-=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?

  • From: "cristy" <poppy0206@xxxxxxx>
  • To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 09:14:35 -0500

Hi Disaster,

I use an older version of Pinnacle studio plus v. 10.7 I think for now but 
may upgrade to a newer version soon.  It really hogs the memory I have now 
though and when I am doing lots of sound editing with the free audacity 
program after a while my memory goes ;0 (no pun intended) lol

I did notice the processor seemed not as fast on this one as others though, 
you are right.  I would prefer not to have to add/upgrade stuff too fast on 
a new computer so may go a few more dollars on it (what is a good vid card, 
I know at least 512 mg of memory shared?).

christy

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Disastar" <disastar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2009 12:53 AM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?


>I found the specs at Best Buy:
>
> Gateway DX4200-09 Desktop
> http://tinyurl.com/92nzk8
>
> I have no love for Gateway, but my gripes are from 10 years ago.  I have 
> no
> idea if they are any better now or not.
>
> OK, It says the onboard graphics uses up to 256MB shared video memory 
> which
> means it uses up to 256MB of the 4GB main memory.  Luckily it has a PCI
> Express expansion slot so you should be able to add a good card.  If you
> weren't doing video editing you probably could get away with the built-in
> video.  Well, you can try video editing with the built-in video since it
> could be better than what your old PC has.
>
> This one from Best Buy says it has Vista 64-bit which you will need if you
> plan on using more than 4GB of memory.  You should verify that the one you
> are looking at is 64-bit since that seems to be optional from Best Buy.
>
> Hmm, you would probably be better off with a faster CPU though.  Look at
> where the AMD 9100e shows up on some of the benchmarks at
> http://tinyurl.com/4c7mcc.  I don't know what video editing software you
> use, but "Premiere Pro CS3 HDTV" has the 9100e test at 258 seconds where 
> for
> $120 at Newegg.com they have an AMD Phenom 9600 which shows up on the
> benchmark for 203 seconds.
>
> Besides the CPU and graphics, this system looks pretty good.  I'm sure it
> would be much better than your old PC.  If money is tight, you could 
> always
> get this system and wait 6 months to a year to upgrade the CPU and 
> graphics.
> I'm sure those parts will be very cheap by then.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:pctechtalk-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of cristy
> Sent: Saturday, January 03, 2009 12:04 AM
> To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?
>
> Hi Gman,
>
> First off, what does this mean briefly?  lol..(AM+ socket)
>
> Also, I had a computer custom built once at the local Best Buy store years
> ago and was very happy with it for the most part. But not sure now where I
> would go or who online to ask for a custom built one.  I will not spend 
> what
>
> I did back then though, more tight budget now.   Vid cards are confusing, 
> I
> know I need at least 512 mb of memory for that and I dont know what 
> exactly
> "shared memory" .  I'm getting somewhat frustrated as I don't want to 
> spend
> but so much more time researching this but since money is a crunch,
> obviously want as much as I can get for my bucks.
>
> I put off buying a new one since last summer since other priorities came 
> up.
>
> I do realize I can only get but so much for a certain price though.  Maybe
> its time to try an AMD processor who knows, there was a computer this 
> wkend
> at circuit city advertised for 509 with AMD processor , was orig 750.00 or
> so.  The guy said the vid card could be upgrade and memory.
>
> Here are the specs that I have
> AMD Phenom X4 Quad-Core processor 9100E Computer Model DX 4200-09
>
> windows vista home premium 64-bit
> 4gb ddr2 memory
> 640GB hard drive
> Reads and writes
> Dual-Layer DVDs and CDs
> w/Labelflash
> include keyboard and mouse
>
> salesman said it  had an integrated vid card but a good one
> and memory he said could be upgraded as well as vid card
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Gman" <gman.pctt@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 11:01 PM
> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?
>
>
>> Well, Cristy, I can't touch this reply for 'breath of scope', so I'm not
>> going to even try.       lol
>>
>> What I will say is that AMD scores better than Intel for most multimedia
>> tasks (both audible and visual).  Intel ranks MUCH better than AMD for
>> most
>> productivity tasks (Office, etc.).  Today's better AMD chips run hotter
>> because they are grown using a larger sized transistor (65nm.) than
>> Intel's
>> better chips (45nm.).  Chances are VERY good that you're currently 
>> running
>
>> a
>> processor (from either maker) that's made with larger transistors than
>> what's being used today.  The smaller they can make the transistors, the
>> cooler the chip can be made to run.  Intel has the upper hand in
