Buy new CPU: Athlon or Pentium 4??

[huntr]

I'm getting a new computer but before I buy anything, I would like your feedback about which processor I should get. I would like a faster system that can meet my tasks such as capturing, aurthor, encode and then burn videos into DVD. So what's the difference between AMD Athlon and Intel Pentium 4? How much Ghz should I aim for? I want the reliable computer in a long run. I would like to hear your suggestions.

Thanks!

[apco25]

I got suckered into the AMD (still have it). It's OK, but there are compatability issues. I will be sticking with the Pentiums all the way from now on.

[MpegEncoder]

I got suckered into the AMD (still have it). It's OK, but there are compatability issues. I will be sticking with the Pentiums all the way from now on.

I love vagueness. Could you please be more specific about your "compatability issues"?

[TeeeRex]

HI,

There has been many a 'debate' on which is best for encoding - try searching the forums - a few were locked as they got fairly heated ....

In summary (imho..)

At the SAME clock speed - Intel P4 is faster at encoding than an Athlon

HOWEVER (and it is a big however....)

The Althon at the same clock speed is cheaper than the P4.

So - in theory you could get a faster Athlon (say the SAME price as the P4) and it 'should' be faster than the P4.

Basically get the fastest GHz processor you can get, get less memory if it means you can get a faster processor (ie 256Mbyte instead of 512Mbyte), you can always upgrade this later - encoding uses CPU NOT memory.. a large hard disk (120 Gbyte) to store your data on, and a decent DVD Writer - Pioneer A05 or Sony..

(Don't shhot me down in flames guys - just my opinion on the questions raised ...)

[fingernailX]

I just went through this issue and ended up buying the P4 2.4B as anandtech.com recommended at the time (Feb12th) I bought an albatron 845 pev pro motherboard and 256 of samsung 333 ddr. Out of the box I upped the FSB to 160 giving me a 2.88 with the DDR at 400 mhz. It has never hiccupped with the stock HSF. I didn't get more memory because according to the experts video capture and encoding wouldn't use it anyway. My agp and pci speed is locked at the std and I have no audio/video sync problems on capture. CCE and MainConcept encode to DVD 1 pass at slightly less (faster) than realtime. Some people are using this motherboard with the 2 ghz Celeron (multiplier of 20) to get speeds of 3.0 to 3.2 ghz. You loose 512k of L2 cache for 128k but for video needs only I am told that doesn't matter. This is an 85$ mb with a $88 chip giivng 3 ghz speeds - amazing. I couldn't be happier with my setup.

[Bondiablo]

I just bought the same setup but with different RAM (512MB Corsair XMS PC3200) to replace an Athlon XP 2000+ and a Via based motherboard I was never particularly happy with. Great board and processor combo, does 166fsb 2.98ghz on default voltage and retail heatsink/fan and temp barely reaches 50c even after a few hours of Prime95 and the fan isn't quite as annoying. That Corsair RAM is good stuff too, running it at DDR400 2-5-2-2 2.7V even though it's only rated for 2-6-3-3 and you don't even void the warranty until you go over 2.8V.

Anyway... I think AMD or Intel doesn't matter much it's VIA I don't like (and if you look at a lot of video hardware/software sites support sections, they don't like them either). AMD rating compared to Intel GHz, AMD generally seems to be a little faster (a 2400+ AMD is a little faster than a 2.4GHz Intel) so just go by which has the best price when paired with a motherboard you like. Nforce2 is probably the best choice for AMD right now and of course Intel for Intel either 845PE or E7205.

[freak_in_cage_10k]

Hi M8,

in short the battle between AMD vs Intel is always chanbging, the winner altering every month (as their top of the range processors are released at different times)

Both are good but it is important to understand the ratings. Intel go for speed eg 2 GHz P4- a good speed to have. AMD Rate their processers so that they can be compared to Intel, so an AMD XP 2000+ will beat (-although there isn't a HUGE amount in it). although the very top end processors are v expensive for both makes, AMDs high end processors are cheaper than Intels, with NO LOSS in quality/speed.

personally, i preferr AMD, they are not poorer quality etc, i like to get more for my money although Intel are good also! The choice is up to you! if your are building the pc yyourself then go for AMD, but if you are buying your machine from a company (eg Dell, Compaq) then the intel pcs are likely to be the same price.

