AMD or Intel

craigyboytaz

craigyboytaz

craigyboytaz

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Joined
1 Mar 2006
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71
Been trying to spec a new PC for xmas, but cant deciede whether to go AMD or intel. Right now I am thinking on AMD 5000+ BE because:

*With CrossfireX motherboard I can have 4 gfx cards and given games are GPU limited this would be a safe bet i think for future cheap upgrades

*Easy upgrade toi X4 after phenom has matured

*Latest 790FX chipset

With intel I would have to go X38, which is ~£50 more, with a ~£40 more expensive chip, and without the option of crossfireX and then have to upgrade the mobo chip and ram soon-ish for the new socket.

So why would I choose intel right now apart from good benchmark scores?!
 
craigyboytaz said:
*Latest 790FX chipset
Click to expand...
IMO problem with Phenom is not just itself but also the mobos. Think they also need to 'mature'. Like the 790-series has issues (with Phenom) plus complaints about its 'old' southbridge, i.e. SB600. Now a BIOS update might sort-out the issues but the mobos in general will get a refresh with a newer & better southbridge, SB700.

If you must build a PC now & can't wait till 2008, Intel is the best route :)
 
I understand the the new southbridge only gives some extra USB's and 2 SATA Ports, hardly anything worth waiting for.

I know the X38 supports Xfire, but not XfireX.

On a bit of a budget, which basically means is Intel + X38 worth £100 more than AMD+790FX?

Bios updates have cured a lot of problems thus far for 790FX and I would hope they would continue to.

Still swaying to AMD for cheap-ish 3870 upgrade in XfireX and a 5000+ BE with MSI K9A2 Platinum.

The intel setup would be like a QuadGT +E2180(for now) but i dont know if it warrants the extra expense.

Oh and P35 + 8800GT = hard to upgrade, given that i cannot easliy add a gfx card, and all games are gfx limited just now
 
Your on a budget yet your main concern is being able to have 4 graphics cards in your motherboard? By the time you get a second card you may aswell just sell your old single one and buy the newer model which would more than likely be faster. I'd go intel.
 
yeah i am on a budegt, not talking about getting 4 gfx cards right away, would be a long term upgrade path.

With Intel, I get P35/X38 +8800GT, then in < 1 yr a new socket comes out so my upgrade path comes to a halt and i have to go new prob+mobo+ram(Probably)

In games, surely AMD + 3870(s) = better performance than Intel +8800GT(single) given that CPU will never hit 100% on either.

Should also ask for a recommended 'bang for buck' intel sysetm. was thinking a e2180 overclcoked as interim to q6600, with a 3870 foor a cheap xfire upgrade.

thanks
 
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Intel Setup

Why insist on going X38 if you are on a budget?
X38 boards are simply too expensive at the moment, the features it offers are not properly supported.
I think you are away in dreamland matey!!
Intel all the way at the moment.
As for 3870's in crossfire beating 8800GT, not a chance.
Here is a review on the subject.
3870 Full Review
 
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