Intel or AMD

[skutters]

Hi All, I am thinking of getting a new computer as my HP Pavilion that i bought before i got into photography is not up to the job anymore. My problem is that i no nothing about the insides of a computer and i am on a limited budget.

I have found a company on the net called PC Specialist.co.uk who build what you want using either Intel or AMD processors. My question is which way should i go, the computer will only be used for Photo-Editing i am not a game player.

I know i should get as much Ram as i can afford plus a good graphics card(can you recommend one), but it is the processer that i don't know what to get.
I have a budget of about £600.

Hope someone can help, Regard's Kev

 

[Patrick T. Kelly]

A. Intel and AMD are both functional. If price is the priority, AMD is a little cheaper. Since you are not a geek, and I'm not either, overclocking isn't an issue. I use Intel only because of where I live. If you go to the middle of nowhere and keep going you'll come to my city. Intel has been absolutely reliable for me. I can't say it's more reliable than AMD it just works for me.

B. Graphics card--I don't think there's a great deal of difference in 2D performance. I've tried Matrox and right now I'm using one with an Nvidia chipset. My major priority is the ability to use dual monitors well.

C. Yes, RAM is important. When I went from 512 to 1Gb I saw a big difference in performance. When I went from 1Gb to 2Gb, I got a deal on the RAM, I saw no difference.

 

[marcuson]

...for me, that is, as I boycott Intel because, well, let's just say for very strong reasons...

 

[Laurent S]

I used Intel for many years...but now AMD (dual core) might change next time though...but when buying dual core (last year) Intel's were just too hot
--
-Laurent

 

[Just Shoot Me]

You want a Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and you don't want anything else. Not some other Intel CPU or any AMD CPU.

 

[Richard Hodge]

You want a Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and you don't want anything else.
Not some other Intel CPU or any AMD CPU.

Mind sharing your insight/reasoning with one less informed. I too am going to upgrade soon and was leaning toward dual core AMD. Probably not the fastest or newest. And probably pre configured. Thanks, Richard

 

[Cristian De March]

You want a Intel Core 2 Duo CPU and you don't want anything else.
Not some other Intel CPU or any AMD CPU.

Agree

Mind sharing your insight/reasoning with one less informed. I too
am going to upgrade soon and was leaning toward dual core AMD.
Probably not the fastest or newest. And probably pre configured.
Thanks, Richard

Because IT IS better. Better performance, and better value.

You can buy a Core2 Duo E6400 for 215 euros (Italian prices) and get the same performance of an AMD64 X2 5000+ (350 euros) in photoshop CS2. You don't have to believe me, just check the endless series of benchmarks available on the web. And it runs cool and quiet too.

If you want, using the bundled Intel fan, you can easily overclock it and get the same performance of its biggest brother, the E6600. Simply a no-brainer for me.

Take a look at http://www.tomshardware.com .

Quite a reliable source!

I was a great fan of AMD during last 3 years, but frankly now the choice is simple: if you want power for graphics or video editing Core2 Duo wins hands down.

Cristian De March

 

[Cristian De March]

I use an old Athlon64 3000+ AMD CPU at home. I have been VERY satisfied with it during past years, cause it offered the same power of a P4, at a much lower price! But this was THEN.

Now the story is completely different. Competition is good for us buyers!

Cristian De March

 

[Richard Hodge]

Thanks Christian! nt

 

[trbader]

AMD make fine processors.
Intel finally came out with a processor that isn't trash. (Conroe)
Either one will be more than you need.

Avoid anything new with "Pentium" inside! (old & bad CPU)

I g/b of Ram is good, 2 g/b is better.

Tom's Hardware are hopeless Intel shills.

Advice from anyone whose first suggestion is to overclock - and thusly void the warranty - should be treated appropriately.

Enjoy your new machine.

 

[Richard Hodge]

AMD make fine processors.
Intel finally came out with a processor that isn't trash. (Conroe)
Either one will be more than you need.

Avoid anything new with "Pentium" inside! (old & bad CPU)

I g/b of Ram is good, 2 g/b is better.

Tom's Hardware are hopeless Intel shills.

