AMD & Intel

[Franklinwallbrown]

Does it matter which one you get, really, as long as the are the same speed. I mean comparatively at the same speed & core # are they about the same?

[btarunr]

Does matter, big time.

Intel Core series processors take in 4 instructions per clock cycle and AMD take 3.

Which is why when running a benchmark that's not cache intensive, An x GHz Intel Core series processor is faster than a x GHz AMD, keeping x constant.

[sneekypeet]

^^^^ great explination!

[Franklinwallbrown]

Readings on this subject?

[sneekypeet]

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1970

that aught to get you started....remember google is your friend, just type in a question and start surfing!

[btarunr]

Readings on this subject?

You don't need reading into established facts that take up one sentence. Read the benchmarks to see for yourself.

EDIT...hey nice read, sneek. but this has absolutely nothing on the Core microarchitecture.

[trog100]

i have just moved from an amd 6000+ at 3.350 24/7 to an intel e675.. default performance of the 6000+ at 3.gig is about the same as the conroe at say 2.600 gig..

if u are not going to overclcok price for price the amd chip does okay..

if u are gonna overclock.. the intel chip has at least a 60% performance lead..

intel chips have tons of room to spare amd chips max out not much over the 3 gig mark..

so clock for clock the intel chips have a 25% performance edge.. not overclocked price for price they are about the same..

overclcocked the intel chips leaves the amd ones miles behind.. the intel chips are cruising.. the amd chips going flat out trying to keep up..

factor in cheaper amd motherboards and perhaps bang for buck amd still have the edge.. u can still build a nice cheap gaming rig from amd ati parts.. for benching u need intel.. he he

trog

[Franklinwallbrown]

I'm just so new to all this computer stuff and I don't know much about AMD or Intel. For goodness sake, I just OC'ed my computer (was easy 'cause all I had to do was increase FSB, and that was all I could do). The good news though is that it is pretty much Christmas break & I can probably get some reading in. My philosophy on stuff is that you need to understand what you are doing before you do it, for example, I like to play video games on the computer, but I didn't know how my computer worked. So...I looked into in, and I've already OC'ed my computer.

[Paulieg]

All you really need to know is that Intel currently stomps AMD in performance at most every price point, however if you plan to build an ultra budget system you might spend a few dollars less on AMD.

[imperialreign]

All you really need to know is that Intel currently stomps AMD in performance at most every price point, however if you plan to build an ultra budget system you might spend a few dollars less on AMD.

and spending a few dollars less on AMD compared to a similar Intel - you won't really notice the difference.

Unless you plan on running numerous tasks and applications that are CPU intensive, AMDs are still capable by today's standards.

[Franklinwallbrown]

I don't know what I want. I am a senior in high school, and I am just starting to get in good amounts of money. I've been thinking about making a new computer for a while now, but I wanted to understand them more before I got a new one. So, I took my computer apart and put it back together. Success! Ok, I can take my computer apart let's overclock it. Success! Now I want to understand more, but I don't know how.

[imperialreign]

that's what all we're here for, :toast:

what exactly are you wanting to get a better idea of? For sure it can be confusing trying to read stuff online - many sites, documents, whatever that describe how components work will throw out a ton of technical jargon, expecting the reader to already have a strong enough grasp to understand what's being said.

Even for those of us that have grown up working with technology, either as a career or a hobby, we also run across stuff that just doesn't make sense . . . perhaps the engineering is so completely different, or it's a field we don't know much about, or maybe it's just not 'clicking' that day.

[btarunr]

I don't know what I want. I am a senior in high school, and I am just starting to get in good amounts of money. I've been thinking about making a new computer for a while now, but I wanted to understand them more before I got a new one. So, I took my computer apart and put it back together. Success! Ok, I can take my computer apart let's overclock it. Success! Now I want to understand more, but I don't know how.

Keep hanging out at TPU, you'll get wise. For a first-timer like you, assuming you're assembling it, I'd suggest AMD....it'll go on to give you a fairly better upgrade-path in the future. You want me to give a recommendation, here goes

Under $100: AMD Athlon64 X2 4800+ (Brisbane) priced at $98
Under $125: AMD Athlon64 X2 5200+ (Brisbane) priced at $120
Under $150: AMD Athlon64 X2 6000+ (Windsor) priced at $150
Under $175: AMD Athlon64 X2 6400+ PIB [Not black edition] (Windsor) at $169.99
Under $200: AMD Phenom 9500 (Agena) FTW:rockout: at $198

[PyroX1040]

I don't know what I want. I am a senior in high school, and I am just starting to get in good amounts of money. I've been thinking about making a new computer for a while now, but I wanted to understand them more before I got a new one. So, I took my computer apart and put it back together. Success! Ok, I can take my computer apart let's overclock it. Success! Now I want to understand more, but I don't know how.

