Intel VS. Athlon

[VTgreen81]

We're about to by a new machine, which processor would work best with Home Studio 2004 XL?

Athlon xp3000 plus 2.16 GHz

Athlon 64 3000 plus

Intel p4 2.86 GHz w/ hyperthread

Thanks

[James Argo]

Anything you mentioned is great. FYI, it took alot more to consider than processor... Post more about your FULL SETUP, your working behaviour, and your goal... then we can talk more.


Jaymz

[Drummer4Life05]

IMO, it all comes down to your budget.
If you have the money, go ahead and get the Intel.
If you're on a smaller budget, go for the AMD.

...$0.02...

- Justin -

[BenneB]

I am not sure but i think a 64 bit chip is no good unless u are running programs that need a 64 bit processor. And there are none that I know of yet.

[Qwerty]

Why do Intel make the Xeon?

The AMD still posts sexy results.

Q.

[VTgreen81]

Originally posted by James Argo
Anything you mentioned is great. FYI, it took alot more to consider than processor... Post more about your FULL SETUP, your working behaviour, and your goal... then we can talk more.


Jaymz

Ok here are three systems I'm considering:

#1 this is a great choice if you know you're not going to need to
> upgrade the PC for a while (or ever). They look like aluminum ice cubes
> ... very slick.
> A digital audio station should have mondo RAM and a big HD ... you can
> generally skimp on the CPU and video adapter ... sooooo ...
>
> (all prices are before shipping)
>
> Shuttle XPC SN41G2V2 $275.00 (video, 6-channel sound, LAN,
> USB2.0, FireWire onboard)
> 1GB Geil Dual-Channel DDR RAM $196.00
> AthlonXP 3000+ (2.16Ghz) CPU $166.00
> WD Caviar SE 80GB Hard Disk $64.00
> Sick 17" LCD (Planar/CTX/Sony) $420.00 or so
> 52X CD Burner $85.00
> Keyboard + Mouse $75.00 (I'd buy these locally so you/the
> client can "feel them out")
> Windows XP Professional Upgrade $199.00 (technically you need the "full"
> version, but if you or I have an old Windows98 CD lying around, that's
> all you need ... i.e. you don't actually have to INSTALL Windows98 first
> ... you can just insert the CD during setup to "prove" that you have it).
>
> You said that the client will take care of purchasing the external USB
> sound device and (I'm assuming) the speakers ... if those haven't been
> bought yet, let me know and I can reccommend some great ones.
>
> Sooo ... parts total before shipping = $1,480.00
> Assembly (estimate) = $150.00 (lower than usual because
> the case comes with power supply and mobo already installed)
>
> Assembled Total w/o shipping = $1,630.00
>
>



#2 here's another Shuttle Mini ... this time with a badass Athlon64 core
> and Serial ATA RAID (basically this provides DATA REDUNDANCY through
> hard disk "mirroring" ... i.e. there are two HDs in the machine, but
> only one of them is actually "usable." The other AUTOMATICALLY contains
> an exact copy of the first ... this means that if one HD crashes, you
> still have all of your stuff. This is common in servers and is gaining
> increasing popularity for desktops)
>
> (all prices are before shipping)
>
> Shuttle XPC SN85G4 $299.00 (this one is black with aluminum
> ... kewl) http://us.shuttle.com/specs2.asp?pro_id=389
> 1GB Geil Dual-Channel DDR RAM $196.00
> Athlon64 3000+ CPU $230.00
> (2) WD800JD S-ATA Hard Disks $170.00
> Sick 17" LCD (Planar/CTX/Sony) $420.00
> 52X CD Burner $85.00
> Keyboard + Mouse $75.00
> Windows XP Professional Upgrade $199.00
>
> Parts total before shipping = $1,674.00
> Assembly (estimate) = $200.00 (RAID setup takes extra time,
> also S-ATA drives need a "burn-in" period)
>
> Assembled Total w/o shipping= $1,874.00



#3 lastly, here's a more "typical" built-from-the-ground-up tower ...
> you said your client had a preference for Intel chips so I am using a
> Pentium4 HT core for this puppy ... if you think they will be wanting to
> upgrade it soon, OR if you anticipate the need for more than one CD
> drive (i.e. a second drive for disc-to-disc copies OR even a DVD
> burner), this is the way to go. More "room to breathe" for all of the
> parts.
>
> (all prices are before shipping)
>
> Abit IS7-E2 Mobo $90.00 (no firewire, RAID, or on-board
> video)
> http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...es=1&model=164
> <http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/...es=1&model=164>
> Vantec ION 400B Power Supply $60.00
> Sick ATX Case $50.00 - $200.00 (go nuts ... here's
> some links to look at :
> http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20031217/index.html
> AND http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20030804/index.html ... also,
> some of the pricier ones come with a power supply, so keep that in mind)
> 1GB Geil Dual-Channel DDR RAM $196.00
> Pentium4 2.8Ghz w/ Hyperthread $192.00
> WD800JD S-ATA Hard Disk $85.00
> Sick 17" LCD (Planar/CTX/Sony) $420.00
> 52X CD Burner $85.00
> Keyboard + Mouse $75.00
> Windows XP Professional Upgrade $199.00
> ATI Radeon 9000 Pro AIW $160.00 (this is the cheapest of the
> ALL-IN-WONDER Radeon cards that can CAPTURE AUDIO/VIDEO from television
> ... dunno if your client would need that ... if they don't, an
> equivacable card without TV capture is about $100.00)
>
> Parts total before shipping = $1,552.00 - $1,762.00
> Assembly (estimate) $200.00
>
> Assembled Total w/o shipping = $1,752.00 - $1,962.00

I'll probably forgo the LCD monitor and use the $$ for 2 DMP3's and a VTB-1 (preamps)
For an interface I'll be using a Delta 1010

These PC's are being custom built so they can be modified.

