computer question (particularly AMDs)

[Rusk]

I'm going to build a budget system for someone.

I've never built an AMD based machine, but I wanted to look into it incase it saved on some money and still gave a good performance.

Could someone give me a quick rundown on the AMD processors? Their names, differences in cache sizes, and the comparable intels that they line up with?

I'm just too unfamiliar with the model names (or core names) of AMDs so I don't know which are the budget processors, and which are the high-end ones.

What AMD processor is comparable to an intel socket 478 Celeron D???

Also, a rundown on the most commonly used AMD based motherboards would be great as well, as well as a rundown on the main chipsets used.

thanks!

 

[Rusk]

what are the differences between these AMD cores:

Thoroughbred
Barton
Thorton
Palermo
Paris

 

[hellbunny]

Been ages since I've bothered to check although I've built two Sempron systems (using nForce2 motherboards) in the last 6 months. Here are some overviewlinks:
The LinkThe Link

In particular:The Link

 

[dustin_c1]

Here's the dilly:

If you can swing the $, go for the AMD 64. That's defintely the best way to go.

If you can find one, go for an AMD XP (Thoroughbred or Barton core). These are becoming increasingly hard to find as they are being phased out.

If you are an overclocking nut, go with an AMD Mobile.

For cheap and simple, go with a Sempron. It's AMD's current cheap of the line chip. Be sure to get a newer board and fast memory if you go with a Sempron. A lot of older boards don't work with the new Semprons.

 

[BoogityBoy]

AMD made a bunch of Barton xp2500 that were unlocked. You can find them on ebay for cheap. When you build yourself you can go into the bios and easily overclock the system to a 3200 (or faster w better cooling). I build with nothing but AMD and oc the mother out of them w no problems

 

[Rusk]

This is a budget system, and since I'm building it for someone else who doesn't know much about computers, I am not going to be overclocking it. If there was ever a problem with it, he wouldn't know what to do.

I'm trying to keep the entire box as close to 400 bucks as possible, so if I use AMD I think I'll go with the Sempron.

hellbunny: thanks for those charts, they really helped me out.

 

[TexasOwnzYou]

be sure to buy a mobo with on board if you're tight on the budget.

 

[Rusk]

yeah, the guy I'm building for doesn't play games, just uses internet, email, office type stuff. And streaming audio.

Onboard graphics, audio, and LAN are fine for his needs.

 

[EEE]

here's a sempron 2200+ w/mainboard with all that for $90

link

 

[Ags_EE]

If you're going budget and have a Fry's near by, just check the ads. They run deals on budget stuff all the time. I got a A-XP 2500+ with motherboard that had integrated everything for 60 bucks this winter. I'm sure you can find a deal through there.

 

[EEE]

$60 for that cpu alone is a bargain, but with mb thats a steal.

 

[Rusk]

I've never used a Biostar mobo before, and I don't know anyone who has one.

Is that a decent board? Is it going to crap out him after 6 months of use?

 

[Mal]

I built a budget computer based on the Semapron 2200+ and a Chaintech VIA KM400 board with all parts from Newegg last December. $400 was my budget, but I was able to spend under $300 before shipping. I went with the VIA chipset instead of nForce to save money and since I hadn't had any major issues with Chaintech boards, I got one of those.

 

[sessamoid]

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[dustin_c1]

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[sessamoid]

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[Hornin NYC]

"With that budget, why not just tell him to get a Mac mini"

Other than the obvious?

 

[tropheus]

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