Also, ensure you get a good hard drive and 256 megs ram, if not more

[Jolard]

I have to go with AMD. It used to be that there were compatibility issues but this is not the case any more. The big difference is cost, especially if you are building your own PC. Building a PC with AMD is much cheaper for the power you can get, and I guess that is the main difference. You can spend the money you save on better other stuff (bigger hardrive, more memory, whatever)

While Pentium is nice, AMD is cheaper for the power and unless you have unlimited funds you are going to be better off.

[Mr Zippy]

Encoders like CCE will use the SSE2 instructions on a P4.

And memory makes a difference, CCE uses over 500 mb when encoding, the faster the memory the better.

I can encode 720x576 PAL video at 42-50 fps in CCE on a P4 2.53GHz with 768mb PC2700

[LanEvo7]

On going debate. Bottom line is AMD has a better price/performance ratio, however SOME programs can use SSE2 to optimize its performance and only P4 has SSE2 currently. Remeber, if you go with Intel doesn't just mean you have to spend more for the cpu, the motherboard will probably cost more also.

About compatibility issues. ANY computer will have it. I don't care if its Intel or AMD. I use AMD + VIA and I can still capture and encode without any problems. But if you get AMD, get Nvidia Nforce 2.

[THE RIPPER]

HI,

There has been many a 'debate' on which is best for encoding - try searching the forums - a few were locked as they got fairly heated ....

In summary (imho..)

At the SAME clock speed - Intel P4 is faster at encoding than an Athlon

At the same clock speed amd destroys the p4,before you type know the facts.

[andie41]

I bought and Amd Athlon 1700 and am extremely pleased. I read about some "compatability" issues, but I think those were back in the 1200 days.

For the price/performance I couldn't be happier.

[RabidDog]

There is NO better or worse is there. it really depends on what you want to do. for some people a mingy little VIA C5 processor is great simply becuase its so quiet. Price performance and future needs and software choice (hyperthreading or NOn amd compatible eg CCE pro) will probably dictate your choice. IMHO Amd are cheaper than intel for the same power (otherwise there is no reason to buy one) but they do have heat issues and may not be as overclockable (simply because they appear to be more efficient(hot)). but really look at the mobo you want first then get the processor?
off the fence .... Amd and Nforce2 deluxe...

[drewson99]

I got suckered into the AMD (still have it). It's OK, but there are compatability issues. I will be sticking with the Pentiums all the way from now on.

i guess apco25 isn't going to expand on that...

here's my experiences:

I have two PCs that I use for authoring, an 1800+ and a 2100+, and have never had any "compatibility issues"

I've done VCDs, SVCDs, XSVCDs, DVDs, MPEG caps, DV caps, all kinds of AVI/DIVX stuff, camcorder stuff, Firewire cap/AIW cap, basically every applicable piece of software in the "tools" section to the left, and more. web development, C/C++ programming, digital imaging (commercially), and just about everything academic pertaining to compsci known to man.

I have used Pentium (II, III, 4) in the past too, my laptop and the computers at school, and have had seamless interaction between all these computers in just about all the applications listed above.


Never once has my home setup behaved differently than the Pentium ones I have used. I am sure others can back me up on the "compatibility" side of this discussion.