[brzilian]

Those prices are ridiculous! You can put together a nice system for $700 with out the monitor nowadays.

First off, this guy wants to rip you off by recommending XP Pro. Unless you have a multiprocessor system or need extra networking functionality, XP Home will suffice (and be $100 cheaper).

80Gb is a bare minimum nowadays for HD storage. I picked up a 120Gb Maxtor for less than $100 at Best Buy a while ago.

There is no mention of motherboard chipsets in the above systems either except for the last.

This guy doesn't know anything about setting up DAW's based on Cakewalk software either. All newer Radeon based ATI All-in-Wonder cards have serious issues with Sonar and HS2002/2004. If all you are doing is DAW work, you should invest in a dualhead card and 2 monitors. The Matrox G450 series will suffice and cost less than $100.

[brzilian]

Originally posted by BenneB
I am not sure but i think a 64 bit chip is no good unless u are running programs that need a 64 bit processor. And there are none that I know of yet.

Not true. The Althon 64 outperforms the newer P4's, especially with math intensive apps while still running 32 bit code.

[James Argo]

Originally posted by brzilian
Those prices are ridiculous! You can put together a nice system for $700 with out the monitor nowadays.

First off, this guy wants to rip you off by recommending XP Pro. Unless you have a multiprocessor system or need extra networking functionality, XP Home will suffice (and be $100 cheaper).
...

I agree!!! Anyway, for mobo I'd prefer ASUS P4P800 than ABIT.

[dachay2tnr]

Originally posted by James Argo
I agree!!! Anyway, for mobo I'd prefer ASUS P4P800 than ABIT.

You'll get my vote for that one. I just built a system using that board, P4 2.8 GHz 800 FSB, 1 Gig DDR RAM, running Sonar 3 and a Delta 1010. Runs like a champ.

Cost was a little over $600 without a monitor - but also without hard drives, keyboard and mouse as I salvaged them from my former system. BTW, that also included a dual monitor graphics card as brzilian is suggesting.

Oh, and that was without an OS as well, as I already had a copy.

[James Argo]

Yeah dachay, it rocks!!! Anyway, I don't know if HS 2004 XL makes a good use of hyper threading. I thought only Sonar 3.1.1 can make a good use of HT... Correct me if I was wrong...


Jaymz

[VTgreen81]

Actually we DO want XP Pro . This wil be one of at least three machine on a network and will be a backup for our business machines as well as our DAW.

Also Home Studio XL is just a starting point, The Sonar upgrades are in the future plans.

[Teacher]

amd64....mine as well plan ahead...

[Darryl79]

Originally posted by brzilian
Those prices are ridiculous! You can put together a nice system for $700 with out the monitor nowadays.

Very True.

Also, what's up with the $85.00 CD/RW burner?? You can get a nice Samsung for $33.00 OEM or $35.00 Retail. The difference being one comes with software and packaging, the other does not.
Samsung CD/RW Link - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

Secondly, you can buy XP pro FULL with a piece of hardware (CD/RW) and get a discount since you are buying it OEM. Don't pay that guy full price. $138.00

XP Link - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

I would personally go with an Intel system all the way if you want stability.

[brzilian]

Originally posted by Darryl79

I would personally go with an Intel system all the way if you want stability.

Thats total BS - AMD systems work very well. Only the VERY old KT133/266 chipsets had issues with soundcards

[Darryl79]

Originally posted by brzilian
Thats total BS - AMD systems work very well. Only the VERY old KT133/266 chipsets had issues with soundcards

Ok, I should have re-phrased. I personally have never used an AMD based system, so I have no grounds to base on stability.

My only experience have been with Intel based systems. They have proven to give me no problems.

Thanks for the correction.

[bluesboy2003]

You're getting taken to town, mate...

[Darryl79]

Originally posted by bluesboy2003
You're getting taken to town, mate...

And that is a bad thing because...?

You've never been wrong before AND never admitted it. That's called ignorance.

Do you want to be ignorant? Or would you rather learn from your mistakes and hope to make better decisions?

Who is being taken to town now.... mate.

[bluesboy2003]

Whoah, whoah, whoah! That was aimed at VT in reference to those "deals" on PCs he's been offered! I offer no input on Intel vs. AMD. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

[Darryl79]

Originally posted by bluesboy2003
Whoah, whoah, whoah! That was aimed at VT in reference to those "deals" on PCs he's been offered! I offer no input on Intel vs. AMD. Sorry, I should have been more specific.

Oh, well you replied to me bud! lol

Phew, I thought it was going to be high noon there for a sec. lol

Carry on, Carry on.

[VTgreen81]

Now I need to know, is he overcharging for the components or is he just using all high end parts. I don't mind paying if I get what I pay for. Could part of the high cost be because the machine is to be set up for business as well as a DAW?

[Darryl79]

Originally posted by VTgreen81
Now I need to know, is he overcharging for the components or is he just using all high end parts. I don't mind paying if I get what I pay for. Could part of the high cost be because the machine is to be set up for business as well as a DAW?

I don't know anything about the Athlon boards so, I can't help you there.

With XP, he IS taking the full profit. My boss is a reseller, and his cost is $99-100.00 He sells it for $185 or so most of the time.

I'm sure they are high quality parts, but just be aware of what the actual prices are. If you can haggle him on price, he may be willing to negotiate.

Yes, that machine is set up for buisness use so, it's not your average dell.

I might buy XP on my own with a piece of hardware like I was mentioning earlier and see if he would install that. Only problem with that is, it didn't come from your guy, so he might not support it, you'd have to go through the vendor. Plus, Microsoft's OEM license comes with no support either. It's a tough choice to make.

Is the lower cost worth the hassle of supporting it all on your own?