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Well, which? I'll be playing Unreal and using Fireworks a lot. The 2 contenders are the P4 1.7ghz and the Thunderbird 1.7ghz. P4s are good, but RAM's expensive and I like Athlons. So, recommendations?
As a rule, I don't like monopolising companies and Intel definitely fall in to that category. The Athlon it is then!
That is, if I get a MAXX...
That is, if I get a MAXX...
The 2GHz chip sounds nice, and many casual punters who still think bigger numbers are the only things that count will be attracted to it, but it's outperformed by the palmino 1.4ghz on many tasks...not worth it for £300 extra...
I personally wouldn't buy a Maxx PC, but that's just my opinion. If you are going to get one, go for the AMD. Intel are too expensive and currently slower than AMD. They've only got the 2GHz chip going for them. The sooner Intel go bust the better :-)
And I have to add that it's about time to Robin!
And I have to add that it's about time to Robin!
If you go for the P4 1.7GHz be prepared to spend some extra dosh on more cooling. The Intel Active Monitor on mine gave warnings about the temperature in all 3 of the monitored zones.
I've had to install 2 80mm case fans, a PCI slot blower at the back, and a 5.25-inch drive bay twin cooling fan to mine to keep it cool. The case SR have chosen (EverCase Beamer ECE4204S) doesn't seem to be adequately cooled/ventilated, despite claims that it is suitable for P4 processors.
Apart from that, it's a great machine! :-)
I've had to install 2 80mm case fans, a PCI slot blower at the back, and a 5.25-inch drive bay twin cooling fan to mine to keep it cool. The case SR have chosen (EverCase Beamer ECE4204S) doesn't seem to be adequately cooled/ventilated, despite claims that it is suitable for P4 processors.
Apart from that, it's a great machine! :-)
I suppose these boards aren't really the place to say "Don't buy a MAXX pc"...
If you definately want to buy a MAXX, then I'd go with the AMD for what you want to do - presumably you mean the Palmino, as the Athlon 1.5ghz is due for release next week, but I think that's where the Thunderbird range stops.
Benchmarks between the chips consistantly bring the Athlon out in front, except for tasks optimised for the P4 architecture. The last comparison I saw put the P4 2GHz again the Palmino 1.4GHz, and the AMD always came out on top, except for in a few office apps..
That, along with the price difference, should point at an AMD, but I'd still look in to building your own...
If you definately want to buy a MAXX, then I'd go with the AMD for what you want to do - presumably you mean the Palmino, as the Athlon 1.5ghz is due for release next week, but I think that's where the Thunderbird range stops.
Benchmarks between the chips consistantly bring the Athlon out in front, except for tasks optimised for the P4 architecture. The last comparison I saw put the P4 2GHz again the Palmino 1.4GHz, and the AMD always came out on top, except for in a few office apps..
That, along with the price difference, should point at an AMD, but I'd still look in to building your own...
Well, which? I'll be playing Unreal and using Fireworks a lot. The 2 contenders are the P4 1.7ghz and the Thunderbird 1.7ghz. P4s are good, but RAM's expensive and I like Athlons. So, recommendations?