Athlon 64 processor. Too soon to buy one?
Discussion
Folks,
My PC hs been causing me all sorts of headaches lately with freezes, error messages, registry problems etc so I may decide to upgrade from my current Win 98SE Dell.
I have been advised by a computer chappie to buy a PC with the AMD Athlon 64 bit processor; he says this is the way forward and if I don't, I will be stuck with outdated technology very soon.
However Computer Active mag reports that there is very little software available at present for 64 bit processors and that Norton and McAffee anti-virus programmes wont't load on such PC's.
What do you folks think? Athlon 64 or Pentium 4?
Cheers
My PC hs been causing me all sorts of headaches lately with freezes, error messages, registry problems etc so I may decide to upgrade from my current Win 98SE Dell.
I have been advised by a computer chappie to buy a PC with the AMD Athlon 64 bit processor; he says this is the way forward and if I don't, I will be stuck with outdated technology very soon.
However Computer Active mag reports that there is very little software available at present for 64 bit processors and that Norton and McAffee anti-virus programmes wont't load on such PC's.
What do you folks think? Athlon 64 or Pentium 4?
Cheers
The Athlon 64 processor has been available for a year and a half (but announced nearly 2 years ago) and has always been able to run non-64bit software. In fact it's no question that 64-bit software is lacking *now* but with the release of 64-bit Windows XP that will change in the consumer market.
No doubt also that the software vendors are re-coding popular applications to take advantage of 64-bits and that will yield updated software throughout the remainder of this year although in what quantity (and quality) it's difficult to tell.
AMD have just announced and released updates to their 64 processor range (with dual core processors) and Intel have finally followed suit into 64bits.
AMD Athlon 64 processor pricing is keen compared to Intel Pentium 4 as well as being competitive throughout the Athlon 64 range ensuring you'll be able to get a good deal when you come to buy.
*Generally* what's your PC for? Gaming, Surfing, Word processing or will you be video editing or splitting the atom? For the former get an Athlon 64 (939 pin) coupled with a cool video card and for the latter consider the Pentium 4 6* or 8* range.
No doubt also that the software vendors are re-coding popular applications to take advantage of 64-bits and that will yield updated software throughout the remainder of this year although in what quantity (and quality) it's difficult to tell.
AMD have just announced and released updates to their 64 processor range (with dual core processors) and Intel have finally followed suit into 64bits.
AMD Athlon 64 processor pricing is keen compared to Intel Pentium 4 as well as being competitive throughout the Athlon 64 range ensuring you'll be able to get a good deal when you come to buy.
*Generally* what's your PC for? Gaming, Surfing, Word processing or will you be video editing or splitting the atom? For the former get an Athlon 64 (939 pin) coupled with a cool video card and for the latter consider the Pentium 4 6* or 8* range.
The machine I've just ordered the bits for is a socket 939 Athlon 64 based machine. Socket 939 means I'll be able to use the same board and bits and drop in a dual-core Athlon when they become available.
Also, the Athlon64 is binary compatible with the old 32 bit chips. This means that 32bit WinXP and all the software will run on it fine. But, when the driver and software support gets there for XPx64, I'll be able to do a quick re-install and get the benefits of true 64bit computing.
That's my thinking anyway.
Also, the Athlon64 is binary compatible with the old 32 bit chips. This means that 32bit WinXP and all the software will run on it fine. But, when the driver and software support gets there for XPx64, I'll be able to do a quick re-install and get the benefits of true 64bit computing.
That's my thinking anyway.
Great idea. I've had an FX-51 for almost two years and have finally downloaded everything necessary to run it in 64bit. I'll be installing onto a separate hard drive this weekend to try Win x64 and see what it's like, but without screwing up my original installation.
It's a matter of months before 64-bit computing becomes widespread, and we've gone considerably past the point when trying it was dangerous and experimental. At the moment - everything's available for you to install and run a 64-bit system!
