AMD vs INTEL?Which to buy?

[keeka]

I started doing architectural renderings about a year ago, business is picking up and projects are getting bigger so I need to upgrade. (The machine I am currently running is too vintage to mention except that it's a Intel and has served me well.)

 

So here's my question, do I upgrade to AMD or INTEL?

I am looking for faster render times and stability at a resonable price with the option of upgrading or adding to it at a later stage.

Here is what I've been told to get (in my price range):

INTEL

Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 1.8GHz

Pentium 4 LGA775 1066FSB M/Board or INTEL Guardfish Q965

1G Mb DDR2 533Mhz RAM

80Gb SATAII HDD

PCI Express 16x Slot

GEFORCE 7600GT EXT 256MB Graphics Card

AMD

AMD ATHLON 64 4200 X2 Dual Core AM2

Nvidia NF6100-405 M/Board

512Mb DDR2 667Mhz

80Gb SATAII HDD

PCI Express 16x Slot

GEFORCE 7600GT EXT 256MB Graphics Card

 

So which one do I get?

Should I go for a 256MB Graphics Card or a 512MB Graphics card? I've been told that it makes a difference to render times???

 

Thanks in advance for your help and opinions!

[STRAT]

at this point in time its intel that have the ayes. and graphics cards make NO difference to render times.

[e-YELLOWCABS.COM]

Things are clear !

I've got 2 machines, one AMD bi opteron 270 2 gigs ram under Win xp and one Intel QX6700 2 gigs ram under Win xp.

I'm working to improve some work for the 2007 CG competition...

The same scene rendered :

1h04 for the intel solution

2h12 for the amd solution

 

to help a little bit the amd computer, i gently overclocked the qx6700 at

3.00 ghz instead of 2.66.

 

it's to you to choose !

pierre

[manta]

Well I would probably go Intel, but comparing a brand new Intel chip to a 2 year old AMD, is probably not a fair comparison, maybe compare the same intel to an AMD 4x4 system, that would be fair...

[AJLynn]

I think these comparisons need to be made by each person in the context of requirements and budget. However, in most cases, given the current models available, Intel will probably be the way to go. In this case, that AMD beats that Intel in some benchmarks (e.g. this).

 

As for upgradeability and such... I'm not sure about the specific motherboard in question but many of the Core2 motherboards available for the low-end chips also support the quad-cores, and if you're going to be able to overclock your system the Core2s can go very high. (Look in the backlogs for this board to see tons of stuff on that, but to summaize: you need a Core2, a good motherboard, good PC6400 RAM and a good power supply.)

[keeka]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies and help!

I think I'm going to go for Intel Core 2 Duo, but switch to the E6400 as AJLynn advised.

With regards to a 'good motherboard' ..............which one's out there would be your choice?

Thanks again,

Carla

[AJLynn]

Actually my 6400 comment referred to the memory - it's a speed rating. PC2-6400 RAM (I mistyped the first one) would be compatible with any of the Core2 motherboards.

 

As far as motherboards, there are a lot to choose from. I have an MSI 975X Platinum (the "Power-Up Edition") which is a good low-price 975 board. A lot of people swear by the Asus P5B Deluxe or the Asus P5W DH, and there's a guy here who's had a lot of success with the Intel "BadAxe".

[keeka]

Actually my 6400 comment referred to the memory - it's a speed rating. PC2-6400 RAM (I mistyped the first one) would be compatible with any of the Core2 motherboards.

 

As far as motherboards, there are a lot to choose from. I have an MSI 975X Platinum (the "Power-Up Edition") which is a good low-price 975 board. A lot of people swear by the Asus P5B Deluxe or the Asus P5W DH, and there's a guy here who's had a lot of success with the Intel "BadAxe".

 

 

 

The only Intel motherboards currently available in South Africa to the general consumer are:

ASUS Intel 865G

ASUS VIA P4M890

Intel 946 G2 Isleton

Intel G965 Shrewsbury

Intel Guardfish Q965

Intel G965 Westchester

(According to the guy at the computer store these boards are Intel Socket 775 Processor Main Boards.)

 

Not exactly spoilt for choice.....!

 

The RAM specs overhere are written out as follows:

512 MB DDR2 533

1GB MB DDR2 533

512 MB DDR2 667

1GB MB DDR2 667

512 MB DDR2 800

1GB MB DDR2 800

Which one matches the PC2-6400 RAM you suggested I don't know.....any ideas?

 

I apologise for being such a nuisance but all this technical stuff gets to be a bit confusing at times.........must be girl thing!

Thanks,

Carla

[AJLynn]

It's the DDR2-800. As far as the motherboards... you'll need to Google that.

[keeka]

Thanks for all your help......!

[Macpod]

Intel is faster if at the same clock speed, but maybe the AMD 4200 is equivalent of C2D 2.1ghz? In which case its probably the same speed? Nothing wrong with AMD if you can get it for cheaper. cost/performance ballance in the end.

 

OF course there overclocking. I hear the c2d 6300 overclocks like a nutter. ive seen it go up to 3+ghz. although probably not on that motherboard and not if you are not experienced.