Advice from anyone whose first suggestion is to overclock - and
thusly void the warranty - should be treated appropriately.

Enjoy your new machine.

 

[Cristian De March]

AMD make fine processors.

Agree.

Intel finally came out with a processor that isn't trash. (Conroe)

Quite an understatement. Read the numbers. Not opinions. Numbers. you can't debate numbers. Facts.

Either one will be more than you need.

Mostly agree. But I still believe Core2 Duo would give the OP more value. AMD X2 are good. I consider them very good, really. Just I (and many many many objective PC users) find the current Core2 Duo family better in this particular period.

Avoid anything new with "Pentium" inside! (old & bad CPU)

Agree

I g/b of Ram is good, 2 g/b is better.

For CS2 and Lightroom, 2 GB makes the difference.

If the OP uses CS or Photoshop 7, then 1GB could be enough. It also really depends on which camera he is shooting with (more MP = more data = more power needed).

Tom's Hardware are hopeless Intel shills.

They give you numbers, quite straight plain numbers. So do many other sites on the web. The OP could visit other links (try: http://www.anandtech.com/ ) and found very similar numbers and conclusions.

Advice from anyone whose first suggestion is to overclock - and
thusly void the warranty - should be treated appropriately.

Right, agree. Just I didn't suggest to overclock. Personally, I never found it worth messing up with. I just pointed out it was an easy possibility (and a RELATIVELY safe one) with 2MB cache Core2 Duo, with lower risks than with any other CPU (amd or Intel). Consequently, a cpu with great overclocking possibilities (fact is, Core2 Duo CPUs belong to this category) implies it should be run even more reliably at default speeds, so that is another point in favor of the new Intel CPU.

Really, AMD makes great processors (just think at Opterons, for instance), and lower end X2 are affordable solutions for those on a really tight budget. Maybe in 6 months the market will change back to its favor, but at the moment AMD is just playing catching up with Intel on the enthusiast side.

Well it is late now! Goodnight!


Cristian De March

 

[Just Shoot Me]

Overclocking the bus speed does not void the warranty of the CPU. Intel actually has a system in place to lower the CPU multiplier so you can get the bus speed way up there. I myself am using a E6600 (rated at 2.4GHz at a bus of 266) overclocked to 3.4GHz with the stock 9x multiplier and a bus of 378, up from the stock 266. Runs fine and does not get above 43c under normal PS CS2 load or any game I have.

Everyone that suggests overclocking is for fools is one themself. Of course that is just MO.

AMD make fine processors.
Intel finally came out with a processor that isn't trash. (Conroe)
Either one will be more than you need.

Avoid anything new with "Pentium" inside! (old & bad CPU)

I g/b of Ram is good, 2 g/b is better.

Tom's Hardware are hopeless Intel shills.

Advice from anyone whose first suggestion is to overclock - and
thusly void the warranty - should be treated appropriately.

Enjoy your new machine.

 

[Libert]

to be overclocked and it is dead easy... I got my E6600 OC'd to 3.2 all at stock voltages and stable. You cannot beat this!

At work I also got a newer dual core AMD station (Opteron 175) and my intel E6600 beats it hands down. AMDs make nice systems but right now intel has the advantage over them.....

Make you own decision.

 

[trbader]

Either one will be more than you need.

Mostly agree. But I still believe Core2 Duo would give the OP more
value. AMD X2 are good. I consider them very good, really. Just I
(and many many many objective PC users) find the current Core2 Duo
family better in this particular period.

No argument there, Conroe is an excellent processor, but I get cranky with the "Conroe is God" mindset - especially from a company with such
a shameful history of coporate ethics.

For most people, any dual core computer will be fabulous.
Conroe will likely be "a bit more fabulous" but most people won't notice.

Tom's Hardware are hopeless Intel shills.

They give you numbers, quite straight plain numbers. So do many
other sites on the web. The OP could visit other links (try:
http://www.anandtech.com/ ) and found very similar numbers and
conclusions.

Numbers are not "God" either. They can be manipulated.

