Cipset Question ... (Athlon, Celeron, Xeon, Pentium4,..)

[Flavor4real]

What's up, ... hope y'all doing good.
Question:

I'm about to get me a computer for web, graphic, audio and video development. Programs like Photoshop, Premier, After Effects will run on it.

I’m, thinking about a Sony Desktop computer which has a Pentium4 2.6Ghz, 800FrontsideBus, 1GB RAM …. BUT I’m not really sure about it no more.

I've read about pentium4 processor. For my use,...is this the best choice? (next to apple) What's the different between Xeron, Celeron, Athlon and Pentium 4 ??? What is good for what use?

I heard the Xeox chipset would be a better choice. .. I need some help?

Thanks


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[paparazi]

Well it is true that the new Applemac G5 is supposed to be a great deal faster at these particular tasks than any PC platform out there ATM but as with everything, at an extremely high price.
The Sony I'm sure is a good machine but as you may or may not know it is nothing more than than a badged case full of other manufactures parts, the big differance being an extremely high price tag.
You could for the same price as the Sony, cherry pick all the best components available ie: 3gig HT 800fsb P4, Abit IC7 motherboard, Radeon 9800XT graphics card, Corsair XMS PC3500 memory, LianLi or coolermaster Aluminium case, Enermax or Antec 465watt PSU, 2X 160gig 7K250 SATA Hitachi (or maybe a 2x72 gig WD Raptors plus one additional 7K250 Hitachi)hard drives in raid, 8X Plextor multi format DVD writer, Audigy 2 sound, slot pioneer DVD player.
OK! so theres my Xmas wish list gone but seriously you will end up with a much more powerful machine for your money.
Also take at look at Intels new P4 extreme (I think it's called)said to be marginally quicker than the new AMD FX and Athlon64 and probably more suited to your apps, although not readily available yet.
Can't comment on the xerox chipset but Intels own 875 chipset would be my mainstream choice for your needs, ala Abit IC7.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[TheGoatMan]

Definitly pentium for serious graphics and editing. And a Quadro FX3000 would be cool also. If you are on a budget you can't go wrong on an Athlon with a All-In-Wonder ATI card. For this stuff I heard the KT600 is a good choice. As far as Pentium chipsets go I have not a clue whats good.

 

[Flavor4real]

so ok .... I will spend about $1300.. so can somebody can give me a good link to a good computer which is good for the stuff i will do???

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[TheGoatMan]

Build your own. You can have twice the computer for half the price. Need help?

 

[paparazi]

OK! so we now have a budget and for a serious graphics machine I have to say thats pretty low, don't get me wrong that kinda money will buy you a very capable desktop but not a specialized studio graphics machine.
Follow my suggestions, you probably won't need the 9800XT, it's more of a gaming card, a Matrox G450 will be more than enough for a nice clean display.
The other specs: Intel 875 chipset motherboard, 3gig HT 800fsb, maybe mainstrean Kingston/Crucial memory PC3200, Pioneer/Sony 4x Multi format DVD writer, Pioneer slot DVD player, LianLi/Coolermaster case, definately a quality power supply, no rubbish, 450watts+, 2x SATA Hitachi 7K250 hard drives in raid, floppy, nice integrated card reader in one of the bays?
Basically any good custom build shop should be able to build from this list.
YOU CAN'T BEAT BUYING LOCAL, with PC's being what they are, I can't stress how important and valuable an asett it is to be able to return the PC locally in the event of any problems arrising.
Take this list to 2-3 of your local custom build shops and see what they can do for you, warranties, service and price.
Don't let them talk you out of quality though, if the list is modified let them explain the good reasons for doing so.
Good quality memory, PSU and branded components are essential.
Martin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[TheGoatMan]

Stay away from local shops. If you buy online and build yourself you will save serious cash! My system would have costed me almost $2000. I spent roughly $800. Thats including a 21" moniter, a logitech wireless keyboard and mouse, and a logitech 5.1 surround system. Seriously buy online and build yourself. Can you believe I scored a 21" flat screen at a thrift store for $20! Scope them out.

