AMD recommendations

[Superczar]

Guys, a friend of mine's g/f wants a new PC put together, but she insists on AMD, which I'm not up to speed on. I could use some info on what to get for her. She doesn't game, so top of the line is not necessary. I was thinking something along the lines of an Athlon 64 X2...

[Bludd]

Just get a cheap Core 2 and say it's an AMD.

Why would she insist on an AMD CPU? Does it provide a better experience somehow? Does it make her feel better when it's sitting inside a case under a HSF?

[Superczar]

Originally Posted by Bludd

Just get a cheap Core 2 and say it's an AMD.

Why would she insist on an AMD CPU? Does it provide a better experience somehow? Does it make her feel better when it's sitting inside a case under a HSF?

I'd rather not get into "why" she wants AMD, it's a long, ugly story. Believe me, I would rather just slap in a C2Duo and be done with it. I haven't messed with AMD in years...

[peoplessi]

Well, AMD is not a bad choice.

[Phait]

If performance isn't an issue than slap in any ol' AMD x2 with decent cache.

[Bludd]

Originally Posted by peoplessi

Well, AMD is not a bad choice.

No, but neither is Intel. I just don't understand why someone would INSIST on it.

I wouldn't get an AMD CPU for one simple reason: I don't like nvidia's motherboard chipsets. Intel's just work.

Originally Posted by Phait

If performance isn't an issue than slap in any ol' AMD x2 with decent cache.

That's a weird thing to say. If performance wasn't an issue, she should get a dirt cheap Sempron or something or a really old Celeron.

[Phait]

no u!

X2 is helpful to have regardless.

[peoplessi]

Bludd, well, AMD isn't restricted to nVidia chipset, infact the AMD's own chipsets are superior.

[Bludd]

Originally Posted by peoplessi

Bludd, well, AMD isn't restricted to nVidia chipset, infact the AMD's own chipsets are superior.

Yeah, I forgot about that.

[8IronBob]

Well, sure, I run a Phenom x4 in my rig, and have no trouble. May need to adjust to the fact that it's a quad-core, as well as that it's a different architecture. Haven't touched an AMD PC from about 2001/2002 up until a few months ago when I got this one built (the few PCs in between were all Intel-based), but it's worth getting used to. Of course, I do have it attached to an ASUS M3N78 Pro, which, of course, is an nVidia-based mobo. So, there is a little bit of that AMD/nVidia connection right there. Not too bad, but I certainly could've went with an ASUS 790X mobo, and would've Crossfired 2 x HD 4850s to have a better result than the config that's in my siggy right now. Just saying.

[Mr.Fibbles]

Originally Posted by Bludd

I wouldn't get an AMD CPU for one simple reason: I don't like nvidia's motherboard chipsets. Intel's just work.

You do realize that Intel boards are more likely to have Nvidia chipsets because AMD is in competition with NVidia?

Some people have preferences over brand rather than other things. I choose Nvidia over ATI because I always have. However, I went with Intel because it was a better deal than any of the AMD chips at the time of purchase.

A cpu is a cpu. There isn't much difference really between the two when you look at numbers rather than names. Instead of going for names, look at the specs and make a decision that way. . .

[Superczar]

Originally Posted by Bludd

No, but neither is Intel. I just don't understand why someone would INSIST on it.

She's... odd... let's just say that. Now she wants a quad-core when before she didn't. I can't see why she would need one. I can get her a cheap decent X2 setup that's more than enough for her to surf the intarwebs, and do her homework.

[peoplessi]

Mr.Fibbles, that would go for ATI / nVidia too.

[d3ad connection]

Get her a cheap system and tell her whatever she wants to hear.

[Mr.Fibbles]

Originally Posted by peoplessi

Mr.Fibbles, that would go for ATI / nVidia too.

I realize that. . .I just have always preferred nVidia; habit. That would be an explanation for why this person wants an AMD. Maybe the next time I upgrade, I'll look into an Ati card. . .

[shiranui]

AMD recommendations?

OK, I recommend that you stay away from AMD until they release their next generation of processors, and they have been proven to offer better value for money than intel's equivalent offerings.