It's a matter of months before 64-bit computing becomes widespread, and we've gone considerably past the point when trying it was dangerous and experimental. At the moment - everything's available for you to install and run a 64-bit system!
I've got an Athlon 64 chip in my evesham laptop (though not dual core unfortunately). I haven't found any problems with compatability issues as yet and I certainly hope it isn't too soon to get one as I've had it for almost a year. I'm tempted to download the windows XP pro 64 OS but am a little nervous over driver support - probably going to hang on for a bit.
A64's are cracking CPU's
Fast for todays apps in win xp and ready for winxp64 (now available).
I have a socket 939 A3000 (winchester) clocks up great if I want it to but theres no need - I prefer less noise from cooling.
TBh kicks intels ass all over the place for price/performance at the upper levels. Dont wory about the 64 bit its 'just' a cpu for now.
As said the 939's are dual core ready, tho how usefull that becomes to the home user is doubtfull, multiprocessor systems havnt exceled for home use so far.
Fast for todays apps in win xp and ready for winxp64 (now available).
I have a socket 939 A3000 (winchester) clocks up great if I want it to but theres no need - I prefer less noise from cooling.
TBh kicks intels ass all over the place for price/performance at the upper levels. Dont wory about the 64 bit its 'just' a cpu for now.
As said the 939's are dual core ready, tho how usefull that becomes to the home user is doubtfull, multiprocessor systems havnt exceled for home use so far.
Tafia said:
I may decide to upgrade from my current Win 98SE Dell.
I have been advised by a computer chappie to buy a PC with the AMD Athlon 64 bit processor; he says this is the way forward and if I don't, I will be stuck with outdated technology very soon.
To put it bluntly, you will always get "stuck" with outdated technology when you're talking about PCs. There simply is no such thing as "future-proofing" your PC now, because the standards will always change in 6 months' time.
That's not to say its silly to buy the latest & greatest right now, but just to bear in mind you'll be paying an early adopter's premium for no real advantage.
Given that you're still on a Win98 machine at present, it doesn't seem that you're the type to rush out and buy the Next Big Thing every couple of months, so the thing to do is set yourself a realistic budget and buy the best you can in this price range.
Note that "realistic" in this case means simply what you're happy to spend, as absolutely anything you buy will blow the socks off your current kit! As my learned colleague Mr Plotloss says, unless you're into very specialised applications, I doubt you'll notice the difference - all that will happen is the more money you spend, the more time the PC will sit there metaphorically twiddling its thumbs waiting for you to catch up
I built myself an Athlon 64 (3500+ wincester) a while back, whole system cost about £600, thats with a 128Mb 9800 pro Gfx (and capture) card, 1 Gig of Geil CAS2 memory, 160Gb SATA drive, a nice abit motherboard, and a flashy Antec case!
PC absolutely flys, it'll be even better once XP64 and a few programs come out!!
Basically, there is always something new and better just round the corner in the PC world, and there'll always be someone that says "if you just wait 6 months then you can get a so and so instead", but you have to draw a line somewhere and just build one!
Athlon 64 definately recommended though.
PC absolutely flys, it'll be even better once XP64 and a few programs come out!!
Basically, there is always something new and better just round the corner in the PC world, and there'll always be someone that says "if you just wait 6 months then you can get a so and so instead", but you have to draw a line somewhere and just build one!
Athlon 64 definately recommended though.
silverfox said:
The Athlon 64 processor has been available for a year and a half (but announced nearly 2 years ago) and has always been able to run non-64bit software. In fact it's no question that 64-bit software is lacking *now* but with the release of 64-bit Windows XP that will change in the consumer market.
*Generally* what's your PC for? Gaming, Surfing, Word processing or will you be video editing or splitting the atom? For the former get an Athlon 64 (939 pin) coupled with a cool video card and for the latter consider the Pentium 4 6* or 8* range.
You made me smile with the "atom splitting". I use the PC for word processing and surfing and my wife uses Powerpoint and Excel. I do a bit of photographic stuff but no video ( yet)
pdV6 said:
I may decide to upgrade from my current Win 98SE Dell.
