HAY GUYS

Render · Local time: Mar 21, 2007, 03:43 PM

Alright some questions for everyone. I'm trying to figure out what kind of upgrades to do to my PC to make it run applications like, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects(the most important), Premiere, and Maya. I know I'm going to upgrade the ram to 3 gigs of 5400. What I want to know is what is the best type of processor/motherboard that's at a reasonable price, that will get the job done fast. Do you think Dual processors or xeons and so on... Let me know please I have no idea what to do. Thanks!

Since you're essentially building a workstation computer, reliability is paramount. Go Intel. The Core2Duo dual core CPU is superbly prices and performs very well. The E6600 model in particular. The only board you'll want for this is Intel D975XBX2, or codename: Badaxe2. Rock solid, stable and is just as fast as any other Socket 775 motherboard. Also, choose some decent RAM. Corsair, Geil, OCZ. You don't want to deal with shit RAM and warranty issues.

PS: If you're going to be running Vista with this setup, you'll probably want 4GB of RAM. (to make it dual-channel as well)

How ya doing, buddy?

Render · Local time: Mar 21, 2007, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by RagnarokX

I was planning on sticking with XP pro for a while longer, as far as Ram goes I already have 1 Gig of Dual-channel Corsair XMS2 5400, planning on getting 2 GB more of the same kind. Right now I have a P4 3.4 ghz processor, do you think I will notice a big jump in speed with a core 2 duo?

Just be aware that you won't be able to run the entire 3GB of RAM in dual-channel because of the mismatched pairs. And yes the Core2 will be a significant step up from a single core Pentium 4. If any of your applications are multi-threaded (capable of utilizing both cores) then performance could nearly double.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Render · Local time: Mar 22, 2007, 01:26 AM

Right now, Intel can do it better for cheaper. 4x4 is a joke considering the ridiculous power requirements and amount of cooling it needs to cope. Preliminary tests don't even show it to be any faster than a C2D. Besides, if AMD is changing processor sockets every year, what's the point?

To me, the reliability isn't with the CPU. It's with the motherboard and chipset. There isn't a chipset for AMD boards that I'm actually fond of. Everyone know SiS is shit, VIA is good for people who like Linux but is basic otherwise, and nForce is best but isn't something I'd use in a professional setting. I've had the displeasure to Ghost systems with nForce chipsets with many problems. A $600 Tyan Thunder board isn't exactly appealing either. Meanwhile, Intel does have a reputation of keeping some of their server features on desktop boards, along with their stability. Maybe we'll see if AMD does things right this time with their own chipset.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Render · Local time: Mar 22, 2007, 11:40 AM

I think he might have last of P4s with the 1066 FSB. They use DDR2 according to Intel's site and he said he's running Corsair XMS2.

Dead sockets in question: 754 (dropped like an anchor), 939, AM2 was DOA with the immediate news of 4x4 and AM2+. Dual-socket 940 boards aren't exactly cheap-as-free either.

I would wait one more month before upgrading. Intel is going to slashing prices of the C2D and quad cores come late April.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Render · 12:51 PM

You'll definitely be able to run all 3GB with no problems, except that it won't run in dual channel. You need all four sticks to be the same size for that. (4x 512MB or 4x 1GB)

Wait until the end of April at least to decide. Intel's going to level the playing field by cutting prices of the Core2 Duos and Quads.

I was speaking idiomatically.