>> transistor
>> size because they have a LOT more money to toss at R&D for studying
>> fabrication techniques (AMD spent their budget on buying up ATI, the
>> graphics card maker).  But even with all of that money, they still look 
>> to
>> AMD for ideas on what direction they should be heading.  To me, that 
>> means
>> AMD is the more innovative company.
>>
>> Combining all of this with what Disastar has already mentioned should
>> point
>> you towards getting at least a dual-core AMD processor (AM+ socket) with
>> matching motherboard & RAM.  Since these three items are the core
>> components
>> of any computer system, I wouldn't skimp on any of them (~$400 USD for 
>> all
>> three should be a good starting point).  It can be convincingly argued
>> that
>> the graphics card has become a fourth 'core' component of any modern
>> system,
>> so I will give the same advice on that.  Your target for a video card
>> should
>> be at least $200 - 250 USD alone for the things you want to do with your
>> new
>> system (and that should take care of most 'gaming' you choose to add
>> later,
>> too).
>>
>> As Disastar also said, it takes several days of intense research to 
>> "throw
>> together" a decent system these days.  Many, many things have to be taken
>> into consideration and having one part that doesn't quite fit in can
>> really
>> hurt an otherwise good build.  You need to decide whether or not you'll
>> need
>> a case (or reuse an older one).  How many parts can you bring over from
>> the
>> old system if that's to be retired?  How much can this new build be
>> upgraded
>> as time passes?  What else will you need?
>>
>> Give some thought to all you've heard so far and let us know whatever
>> questions come up.  Several of us have been putting together custom
>> systems
>> for a long time and you can be assured we'll do what we can to steer you
>> in
>> the right direction.
>>
>> Happy Holidays,
>> Gman
>>
>> "The only dumb questions are the ones we fail to ask"
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Disastar" <disastar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 8:38 PM
>> Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Re: processors, AMD vs. Intel?
>>
>>
>>> Yes, it is often hard to tell the difference and it depends a lot on how
>>> you
>>> use your computer.
>>>
>>> This is a very tricky question to answer.  They both have their pros and
>>> cons and its hard to compare the two because you just can't go by the 
>>> MHz
>>> speed and one might be better while running one program, but the other
>>> might
>>> be better running another program.  You also have the same problem
>>> comparing
>>> different processors from the same manufacturer.
>>>
>>> Example:  Which is better, a faster single core CPU or a slower dual
>>> core?
>>>
>>> Answer:  It depends a lot on what programs you run and how you use your
>>> computer among other things.  If you almost always run more than one
>>> program
>>> at the same time then dual core would be better and quad core even 
>>> better
>>> (most likely).  But, if the program you use often is very CPU intensive
>>> and
>>> is not designed to run on multiple cores, then the multi-cores wouldn't
>>> help
>>> unless there are other programs running at the same time that slow the
>>> CPU
>>> down.
>>>
>>> Confused?  I'm sorry, but this is only the main points and it only gets
>>> more
>>> complicated.  Maybe Gman can explain it better... he has a way with 
>>> words
>>> that I can't touch.
>>>
>>> OK, maybe this will help:
>>> - AMD is usually cheaper for the performance you get, but they usually
>>> run
>>> hotter, so they often have a noisier fan cooling them.
>>> - Multiple core CPU's usually give a snappier feel to Windows especially
>>> if
>>> you run more than one program at a time.
>>> - Movie editing and graphics editing will usually benefit from having as
>>> many cores as you can afford, but spending extra money on a better video
>>> card might improve these tasks better.
>>> - High tech action games are also more dependent on graphics card than
>>> CPU,
>>> but you still need a decent CPU.
>>> - If you don't run any CPU hogging programs, then anything new would 
>>> feel
>>> a
>>> world better than an old PC, but a dual core would probably feel more
>>> responsive.
>>> - If you are just trying to get Vista to run better, then get something
>>> with
>>> 3 or 4 Gigabytes of RAM, good video card (better video card if you plan
>>> on
>>> running Vista's Aero), and as fast a dual core as you can afford.
>>>
>>> As you can see, the graphics performance often matters as much as the 
>>> CPU
>>> (sometimes more so), so I'm guessing your next question will be about
>>> video
>>> cards.  Unfortunately video cards are at least as complicated.  When I
>>> buy
>>> computer parts I spend days doing google searches for reviews and
>>> comparisons of everything I'm looking for.
>>>
>>> The more info you give us on what programs you plan on running, the
>>> better
>>> advise we can give you.  ;)
>>
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