Is Intel really so bad?

[Agnostos Insania]

Well, I've already purchased an Intel-based motherboard and Pentium D processor for gaming and general internet use and am beyond the return date. I'm not too big on FPS games, however. I'm on a limited budget but can see things in the big picture. I've learned more about computer hardware reading this site in the past week and others than I've previously learned in my entire 21-year life. I've since learned the experts seem to say that AMD is hands-down the best choice.

Do you think I should recoup most of my losses by ebaying the new parts or is the difference really not that big? It seems to be if I stay Intel I'll be Intel for years to come because RAM, motherboard, and other processor-specific hardware compatibility issues. Losing $100 right now is better than replacing the RAM and such in the future.

What would you guys do in my shoes?

Thank you for reading.

EDIT: I just remembered the Processor forum. I'm sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum.

 

[stevty2889]

Well does it do what you need it to do? If you don't have any problems with anything you are running, then there is no reason to just get rid of it. Pentium-D and gaming shouldn't be used in the same sentance though..games won't take advantage of the second core, so you are basicly running a low end pentium-4 when it comes to gaming. Actualy it doesn't look like anything you are planning to run will use the second core. As long as you aren't throttling, which you could be with the stock heatsink, and it works for what you do with it, you might as well keep it, but a pentium-d wasn't the best choice for gaming and general internet use, because that second core is still using power and producing heat, while not really being used..

 

[cessation]

Intel isn't that bad

Some people just prefer AMD and get carried away. But it goes both ways, I think there is more AMD fans on tech boards though. I prefer AMD over Intel but I would buy a Intel based system in a heart beat if I thought it was a better deal for my money.

This might get into a AMD vs Intel and the thread might get deleted. A lot of message boards won't allow debates between AMD & Intel because they turn very ugly and its just stupid in the end. I'm not sure if it's against the rules here at Anandtech.com though. But your question seems valid enough, not like you are screaming such and such sucks.

Also Intel isn't all about CPUs. They also make chipsets etc, so unless you were talking about the CPU alone then I wouldn't say you posted in wrong forum.


just my 2c

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Thank you for the responses.

Originally posted by: stevty2889
Well does it do what you need it to do? If you don't have any problems with anything you are running, then there is no reason to just get rid of it.

Well I haven't installed anything yet, so I can't say how it performs. I still need to purchase some RAM and a GPU before a functioning computer can be established. I figure installation will sort of cement the situation.

Originally posted by: cessation
Intel isn't that bad

This might get into a AMD vs Intel and the thread might get deleted. A lot of message boards won't allow debates between AMD & Intel because they turn very ugly and its just stupid in the end. I'm not sure if it's against the rules here at Anandtech.com though. But your question seems valid enough, not like you are screaming such and such sucks.

I see. Sorry about that in advance if it comes to that. I have no loyalty towards either company, they both sell overpriced gizmos because they know no one else makes them. I'm just wondering my purchase was as big a mistake as many posts on this board seem to paint it as.

 

[phisrow]

I doubt that it is worth it to ebay the parts at this point, unless similar stuff is going for a very attractive percentage of its retail value. Your box isn't exactly going to set the world on fire(expect perhaps thermally) but it'll work alright. And when upgrade time comes I doubt you'll be locked in much. Sure, you'll need a new processor; but that would be a given anyway; and you'll need a new motherboard(but sockets change often enough between processor families anyway); but you probably won't need new RAM, as I understand that AMD will gradually be moving to DDR2. Unless your machine sucks for gaming right now, in which case it isn't going to get any better with age, I'd just sit on it until upgrade time comes around again. Motherboards are cheap enough(and will likely be cheaper later) that you'll lose more on Ebay than you would just buying a new board when you eventually need it and there are really very few other "locked in" items(unless you really need to move to AMD before socket M2, in which case you'll need some new RAM).

It is undeniably the case that AMD is considerably superior for gaming; but not much to be done at this point.

 

[cessation]

One more thing.

I'm on a limited budget but can see things in the big picture.

In that case I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Originally posted by: phisrow
I doubt that it is worth it to ebay the parts at this point, unless similar stuff is going for a very attractive percentage of its retail value...

There is an auction currently with 2 days left at approximately 80% of what I paid for the CPU. Of course that's one less person that will bid on my CPU if I put it on sale, but it's a significant chunk of what I paid for it. I can always use a reserve if my paranoia gets the best of me I figure.

 

[earthman]

If you're not big into FPS games, you'll probably never notice it. I've used Intel for years and been very happy with them. Don't trash the system before you even try it out.

 

[TNM93]

If you like Intel and want to use them for gaming, I would go with one of the Pentium 4 600 series chips. The dual core Pentium 4 has been criticized many times over in all sorts of publications as being an inefficient dual core design, in comparison to AMD's dual core design.

