Suggestions on buying a new system

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around suggestions for purchasing a new computer system, focusing on CPU and motherboard options. Participants share their preferences, experiences, and considerations regarding AMD processors, particularly the Barton cores and Opterons, as well as the implications of dual CPU setups.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to upgrade from a 1.4GHz AMD Thunderbird and is considering a budget of around $600 for a new motherboard and CPU, preferring AMD options.
  • Another participant suggests that a dual Athlon 64 3200+ system would provide better performance due to more efficient processing time compared to simply increasing clock speed.
  • There is a suggestion that Opterons may be overkill for the user's needs, although this is contested by another participant who questions the basis of this inference.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of waiting for PCI Express technology to be available for the chosen processor.
  • The intended use of the new system is clarified as a general workstation for applications like Matlab, Mathematica, Visual Studio, and VMware.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the suitability of the Opteron versus the Athlon 64 for the user's needs, indicating a lack of consensus on the best choice. Additionally, there are disagreements regarding the necessity of specifying the purpose of the new system in order to make recommendations.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not explicitly defined the performance requirements or specific applications that would justify the choice of CPU, leading to assumptions and inferences about the user's needs.

graphic7
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I'm getting ready to buy a new system - I haven't been keeping up with the latest benchmarks, as far as CPU's and motherboards go. To give a little reference the last system (x86) I bought, was a 1.4ghz AMD Thunderbird, and now it's time to upgrade.

As far as setting some parameters, Dual CPUS is no concern (at least not for this system), and somewhere around $600 for the motherboard and CPU. I'd prefer to stick with AMD, perhaps one with one of the Barton cores, but I have no idea on a motherboard.

Have Opterons gained any ground?

Edit: Minor corrections.
 
Last edited:
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graphic7 said:
I'm getting ready to buy a new system - I haven't been keeping up with the latest benchmarks, as far as CPU's and motherboards go. To give a little reference the last system (x86) I bought, was a 1.4ghz AMD Thunderbird, and now it's time to upgrade.

As far as setting some parameters, Dual CPUS is no concern (at least not for this system), and somewhere around $600 for the motherboard and CPU. I'd prefer to stick with AMD, perhaps one with one of the Barton cores, but I have no idea on a motherboard.

Have Opterons gained any ground?

Edit: Minor corrections.


2800XP+
512MB DDR
120GB
printer
etc..
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...-details.asp?EdpNo=1046210&Sku=E400-C2825 KIT
 
graphic7 said:
I'm getting ready to buy a new system - I haven't been keeping up with the latest benchmarks, as far as CPU's and motherboards go. To give a little reference the last system (x86) I bought, was a 1.4ghz AMD Thunderbird, and now it's time to upgrade.

As far as setting some parameters, Dual CPUS is no concern (at least not for this system), and somewhere around $600 for the motherboard and CPU. I'd prefer to stick with AMD, perhaps one with one of the Barton cores, but I have no idea on a motherboard.

Have Opterons gained any ground?

Edit: Minor corrections.

get a dual Athlon 64 3200+ system.

you will get more performance boost out of the dual CPU set up because processes will get more time on a Processor than if you just cranked up the Clock speed. also, might I suggest that if you are building, to go with a Seagate barracuda hard drive, and the Pioneer 108 DVR Drive.

the opteron is super overkill for you. the Athlon 64 3200+ will do you fine.
 
ComputerGeek said:
the opteron is super overkill for you. the Athlon 64 3200+ will do you fine.

And how do you know the Opteron is a super overkill for me? No offense, but nowhere in the last post did I state what the purpose was for buying the machine.
 
graphic7 said:
nowhere in the last post did I state what the purpose was for buying the machine.
What form factor are you looking for?
 
graphic7 said:
And how do you know the Opteron is a super overkill for me? No offense, but nowhere in the last post did I state what the purpose was for buying the machine.

it was a simple inference from the fact that the last computer you bought was not a server class processor. since when do you have to be explicit for some one to see what your needs are? but fine, you want to blow money on a CPU that will not offer you anything more than an athlon 64 will, go ahead.
 
definitely wait for pci express to come out for the processor you will be using.

im wating until the beginning of next year for PCI express to come to the athlon64.
 
What will the computer be used for
 
I'll be using it as a general workstation, which includes running Matlab, Mathematica, Visual Studio, VMware, etc.
 

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