I have been advised by a computer chappie to buy a PC with the AMD Athlon 64 bit processor; he says this is the way forward and if I don't, I will be stuck with outdated technology very soon.
To put it bluntly, you will always get "stuck" with outdated technology when you're talking about PCs. There simply is no such thing as "future-proofing" your PC now, because the standards will always change in 6 months' time.
That's not to say its silly to buy the latest & greatest right now, but just to bear in mind you'll be paying an early adopter's premium for no real advantage.
Given that you're still on a Win98 machine at present, it doesn't seem that you're the type to rush out and buy the Next Big Thing every couple of months, so the thing to do is set yourself a realistic budget and buy the best you can in this price range.
Note that "realistic" in this case means simply what you're happy to spend, as absolutely anything you buy will blow the socks off your current kit! As my learned colleague Mr Plotloss says, unless you're into very specialised applications, I doubt you'll notice the difference - all that will happen is the more money you spend, the more time the PC will sit there metaphorically twiddling its thumbs waiting for you to catch up
pdV6 said:
I may decide to upgrade from my current Win 98SE Dell.
I have been advised by a computer chappie to buy a PC with the AMD Athlon 64 bit processor; he says this is the way forward and if I don't, I will be stuck with outdated technology very soon.
To put it bluntly, you will always get "stuck" with outdated technology when you're talking about PCs. There simply is no such thing as "future-proofing" your PC now, because the standards will always change in 6 months' time.
That's not to say its silly to buy the latest & greatest right now, but just to bear in mind you'll be paying an early adopter's premium for no real advantage.
Given that you're still on a Win98 machine at present, it doesn't seem that you're the type to rush out and buy the Next Big Thing every couple of months, so the thing to do is set yourself a realistic budget and buy the best you can in this price range.
Note that "realistic" in this case means simply what you're happy to spend, as absolutely anything you buy will blow the socks off your current kit! As my learned colleague Mr Plotloss says, unless you're into very specialised applications, I doubt you'll notice the difference - all that will happen is the more money you spend, the more time the PC will sit there metaphorically twiddling its thumbs waiting for you to catch up
Wise words indeed. I consider myself to be of greater than average thickness when it comes to PC matters and have just about managed to keep this old clunker going in the last couple of weeks, due to the many errors mentioned. I stumble through the various black-outs, blue warning screens etc and have managed to come out the other end........... so far............
pdV6 is right, PCs have moved on so much in the last few years that anything you buy now will be massively overkill for what you want to use it for.
Get a machine with at least 512Mb RAM and you're laughing, thats probably more important than processor speed at the moment.
Good looking deal from Dell here -
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/homepage_q2_w3_dimen_3000_D05306B?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs
They've often got stuff on at under £400 that would still be more than fine for what you want, don't have time to have a real hunt right now though.
Get a machine with at least 512Mb RAM and you're laughing, thats probably more important than processor speed at the moment.
Good looking deal from Dell here -
http://www1.euro.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/homepage_q2_w3_dimen_3000_D05306B?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs
They've often got stuff on at under £400 that would still be more than fine for what you want, don't have time to have a real hunt right now though.
Assuming you're interested in well-written software rather than insecure buggy shit, there's no shortage of software for AMD64.
www.debian.org
www.debian.org
Of course most people are expecting a bit too much out of 64 bit processing. The main advantages of it are with addressable memory space and the actual CPU registers - which all basically means the processor can work with bigger numbers and access a potentially stupendous amount of memory. Actual run-time performance increases though? Don't expect anything ground-breaking - personally I'd be happy with a 10% boost - it certainly isn't going to be double the performance of a 32 bit CPU simply because you've widened the bus.
In answer to the original post - it's a cracking CPU for the money, go for it
it'll be fine.
In answer to the original post - it's a cracking CPU for the money, go for it
it'll be fine.
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