Larry
the reason i use AMD is simple and complex
the simple reason is that the price is lower per speed rating and that if i want to i can overclock them (i dont only in certain situations, for testing but thats it) but with intels you can because intel has now locked out any meaningful plus intel is real propritory especially with the use of overpriced and hyped rdram. plus if you buy a systems from any major computer maker they run on whats called a cool set which means that on both the chip and chipset have been locked down for speed and cant be reset.
now for the complex
AMD chips are different from most other cpu's out there and that they do more instructions per clock cycle then intel and has been doing this for years. its basically the same thing as hyperthreading which intel is clain is brand new tech. which is total BS, AMD has been doing this since the palimino chip came out(and i cant wait till the hammer comes out then i really can drop the hammer in the speed and efficancy department). plus i find that AMD are built better and last longer then Intel because AMD QC is alot better, while intel just cranks them out and hopes that the bad ones dont come back.
if you have anymore question feel free to ask
on price it hard to really say "typical" for you might not be the same as for me, but i can make a computer with all of the hardware for in the 500 range, but it depends on the current price of compents at the time (the biggest price factors in the system are the cpu,chipset, video card, and cd or dvd drives)
for my personal system i would have to go back and look because i upgrade ceratain componenets on a scheduled basis (ie new cpu's about 18months - 2 yrs, video cards about same time, but hard drive get changed out about every 9mths to a year because i fill them up that fast with the number of picts i take and the amount of web work i do. but to recreate the system heres a short list
Case ~$150 with 430 W PS
cpu (dual proc) cant find a place that has 2200 instock its going to be 2 2k MP chips 240 each so $480 total
MB - tyan dual proc $350
HDD 2x80GB (140 each) $280 2x 120GB (180 each) $360
Video- PNY Verto Ti 4600 $260 ( i have already place a order with northwood for the NV 30 GeForce FX for when it comes out )
Audio:Sound Blaster Audigy MP3+ $115
1394 & USB 2.0 PCI combo by adaptec $86
raid 1+0 controller by adaptec $60
NIC combo 100
misc parts and fans $50
total from this list~ $ 2300
this is just using computers4sure website,but for prices i can do a heck of alot better, but i havnet gone looking and asking my contacts lately, i didnt buy all of the components at once it was over the course of a year. and i did upgrade various components over time. this system has been bench marked with several high end systems including a alienware and can hold its ground . but then this alos doesnt include the OS and various software but i alreaddy have it or can get them at a reasonable price
fist off a couple of comments
Processors (AMD only) it depends on weather its a single or dual
proc system. for single processors currently is XP2400+ (but when
2800+ become availalble i will move to them) for dual proc systems
i use the 2200+ MP
Dan -- Why do you use only AMD processors? Cost or performance, or
something else" Also, what is the cost of a "typical" sysstem you
build for your friends and what is the cost of "your" system.
thanks, Larry Rood
))