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chriscl · 27-01-2004, 19:44

Here's a two pence-worth....

I'm currently running an Intel P4 (2.4ghz) which I got cheapy cheap as everyone wants the 2.8+ versions. This is for my main desktop box, running Slackware Linux, so I don't need the absolute fastest CPU going. Got it from OCUK too - excellent customer service, and the one query I did have (which fan came in the retail box) was dealt with quickly and with more detail than I actually asked for!

With the Intel retail box, you'll get a CPU with the recommended Intel "thermal solution" (i.e. heat sink and fan) that you can confidently stick in to a board and it will just work and play nice.

Now I like AMD chips too - my spare server (web/ftp/dns) currently runs Slackware via an AMD thunderbird 950mhz - three years old, but still running like a champ! I've found with the new Athlon XP chips, you need to be *very* careful of cooling - not only the CPU cooler, but also intake case fans and exhaust case fans.

Simple rule of thumb - AMD chips run hotter than Intel (I know, doesn't always hold true but bear with me) so if running AMD, you *must* have a good quality case *and* plenty of good quality intake/exhaust fans. I have a rather poorly AMD XP1800+ on my desk at the moment that basically overheated and died (and this was with the supplied AMD heatsink/fan) due to poor case cooling.

As for 64-bit CPU's - yes, you could buy one now. But (and there's always a but!) I've used the 64-bit version of XP, and it's as buggy as a beta will be. IMHO, the beta of "longhorn" I have running on a 2Ghz P4 seemed more stable! Also, there are (as yet) very few applications available for XP64 - so yes, you could have one, but you ain't going to do much with it for now....now, you could run a 64-bit version of linux (I've done this too) and these are a little more mature and stable than the XP beta, and also there's plenty of apps available for the platform.

Remember the Intel Itanium? the "next big thing" (tm) - great chip, but....no software to run on it! Good server product, but the desktop...why?

Short term - next 12 months or so - on the desktop stick with the 32-bit chip. it'll take a while for anything useful to trickle up to 64-bit for the typical desktop computer, as all the application software needs to be completely re-written for the new architecture.

just a few thoughts....

27-01-2004, 19:44	#20
chriscl Inactive Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Carlton-Nottingham Posts: 47	Re: Which new CPU should I buy? Here's a two pence-worth.... I'm currently running an Intel P4 (2.4ghz) which I got cheapy cheap as everyone wants the 2.8+ versions. This is for my main desktop box, running Slackware Linux, so I don't need the absolute fastest CPU going. Got it from OCUK too - excellent customer service, and the one query I did have (which fan came in the retail box) was dealt with quickly and with more detail than I actually asked for! With the Intel retail box, you'll get a CPU with the recommended Intel "thermal solution" (i.e. heat sink and fan) that you can confidently stick in to a board and it will just work and play nice. Now I like AMD chips too - my spare server (web/ftp/dns) currently runs Slackware via an AMD thunderbird 950mhz - three years old, but still running like a champ! I've found with the new Athlon XP chips, you need to be very careful of cooling - not only the CPU cooler, but also intake case fans and exhaust case fans. Simple rule of thumb - AMD chips run hotter than Intel (I know, doesn't always hold true but bear with me) so if running AMD, you must have a good quality case and plenty of good quality intake/exhaust fans. I have a rather poorly AMD XP1800+ on my desk at the moment that basically overheated and died (and this was with the supplied AMD heatsink/fan) due to poor case cooling. As for 64-bit CPU's - yes, you could buy one now. But (and there's always a but!) I've used the 64-bit version of XP, and it's as buggy as a beta will be. IMHO, the beta of "longhorn" I have running on a 2Ghz P4 seemed more stable! Also, there are (as yet) very few applications available for XP64 - so yes, you could have one, but you ain't going to do much with it for now....now, you could run a 64-bit version of linux (I've done this too) and these are a little more mature and stable than the XP beta, and also there's plenty of apps available for the platform. Remember the Intel Itanium? the "next big thing" (tm) - great chip, but....no software to run on it! Good server product, but the desktop...why? Short term - next 12 months or so - on the desktop stick with the 32-bit chip. it'll take a while for anything useful to trickle up to 64-bit for the typical desktop computer, as all the application software needs to be completely re-written for the new architecture. just a few thoughts....