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Which processor...

I am planning to move from Intel to AMD, but should i get a slower 64 bit instead of a faster 32bit... what are the advantages of each, and disadvantages. i will be buying off one of these sites:
www.scan.co.uk
www.dabs.com
www.cclcomputers.biz

So please advise on a good stable processor, around the £150 mark from one of these sites.

Thanks all

Cof

cofneverlivetotell

ASKER

oh - and a motherboard with atleast 5 pci slots (!!!) from the same site please

Cof

SOLUTION

DoTheDEW335

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Callandor

Athlon 64 compared to other cpus
A64 2800+, 3000+, 3200+, 3400+, AXP 3000+, A64 FX51, A64 FX53,
P4EE 3.2, P4EE 3.4, P4 3.2, 3.0, 2.8, P4 3.2E, 3.0E, 2.8E
http://www.anandtech.com/cpu/showdoc.html?i=2038&p=1

Athlon 64 motherboard benchmarks
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2198&p=10

The nForce3 motherboards are the best for the Athlon64. Price will depend on location and when you buy.

DoTheDEW335

Lol, thats the same site I was using a few weeks ago to compare Athlons for a server

http://www.anandtech.com/news/shownews.aspx?i=22073

cofneverlivetotell

ASKER

Ok ill go for a standard athlon based on what DoTheDEW335 says, it seems logical enough. I cant afford XP so i doubt longhorn is a consideration i need to make ;').

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Danny Child

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DoTheDEW335

I agree they are nearly here (64bit OS) but how stable are these OS systems suppose to be? I would go with it only if your one who likes testing things out and reporting the bugs... As of now you can even get the beta for free and a few drivers are supported, but I'd leave it to grow. In 5 years you'll want a new machine anyway.

kamilw

The Athlon 64 performs about 30% better then Athlon XP at the same clock speed runnign in 32bit.

cofneverlivetotell

ASKER

Yeah, ive been looking around a few other Uk sites and the XP3200+ and 64 bit 3200+ are the same price. plus theres a really nice asus motherboard i want for 64bit and it works out the same as its 32 bit companion

Any drastic disadvantages of a 64 before i accept this advice and spend all my cash? :P

Cof

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kamilw

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Danny Child

DoTheDEW335 is right that this will be a lame machine in 5 years, but even if it's just becomes an old gateway or print server box, that's better than nowt. 5 years ago we were still running ME - anyone want to be stuck with that??

It's quicker, it's the same price, and if you find 64bit OS's unstable, you can run 32bit, and still be faster.

DoTheDEW335

<<The 64 bit 3200+ will perform about 30% better in most applications over the XP3200+. For the same price, defenitely go with the 64bit. There aren't any disadvantages>>
I've seen links stating that but never any backup to the fact that they run without more problems than their 32bit counterparts. Personally I would still stick with 32bit till atleast mid 2005 if not late 2005 before you find the real stability you are looking for. 64bit is designed for 64 bit, if you run it less your best not to jump it up to 64bit later and expect it to act the same. Just my opinion.

cofneverlivetotell

ASKER

ok - ill get a 3200+ 64 bit now, due to the apparently increased handling of 32bit, longhorn has recently been put back to '07, so im not going to hold out till then.

Thanks all
Cof

DoTheDEW335

ty for the assist. very generous.

Danny Child

Thanks! hope the new build works out nicely!

cofneverlivetotell

ASKER

Thanks for the support - Shops out of stock at the min :P