I'd suggest making a nice smallish computer using a dated processor but still decent for gaming but not amazing as in:

CPU: AMD Athlon64 3200+ 2.0Ghz
CPU OC'd: Safely OC'd 2.8Ghz
PSU: 500 Watt PSU
Graphics Card: SPEND YOUR MONEY HERE 8800GTX or even a GTS for the casual gamer or even an older version :P

As far as taking a computer apart and back togather it's easy Overclocking is simply done in 3 ways

1)Via BIOS
2)Via ATITool[GPU]/Other[CPU] OC Programs
3)Via Editing the voltage given and thus pumping up the CPU and GPU

Warning: Overclocking is risky and certain things can happen and might, also you need to make sure that your PSU is decent enough and that your case is nice and cool if your going to be running something big like a 8800GTX/GTS

Regards,
PyroX1040

Edit:
This is just for a decent computer not a god computer just one you can start off with my tweaking starting BIG and tweaking can lead to you not understanding what you're doing and BOOM goes ur CPU/GPU so I suggest starting off small..

If you want something X-Treme then view my system it cost'd about $2,650+ with all software and hardware, a decent price considering the new Dell XPS and it hasn't gotten anything close to my power and I'm not even OC'ing the CPU due to lack of cooling but I will be soon ^.^!!!!

Either way if your looking to start getting into computers and building/repairing start off with something small so you don't destroy a $2.5k computer..

[erocker]

Pyro, I think your system would take the top AMD spot on out 3dMark06 thread! You should post yer stuff!

[PyroX1040]

Pyro, I think your system would take the top AMD spot on out 3dMark06 thread! You should post yer stuff!

Point me where >.>!

[DaMulta]

Point me where >.>!

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=25995

[erocker]

Right here. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=25995 try to get a screenshot of GPU-Z, CPU-Z, and the 06 score and or ORB.
D beat me to it.

[PyroX1040]

Right here. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=25995 try to get a screenshot of GPU-Z, CPU-Z, and the 06 score and or ORB.
D beat me to it.

Got a place to DL 06 or ORB?

[erocker]

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/869/Futuremark_3DMark06_(Build_1.1.0)_w_Oct_07_Hotfix. html
Be sure everything is nice and overclocked! Turn off all unessesary processes!

[PyroX1040]

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/869/Futuremark_3DMark06_(Build_1.1.0)_w_Oct_07_Hotfix. html
Be sure everything is nice and overclocked! Turn off all unessesary processes!

maybe u could help me with OC'ing m 6400..

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=47481

[erocker]

Do you have the latest bios? I can help you going by my bios, wich is a similar board but different socket.

[Vincent11]

Franklin, go with AMD, they perform well cost pretty cheap, go for the 6000+ or the 6400+, those dual cores even beat the AMD quad core which sux, but thats just the way it is, i would put my money on them, and wait for the new HD3870 x2 series from ATI, that should be a solid performer, so there ya go man, thats my opinion, oh yeah pyro, NICE! avatar pic man!

[GLD]

My take on it is you NEED to overclock a Intel cpu to make it beat a comparable priced AMD cpu. I like to overclock, but I do not want to HAVE to overclock my system. If you desire synthetic benchmark numbers then I would say an Intel rig. If you desire real seat of your pants numbers then I say AMD.

[PyroX1040]

Do you have the latest bios? I can help you going by my bios, wich is a similar board but different socket.

yea

[snuif09]

should i go for a 6400+ black edition 90nm or 5200+ black edition 65nm

[JrRacinFan]

What are the price differences if any?

