CPU & mothemboard specs

harriko

hi im new here!!

im thinking about making a computer, and have and fairly good idea how to do it, but having trouble reading the cpu specs like FSB or AMD ####+. once i know that i will never know what motherboard is compatible with the cpu. thanks

mkk

The best overall bet today lies with the AMD socket 939 platform. Just get a socket 939 CPU and socket 939 motherboard and they will work together. For memory specs you can use PC3200 speed class RAM or above, but PC3200 will be enough for any socket 939 system of today. I suggest getting two 512MB sticks for a level of affordable good performance.

You may also want to look at the newest socket 939 motherboards since they hold several improvements over the first 939 generation. And for CPU there is a new revision of the socket 939 Athlon64 that is named Winchester or "90nm" in price lists. They draw a little bit less power wich is good for various reasons. As the newer boards have PCI-express rather than AGP you'll want a PCI-express graphics card. Like for instance an ATI X300 128MB if you don't want to spend the big bucks on graphics right away.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.

harriko

ok... just say i came across some cpu on a website like this

http://www.planetmicro.co.uk/results...20Fans&sort=az

and i saw this for instance "AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ 64BIT SCK 939 RETAIL INC FAN" how would i how fast the speed is? what is the bit for? would a different cpu socket fit on a diferrent motherboard socket?

markus82

You can put an AMD Athlon 3500+ only on a socket 939 motherboard.

harriko

wat is the FSB? on that website i find that AMD sells cpu that are slower than INTEL at a higher price, why is that?

markus82

Intel cpu`s aren`t really more expensive than AMD Cpu`s. but the amd 3500+ is in games usually a little bit faster than a P4 3,6 Ghz. The Socket 939 motherboards have a 1000Mhz hypertransport link, some shops would say 1000Mhz Fsb.

harriko

so your telling me that intel 3.6ghz is slower than amd 2.2ghz??? i dont understand. i thought faster the cpu the better it is.

markus82

so it is. if you want your pc for gaming you should get an amd cpu. If you will use it for any cpu intensive work like mp3 encoding, ... you should get a P4.

harriko

im going to use it for gaming, mp3, and work. mostly gaming and mp3. also will be using it for creating 3d objects in 3d studio max. so which is better?

markus82

I think the AMD Athlon 64 3500+ is better for you.

harriko

this processor is a little out of my budget... i will be willing to pay for a reasonable one for £100

markus82

Then also amd should be your choice. For £100 you would get an athlon 64 3000+. This one is available for socket 939 and for socket 754 (at the shop you posted only for socket 754). The socket 754 3000+ is nearly as fast as the S939 3000+, but the S939 is newer, if you want to upgrade the cpu later it would be better if you take socket 939.

harriko

im starting to get the idea of the cpu specs. i still dont understand the no. of the "amd 3000+" i know it doesnt mean the cpu speed. and if i buy a 939 motherboard and wanted to upgrade the cpu does it have a limit, like e.g. speed?

Vampyromaniac

so far, there's no limit for socket939. there hasn't been a major change in that platform yet, so any socket 939 cpu currently made will work in a socket 939 motherboard.

markus82

there`s no real limit, but the fastest cpu for Socket 754 is the 3700+ and i think there will be no faster cpu in the future. All new amd cpu`s will be for Socket 939. but if you dont plan to get a new cpu the next 1 1/2 years the socket 754 would be better for you because its a few £ cheaper.

Judas

Currently the biggest bang for the buck is the AMD 939 motherboard (the Radeon Xpress 200 is look quite nice)

coupled with a 3000+ 939 9nm 64 bit cpu

939 is ATM, a must if you want to be able to upgrade, futureproof your system in any manner and the small extra you would pay for the 939 is more then valueable...

Why does a 3.6ghz Intel vs a AMD 3500+ (2.2ghz? ) cpu preform "similarely"

It all dependant on how the cpu's are built from the ground up. Intel has a MASSIVELY LONG pipeline, so they can ramp up the speeds but the work done in a single clock cycle is smaller, were as AMD's SHORT pipeline allows for alot more work done in a single clock cycle.

MHZ/GHZ is only a fraction of the Entire Equation. due to intel having the highest MHZ/GHZ, they take advantage of that and market that GHZ is what you need. AMD has recongnized this and has attempt to bring out a new rating system, although it's flawed as it mostly relies on what the intel cpu's preform like at the rated speed..... AKA, IF a 3.6ghz intel is compared to an unknown rated AMD CPU..... and it preforms slower then it.... then they grab a 3.4ghz intel and compare again, if it preforms faster.... then they just slap the 3500+ sticker on it

Actually, that might not be the way they do it.... but the model rating numbers AMD use are usually compared like that.....

harriko

wow thanks for all the help!!! now i have full understanding about the cpu. i have all the knowledge on making my first pc. only problem now is getting the cash.... thanks!!!