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After many years of service and because of my new software that is too powerful for my old computer, I have to get a new one. I will build it myself again.
Naturally I am faced with the question AMD or Intel. I love underdogs and wanted to go for AMD again. Seems, they already have or are about to launch a new processor platform called bulldozer. But they don't sell them here yet. Are they already available in the US? Are they worth the wait? Else I would get the Phenom II X6 1100 or X4 980, but I have read that series is kind of outdated by now, so I am wondering how long I would have to wait for the new chips to arrive in Europe.
I was also wondering if Windows XP can handle modern hardware such as a TB hard drive, USB3 etc. Or would I have to get Windows 7? Could I continue to use my old Word XP (parf of an ancient Works suite) with Windows 7? I am forced to use Word for professional reasons, and I don't feel like paying hundreds of dollars for a new Office suite whose functions I don't need anyway. The home edition of Windows 7 will be supported just one year longer than XP, so I am inclined to skip Windows 7 and switch directly to Windows 8 once it is available.
Any tricks and problems I have to watch out for when building my own computer? The last time I did that was 13 years ago
I used to be an AMD fanboy, long ago in the days of slot and single core processors. I use Intel nowadays. Some benchmarks say go AMD, others say go Intel. In the end, if you get a cheap processor, you'll get what you pay for. (Basically, don't buy an Atom processor and expect a 6 core i7 lol)
I'm almost positive the partition limit for XP is 2tb. As far as USB 3, you would definitely need the drivers for it, so it depends on what mobo manufacturer you use I suppose. There is no baked-in support in XP.
As far as tips and tricks......youtube a few videos on how to apply thermal grease....put the cpu/heatsink/RAM all in the motherboard before dropping it into the case (for simplicity). Remember to ground yourself, wrist straps are not required but if it comes with the mobo, use it anyway.
Post a parts list here before you buy, people might have suggestions/improvements/money saving tips!
BTW I always recommend this to read before people build their PCs if they aren't used to it or have never done it: http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/
- processor: AMD X6 1100 or X4 980 plus Scythe Rasetsu cooler
- mother board: ASRock 890GX Extreme 4 R2
- hard drive: WD1002FAEX Caviar Black 1TB
- memory: any 8GB DDR3 1333 with C7 latency from the ASRock compatibility list, hard to find exactly those modules, though
- graphics and sound: onboard (I don't play any games etc.)
- a quality case plus silent 500W power source
- standard DVD drive (don't need Blue Ray)
In the USA you'd pay about $189 for either of the AMD processors or $219 for an Intel Core i5-2500k. For $30 the Sandy Bridge Intel CPU is worth the extra money.
I recently built a budget system (~$300 total, got the motherboard for half price at Micro Center) around an AMD Phenom II x4 840 to leave at my vacation house, but if I needed any performance at all I probably would not have gone with AMD. My system at home was built two years ago around a Core i7-920.
I've been impressed with AMDs offerings recently (and upcoming) as well. I loved their k6 line and that led me to making the mistake of investing in their athlons.... I went Intel after that and have ventured back into the AMD territory with their phenom II and their fusion e350. They're okay... good value... but not great performance.
Yes, I am aware that Intel processors are a bit more powerful, but I am willing to sacrifice speed as I want AMD to remain in the business. Intel has had quite nasty business practices and I am not going to reward that.
I hope AMD manage to avoid further delays. People might suspect technical problems, which doesn't go down well with potential customers. I guess I will not wait till October, probably the first generation of the Bulldozer stuff will have issues anyway, so I guess I will get the 1100T now and get additional 8GB of memory from the money saved.
I wish there were two-processor boards for home users. AMD could sell two processors in a bundle. Two affordable X6 1075T would give you 12 x 3GHz without any overclocking, at the price of one i7 2600K. Even though the Intel chip is better than the AMD chip, two of the letter combined would be far superior.
Yes, I am aware that Intel processors are a bit more powerful, but I am willing to sacrifice speed as I want AMD to remain in the business. Intel has had quite nasty business practices and I am not going to reward that.
I hope AMD manage to avoid further delays. People might suspect technical problems, which doesn't go down well with potential customers. I guess I will not wait till October, probably the first generation of the Bulldozer stuff will have issues anyway, so I guess I will get the 1100T now and get additional 8GB of memory from the money saved.
I wish there were two-processor boards for home users. AMD could sell two processors in a bundle. Two affordable X6 1075T would give you 12 x 3GHz without any overclocking, at the price of one i7 2600K. Even though the Intel chip is better than the AMD chip, two of the letter combined would be far superior.
Oh... AMD will remain in business. Bitcoin miners alone are carrying a good chunk of their revenue these days. AMD has nothing to fear unless bitcoins implode.
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