[GambitMR]

It probably isn't really related to this thread ... but have any of you tried to get 8GB into a P45 board? Good luck trying! Had to go through 3 different kits (4 including the one a friend of mine tried). I've had AMD systems for 10 years now ... except for the nvidia chipsets I never had problems ... and the one time (2 weeks ago) I build an intel system it's a pain in the ass

[Superczar]

Originally Posted by shiranui

AMD recommendations?

OK, I recommend that you stay away from AMD until they release their next generation of processors, and they have been proven to offer better value for money than intel's equivalent offerings.

Not my choice man.

[Zero]

Originally Posted by Superczar

Not my choice man.

There is nothing wrong with her choice, if you look at Intel and AMD's history, who has more problems with there processors? certainly not AMD, but if she knows about this, that maybe the reason for her choice. It is one of the reasons why AMD will always be my choice.

[Bludd]

Originally Posted by Zero

There is nothing wrong with her choice, if you look at Intel and AMD's history, who has more problems with there processors? certainly not AMD, but if she knows about this, that maybe the reason for her choice. It is one of the reasons why AMD will always be my choice.

That is a lie. AMD had to release new A64 X2 CPU drivers for WinXP and I can't find any for Core 2.

[ZaphodB]

Originally Posted by Bludd

That is a lie. AMD had to release new A64 X2 CPU drivers for WinXP and I can't find any for Core 2.

Never had probs with my x2 with XP. And you can't tell me Intel has never had to relase new drivers for their chips either. Intel hasn't been "OMG perfect" over the years, neither has AMD. I had bad experiences in the past with Intel, which is one of the reasons I switched to AMD. So I don't see how you can call his statement a "lie".

[Bludd]

Originally Posted by ZaphodB

Never had probs with my x2 with XP. And you can't tell me Intel has never had to relase new drivers for their chips either. Intel hasn't been "OMG perfect" over the years, neither has AMD. I had bad experiences in the past with Intel, which is one of the reasons I switched to AMD. So I don't see how you can call his statement a "lie".

Find me an Intel desktop CPU driver release and I will give it to you. I have already provided an AMD CPU driver release.

If you are talking about errata for CPUs, all have it and only developers and compiler guys need to worry about those.

I am talking about something an end user would have to install.

[ZaphodB]

http://www.intel.com/products/proces...ium4/index.htm

Good enough? I can find more.

[Bludd]

There's no driver there. You have a processor identification utility, many manuals and reference documentation, design guidelines and other info.

Where's the driver?

[ZaphodB]

http://www.intel.com/support/noteboo.../CS-022097.htm

http://www.intel.com/support/noteboo.../CS-026048.htm

Thought you could see the big "DOWNLOADS" link at the top.

and I'm not searching for more, they are there, intel is far from perfect. It may be your cpu of chice, and you may have had nothing but good experiences, but they are not perfect. No manufacturer is. Having the updates for drivers shows a RELIABLE company, not an unreliable one.

Form Microsoft

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/832885

SYMPTOMS
Computers that are equipped with Intel Mobile "Prescott" processors and that support mobile processor power management features require correct BIOS support and an updated processor driver to enable these power management features on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP. These power management features include Intel SpeedStep technology and ACPI-defined processor idle sleep states (C-states). Without the processor driver update, computers that are equipped with these power management-capable mobile processors may experience reduced battery life, decreased performance, or increased operating temperatures.

[Bludd]

Those ARE NOT CPU drivers. Are you intentionally being dense? Those are CHIPSET drivers and there is a difference. What I am saying is that AMD had to release an end-user driver for their Athlon 64 X2 CPU (penultimate entry in the list): http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/..._13118,00.html

You are grasping at straws. AFAIK, Intel hasn't released a driver for their consumer desktop CPUs. There shouldn't be a need because CPUs should just work.

[8IronBob]

Right, and the fact that AMD builds their processors from scratch, rather than slap two existing cores together to call it a "quad-core" or "dual-core" like some of their earlier gens from Intel. So it's actually Intel playing catch up in that regard... AMD may need to catch up in performance, but Intel needs to catch up in architecture. Rather interesting stuff.