Tom's routinely runs Intel vs AMD "tests" that are comical - ie: the server test where they pitted a "latest & greatest" Intel against a 2 year old Opteron sytem and then ran gaming benchmarks! On a server!
THAT "test" is laughingly famous - and the "numbers" a sham.

Sadly, Anandtech have gone down the same road recently, and can no longer be trusted to deliver objectivity either.
(I want objectivity, not paid-for propaganda!)

Intel's $3+ BILLION marketing budget CAN buy loyalty. (and does)
(I am not sure that AMD even HAVE a marketing budget!)

So far, The Tech Report still seems to "tell it like it is".
You may wish to add them to your reading list.

BTW: Christian, thank you for being sane and rational.
It's getting rarer.

 

[Cristian De March]

So far, The Tech Report still seems to "tell it like it is".
You may wish to add them to your reading list.

Interesting site, I will take a look at it!
Cristian De March

 

[Barry Fitzgerald]

Because IT IS better. Better performance, and better value.
You can buy a Core2 Duo E6400 for 215 euros (Italian prices) and
get the same performance of an AMD64 X2 5000+ (350 euros) in
photoshop CS2. You don't have to believe me, just check the endless
series of benchmarks available on the web. And it runs cool and
quiet too.
If you want, using the bundled Intel fan, you can easily overclock
it and get the same performance of its biggest brother, the E6600.
Simply a no-brainer for me.

Take a look at http://www.tomshardware.com .

Quite a reliable source!

I was a great fan of AMD during last 3 years, but frankly now the
choice is simple: if you want power for graphics or video editing
Core2 Duo wins hands down.

Cristian De March

Those who say anything other than Intel is mad....dont get what it is about. The new intel cpu is impressive..and per clock speed faster than the X2 athon 64's...nobody will deny that.

But...if you look at total cost...take for example the entry level 1.8GHz dual core intel...it performs almost identical to the X2 4200...cost wise they are very close, but a mobo will be cheaper on AMD. So...it isnt as simple as saying its faster dont get anything else...sure overclockers go mad for them...but even then AMD are releasing a X3600 dual core at 2Ghz with 256mb cache that can be overclocked to levels of the X2 5000 processor...and it is cheap.

So it isnt just about numbers..but cost as well.........consider all your options!

--

 

[mips]

As a long time AMD user & a bit of a fanboy I would recommend Intel Core 2 Duo at this point in time. It IS the better CPU right now and the numbers/benchmarks are out there to prove it.

I'm sure AMD has something to counter it in the near future but right now Intel is in the lead.

 

[Cristian De March]

But...if you look at total cost...take for example the entry level
1.8GHz dual core intel...it performs almost identical to the X2
4200...cost wise they are very close, but a mobo will be cheaper on
AMD.

Cost wise the X2 4200 is on par with E6400 (italian prices, don't know in your country!). But E6300 is cheaper and faster (at the X2 4600 level).

Core2 Duo mobos are expensive if you chose the 975x or 965p chipset.

AsRock ConroeXfire, based on 945p chipset, gives great value for those on a budget. 75$ for Core2 support, SATA RAID, eSATA, and crossfire support is a great price! Performance are almost identical to the 975x.

Of course the FSB is limited at 300Mhz, but this should be a problem only if you're seriously into overclocking.

BTW I believe amd X2 are STILL the best choice for those on a REALLY tight budget. Say if you don't want to spend over 150$ for the CPU, and won't buy over 1GB of RAM, then a X2 solution it is the only choice.

Cristian De March

 

[panauser]

IMHO if you set your mind on the shop you should ask them to price both systems.

If you are sure that they are going to give you fair price on ether one just go with the cheapest one. AMD or Intel will satisfy your performance needs. So OK you may get extra 5-10% with say Intel but I can assure you it will not make any difference in real life.

I have an older AMD64 3700+ and according to tomshardware charts it is 2 times as slow in photoshop as the latest intel extreme edition. But it cost me under $200 with mother board and Intel is around $1K.

If you are to pick more reasonable modern cpus the difference will be very small maybe 30% at the most. The price on the other hand may be significantly different.

In my experience AMD is a cheaper system and if you do not go with latest and greatest you gain significant savings.

Alex