[thomask1]

I'm thinking of building a new PC, and am leaning towards AMD as the last system I built was AMD. I'm not really up on PC's as I tend to just do a bit of research before I build rather than keeping in the know all the time.

The last PC I built was with an AMD Athlon 2500XP, which as I understood it, run processes at an equivilant speed to an Intel P4 2.5ghz processor dispite only running at a clock speed of 1.8ghz.

Is this still the case with AMD processors? I have my eye on AMD Venice Athlon 64 3500.

 

[smallboy]

Yes, it is still the case. Go for a P4 if you want super fast performance and you have a lot of money to spare, go the AMD way if you are smart shopper who likes to get the best performance FOR THE MONEY.

 

[LHDV5]

I built my system a few months ago and went for an AMD 64.

While I like having the best toys etc., I think at the end of the day we only use 1% of current processor's capabilities, so go for the cheapest!

 

[thomask1]

Cool, thanks for the replies. The difference in price between the AMD processors and Intel is amazing considering the difference in performance.

I'll be taking advantage of the interest free credit deal at Ebuyer at the moment and building me a brand new DB's system!

 

[Deadlock]

Quite a good article I recieved in my in box: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1194

 

[sk4tec]

interesting article - so thats why my stock AMD cooler was so noisy!!!

 

[smallboy]

interesting article - so thats why my stock AMD cooler was so noisy!!!

Not just yours! All stock coolers are noisy because they use cheap parts, obviously! Best to invest in something that is copper based and preferably has fan speed control.

 

[sk4tec]

My stock cooler is now sitting in a box of spare bits!!

Changing the 'fans' on my cpu cost a lot less than changing the (rad) fans on my VW...

 

[redbutcher]

Not just yours! All stock coolers are
noisy because they use cheap parts, obviously! Best to invest in
something that is copper based and preferably has fan speed control.

Something like this if you're a bog standard socket 462 user: clicky

Something like this if you're a socket 754, 939 or 940 user: clicky

I've used Zalman CPU fans in the last 3 systems I've built and they are excellent.

 

[Deadlock]

I have this cooler: (got as a prezzie whilst I was building my
machine!)
http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php?LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=ACB-V83&other_title=+ACB-V83+JET+7

 

[NikB]

I have almost the same cooler as you Deadlock. Mine isn't the jet
version just the standard one but they do the same job. If you guys
want performance then at the moment you really can't beat the Athlon
64's they really are very good. Now they've got the dual cores coming
out which will be very powerful once code is written to make use of
them.

If you like Zalman coolers and want to try water cooling take a look at this -

http://www.casetech.co.uk/product.php?productid=18084&cat=0&page=1

 

[LHDV5]

Not just yours! All stock coolers are noisy because they use cheap parts, obviously! Best to invest in something that is copper based and preferably has fan speed control.

Something like this if you're a bog standard socket 462 user: clicky

Something like this if you're a socket 754, 939 or 940 user: clicky

I've used Zalman CPU fans in the last 3 systems I've built and they are excellent.

I have a 120mm Zalman copper "heatsinked" cooler too, can't fault it. Definitely a wise purchase!

 

[iwilliams]

what are these like

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=152521

Would the zalman be better for my amd 64 3500 ?

I currently have a ABIT AN8 mobo as well

 

[LHDV5]

Zalmans are not necessarily better in terms of temperature reduction, but they are much much quieter than 80mm coolers.

Check if the Zalman will fit on your mobo if you are considering buying it, you should be able to find the info on Zalman's website.

 

[redbutcher]

what are these like

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=152521

Would the zalman be better for my amd 64 3500 ?

I currently have a ABIT AN8 mobo as well

Not used one of those before, but Akasa is a good solid make.

If you're using a stock cooler at the moment, the Zalman would be much
better for your CPU. It will reduce the temp quite a bit (mine's
sitting at 49 degrees C at the moment at stock speed with the cooler in
silent mode). In silent mode the Zalman does an excellent job of
keeping the cpu cool and also keeping the noise down.

 

[iwilliams]

with the zalman do you need to take the mobo out to screw the back plate thing in?

 

[LHDV5]

I can't remember, but I guess you have to...Wasn't much of a problem for me though as I built the system from scratch.

 

[iwilliams]

testing the pc today and found the CPU fan ( OEM ) not that bad. The video card was really bad and so was the 120mm case fan.

So Ive ordered a new fan for the video card and case. When these 2 fans were stopped ( for a few seconds ) I couldnt hear the CPU fan.

 

[redbutcher]

with the zalman do you need to take the mobo out to screw the back plate thing in?

Yup - just a one time operation though.

 

[redbutcher]

testing the pc today and found the CPU fan ( OEM ) not that bad. The video card was really bad and so was the 120mm case fan.

So Ive ordered a new fan for the video
card and case. When these 2 fans were stopped ( for a few seconds ) I
couldnt hear the CPU fan.

What did you go for? My video card uses one of these: clicky

My case fan is one of these: clicky

Best investment was also buying this case from the same company that makes the above fan: clicky

Can't hear the hard drive as that is fitted in one of these: clicky

Not the cheapest option, but it really does make the hard drive silent - even when seeking it can't be heard.

Means I don't get headaches when I'm
in the same room as the PC (work from home quite a lot) as it's pretty
much a silent PC now.