[trog100]

the way it works.. two teams one is setting the pace one is trying to keep up..

with athlon 64 and intel P4 AMD was setting the pace.. intel were trying to keep up..

now intel are setting the pace AMD are trying to keep up..

price wise both teams seem to match each other.. but...

the real thing that matters.. one team is cruising.. not even trying.. to be honest.. the other team is going flat out..

an AMD top line chip the 64000+ for instance wont overclock by any real amount cos its already going flat out at the speed its sold at..

the intel competitor price for price.. lets say the E6750 is running at half speed compared to what its really capable of..

basically the winning team holds back the true potential of their products.. the losing team dont..

at present and for the foreseeable future intel is the winning team..

trog

[PyroX1040]

should i go for a 6400+ black edition 90nm or 5200+ black edition 65nm

6400+ no doubt in my mind just be careful it doesn't even come with a fan/heat you gotta get a good one too I'm using:

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=47481

[MiST91]

about 2-3 years ago, there wasn't much differance, just go with what ever meats your requirments, but now with the intel core 2 series processors you can buy a £50 core 2 processor and overclock it to perform like a higher end AMD, so atm i would (and have) go with intel

[snuif09]

yeah the 6400+ is better but i rad that theres going to come a tri core and im going for that one

[trog100]

about 2-3 years ago, there wasn't much differance, just go with what ever meats your requirments, but now with the intel core 2 series processors you can buy a £50 core 2 processor and overclock it to perform like a higher end AMD, so atm i would (and have) go with intel

wrong.. u can overclock it to perform 50% better than an amd cpu..

overclock is perhaps the wrong term when all u are doing is make the cpu goes as fast as its capable off..

the reason a top end amd chip wont overlcock much is simple.. its already "overclcocked" when u buy it..

the reason u can overclcok an intel chip is also simple.. its "underclocked" when u buy it..

trog

ps.. the new cheapo intel celeron will overclock by a silly 110%.. why.. cos its really a top end core 2 chip in disguise.. things are not as they seem..

[Franklinwallbrown]

I'm so confused. So, AMD's are cheap? Agreed everyone? Intel OC's better (pound for pound)? Agreed everyone (don't think you will)?

[Paulieg]

Sort of agree. Intel certainly are the better chips. At the low end, you may get a better value out of AMD, that's about it.

[PyroX1040]

Intel has horrible writting though and isn't the best for video gaming,

AMD: Video Gaming / Cheap / Stable / Realiable

Intel: Multimedia / Support / Well-Known / Cool[Temp Wise]

[Franklinwallbrown]

Hmm...very interesting. So, AMD are known video gaming CPU's, like most gamers use them? WHy?

& what about this 3 packets per cycle: AMD; 4 packets per cycle: Intel?

[btarunr]

Hmm...very interesting. So, AMD are known video gaming CPU's, like most gamers use them? WHy?

& what about this 3 packets per cycle: AMD; 4 packets per cycle: Intel?

Nope. AMD is not the best when it comes to gaming. It's not the best when it comes to anything except for that it gives you a little more for whatever little you pay.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Example please.

[btarunr]

Example please.

The Athlon64 X2 5200+ (Brisbane) retails for $120. It is peerless, when it comes to any of Intel offering priced at $120.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Thank you.

Okay, lets just say I want one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343+50001028+1389627502+4025+1302820275&name=Dual-Core

Are they the best in their field, and what can you OC them to?

[btarunr]

neither of the two CPU's you showed in the link come with coolers or warranties. One is open box (no cooler, just the chip) the other is OEM (no warranty or cooler)

Tell me your budget, I'll give you my best pick.

[hat]

Intel has horrible writting though and isn't the best for video gaming,

AMD: Video Gaming / Cheap / Stable / Realiable

Intel: Multimedia / Support / Well-Known / Cool[Temp Wise]

Where have you been this year?
Intel's C2D is destroying AMD's Athlon in all feilds.
Price/Performance, Intel wins, espically in the low end.
Intels are more stable. You will NOT see a 4GHz AMD Phenom.
Reliability, temp, and stability all go hand in hand. Without stability, I don't care what your temp is, your chip is useless. If you have a chip that does 100C full load but can do Orthos stable all day, don't expect it to last long (physically). For reliability, you need stability AND good temperatures both at the same time. Intel wins in both, so they get the reliability crown.

Intel right now wins in everything...
and no, I am not an Intel fanboy. I actually have a high-end AMD motherboard and a 5200+.