[Bludd]

Right, so Intel's inferiour architecture just happens to beat AMD's in IPC (that's architecture) and they have better, more advanced cache (architecture again) even when you have two Core 2 Duos slapped together to form a Core 2 Quad. So much for the "true" quad core superiority, eh? IMC really beat Core 2 with it ancient FSB tech, right? Oh, wait. Cache mitigated that so much that Core 2 just hands down beat AMD. At the moment, AMD can only compete on price.

8IronBob, I admire you enthusiasm, but you continually spout the most inane bullshit when it comes to tech. I wish you'd just read up on this before you come here with your "conclusions" and musings.

[Wamplet]

How much money is she looking to spend?

[peoplessi]

We could just keep that AMD vs. Intel battle away from here. Both have had problems, and that driver thing is no indication of anything. You could just google for "Intel + microcode" and be done with it. That's just useless waste of space to argue about such thing.

AMD offers best value in Quadcores atm, Phenom X4 9950. The upcoming revision of Phenom - Deneb, will be a good step forwards in lowering prices and heat. Increasing effiency.

[8IronBob]

Right, on top of that, I DID read (yes, Bludd, don't get me wrong), that AMD is supposedly going to be the first to come out with, get this, 22nm architecture, which is something that Intel may never have thought of. Now THAT will be a good comeback trail for AMD right there... I read up on that at the eVGA forums, and I can't remember how far back I saw that info. It was at least a couple months ago that I read up on that...

[peoplessi]

Originally Posted by 8IronBob

Right, on top of that, I DID read (yes, Bludd, don't get me wrong), that AMD is supposedly going to be the first to come out with, get this, 22nm architecture, which is something that Intel may never have thought of. Now THAT will be a good comeback trail for AMD right there... I read up on that at the eVGA forums, and I can't remember how far back I saw that info. It was at least a couple months ago that I read up on that...

It definately isn't something that Intel hasn't considered. I don't know from where you got that from. It was just that IBM demoed first 22nm chip, nothing more. The next step for AMD is 45nm Deneb & Shanghai, something that Phenoms should have been from the start.

[Superczar]

Come on guys seriously. I'm not an AMD fan myself but I didn't sit there and whine that she wanted to go with AMD.

[unforgiven]

AMD 9950 Black Edition === INTEL Q9300

I Pick AMD 9950 because it's cheaper and CoOler than Intel Q9300

[gt1750]

A system I built for my gf back in July, might help to inspire you:

Mobo: Asus M2A-VM
CPU: AMD Athlon A64 X2 4800+ EE (65W)
RAM: 2GB (KIT 2x1GB) DDR2 800MHz Kingston
GPU: Sapphire ATi HD 3650, 512MB DDR3 (1600MHz)
HDD: SEAGATE Barracuda 7200.10 320GB
PSU: Fortron Green Power 500W ATX
Case: CoolerMaster Elite 330

+ DVD R/W and other accessories, OS Vista Home Premium 32-bit

Was pretty cheap back then Runs and performs well, can handle Crysis at medium, GRID and TDU at everything max incl. AA

[Steve]

A64 X2 4800 are dirt cheap

[Superczar]

Originally Posted by Steve

A64 X2 4800 are dirt cheap

I can get her a decent mobo/CPU bundle for about $150, now she just doesn't know what she wants. She doesn't know as much about computers as she thinks she does, and is making it difficult for me to want to help her (which I really didn't to begin with).

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Superczar

I can get her a decent mobo/CPU bundle for about $150, now she just doesn't know what she wants. She doesn't know as much about computers as she thinks she does, and is making it difficult for me to want to help her (which I really didn't to begin with).

Yeah, that combo would be nice a cheap and perfect for what she wants to do (if not a little too powerful for what she wants to do)

Personally, I'd tell her to shove it. If she knows so much tell the know-it-all to build it herself. Or find an old P4 from a rubbish tip and advise her it's a new AMD X2 or a spaceship, car or some sort of dildo. I'm sure she wouldn't know the difference.

[Malgon]

^Hahaha!

[Travis]

surely it'd be more sensible to have a system with whatever processor that works well instead of having strange brand bias.

Originally Posted by Steve

Or find an old P4 from a rubbish tip and advise her it's a new AMD X2 or a spaceship, car or some sort of dildo. I'm sure she wouldn't know the difference.

hahaha.