AMD Phenom vs Intel Quad Core

[EXreaction]

It is just for gaming.

[DR_Bill]

If you have never built a complete system and if there is little cost savings, then I would recommend buying a barebones system and add the additional parts. This will give you the benefit of the warranty but will add some "fun" to the process.

I had been needing/wanting a video server/editor for years so I decided to build my own last year. I chose the 'custom' approach because I knew exactly the specs I wanted the system to have for what I wanted to accomplish:

Tyan Motherboard
2 Dual Core Xeon Processors
2 GB of RAM
8 73GB SAS hard drives
PNY NVidia Quadro 3500 video card
DVD-ROM
I/Omega DVD Burner
Soundblaster X-Fi Sound Board
Newtek Video Toaster VT5

I purchased most of the parts from Newegg and was fine with the pricing and happy with the quality and delivery. For now, especially with respect to video editing, I would recommend Intel over AMD.

In my case, I spent between $2K - $3k and was over-budget so I had to skiimp on the memory, which I plan to increase this year. As memory drops in price, I will always be adding more, so this was not a huge issue for me. I love the system and have not had any issues, but I have been building systems for years.

For most people however, I would encourage you to stick with what you know, this will save you many headaches and endless nights without sleep. In addition, determine what software you will be using most and contact the manufacturer to see what specs they recommend. In most cases, they will tell you whether your parts are sufficient or not for what you want to accomplish. Most software manufacturers also have their own forums of experienced users who will also give you more information than you could possibly use with respect to building your own system.

Whatever you choose, good luck, I hope it works well for you.

[dancid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RamonGTP

Intel fanboy? I own an AMD system smart guy, I'm speaking the truth. AMD can't even get their current manufacturing process going, 45nm for AMD is still a ways away. Bottom line is that AMD has NOTHING to compete with intels lowest end quad core chip. You can talk about what AMD might have "soon" but that's just it, talk. Intel is walking all over AMD with a chip that is approaching 2 years old, and they already have two designes on the table just waiting to come out, Penryn is one, and Nehalem is the other.

Nehalem? What about Westmere and Sandy Bridge, coming out roughly around the same time penryn and nehalem are with a what? that's right 32nm. All my custom rigs, besides my newest one have been AMD chipsets. Intel is faster, harder to overheat, and I have had a tiny fraction of the problems with an Intel chipset, than I ever did with an AMD chipset. For a consumer with limited knowledge of the inner workings of microchips, Intel has stepped up and, I think they'll stay on top. Same story with radeons, used to, not anymore.