Posted: Sat May 26, 2007 12:49 pm
I would still stick with a single core intel Pentium 4 processor. I have had a little experince with AMD processors, but what I have seen I did not like. However, many people swear by AMD, so who knows..... The Intel processors are just very stable, and very fast -- not to mention the preferred chip of Microsoft based computers.
There are few, if any, games out there that actually use 2 cores at once --and a single core processor will still run these games. Since 99.9% of games use only 1 core (or 1 thread at a time) why settle for a 2.66Ghz pentium dual core chip when you can get up to a 3.8Ghz Pentium 4? And to make things better, P4's are much cheaper nowadays!
I would get a 3.0Ghz - 3.6Ghz Pentium 4 (LGA775 socket) chip, with Hyperthreading. (the 3.8Ghz P4 just gives you more expense, much more heat, and hardly any more performance....)
To put it simply, the Hyperthreading processors are set up to function as 2 separate processors, aka, 2 CORES -- so you will be getting that functionality as well even with the 'older' P4's.
My 2 year old 3.2Ghz P4 chip still beats the new 2.66Ghz -3Ghz range intel dual core chips anyway on benchmark tests, so there is definitely something to be said about those 'older' chips.
As long as you get a decent LGA775 socket motherboard to run your P4, (like say one made by intel) and load it up with at least 2GB of RAM (with a speed of 400MHz or higher -- it will tell you on the spec page wherever you buy from), your computer will be very fast, even by todays dual/quad core standards.
As for parts, try NEWEGG.com They are probably the best. I have had quite a few parts fail or come damaged from the manufacturer, and Newegg takes care of it every time. They have a huge selection there, but if for some reason you can't find a part there, then try http://www.outpost.com which is FRY's online store.
There are few, if any, games out there that actually use 2 cores at once --and a single core processor will still run these games. Since 99.9% of games use only 1 core (or 1 thread at a time) why settle for a 2.66Ghz pentium dual core chip when you can get up to a 3.8Ghz Pentium 4? And to make things better, P4's are much cheaper nowadays!
I would get a 3.0Ghz - 3.6Ghz Pentium 4 (LGA775 socket) chip, with Hyperthreading. (the 3.8Ghz P4 just gives you more expense, much more heat, and hardly any more performance....)
To put it simply, the Hyperthreading processors are set up to function as 2 separate processors, aka, 2 CORES -- so you will be getting that functionality as well even with the 'older' P4's.
My 2 year old 3.2Ghz P4 chip still beats the new 2.66Ghz -3Ghz range intel dual core chips anyway on benchmark tests, so there is definitely something to be said about those 'older' chips.
As long as you get a decent LGA775 socket motherboard to run your P4, (like say one made by intel) and load it up with at least 2GB of RAM (with a speed of 400MHz or higher -- it will tell you on the spec page wherever you buy from), your computer will be very fast, even by todays dual/quad core standards.
As for parts, try NEWEGG.com They are probably the best. I have had quite a few parts fail or come damaged from the manufacturer, and Newegg takes care of it every time. They have a huge selection there, but if for some reason you can't find a part there, then try http://www.outpost.com which is FRY's online store.