Andy

[THE RIPPER]

Actually i've found that intel based systems have more compatability issues then amd,for instance my friend was having problems flashing his dvr-105,something to do with the intel ide controller,so he brought the drive over here and i flashed it in seconds.As far as heat goes as long as you have a good heatsink and fan you'll be fine,the new amd's run at 1.65 volts so they definitely run cooler then the old tbirds.I have 2 amd systems, my dual 2400 i use for video and my 8rda+ i mostly use for gaming.I have a xp 2100 overclocked to 2300mhz with just 1.8 volts. If you do decide to go amd,the nforce2 chispet is a must.


https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=136582&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[LanEvo7]

Amd are cheaper than intel for the same power (otherwise there is no reason to buy one) but they do have heat issues and may not be as overclockable (simply because they appear to be more efficient(hot)). but really look at the mobo you want first then get the processor?

Actually the overclockablility depends on the processor you buy. If you get a xp tbred-b, they are very overclockable. Some people have gotten 50% overclocks with the xp1700 tbred-b.

[Thorn]

The main factor is money: If you're on a tight budget, the AMD Athlon 2100+ or 2200+ are going to give you great performance for a low price. If you have gads of money to spend and want to go for blazing speed, the Intel 3GHz P4 with hyperthreading will give it to you. I probably won't be buying an Intel unless it has hyperthreading, and those are too expensive right now (btw, without the hyperthreading, intel is underpowered GHz for GHz). I upgrade inexpensive components frequently, but never buy the best/fastest because then you dump too much money into it and don't get anything more until it's obsolete...

BTW Anyone talking about compatibility issues with AMD is imagining things... or using programs optimized for exclusing use on intel processors (such as programs that require sse2). Conflicts usually come from the supporting chipsets on the board, so do your research before buying into a platform!

[CaptainC]

Ive read quite a lot here and i think that no matter who you ask you'll get their opinion but the truth is get something tried and tested Ive read a few narrow comments like dont get Via Amd etc..... I have a AMD athlon 1.1ghz on a GA-7ZXR series motherboard with a Via KT133A chipset, 392MB of ram and im converting a SVCD movie in two hours (realtime) in TMPEG downloading 6 films on my broadband and writing this message right now all at once. I can burn CDs DVDs and edit movies all at once. I get the odd problem generally human error on my part but nothing to cry about, all i'll say from an engineers point of view i worked with a p3 600mhz processor and a AMDK6 500mhz the AMD left the Pentium at the start line and still does. I guess start by getting a processor that is matched well to the board i think this is were you can get it wrong, AMD love overclocking, This is good whether you want to or not since encoding power fluctuates scene to scene depending on thhe action in a movie and some times needs to rise rapidly this means more power from the CPU whitch can mean overcompensating with a good floating point. AMD floating points are really there feature a bit like a car that says it does 100mph top, but cruises at 115 and hitting well above 130 before it starts to blow on you. Most important a good fan, i see alot of notes about encoders crashing in the middle of encoding this can most of the time be that it simply overheats with insufient cooling or heat sink contact, put it this way i feel the heat rising in my studio. A friend has a AMD XP1800 this checks in around 2.0Ghz DDR memory on the upgraded board from mine and it performs as well you probably wont get my spec these days. Most people slagging things off without a real argument are generally featured in the forums asking why things dont or wont work, get something that you can see working or as i have listed something tested and if you have problemswith it that others dont get proffessional help its how you learn things. Good luck......Whats the worst that can happen with an open mind, Good Karma gets results.
There is a saying that a bad workman always blames his tools

[CaptainC]

PS Thorn seems to of hit the nail on the head for me there is a point were it doesnt get any better.

[LSchafroth]

I've used both for many, many years. My kid's two PC's use Intel Slot 1 (PIII500@560Mhz) and and recently had a Slot 1 PIII650 running at 911Mhz for 2 years. It had a VIA chipset and was ROCK solid.

I recently built a AMD system with a T-bred 1700+ (1456Mhz). I am currently running it at 2012Mhz. This system also has the VIA chipset and is VERY solid and very fast.

I think it all depends on the quality of the components you buy and the brand you choose. Some motherbaord manufactures have a better reputation then others.

I think AMD gets the edge for price and performance ratios, but I would build either way. I like them both.


Lannie