processors

[babasan]

hello to all this is my first time on here and there are some things i don't understand i would like to build my own system to use for general tasks internet e-mail photos video and music i have thought about by a complete system but after upgrading parts on my old system i thought i would have a bash at building.

now my question is amd or intel
with intel for example you get a p4 3.0gig processor but with amd you get athlon 64 3000+ does this mean it is the equivelent to the intel chip or better or worse also is dual core better than single

i want a system that is fast and not obsolete as soon as i build it though i will not use it for games just everything else any advice on this is greatly appricated as well as any recomendations for parts to use for my build would be great my budget for a chip is about £150 but can stretch if needed

cheers

 

[smids]

Welcome to the forums .

For a single core system which won't be obsolete and for the tasks you mention, I would recommend a nice cheap P4 3.0Ghz HT 630 Processor. This has EMT64 (i.e. 64-bit extensions for 64-bit OS'es), and HT which uses the processor extremely effieciently. Although a fan of AMD's, when I did switch from my HT P4 3.0ghz, I did miss the power of HT.

Obviously, dual core is much better than single core and programs are being written to take advantage of this (a requirement, or else the program will just run on one core, making it the same speed as a single core).

If you can stretch for it, I would recommend the AMD A64 3800+ X2 dual core OEM which can be had for only £193inc VAT. This is a good processor but then again, outside you budget. It is down to you and where else you could save in the system but for the menial tasks you mention, an HT P4 should suffice.

Yes, 3000+ means it should be equivalent to a 3.0Ghz Intel (the reason AMD named their chips like this - the 3000+ actually runs at 1.8ghz).