Building a new PC What Processor etc. ?

First post here, been trying to read through and understand the ins and outs of all the processors but my head is starting to overheat.

I'm looking at Ebuyer.co.uk for my bits, looking for a new pc to keep me going over the next couple of years but I'd hit a bump with processors because it seems so complicated.

I want over 3 ghz of processing power.

Now, which processor should I get that (without overclocking) can provide me with that for use with Windows XP 32bit and without using that hyperthreading thing which is annoying me on another pc I have.

I want 1 CPU providing over 3ghz of power at the cheapest price.
Is that enough information?

 

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/processors/pentium4/
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor Supporting HT (Hyper Threading) Technology†
2.80 to 3.80 GHz

Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor
1.30 to 2.80 GHz

You can always go for AMD if you want to play your games a bit better...

 

Thanks for the reply but can't you get 3ghz 'without' hyperthreading?

What I want is a processor that is over 3 ghz and will be reported as that in windows as 1 processor.

 

Welcome to MG!

Well... you hit on a tricky one. If you are absolutley set on over 3Ghz overall clock, then your only realistic choice is a P4. However, the clock speed alone isn't the only indicator of how fast the CPU is in practice.

https://www3.imperial.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=35,368133&_dad=portallive&_schema=PORTALLIVE

You can disable HT through the BIOS on most P4 based motherboards, so that shouldn't be an issue.

You might want to look at Tom's Hardware Guide. The idea behind AMD's naming is that the name shows what the processor is "comparable to" in terms of clock speed in a Pentium chip. i.e. an Athlon XP 3000+ (my CPU) is comparable to a P4 3.0GHz (or 3000MHz). In practice, though, this isn't always the case.

Personally, I'd heartily recommend the AMD64's, as their 32-bit performance is excelent and they are (fairly) affordable too.

 

Not that I know of.
Why don't you like it anyway?
"Intel describes the main attribute of HT-enhanced applications in terms of multitasking: a programming thread runs on the CPU at all times to maximize CPU utilization. Each process is given a time-slice during which it executes. Creation of a process involves the generation of an address space and the application's image in memory, which includes a code section, a data section, and a stack."

 

Because hardly any apps actually support HT, and thus most apps being run don't run at full speed.

Well, thats why *I* don't like it anyway

 

Well I do quite a bit of DVD and video encoding and I need the raw power behind it to just blast away at that one process, but with a current pc I have witha 3.02 Intel Pentium 4 it only goes up to 100% if I encode two videos at once.

Don't 64s cost more than the XPs? What is the advantage?

 

Its a bit like child support hey its there but not everyone pays it

 

Exaclty what I mean. You won't use the entire capacity of the CPU unless the app supports it and splits into 2 threads.

Anyway. the 64's are a bit more expensive than the XP's, however, the XP's are getting hard to find these days... as they are being phased out by the semperons (apparently). The 64's handle 32-bit better than the XP's, and are more efficient too. I think they're pretty good value for money for the performance they give. If you're into encoding video, you won't be dissapointed with a AMD64

 

Wait another year or so till prices drop. Pci boards already start from 160$ a.u and that's for crap ones. Chuck a dual processor +2 vidcards couple sticks of half gigers and you will have a beast

I tend to go with pentiums even though Amd's are better. But then again its like nvidavs ati

 

What do I do in the meantime? Sit in my cave playing with two peices of wood?



Well might go and get a 64 then, one thing putting me a bit off though is that people on ebuyer.co.uk say wow this 3500+ runs as well as my Intel 2.2ghz which makes me think, huh?

so would you recommend the
AMD (Newcastle) Athlon 64bit 3000+ 754pin 512kb L2 Cache (item code 58431)
with the
Asus K8V-X Socket-754 VIA K8T800 ATX- Sound Gb-Lan USB2 800FSB SATA-Raid (item code 74707)
and do you think that the
XFX Geforce Fx5200 AGP8x 128MB DDR DVI TV-Out Retail Box (item code 54837)
would be a good choice of Graphics card would I be able to play back 1920x1080 WMV through the DVI? Or am I asking a bit much? Would I need to go for something like the 5700?

Is ATI better than Nvidia? I've had 2 Nvidias before and they performed great for me.

Thanks for your help.

 

Ok back to front :
Ati for me is better personally - better drivers + better tech support.
1920x1080 is a large resolution
Don't spare expense with the video card.
Make sure you mainboard supports your FSB (Front side bus) speed and your memory since you are not going to over clock it
AMD Athlon 64bit 3000+ 754pin 512kb L2 Cache is fairly good

 

If you'd like a good 64, I would recommend the 3400+, what they've said about the 3500+ is complete rubbish, no way is it the same as an intel 2.2ghz, it may have the same clockspeed but the overall performance is far better.
I would actually go with nvidia over ati, and go for at least the 5700 if you want that performance.

 

XFX are good. However, give them room to breathe... my friend has an XFX 6800Ultra (I am SOO jealous) in a desktop case, it overheats due to the unavoidable constricted space in the case.

 

Hmm okay well think I'm going with:
AMD 3000+ processor
Asus K8V-X motherboard
Ebuyer 512mb DDR PC3200 400MHz 184pin Extra Value Ram
and
Gainward FX Pro660 TV/AGP 128MB DDR FX5200 chipset with TV-Out Low Profile Retail Box

as it's a bit cheaper and has better reviews than the GeForce FX5200 board.

hmm, does anyone know if
the Sony DWD22A, the Philips DVDR1640 or the Samsung TS-H552B are supported by DVDRegionFree?

