual channel.

Well gonna have to think some more about this one... but should be able to some conclusion soon...

Jack

Just to add to that mobo question, your friend should get an Abit IC7-Max3, which is still the best mobo in the world for intels.

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gibant1

I think the Asus p4c800e deluxe is the best board, I would do, but the abit is very good.

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TwEaK_MoNkeY

thanks jack i just bought an IC7 Max 3 with my 3.0Ghz proc. can the multiplier be unlocked

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