[btarunr]

Where have you been this year?
Intel's C2D is destroying AMD's Athlon in all feilds.
Price/Performance, Intel wins, espically in the low end.
Intels are more stable. You will NOT see a 4GHz AMD Phenom.
Reliability, temp, and stability all go hand in hand. Without stability, I don't care what your temp is, your chip is useless. If you have a chip that does 100C full load but can do Orthos stable all day, don't expect it to last long (physically). For reliability, you need stability AND good temperatures both at the same time. Intel wins in both, so they get the reliability crown.

Intel right now wins in everything...
and no, I am not an Intel fanboy. I actually have a high-end AMD motherboard and a 5200+.

He knows that, Hat.

He's just looking at a decent sub-$125 option and every AMD processor below $125 is better than a sub-$125 Intel. Let's help him on that point.

[Franklinwallbrown]

I don't know my budget yet, because it is Christmas & I'm broke (actually I'm ~$420 in the hole on my credit card, but I'm getting money so it's all good). I'm just trying to learn all I can right now. I want an uber-cheap chip that I can OC to ~3Ghz without a great deal of cooling, on a good MB with OC'able RAM & video card. The name of the game is frugal. I would like to bet my friends new computer that he bought from Dell (2.5K, OMG). I'll go get specs. & as a side note, I'm working on his old computer for his brother & I need help. I have a thread in the general hardware section "help! I can't find a manual..."

[btarunr]

Specify $$ and I'll tell the chip for your $$. If you're just on a learning curve, go through other threads on CPU, Motherboards in this forum, come back, show me the money, I'll show you your chip.

But if you want me to dart in the dark sticking to your requirements of a "uber cheap" chip that goes to "3.00" GHz without "much cooling",

Here's what you should buy (2 items):

AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ Black Edition (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194)

AC ACF64LP (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103194)

You can take this lethal combo to 3.6 GHz. For this price it's a deal you just can't refuse. Newegg.com prices.

[Darknova]

Intel has horrible writting though and isn't the best for video gaming,

AMD: Video Gaming / Cheap / Stable / Realiable

Intel: Multimedia / Support / Well-Known / Cool[Temp Wise]

Well you are a few years out of date. Intel released the Core 2's remember?

[Franklinwallbrown]

My friends specs are:

CPU
Intel C2D e6600 @2.4Ghz (conroe, socket 775)
Bus speed: 266Mhz (is that bad?)
Rated: 1064Mhz (What's that mean?)
L1: 2x32kB
L2: 2x32kB
Level2: 4096kB

MB
Model: 0UY253
Chipset: nforce4 SLI Intel Ed.
SB: nforce 570 SLI
Bios:1.4.1

RAM
Samsung DDR2 PC2-5300 (333)
amt: 2048MB
timing: Freq~332 FSB: DRAM=4: 5

Video Card
8800GTX (G80GTX)
Core: 576 RAM: 900 Shader: 1350

BTW, btarunr the 2nd link didn't work. It took me to the PCU.

[imperialreign]

defi check those CPU/mobo combos that Newegg offers!!

I'd recommend these for a good 2GB set of DDR2 800:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178148

decent price compared to other upper mid-range and higher DDR2 sets. Really reliable, too. I can attest to it. They're capable of very tight timings - although they prefer flat out speed, usually. They run very cool on my setup (I've never even felt the slightest warmth off of them).

Oh, yeah - lifetime warranty, also :rockout:

[Franklinwallbrown]

Thank you, they look very nice.

[btarunr]

btarunr's ultimate bang4buck list ver 0.1 beta

AMD Athlon64 X2 5200+ (Brisbane core, 2.7 GHz, stock cooling, OC'able to 3.2G easy, $110)
ASUS M2A-VM (AMD 690G, m-ATX, $60)
Team Elite TEDD2048M800HC5DC (2x 1GB, Nanya banks, DDR2-800, 5-5-5-12, $40)
VisionTek 900203 (Radeon HD3850, 256M-D3, $160)
Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS (320 GB, SATA II, $72)
LiteOn DVD-RW (IDE, OEM, $24)
Rosewill R6425-P SL Case (Airy, $ 16)
Rosewill RV430-2-FRB-S PSU (430W, 2x +12v rails, $30)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (OEM, $105)
[Total : $ 617 ]
Buy them at a ground store, not online to save shipping charges.

[imperialreign]

Not sure on what kind of heat output you'll be facing with an AMD setup, but good cooling is a must:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118020&Tpk=Zalman%2b9700

liquid cooling will give you better temps, though - but can be kind of pricey.

