September High-end Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2

Intel CPU: Pentium 4-3.4C GHz (800 MHz) Retail

Current Cost: $329
Months on list: 5
Price Change: -$86

As much as we would have like to move to an LGA775 processor this month, lack of available high end PCI Express video cards, and the high price of DDR2 memory left this choice somewhat impractical. As a result we are putting off our LGA775 upgrade plans until at least next month, and sticking with the Pentium 4-3.4C CPU we've been using in the past few guides. Upgrading to a Prescott-based Pentium 4 "E" variant remains an option for Socket 478, but in comparison to the cooler-running Northwood core, it is not a worthwhile upgrade until we move to LGA 775.

Competing directly against AMD's Athlon 64 3400+/3500+, the Intel Pentium 4-3.4C GHz has no trouble holding its own against the Athlon 64. When put head-to-head neither concedes much ground to the other, but unlike the Athlon 64 939 we are using this month, the Pentium 4 Northwood does not force a motherboard upgrade. The Pentium 4-3.4C GHz features 8K L1/512K L2 cache, 800MHz FSB, Hyper-Threading, and support for the SSE2 instruction set. The Pentium 4-3.4C GHz is compatible with most socket 478 motherboards, provided it has support for an 800MHz FSB.

We prefer to use retail processors when possible as these come with a nearly-free heatsink and fan, as well as a much beefier warranty. Such is the case with the retail Pentium 4-3.4C. The retail version of this processor comes with a relatively decent HSF (although we prefer to use our own), and a much better 3-year warranty making it worth the few extra dollars in our book.

AMD CPU: Athlon 64 3500+ (2.2GHz) Socket 939 Retail

Current Cost: $353
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

AMD continues to push its successful Athlon 64 line, and with the introduction of Socket 939 they push it even further. Competing directly against LGA 775 the new socket design is set to drive all new Athlon 64 processors. Along with a new pin count, the new interface was designed to support both Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX processors with a common interface and core-logic chipset. Athlon 64 chips on the interface now support integrated dual-channel memory controller, and a decreased L2 cache amounting to 512KB, half of what was previously used. Among the new processors introduced on the interface are the Athlon 64 3500+, and 3800+ along with the Athlon 64 FX-53. This month our budget could support a move to the Athlon 64 3500+, and with the help of a dual-channel memory controller the 3500+ pulls ahead of the 3400+ we were using before in a number of tests.

Both the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 FX chips offer native support for 32-bit and 64-bit software. Future versions of Windows will have support for 64-bit instructions and solid processor will be a requirement. However, until Windows XP 64-bit finally becomes a reality the Athlon 64's incredible 32-bit processing power translates into top-notch performance from the operating system and software that you already have. If you simply must jump on the 64-bit bandwagon right away, Microsoft has a beta version of Windows XP 64-bit available for all to try.

Just like we did with the Intel chip, we are going to use the retail Athlon 3500+. The retail version, like the Pentium 4, comes with a HSF and 3-year manufacturer's warranty which is considerably better than the 90-days that OEM chips generally have. In the end it comes down to cost, and at about $15-$25 more than the OEM version of the chip going with the retail version seems like a no-brainer.

Intel & AMD Heatsink-Fan: Thermalright SLK-948U w/Vantec Stealth 92mm

Current Cost: $39
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

Drastic price cuts across the board allowed us to pick up the Pentium-3.4C GHz this month at a considerable savings compared to our last edition. As a result, we decided to move away the Intel retail HSF option, and spend a few extra dollars for one with considerably more capability. The Thermalright SLK-948U fit the bill perfectly, for both our Intel and AMD systems. We have been using this heatsink for quite some time now on the AMD side of the fence, and since it also supports socket-478 processors it seemed a logical choice for our Pentium 4 configuration as well.

While we feel that the HSF AMD provides with their retail Athlon 64 processors is quite adequate, a higher performance third party model is certainly preferable. The Thermalright SLK-948U is more than enough to cool our Athlon 64 3500+ at stock speeds, and is a very good heatsink to use when overclocking. The Thermalright SLK-948U is one of the best heatsinks currently available for the Athlon 64, and priced at about $39 with a Vantec Stealth 92mm fan, it won't put too much strain on your pocketbook.

We opted to include a much quieter Vantec Stealth 92mm fan rather than something with an additional cooling power. This unit can push 28 CFM of air at only 20db, making it a very efficient, yet quiet, fan. However, if you have your sights set on serious overclocking, the Delta FFB6912EHE 92mm fan might be a better high performance (albeit very loud) alternative.