10/25 What's the difference between intel's C and E cpu for p4? What about
those processor with names like 540, 530? I am helping a friend pick
components for a system. Any recommendations? I am thinking of
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe with P4-3.0Ghz CPU and 1GB PC3200 memory, all for
about $600. Is the newer socket 775 with ddr2 memory that much better?
Not a gamer, just need a fast desktop system for general applications.
\_ General apps means Word, surfing, and email. This P4 system is
already overkill. It doesn't matter which socket, how fast the
ram is, etc. Get your friend to buy a mid ranged Dell.
\_ I do not recommend Dell. They don't use standard components,
if they go bad, you are stuck with Dell supplies.
\_ Dell desktops usually come with 3-year warranty and often
4-year warranty is an option. Besides, I have never seen
a Dell motherboard or power supply fail. What other
non-standard components are there? I have a Dell Dimension
and I had no problems replacing video card, ram, disks, and
optical drives. (BTW, those were really upgrades, not because
the original parts failed). Yes, if you need a PC that allows
you to swap a motherboard a few years later, Dell might be
bad for that.
\_ My original PS from about 1.5 year ago has gone
bad (making loud noises). Dell sent me a new PS,
but it's still loud. Their case is also non
standard, ie, you cannot put the thing into a
ultra quiet case (the motherboard connector to the
case is non-standard) So you see, if I want quiet
and peace of mind when I am working next to the
computer, I have to replace the friggin
motherboard as well, because the motherboard is
not standard. I can't put in a ultra quiet PS that
I can get at Fry's either, because Dell
SPECIFICALLY changed the PS layout so standard
ones won't fit. Their fan system is also non
standard, the back fan that sucks air out of the
CPU through the tunnel out the PC is also non
standard. So now I am stuck with this loud piece of
($*%($% unless I replace the freggin motherboard,
it's a good thing they uses standard CPU. ;)
\_ If you care about noise, get an Optiplex. They're
pretty quiet.
\_ You don't need 'fast' for general applications unless that includes
stuff like crazy Photoshop work or video editing, or maybe a PVR.
If you're going to run WinXP on it I'd spring for 512MB of RAM...
\_ Goto Fry's and buy whatever's on sale. It will be fast enough.
\_ Has anyone ever actually bought one of Fry's $200 shitboxes? I'd
expect it to explode 2 weeks later.
\_ Actually, I used on sale parts from Fry's to to cobble
together a machine. The motherboard was a piece of crap
with a BIOS problem, but once I flashed the BIOS it was a
good deal. So, if you don't mind fighting a little with
the machine at first, you can come out really well. -jrleek
\_ I think you want the C. The E runs hot, I think.
I also think you want a 2.8 GHz CPU. 3.0 jumps up in heat a lot.
Check http://newegg.com for user opinions on E vs. C.
Then again, you could just get an Athlon 64 3200+ (Newcastle) or
3500+, which both run cooler and generally faster.
Search the http://newegg.com reviews for any of the above CPUs if you want
suggested mobos + memory to buy with them. |
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