Dual Core Decisions

[TSVAMP]

Well it is that time of year that tax returns come in and I am starting to feel the itch for a PC upgrade. I have always had great luck with Intel, ATI, and Asus and Soyo mother boards. However I am torn on sticking with Intel on this go around or making the switch to AMD. Current System Config,

Intel P4 3.0E Extreme Edition

Soyo P4I 865PE Mother Board,

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platnium,

3GB Dual Channel Ram from Kingston

8 200GB HD's 4 SATA, 2 PATA, 1 EXT Firewire and 1EXT USB 2.0

ATI 9600 PRO AGP

Intel PRO1000 Gigabit LAN Adapter

2 DVD-RW's

1 DVD/CDR Combo Drive

1 Floppy

Antec Server Case with 15 Cooling Fans

20.1 LCD 2005FPW from Dell

I would like to salvage as much of this as possible to keep my cost down. I mainly do internet surfing, Audio Production for Video Games, movies, and my band, Graphics w Photoshop, and Guild Wars.

Suggestions and reasons why you would go this route would be great...........

[lockedon]

IMO, The system you currently have is great.

May I ask, How long have you had your current config?

What is your price range?

Thanks,

RC

Edited January 17, 2006 by lockedon

[TSVAMP]

I have had this config for about 2 years now. Except Upgraded the RAM from 1 to 3 and added 3 more HD's to the setup.

[suryad]

You can always use more power. I would recommend a dell dual core setup. If you can get Opterons even better. Try getting an FX 60 if you can. You wont regret it. Beats the pants off of any Intel setup.

[lockedon]

Your hard drives are in good shape. Unless you want to buy 2 500GB Hard Drives.

PCI-E card is the way to go. EVGA 7800 GT is a great card.

So basically you need to change your motherboard, cpu, video card.

This should not cost much.

AMD is great. I can't vouch for Intel since I have used Intel in awhile.

You could wait because Intel is comming out with some new cpu's.

I will see what I can find. Unless someone tells you something else.

Take it easy,

RC

I will have to agree with suryad.

The FX-60 blow away nearly all of intel's current cpu's

Edited January 17, 2006 by lockedon

[TSVAMP]

Suryad,

I like Dell but prefer to build my own systems. I was looking at the Opteron 165 or any of the AMD FX2, But then part of me remebers how AMD was in the beginning and how unstable and flaky they were. So that is what is leaning me to the Intel Side. However if I go Intel then I need to get all new RAM as well since that is DDR2 and I have 3GB of perferctly working DDR. So there is my decisions. Then I have to decide which mother board is right for me. If I go AMD and non SLI I can keep my video card and RAM. Decision Decisions.

[ripken204]

i have the opteron 170, and i love it. if u want to play games then go with amd.

[jcarle]

If you're an Intel and Asus fan like I am, your best choice is none other then the Asus P5N32-SLI. No better way to go dual-core then with that rock-solid gaming board.

[glent]

go for the fx60

[ripken204]

just get dul core. if you want intel then remember how hot it will run.

my 170 is running at fx60 speeds and 165 can get there too.

[Scubar]

gotta say theres no contest when it comes to dual core, AMD is the only way to go if u want a great gaming machine.

[MastaVR6]

I would agree with the posted AMD users and go with an Opteron 165/170 setup, you'll end up using more of your existing parts, and proud you don't have shared FSB (bandwidth) holding your system back.

cheers!

[jcarle]

My argument about the integrated memory controller? You AMD guys are stuck still using DDR whilst all of Intel fan boys have moved to DDR2.

[big poppa pump]

My argument about the integrated memory controller? You AMD guys are stuck still using DDR whilst all of Intel fan boys have moved to DDR2.

And tell me again in what way does DDR2 prove to be better than DDR???

[atomizer]

I like Dell but prefer to build my own systems.

absolutly! OEM is not the way to go for a high-end system.