Which PC would you pick?

eesotereh

In Runtime
Messages
147
I have two computers and I want to designate one as my internet, word processing computer and one as my DAW/audio mixing, recording computer. Which one would you suggest for which task? Here are both of them with more detail:

Computer # 1 =
Multi-CPU Pentium 4, (hyperTh) 2 CPU's @ 3.2g each (16 x 200), 478 pin. No 64-bit O/S capability
mobo: FB62 shuttle
mobo chipset: Springdale-G i865G
RAM: 2.04g PC3200 (200mhz) DDR SDRAM. Module Width: 64-bit
HD: UltraATA 118g
L1 Trace: 12k instructions
L1 Data: 8 Kb
L2: 512 Kb (on-die, ecc, ATC, full-speed)
Chipset Properties
Buswidth: 8-bit, effective clock: 267 mhz, min/max multiplier: 16x/16x
Memory Bus Properties
Bus-width: 64-bit, effective clock: 400 mhz, bandwidth: 3200 mb/s
FSB:
bus-width: 64-bit, effective clock: 800 mhz, bandwidth: 3200 mb/s
Memory controller
Type: dual channel (128-bit)
Active mode: single channel (64-bit)

Computer # 2 =
AMD Athlon 64 @ 2.4g (12 x 200) 3400+, Newcastle S754 pin. 64-bit O/S Capable. (I use SONAR, so 64-bit benefical to me)
mobo: unknown
mobo chipset: VIA K8M800/K8N800, AMD Hammer
RAM: 2.04g PC3200 DDR SDRAM (200 mhz), module width: 64-bit
HD: ATA 200g. HD #2: ultra ATA 120g (with only audio files.
L1 Code: 64 kb (parity)
L1 Data: 64 kb (ECC)
L2: 512 kb (on-die, ECC, Full-speed)
Chipset Properties
bus-width: 8-bit, effective clock: 267 mhz. min/max multiplier: 4x/12x
Memory Bus Properties
bus-width: 64-bit, effective clock: 320 mhz, bandwidth: 2560 MB/s
FSB
effective clock: 200 Mhz, HyperTransport Clock: 800 Mhz
 
The Socket 478 (#1) is 32-bit. The second is more decent and is 64-bit.

I'd personally choose #2.
 
go with #2, AMD athlon 64's are better than pentium 4's. THe 64-bit compatibility is also a nice thing to have since 64 bit stuff is starting to become more and more available.
 
thanks troy... heres somethng I noticed. when i un-check multiprocessing in my audio sequencing program Sonar on my P4 OR turn off hyperthreading in the bios I notice 20% or more cpu being used in Sonar. so naturally i started thinking, if i use my amd comp as my audio/DAW comp, which is single processor, wouldnt i be losing then about 20% cpu power?
 
somsto75 said:
thanks troy... heres somethng I noticed. when i un-check multiprocessing in my audio sequencing program Sonar on my P4 OR turn off hyperthreading in the bios I notice 20% or more cpu being used in Sonar. so naturally i started thinking, if i use my amd comp as my audio/DAW comp, which is single processor, wouldnt i be losing then about 20% cpu power?

good question. Hyperthreading isn't actually two processors. It's two "virtual" processors on one core so it's really only about a 20% performance gain. The processors that use true dual core are the core 2 duos, AMD athlon X2 and pentium D. The Athlon does use only one core but it also runs cooler therefore you can overclock it a little bit more than you could a P4 because the P4 puts off a lot of heat but I still wouldn't do it but if you know how you can do it. You might actually gain 20% CPU or more since the athlons have a far bigger FSB which can help things get in and out of the processor quicker. I do know that AMD athlon 64's have done better than the P4 in benchmarking which means that you'll probably gain a little bit when using audo apps. like you said.
 
much respect troy, especially noticing that you use p4 your advice is very un-bias. thank you again
 
I'd say two definietly, but make sure you get a 64 bit windows, or you will not see 64 bit performance in ANY application.
 
Back
Top Bottom