mATX Build for Uni

[Jonny M]

Ok guys, the time has come where I've realised my laptop isn't cutting it for the kind of things I need to do at uni (video / audio editing, program compiling etc), so I'm building a new rig up.

Now, the problem is I can't really decide what to do, I've selected two possible combinations of motherboard and processor, and really just want opinions on them. You'll notice one is AMD and one is Intel, I know the P4s at the moment aren't up with the AMDs for gaming, but I'm not gaming. I'm doing video encoding / editing and compiling, which is an area in which I think everything is Intel optimised, but feel free to tell me I'm wrong.

Anyways, here are the current two options:

Asus A8N-VM
AMD Athlon64 of some kind. X2 is too expensive, want the best "bang-for-buck" and am very out of touch with the different cores. I understand they have differing levels of cache and things like that, but I won't be overclocking them.

And on the Intel side:

Asus P5LD2-VM
As for the processor, possibly stretching to the Pentium D 820, depending how much money I can divert in the way of this system. I don't have to buy a hard drive for it so I suppose the 820 is an option.

So basically, a Dual-Core 64-bit Intel setup can be had for less money than a Dual-Core 64-bit AMD setup. However, is it worth it, or will an AMD solution take large dumps over the Intel one?

Then of course there is the option of waiting for boards featuring EFI to appear, but I want to build this system over the easter holidays (I get a month off around April time). Will EFI be along then, or will I be waiting much longer for that to happen?

Cheers guys.

[Memphis`]

Well you're right about Intel being better for video editing etc. If thats what you're doing then go for the Intel.
As for EFI, don't know when that will be along.

[Hans Voralberg]

"Intel currently offers PC motherboards supporting EFI. All Intel's 945-chipset boards support EFI, it is just disabled. However, Microsoft Windows and other BIOS Operating Systems continue to run due to a compatibility layer."

According to Wikipedia, i guess you needs Vista, try emailing Asus tech support and ask them ?

[RavenNight]

Bang for bucks on AMD has to be a 3700+ San Diego, FX-57 performance at a fraction of the cost.

[Jonny M]

Looks like Intel it is then, I'll keep an eye on things over the next couple of months before I make a purchase.

[DanceswithUnix]

Not tried any of the really recent P4s, but generally AMD has a big edge on compiling code due to their shorter pipeline (which is the reason I use them).