New PC

[Sombeech]

Guess what I just picked up today? That's right, a new PC for my house.

I've been needing one for a while. I guess if you look at how many posts I have on here, and figure they're all done at work, go figure my production rate!

I searched around a few places. OK, more than a few.

I actually only bought a PC tower, since I own so much other hardware to complete a full unit. I bought it at Circuit City.

Circuit City? Yeah, I know, but they actually had the best deal. It's a Compaq, and here's some stats on it:
AMD 3400 64 bit processor
512 MB RAM
200 GB hard drive
DVDR and CD drives (2 drives)
Memory card reader
Firewire port UP FRONT!!
7 USB ports

Got it for $529, 12 Mos no intrest.

I can add 512MB more RAM for $50. I'll take this for a spin first, and then think about it.

Whatcha think?

[accadacca]

I upgraded my home PC a few months ago. It is similar to your in specs. I got the parts from PC Club. Did you use the school excuse to get the wife on board? Of course you are going to be on the computer all night now. You better have a second window open with some random school word document open.

But really you will be on uutah.com!!!!!!!!!

[Sombeech]

Did you use the school excuse to get the wife on board?

yep

[live2ride]

I need to get a new home computer, mine is a few years old, runs well but getting to be that time to upgrade, when I am ready I will have to ask you guys what I should go with.

[Black Mage]

Up until a year ago I was still operating on a Sony Pentuim 1, 2GB HDD, 48MB RAM. Then I finally got an HP. AMD Athlon 3600+, 160GB HDD, 512 MB RAM, NVidia GeForce 4 64MB graphics card, combo DVD+RW/CD-RW/DVD player/CD player, plus a standard issue CD ROM. Cost $600-something at RC Willey's.

Now I have plenty of room for all my music (all 6.37GB or 4 days, 13 hours, 37 minutes, and 22 seconds).

[Sombeech]

AMD Athlon 3600+, 160GB HDD, 512 MB RAM, NVidia GeForce 4 64MB graphics card, ).

How many GHZ is your Athlon 3600? I've got the 3400, and I was expecting close to 3 GHZ for the processor. I looked it up under the properties in "my computer", and it said only 1.91 GHZ!! I'm a little disappointed, but I haven't had much of a chance to try it out yet.

I may return it just because of the processor speed. How fast is that 3600?

[theprof]

Now I have plenty of room for all my music (all 6.37GB or 4 days, 13 hours, 37 minutes, and 22 seconds).

At the jeopardy of starting a "mine is bigger than yours" argument, this made me go look:

99.08GB or 58.6 days, 20646 songs (and always looking for more)

The amount of GB's is going to vary based on bit rate. Any of you guys use EAC? I've found that higher quality (although less quantity on the iPod) is a much better tradeoff than 80k sampling and more tunes. I've been in the process of re-ripping for a while now!

[Sombeech]

For as big of a metal fan that I am, for some reason I have NEVER downloaded music. I just haven't gotten into it.

Don't get me wrong, I fully supported what Napster was doing, and was against Mr Lars Ulrich in his lawsuit, I just haven't done it yet.

Instead of turning this into a debate over downloading music, please post your opinions on this new thread:

http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656

But, I want to know from you guys, how does my AMD Athlon 64 bit 3400 processor compare?

I know that 64 bit is supposed to be the shizznat, but what about my slower 1.91 GHz speed?

[Black Mage]

How many GHZ is your Athlon 3600?

The Athlox XP 3600+ operates at 2.2 GHz. Here's a piece of an article explaining the whole thing...

Peltonweb.com[/u]]
As some of you know, AMD has been using a ratings system for their processor which is similar to what Cyrix did in the days of the classic Intel Pentium (for those who remember that sort of thing). While AMD has been widely criticized for this move, the executive summary is this: It is generally accurate and even slightly conservative. Allow me to provide a quick reference chart:

CPU Name Actual Clock Speed
Athlon XP 2600+ 2.13GHz
Athlon XP 2400+ 2.00GHz
Athlon XP 2200+ 1.80GHz
Athlon XP 2100+ 1.73GHz
Athlon XP 2000+ 1.67GHz
Athlon XP 1900+ 1.60GHz
Athlon XP 1800+ 1.53GHz
Athlon XP 1700+ 1.47GHz
Athlon XP 1600+ 1.40GHz
Athlon XP 1500+ 1.33GHz

Why would AMD do this? There is actually a very good reason for the ratings system, which AMD calls "QuantiSpeed Architecture." While many people realize that the V6 engine in a Porche is far more powerful than a V6 in a Honda Accord, and that the BMW Z8 can accelerate faster than the BMW M5, despite having the same engine, few people realize the same concept holds true from processors (as described briefly above). According to professional benchmarks by trustworthy major hardware websites such as Anandtech.com and AcesHardware.com, as well as many print publications, the ratings system is a fair measure of actual performance.

...The AthlonXP may be about 30% faster at the same clock speed (same MHz), but the Pentium IV can run at about 30% higher clock speeds, so the two CPUs often end up being toe-to-toe at any one time.

Basically I think it means that although the processor clocks at a lower speed, it performs like a processor of a higher speed.

[Sombeech]

CPU Name Actual Clock Speed
Athlon XP 2600+ 2.13GHz
Athlon XP 2400+ 2.00GHz
Athlon XP 2200+ 1.80GHz
Athlon XP 2100+ 1.73GHz
Athlon XP 2000+ 1.67GHz
Athlon XP 1900+ 1.60GHz
Athlon XP 1800+ 1.53GHz
Athlon XP 1700+ 1.47GHz
Athlon XP 1600+ 1.40GHz
Athlon XP 1500+ 1.33GHz


Basically I think it means that although the processor clocks at a lower speed, it performs like a processor of a higher speed.

Mage, that's awesome. Thanks.

Even though I've got fewer GHz, I'll probably be alright. I'll see how it goes. I've got 2 weeks for a return on it.