 

Well got my PC order sorted, let's hope it works when I get it and put it together.

Decided to go for a Toshiba 16x DVD Dual Layer/format drive as I've been using a 4x one and it's excellent and works with region-free so I guess the 16x version will too. Even if it does go against the Black colour scheme.

One thing, will XP say that my Processor is 3ghz? Or less? If I get an AMD 3000+

 

It will say whatever it is. In this case, it will say 2.2GHz (I think). But that makes no difference to how it will perform

 

An a64 3000 with a fx 5200,complete mismatch the a64 would just be wasted
mat as well thro it in the bin as soon as it comes Iv got an xfx5700 in my other computer and it wont play half the games now the old ti 4000s are much better if you can find one.But to match those specs aim for nvidia 6600.

 

Should of went with something like this

AMD Athlon 64 3000+
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-486&depa=1

DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-136-147&depa=1

Corsair 512MB DDR, PC3200, 400MHz
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=1

Seagate 120GB Barracuda 7200RPM SATA with NCQ Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-039&depa=1

CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce4 TI4800SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-040&depa=1

BenQ 16x, Dual Layer DVD+/-RW Drive with Software, Black Model DW1620 PRO, OEM
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=27-101-632&DEPA=0

This would of been a better build. The DFI Lanparty is the best socket 754 motherboard out.

 

Might be better, but its not his, is it?

I'd agree the graphics card is a little lame, but you'll be fine as long as you don't need power in games, and don't mind lower detail. But, graphics cards are easily upgradable plenty of choice with AGP.

 

Actually I take back what I said about the the ti4000 s because they dont make use of directx 9.0 so games will look smoother in directx 8.0 but not as sharp heres a chart pick one as high up the list as you can afford.

 

Just found toms hardware guide copyright notice and the image is copyright to the site so if any admin can remove it I think it would be best.Hers the link
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-06.html

 

I just can't get myself to spend £140 on a graphics card which isn't going to help most of what I want to do. (which isn't gaming, shock horror)

I don't really, NEED for games in higher than 1024x768 and am usually a couple of years behind anyway, would it be able to play Doom 3? That seems to have a quite low starting spec.

 

the DW1620, big question, does dvdregionfree support it?

When I said gaming meant 3d gaming, do alot of emulation and Mame (which makes near 0 use of a graphics card)

Also I'm in england so cant get all those bits (mainly the motherboard)

Well at least I got the processor right.

 

i just ordered a comp last night and heres what i ordered
amd xp64 3200+
1gig muskin pc3200 dual channel
120gig maxtor sata
msi x800 pro
Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9 nForce4 mobo

 

I'm from england I know 5 shops within 10 miles I can buy the parts from in the car.The 6600gt with your cpu will play doom3 like butter,try a friends computer push a little kid out the way in pc world and have a game in there,hell tell em your interested in a full system with a 6600gt in or similar and play.just remember the cpu crunches numbers,the graphics card decides what you see on the screen.I really cant help but sound bias toward a good card its what i enjoy doing.

Its entirely up to you,if it was up to me I'd say sell your car and buy a brand new amd sli cobra with a custom anodized blue paintjob.

http://3xs.scan.co.uk/ConfigureSystem.asp?SystemID=179

If you cant find the parts locally try mail order you can place your order over the phone so theres little risk of your details being hacked.
Scan is the cheapest place i'v found plus you get a replacement part delivered if one is defective I think next day or even if your just not happy with it.

Delivery will barely be above £10.

http://www.scan.co.uk/

Also check the offers and today only they will probably have a bundle offer with your parts and a great card cheaper than any other shop.

http://www.scan.co.uk/todayonly/

Just go and buy some parts then come back and find out how to fix them.LOL.

 

Since you reccomended it do you know if the drive is supported by regionfreedvd?

How about the
XFX GeForce 6600GT AGP 128MB, TV and Dual DVI Retail Box
or
PNY Verto GeForce 6 6600GT AGP8x 128MB GDDR3 (G66600GABF12YPB)
or
PNY Geforce6 6600 128MB DDR AGPx8 VGA + DVI + TV-out

I am thinking now of getting a stronger 3d card for a bit of future proofing (and to show off) is there a 'Significant' difference between a 6600 and a 6600GT?

Next you lot will be saying I can't just settle for the ob-board soundcard

 

I have never used my pc to watch dvd's or copied or encoded on it the only reason I got my dvd player was to install the latest games.Got to be honest Im not sure what dvd region free is.The GT is a slightly faster 6600 just like if it were a car.I'm just gonna stop talking now.not another word.

"ONBOARDSOUNDISARESOURCEHOGANDMAKESTHECPUDOTHEWORKTHESOUNDCARDSHOULDBEDOING" sorry it slipped

 

Okay well I've ordered my pc
The spec is now
AMD 64 3200+
512MB Ram
XFX 6600GT
Creative Audiology 2
6.1 Creative Speaker set up
and the BenQ DVD drive
Total Price for the whole system, (incl fans case psu etc etc) 600 Pounds.