 

[bob4432]

i wouldn't lose $$$ just because you think the amd might be better. it really depends on usage and to be honest, without a box to compare it to you will never notice a difference. when i built my rig in sig(except for gpu) i did it because i was doing a lot of video editing encoding and at that time (1.5yrs ago) the p4s owned amd at encoding, which is what i was mostly concerned with.

since that time i don't much video work but the rig is still running fine. i play bf2 @ 1280x960 at most settings on high @ ~50+fps, due to the fact that bf2 is more gpu limited than cpu limited.

i would say stay with it and not lose the money. also, in the future amd will be going with ddr2 with the m2 socket, but like others says by the time you upgrade the rig you currently built you will need a new processor and m/b too.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Again, thank you for your opinions, earthman, TNM93, and bob4432. This is one hard decision I'll have to make.

 

[Bozono]

Keep in mind that if you stay with your Intel, buy the RAM and other stuff, that it will all be compatible with an AMD system next year as AMD is moving to DDR2 as well. So, say you upgrade in a year, all you'll have to sell is the mobo and CPU and probably get 65% of what you payed for it now.
EDIT N/M: BOB4432 mentioned that as well.

 

[Skyhanger]

What are you using the system for?
What kind of budget do you have?
What kind of losses do you intend to take?
How much can you sell the Pentium D and mobo on ebay?

If you're not doing anything intensive, you prob won't notice the difference.
However, if you really want to use the performance increase from dual-core, yes it's true that the AMD X2 is widely accepted as the better choice. It also has a larger user base as well as more support from the industry (nVidia continues to release new drivers to optimize X2 support).

However, you could keep that system and buy DDR2 memory and a nice PCIe GPU. AMD is migrating to M2 socket standard next year, which will use DDR2. You can get a new AMD M2 chip and mobo after the prices drop a little and try to pawn off your Intel mobo and chip on ebay. (If you're not above the downright low tactic of reeling in n00b builders ... "OMG OMG it's a Intel DUAL CORE! slightly used! get it now!")

(** sad thing is, there are tons of guys out there who would fall for that... **)

 

[munchow2]

I think you are better off selling it off ebay if you can get most of your money back. You will just end up wanting an AMD anyway after you build your computer that you will probably end up selling your intel parts. Don't think TOO much about future upgrades because you just don't know what will happen then. Worry about now and if you think getting an AMD will make you happy and at peace with your decision, then the $100 you lose will be worth it.

 

[thelush84]

The real world differences between Intel and AMD isn't as big as the benchmarks would suggest. The only reason I would suggest AMD isn't just because they are better, which they are, but because their cpu systems both run cooler and operate much more efficiently. It does't hurt that they don't cost as much either.

 

[Agnostos Insania]

Thanks guys, I've put the parts on Ebay for the price I find acceptable. If it doesn't sell I'll keep the parts and build the system as-is. I really appreciate the input.

 

[0roo0roo]

yea pretty much. intels been getting spanked by amd recently performance wise. and before that they were always beat in terms of price. plus we geeks like to support amd to make sure intel has competition...else we'd be gouged to death amd's made that decision easy with their low prices/fast chips.

 

[alimoalem]

i think u should've held on. personally, i don't like the intel dual core but there's no point wasting money if you'll upgrade later

 

[CrispyFried]

if they dont sell for the price you want dont sweat it. just keep it. put the 100 buck loss you would of taken into a getting better vid card which will more than made up the difference.

in the real world besides some games youll find the difference between intel and amd is hardly noticable as either has more power than youll use 99% 0f the time.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: CrispyFried
in the real world besides some games youll find the difference between intel and amd is hardly noticable as either has more power than youll use 99% 0f the time.

Speak for yourself

 

[edmundoab]

yeah if only Intel was more competitve with the prices

we know that AMD is capturing the End User Market
but for Intel, they are just going sky high with partnerships alongside DELL, HP and etc

 

[imported_rod]

People generally prefer AMD because a $200 AMD chip performs as well as a $300 Intel chip. But by selling your stuff on eBay for a loss, you are going to defeat the purpose of getting the AMD gear!!! I dunno, it's up to you after all.

Originally posted by: CrispyFriedin the real world besides some games youll find the difference between intel and amd is hardly noticable as either has more power than youll use 99% 0f the time.

Yeah, True. I can be running all my background apps, aswell as word and winamp, and my CPU still runs at 0% (if i switch SETI@HOME off).

RoD

 

[Sonikku]

Intel isn't bad, per se. They just aren't as good.

 

[Pabster]

Time For The Flame Suits Gentlemen :laugh: :laugh:

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Pabster
Time For The Flame Suits Gentlemen :laugh: :laugh:

You'd think they'd get tired of beating the rotting carcass at some point.