 

[Flavor4real]

thanks y'all ..y'all great ... GoatMan, yup i would need some help... what u suggest for $1300

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[TheGoatMan]

Do you want Pentium or Athlon? I'm assuming you aren't planning on overclocking so a P4 2.6 or an athlon 2500+ or better should be enough. Keep in mind the cost of one Pentium chip can buy you an Athlon chip and board. Pentium would be better for graphics and editing due to its cache speed and memory bandwidth. But you can get by just fine with an Athlon. I would suggest a 2800+ barton chip. Good clock speed and only $138. You'll want the KT600 becuase you'll need high memory transfer rate. I'd suggest the MSI KT6 Delta FISR-2. Its just under $150 and you get alot of features. Run dual SATA raptor 10,000 rpm hard drives with raid and mirror it with dual 120gb IDE with raid. You'll need space and speed for sure. Grab a DVD-rw and a CD-R. Plextor is my favorite. But Lite-on is a good substitute. You'll probably need a gb of PC3200 Ram. And a 9600 All-in-wonder with a decent case should be good. You'll also need to drop about $100 into things like cables and fans and a heatsink. I'll get you a price on a good system in the next post.

 

[Flavor4real]

ok sound good - what's the differents in 1GB DDR-SDRAM(DDR400) and the one u got?

Pentium or Athlon? will use the unit for Web, Grahig and audio/Video developing.



::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[TheGoatMan]

PC3200=DDR400 I'll be back with prices.

 

[TheGoatMan]

Here goes. Keep in mind these are all Retail.

Athlon 2800+ barton $131
MSI KT6 Delta FISR2 $136
Kingston DDR400 1gb $165
SATA WD raptor x2 $208
Maxtor 120gb IDE 8mb $90
ATI 9600 AIW $209

Thats $939. This is the important stuff. The other $361 you can spend on a case and CD/DVD drives and what not.

 

[Flavor4real]

PC3200=DDR400?

Sometimes I read PC3200(DDR400) and then PC3200 333Mhz? What's the differents
The Athlon is strong enough for my stuff?

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[Flavor4real]

If i'm not responding today then tomorrow, ok thanks .. i'm about get off work .. u know

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[paparazi]

Intel P4 would be more suited to your applications than an Athlon (I am an AMD user myself) but recognise the Intel P4 800fsb is superior for Photoshop work.

PC3200 is DDR400 AND

PC2700 is DDR333 so I think your information is a little mixed.

An Athlon System would be just fine and TheGoatMans suggestions are one way to go and would produce a decent enough system, it's just that a P4 800fsb CPU on an Intel 865 or 875 chipset platform would perform better.
The only argument is not that fact, it is weather the extra cost of the P4 is worth the better performance.
Martin L.I.B.P.P
Licenciate of the British Institute of Professional Photographers. (so I do have some experience with the programs AND computing hardware I'm talking about)

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[TheGoatMan]

If you want a fast pentium take that figure and times it by 2.

 

[Flavor4real]

Ok - i see the picture better now. I have a question, below is the sony computer for $1400. I want to know what y'all think about the specification on this one. I was about getting me that but i've changed my mind. I just wanna know y'all opinion about this one...

==============================================
• Processor
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.80C GHz† with Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology

• Cache Memory
512KB Integrated On-Die Level 2

• Front Side BUS Speed
800MHz

• Standard RAM
512MB PC-2700 333MHz DDR (expandable to 2.0GB)

• Hard Drive
120GB††3 7200rpm Ultra ATA/100 Hard Drive

• DVD±RW / CD-RW DRIVE
-RW (4X max. write / 2X max. rewrite / 2X max. read)
+RW (4X max. write / 2.4X max. rewrite / 2.4X max. read)
CD-RW (16X max. write / 10X max. rewrite / 32X max. read)

• DVD-ROM
16X max. DVD-ROM Read / 40X max. CD-ROM read

• Floppy Disk Drive
3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive

• Video & Graphics
ATI Radeon™ 9200
128MB Video Memory (128-bit DDR)
VGA-out / DVI-Out (DVI output:1280x1024x60Hz max.) / TV-Out
8X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration

