January Extreme Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2

Intel CPU: Pentium 4-3.06 GHz with Hyper Threading Retail

Current Cost: $645
Months on List: 2
Price Change: -$30

With no new Intel processors released this month, it is only natural to include the Intel Pentium 4-3.06GHz with Hyper Threading once again. The raw processing power from this 3.06GHz beast would be good enough for any Extreme Guide, but the Hyper Threading capability adds an extra bit of punch that'll improve your daily computing needs as well. In a nutshell, the Hyper Threading feature combined with the proper operating system environment essentially allows for multi-processor functionality with a single CPU. The biggest advantage of HT is the ability to multi task much more smoothly than previous CPU's that lacked this feature. Unfortunately only Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Linux currently support Hyper Threading, so pick your operating system carefully.

As with Intel's previous flagship Pentium 4's, the Pentium 4-3.06 GHz is operating on the 533 MHz front side bus, providing the fastest possible performance on the Pentium 4 platform. We're recommending the retail version of the CPU because the Northwood core runs quite cool, and the retail coolers shipped with Intel Pentium 4's are nothing to be ashamed off. They're quite large, yet are coupled with a low-noise fan, allowing for quiet, yet cool operation of the CPU. Intel retail CPUs also come with a 3-year warranty, which is always a plus.

AMD CPU: Athlon XP 2800+ (2.25GHz) OEM

Current Cost: $395
Months on List: New
Price Change: N/A

With the hefty price attached to Intel's top-of-the-line offering, AMD's top dog has once again taken its spot as a high performance, though still more value-minded, alternative. But don't worry too much yet. Despite the lower cost, and lower clock speed, the AMD 2800+ is no slowpoke, and bear in mind that the lower CPU cost should flesh out a more balanced machine with the finite budget of $4000. Clocked at 2.25 GHz with a model rating of 2800+, and a FSB speed of 333 MHz, this new AMD processor is definitely not a slouch in the performance arena. The AMD Athlon XP line is quite attractive due to the presence of SSE support and Data Prefetch, which helps the XP line to compete against Intel's offerings.

This high-end Athlon XP 2800+ model from AMD is produced on the newer Thoroughbred core, which is quite similar to the older Palomino core. However the T-bred has had a die shrink from the 0.18-micron on the Palomino core, to a more attractive, and heat efficient 0.13-micron die process. Despite the die shrink, AMD Athlon XP's are best served with a high-end cooler, and if you plan on overclocking, it's best to get a hefty third party heatsink-fan.

Intel Cooling: included Retail HSF

Current Cost: N/A

Considering how expensive the Pentium 4-3.06 GHz is, and how the stock HSF can more than handle the heat, there really is no need to shell out more money for a better cooler. There are some excellent third party socket 478 coolers on the market now, but the included Intel retail HSF unit does the job, and although some of the newer Pentium 4 processors ship with a heftier HSF, these still quiet compared to other similar models. The Intel HSF is also quite easy to install, and if you have problems with installing it, then try a little bit more patience; attaching an Intel retail cooler is an exercise in simplicity. If you insist on having a third party cooler, or are unable to purchase a retail version of the Pentium 4-3.06 GHz, then a Thermalright AX-478 + a Quiet 80mm (3000rpm or less) fan for about $40 will suffice.

AMD Cooling: Swiftech MCX462 80mm heatsink, Thermaltake 80mm Smartfan

Current Cost of Swiftech MCX462 Heatsink: $45
Current Cost of Thermaltake 80mm Smartfan: $13
Months on List: 4
Price Change: $0

Cooling for the Athlon XP 2800+ is quite a different story from the Intel Pentium 4-3.06 GHz. Then again, you do have to balance good cooling, without harming your ears from those ridiculously loud fans that so many AMD users utilize. A tried, tested, and true solution to AMD thermal issues and long term stability, while balancing noise, is to get a big cooler, and very few can compete with the sheer heft and cooling power of the Swiftech MCX462.

Combining the Swiftech MCX462 with the Thermaltake 80mm "Smartfan" will provide you with a cool running CPU, and at a very acceptable decibel level. The "Smartfan" has a thermal sensor attached to it that controls how fast the fan spins. When the temperature around the fan is high, the fan will spin faster to compensate, and vice versa.

If you are looking for more "Extreme" cooling, then simply swap the fan out for a much faster and louder model. The choice of sacrificing low noise for a 7200 RPM rocket is yours to make. We believe an extreme gaming machine should drive your gaming to higher levels, but the noise from the CPU fan shouldn't be driving you insane either.