gus4real

I'm considering a new build and the wife is going to buy the cpu. Barring price, is there ever a reason to pick an AMD over an Intel?

DuckieHo

Since application compatibility is virtually universal, what are the factors in CPU purchase?

Price, platform, performance, power consumption?

Since we're barring price...
If you want a 45w quad-core, then AMD is the way to go...
If you want a good, cheap, low power IGP, then AMD is the way to go...

Intel obviously wins in performance (now). Before QPI, AMD would win in some HPC applications with HT.

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Grim

ATI cards over intel ATM.
Because they're offering more bang for buck ATM - that no one can dispute.

As for your CPU.. You decide.
I like AMD, they make your PC have this...SNAPPiness about it.

Intel has great OCers, and will do you well if you're into say - encoding (depending of course, on the chip price range you're examining.

At this point in time, it comes down to choice when it comes to your CPU.
I love AMD, and so, would choose to buy one of THEIR chips if I had the choice - but intel (on its evil bid to destroy AMD) has been releasing monstrous chips.

sdla4ever

AMD beats the intel price, and still gives you solid performance!

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PCWIZMTL

Price/Performance = AMD

Your overall system could be as low as $700 for a quad machine with 8GB of RAM if you go for the dragon platform... I recommend it.

If you got the dough, go for Intel.

Acoma_Andy

When building a budget oriented system, AMD is usually the better pick. Also with AMD you can have a cheap Quad core, or even buy a Dual core that will unlock to a Quad.

Next thing it depends on is overclocking. If you are planning to do a small overclock or if you are unexperienced with overclocking, the Black Edition AMD's are nice (unlocked CPU multi). Intel charges $600 extra for an unlocked multi.

Ok, that all being said, the I7 920 is probably the best CPU to pick if you are going to overclock it to 4.0Ghz

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Darkstar2

if your going cheap i would say AMD there great four the price but if you really want the best performance go intel theres not loads in it my 2.6 quad cost me 97 pounds my m8 got a intel cpu at 2.6 quad ( not sure of the name of it now ) but it cost him about 120 pounds

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MrDeodorant

If an AMD system produces less heat, you can make a quieter computer by using low-power fans.

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doc2142

If you have money go I7, if you are on a budget AMD is usually the way to go but you can also get good intel chips with in your budget. Generally people on budgets go with AMD since its easy to have a future proof computer because they dont change sockets as much as intel.

DaMirrorLink

pretty much, depending on how much you want to spend and what applications, if its just normal everyday stuff with maybe light gaming, go AMD, but if its some video compression or whatnot, go Intel if you can afford it

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