• Giga Pocket TM
MPEG2 Realtime Encoder/Decoder board with TV Tuner

• Ethernet
10Base-T/100Base-TX Ethernet (RJ-45)

• Modem
V.90 compatible data/fax modem

• Expansion Slots
One 8x AGP (occupied by Graphics Card)
Three PCI (two occupied)
Multi-Media Card Reader (Memory StickTM, Compact Flash™ Type I and Type II, IBM Micro Drive™, and Smart MediaTM

• Expansion Bays
Two 5.25" Half-Height (occupied)
One External 3.5" (occupied)
Two Internal 3.5" (one occupied)

• Port Connectors
Seven USB 2.0 (three front/four rear)
Two PS/2® (Mouse/Keyboard)
One VGA/DVI Monitor Port / TV-Out
One S/PDIF Out / One Parallel Port / One Line In
One 6pin i.LINK Port (rear)/ One 4pin (front)
One Headphone / One Microphone
S-Video: Two Inputs (front and rear)
Composite Video / Audio Inputs (front and rear)
Stereo Line Input/Output
Coaxial Input (VHF/UHF)

• Supplied Accessories
Speakers (Stereo)
IR Remote Control and Receiver
VAIO® Keyboard / PS/2® Mouse

• Power Requirements
100-120V 4.7A (50/60Hz)

• Power Management
ACPI 1.0 Compliant

• Dimensions & Weight (CPU)
7.7"(W) x 15"(H) x 15.4"(D), 30.86 lbs.

• Sony Original Software
Giga Pocket™ - Personal Video Recorder
Click to DVD™ - DVD Creation
PictureGear Studio™ - Digital Photo
DVgate Plus™ - Digital Video
SonicStage™ - Digital Music
VAIO Media™ - Network File Sharing

• Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
VAIO® recommends Microsoft® Windows® XP

• ?Other Software Applications
Microsoft® Works® 7.0 - Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Calendar, Scheduling, Contact Management, and Database
Microsoft® Age of Empires® II 6
MoodLogic® 2.5 Trial**5
Intuit Quicken® 20032 New User Edition
Microsoft® Money® 20045
Microsoft® Encarta® Online4
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader®
Apple QuickTime®
RealNetworks® RealOneTM Player

• Anti-Virus & Recovery Software
Norton® Internet SecurityTM 90 Day Trial**5
VAIO® Recovery Wizard3
VAIO® Support Agent

• Service
One Year Limited Express Repair Service

• Limited Warranty
One Year Parts and Labor 1

=============================================

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::: 55-Studio.com :::::::::::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

 

[paparazi]

There are just so many unanswered questions when buying a ready made system and you simply don't get all the bit you want when buying a package and get lots of things you don't want or need.
When you know the components that are currently "top of the pile" in terms of performance and features the only way to go is either specialist or custom build, this way you can specify exactly the make/model of each component.
Your list leaves some big question marks:

Things I picked up on looking at the Sony specs:
What motherboard and chipset does it have?
What is Power supply rating and brand?
It doesn't come with Serial ATA hard drive?
Do you need a modem? or most of this bundled software?

Graphics performance will be extremely low due to the Radeon 9200 card.
No firewire (fairly common now on high end systems)

Obviously a cheap micro ATX motherboard due to only having 3 PCI slots, two of which are already filled*

Poor 1 year warranty.

You could have so much more for that kind of money, it may not look as integrated in terms of everything matching (like the Sony Vaio does) but by carefull sellection of periferals: Case, Monitor, Keyboard, mouse and speakers you can get everything to look as if it belongs together.
But most importantly it will perform significantly better due to it's higher performing parts list.

Martin


Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[SYAR2003]

Looks like
SONY VAIO RS430
Intel® 865PE Chipset

Have to agree with paparazi on the video card.

 

[TheGoatMan]

Nice system but think higher than $1400.