TBH, I'm an avid believer in air cooling. I don't intend to go to liquid until I've reached a point where I just can't cool the sytem any further with air.


Once you have an idea of what hardware you want to go with, you'll defi need to take cooling into consideration, and also you'll defi need a case.

If you prefer air cooling - a good flowing case is a must, also; and you'll defi need to take that into consideration as you'll need something to store the system in ;)

how big of a case did you have in mind? micro-tower (similar in size to a lot of the small Gateway, eMachines, Dell PCs offered at retail stores - note, these can only house a mATX motherboard); mid-tower (generally 15"-20" in height), full-tower (generally 20"-25" in height)? When air cooling is taken into consideration, usually the smaller the case, the higher the ambient case temperature because of how densely packed everything is - but smaller cases can be cooled easier because there's less air to circulate out. Keep in mind, though, that smaller cases don't offer the luxury of further upgradeability.

Decent cases can be had for relatively cheap, especially the no-frills standard looking cases. Those that have side windows, front doors, unique shapes and accessories and etc will start driving the price up; as will the brand name itself.

if you'd prefer to figure what hardware you can afford first, that's fine. I'm sure we can find enough case choices for you even if you only have $50+ left to budget for a case

[Mussels]

Where have you been this year?
Intel's C2D is destroying AMD's Athlon in all feilds.
Price/Performance, Intel wins, espically in the low end.
Intels are more stable. You will NOT see a 4GHz AMD Phenom.
Reliability, temp, and stability all go hand in hand. Without stability, I don't care what your temp is, your chip is useless. If you have a chip that does 100C full load but can do Orthos stable all day, don't expect it to last long (physically). For reliability, you need stability AND good temperatures both at the same time. Intel wins in both, so they get the reliability crown.

Intel right now wins in everything...
and no, I am not an Intel fanboy. I actually have a high-end AMD motherboard and a 5200+.

yesterday in this house, we hade


one pentium 4 D (presler) @ 3.4GHz
AM2 FX-62 @ 3GHz
3x Q6600 (various OC, all above 3.0GHz)
1x conroe (E6750) @ 3.2Ghz

the intel systems are warmer at idle, but a lot cooler at load (power consupmtion goes along with heat) and the intels all beat the AMD, except the presler.

Very few AMDs will do 3GHz on air, while all the intels (Even the quads do)
For the point people were making earlier: the AMD requires 3 voltage notches up to run 200MHz above stock, wheres ALL THREE of the quads can go two notches BELOW stock (1.350v down to 1.30v) to run 600Mhz faster. Intel are selling their chips slower than they really are, to remain competitive.

[Franklinwallbrown]

First, btarunr, I don't think there are any ground stores in Minford, OH, or nearby in Portsmouth. However, I will look. If you know of any (which I doubt) I would like to know. Why did you suggest a Micro ATX (just wondering)? Is that RAM OC'able & should I OC it? Why ATI video card (just wondering)? You don't think I need a 10K HD for gaming (I already have a HD, BTW, the one that is on this computer, is it a good one?)? I have a DVDrw drive & PSU. I would like a new case. You think that case has enough flow or do you not think I need to OC? Why, Vista isn't bugged, plus I can just use my XP can't I? Thank you.

imperialreighn, I also don't think I want to go liquid until last resort. I'll probably go full tower because of cooling options and upgradability. Thank you.

Interesting Mussels, any other thoughts anyone?

I have an idea. I'll tell you what I have, & you tell me what I need to upgrade, if I can.

I have an MSI k8n neo4/sli (reg, not platinum)
A single core AMD. (go to my general hardware thread for details)
2x 512mb Kahlon RAM (whoever they are?); don't know timing because computer won't turn on (^--) or 1x kingston 1g DDR pc-3200 (200mhz).
600w PSU
A WDC WD2500BB-55GUC0 (got that from speedfan) HD.
A Geforce 6600 (yeah, I need to upgrade that).
No, sound card (are they worth it?)
DVDrw drive, don't know the brand; would like another, though.
A gai case.

Er...I think that's it.

[RottnJP]

x

[RottnJP]

For my money, air cooling is just fine- Tuniq Tower & Scythe Ninja are both great values. Watch for free shipping from newegg, or check xoxide.com.

Don't need 10k HD. Right now Samsung's F1's have everyone's attention, but you're WD is probably fine.

