AMD vs. Intel - Processor "Hercules"

[Guest_imported]

Hello, I'm new here at this forum.
I'm planning on buying a computer for my brother as a present. He suggested that I should buy him an AMD based computer. I'm not familiar with these processors, and I'm hesitant to get him one since I'm used to Intel. I have done some research on the AMD site, and the comparisons suggest that the Athlon processors have better architecture than Intel chips. Plus, they're cheaper. However, I'm a passive consumer (sorry to say) and my philosophy suggests, "the more expensive, the better." What should I do? Are AMD chips better than Intel chips? He uses sophisticated music programs on his current computer Pentium II - Sony.

Please help,
Mina

 

[ErikZ]

Intel has been more expensive for YEARS and it had nothing to do with the quality of their chips. Until recently, a cutting edge chip from Intel plus the motherboard would cost you about a thousand dollars!

AMD changed all that by being the most viable alternative. When you examine the two chips, there really isn't a noticeable difference to the user. AMD is the reason you can get chips so cheap now, Intel is STILL suing everyone that can make compatible hardware.

Support AMD by buying their chips.

 

[paparazi]

And Intel is relying on people JUST LIKE YOU! to keep buying there chips despite the overwhelming documented evidence that says BANG FOR BUCK! AMD CANNOT be beaten.
Martin.

 

[ceh4702]

If you have the money, a Pentium IV with a 2 Gig prosessor would make a nice present. If he plans on using audio software it needs to have a good speaker system and sound card combo. Some computer manufacturers sometimes offer deals where they throw in a MP3 player, or a device to burn or make your own CD's as an incentive to purchase their products. Since X-mas is fast approaching, you may want to wait for a good deal. If this depression doesnt get much better I would guess computer manufacturers will get nervous and lower prices or package what they got in a good deal. If the person who is receiving the computer wants to play games or do video presentations make sure you get a good Video card like a GForce2 or GForce3 video card. Another idea is a dependable and large Hard Drive to store the audio files on of about 30-75 Gigs of storage space. A system with 2 hard drives might be nice.

There is nothing wrong with a good Intel Pentium-IV system if you don't mind spending your money on a quality product. Some companies like DELL sell a lot of Pentium IV systems on the internet. You could log on to the internet and compare prices. Best Buy is another good reseller of computers of various types; If you can go in during the week when they are not too busy they might be able to explain some things to you.

If your relative wants an AMD computer, I wouldn't be too afraid of them. Recently Intel processors have been giving Intel a run for its money. Just look around a bit before you make up your mind. Some shops around custom build computers for you. Basically you tell them what you want and they build it. If you choose this route, it takes a while to get it running, so dont wait till the last minute. A Company like Dell or Gateway can do this and ship it directly to the recipient. I recently purchased a computer from "

http://www.adamant.com";

they build computers to the customers request. They are located in Cincinatti, Ohio, in the midwest. There are other sites like "

http://www.computers4Sure.com",

in California that sell all kinds of computers on the internet. There are probably similar places on the East Coast as well.


If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[ErikZ]

I hope you're not going to take advice from a guy who says "Recently Intel processors have been giving Intel a run for its money."

Now then, taunting aside. AMD processors have ALWAYS been better quality than Intel. Intel treats their engineers like garbage, so the best ones leave and get jobs at AMD.

A 1400MHZ AMD is equal in processing power to a 2GHZ Intel.

In the end, if you hand someone two computers, and ask them to tell you which one has Intel, and which one has AMD, they won't be able to do it.

 

[Out0fOrder]

Hello,
I'd like to post my comment in this holy war. I side with AMD for many reasons. Firstly AMD's CPUs are a superior product. Unlike Intel, AMD has redesigned the core of their CPU to allow for faster data transmission at lower clock speeds. The Result? More power for less bucks.

AMD's newest CPU, the AthlonXP blows away a 2ghz PIV on most tests, running only at 1.5ghz (see Tom's Hardware below). It scores almost even on the MMX and SSE tests, tests designed for Intel CPUs!

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/01q4/011009/index.html

I would encourage you to buy the superior product, AMD. I would also like to remind you that AMD has never had a bad CPU, unlike Intel which has had divide by 0 errors and countless other ones throughout its product history.

I hope this NFO was helpful,
-Out0fOrder

"I can only lead you to water, I cannot make you drink."
-TheLight

 

[kelsen]

>"I hope you're not going to take advice from a guy who >says "Recently Intel processors have been giving Intel a >run for its money."

Anyone can make a typo; his intent was clear, I think.


"A 1400MHZ AMD is equal in processing power to a 2GHZ Intel."

According to AMD, their new 1.5Ghz processor (Palomino) is equal in processing power to a 1.8Ghz P4. Of course, Erik may know better than AMD...

My last several systems have been powered by Intel processors. I have no complaints. If I were buying another system today, I would probably buy one with an AMD processor; the value received is superior in my opinion.

One thing to be aware of: ensure that the heatshedding capabilitites of the system have been adequately addressed. The AMD processors will burn up (literally) without a working heatsink (

http://www.tomshardware.com).

I know this sounds negative; I really would buy an AMD system - and if your brother is asking for one specifically, he probably knows enough to be aware of this. It should be no problem.

RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen.
--
Don't bother me. I'm living happily ever after.

 

[xscape]

I'd have to agree with those who recommend AMD too. My opinion is that Intel design their chips with benchmarks in mind, whereas AMD design them with what they're actually going to be used for in mind. Anyway, who was it that said, "There's lies, damned lies, then there's benchmarks"? Go with AMD. I can't believe Intel is still in business, but it must make most of it's money from the big manufacturers like Dell etc.

 

[ceh4702]

Sorry, I mistyped; it was suppose to say AMD was giving Intel a run for its money. (Oops!&*%@#$)

The last computer I bought was an AMD 1.2 Gig with a FIC AD11 motherboard 128 DDR 2100 RAM from Micron and an IBM 20 Gig Deskstar hard drive in a fairly nice Enlight case from "

http://www.Adamant.com".

While this is a nice stable motherboard, which has won several awards, it comes with on-board Audio which could be a drawback for Music enthusiasts. I am using an ATI Raedon VE DDR 32MB video card, but I have heard that the GForce NVida drivers are better. My son picked out the Video Card, so I thought I would give it a try. It works pretty good except when I try to play Mission to the Moon. It doesn't seem to be bothered by Homeworld at all though, so it could just be the game, or Active-X 8. I was using it with the Microsoft ME operating system, which is kind of new, so that may have something to do with it.

I've purchased both Intel and AMD processors, and found them both to be good products, but I think AMD may be ready to overtake Intel at any time, should Intel make bad business decisions. However, Intel still probably makes the best Laptop Processors. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[cdogg]

Generally, there's no reason to go with Intel if you're building the pc yourself. If you're going to go out and buy from from a retail store or online vendor such as Dell, you'll want to be sure you're not fooled by processor speed ratings.

Retail vendors such as Dell will have well-priced Pentium 4 systems running at 1.7 GHz or less competing with AMD Athlon 1.3-1.4 Ghz. The point has already been made that AMD procs are way ahead of Intel and the same speeds. In most cases, AMD procs are at least 200 MHz ahead (1.3 Ghz blows away an Intel 1.5 GHz)

While I'd lean towards AMD, you may want to watch for when Intel releases a board that supports DDR RAM (PC2100 and PC2400). There are DDR boards now that work with Intel's CPU's, but not an official board with full compatibility. Because of AMD's success with DDR RAM, Intel is feeling the pressure to release one sometime in the near future...


~cdogg