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Thread: mATX Build for Uni

  1. #1
    Cable Guy Jonny M's Avatar
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    Question mATX Build for Uni

    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.

  2. #2
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    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.

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    Amateur photographer Hans Voralberg's Avatar
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    "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 ?
    Last edited by Hans Voralberg; 11-02-2006 at 09:21 PM.
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    Not Very Senior Member RavenNight's Avatar
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    Bang for bucks on AMD has to be a 3700+ San Diego, FX-57 performance at a fraction of the cost.
    AMD 3700+ San Diego @ 2.8GHz | Zalman CNPS 9500LED + Arctic Cooling MX-1 | Asus A8N-SLi Deluxe + Zalman Northbridge | 1024MB DDR RAM (2 x 512MB Corsair XMS Pro TwinX) | Leadtek nVidia 6600GT 128MB | Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Music | 2x80GB Hitachi Deskstar SATA-II (RAID 0) | Gigabyte 3D Aurora Case | Hiper Type-R 580W Modular | Enermax Ultimate Fan Controller| Microsoft Nautral 4000 | Logitech G5 + fUnc 1030| Ideazon Fang | SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 Surround Headset | Samsung SM913N 19" TFT | Compro DVB-T200

    "Dell? You get better tech support with a cheese sandwich"

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

  6. #6
    root Member DanceswithUnix's Avatar
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    • DanceswithUnix's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus X470-PRO
      • CPU:
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      • Memory:
      • 32GB 3200MHz ECC
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Linux, 2TB Games (Win 10)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Asus Strix RX Vega 56
      • PSU:
      • 650W Corsair TX
      • Case:
      • Antec 300
      • Operating System:
      • Fedora 39 + Win 10 Pro 64 (yuk)
      • Monitor(s):
      • Benq XL2730Z 1440p + Iiyama 27" 1440p
      • Internet:
      • Zen 900Mb/900Mb (CityFibre FttP)
    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).

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