If you're looking for a great value "do it all" case, I love my cooler-master 690- just top-notch value. (Free shipping & great rebates get you down to $30-$40 bucks) Not as pretty as a Lian-Li, but it does what you need it to do. It includes 3 nice quiet 120mm fans you don't have to replace (unlike a lot of the cheapo fans you get as stock) & you can add an extra 140mm or 120mm fan or two to make for a ton of airflow if you run it hot, or very good quiet airflow for more moderate temps. Be warned though, if you want it quiet, you'll have to cut out the side grill & replace with a wire grill- the side grills are really noisy for some reason. But do that, and it's just an unbeatable case for the money.

Check out www.tomshardware.com for their "Best video cards for the $$$" every month- very informative, and can guide you to the best options for your budget. Right now the sweet-spot IMO is the 8800GT, but they're a couple hundred bucks. That would be a card you could keep using even if you upgrade your motherboard and CPU in a year.

For memory, you can get 2x1 GB sticks of decent RAM for $50 or less- You want DDR2-800, CAS 4, with a rebate (search on newegg for the deals) Corsair, g-skill, patriot, OCZ all good.

I'd agree that right now Intel wins hands down for overclockers with their C2D and C2Q lines, but AMD wins for value at stock speeds, and in the sub-$100 segment. Plus, you have a decent AMD motherboard already, so I'd go with the athlon 64 X2 3600+ CPU for the value point it sounds like you are aiming for.

If you want to spend the money to buy into the core 2 duo club you'll need a new mobo too, and this isn't the best time- wait until the .45 micron CPU's start going mainstream early next year (2008) and that'll force down the prices of remaining .65 micron CPU's.

Last, I'd say XP is just fine. No compelling reason for Vista yet in my book.

just my $0.02...

Good luck! ;-)

[Franklinwallbrown]

Never seen xoxide.com, thx.

What does your HD bring to the Game-game? Doesn't a 10k give you better time?

I think I'll go with the 3850 or 70 (how much does the card RAM come into play here?), unless something else is coming out that is better between now and when I get my monees!

Yeah, I defi need to upgrade my RAM. Thx.

& since I have a good AMD MB, I'll probably stick widit!

Imma stick wid teh XP. KTHXbi!

Do Phsix cards help any, & are they worth the money?

[Mussels]

you seem to ask a lot about hard drives... hard drives give you slightly faster load times and thats all. the only speed boost i get from my drives is copying from one fast drive to another over the gigabit network here (500GB samsung to another identical drive: 62MB/s - copying to an older 250GB WD drive, 43MB/s)

[Franklinwallbrown]

I have pretty slow load times. & there is a 10k on Newegg for $150 (Western Digital Raptor WD740ADFD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM). That isn't bad right? I could buy that for windows/game loads & have my old WD for multimedia? Or am I naive?

I can spend ~$480 dollhairs (-$35 for MIR+ s&h) & make a computer better than my friends is now for $2.5k! OMG! But I don't think I would get the RAM or the HD until later. That's ~$240. So...

What does that paste stuff do?

SAPPHIRE 100226L Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Manchester 2.0GHz Socket 939 89W Dual-Core Processor
OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

[Mussels]

the raptors arent that fast. your slow load times wont be alleviated by a new hard drive... the hard drive only gives minor gains. it loads once, then it stays in ram - so its irrelevant to performance.

Grab yourself a 500GB for the price of the raptor, they're just as fast (sometimes faster) and store a lot more.

[btarunr]

but in a RAID, it's Brett Lee.

It took me ~10 minutes flat to install Windows XP onto these. It takes me 16 seconds to boot Vista from pushing the button to reaching the desktop.

But ofcourse we're talking things in this guy's context, yeah a good Maxtor/WD/Seagate 500 GB will do sweet

[Mussels]

but in a RAID, it's Brett Lee.

It took me ~10 minutes flat to install Windows XP onto these. It takes me 16 seconds to boot Vista from pushing the button to reaching the desktop.

But ofcourse we're talking things in this guy's context, yeah a good Maxtor/WD/Seagate 500 GB will do sweet

1GHz ram + vista sleep mode - i click the mouse, and i'm logged in before half the case fans have spun up :D

raptors ARE fast - but modern large drives are a lot closer than when they were released. value for money, the larger drives certainly win.

[Franklinwallbrown]

Good to know.