Alright lets see if we can really test the expert advice of some Anime/Vid fans.
Okay I plan on using a barebones kit to build a PC, but processors have changed...ALOT since I last purchased a PC.
This is a question in multiple levels so hopefully I can make it clear.
First Part:
Pentium 4, Pentium D, Core 2, and Athlon.
First I know nothing of Athlon chips so I would have no clue as to whether I should chose one. Seriously no clue at all, but I have no reason not choose Athlon over Intel.
I seem to find Pentium 4 with Hyper Threading with the highest GHz followed by Pentium D, then Core 2.
Is this due to the Memory Wall speed issue? I don't know if a Core 2 with lower GHz will out perform the speed of a higher GHz P4 or PD???
Does FSB and other processor to part connections on newer chips make up for a lower GHz clockspeed so greatly???
Second Part:
Memory slots on the motherboard are the second complication. I see things like 2GB or 4GB limit. Does that mean if a single slot 2GB RAM chip comes out I cannot use it since the board was to house two to four 1GB RAM chips?
Plus I have no idea about the pin numbers for RAM 240 or 185 I think. Not sure if that means one is faster or not.
It would appear getting the fastest RAM possible makes a difference since clockspeed went past the speed of memory access.
Third Part:
PCI and PCIE are limited on motherboards. Is there a way to expand that? I mean cases can have a ton of expansion slots, but that doesn't mean much if you have too few slots on the board.
I would hate to buy a PCI part only to have to unplug another part.
Fourth Part:
Would it be better to buy a 256MB GeForce Vid Card and add a TV tuner or just get an 256MB ATI All in Wonder?
Yeah that part is sort of off topic, but I heard GeForce have higher performance. Plus I don't mind things being separate parts, makes future upgrades easier in a way.
Basically I am looking for a way to compare processors on an equal field to know which to choose. I just have no Athlon knowledge and Intel chips now have varied strengths in different areas.
I like the advances, but it was easier when high Hz meant the better chip.
Sorry for such a mangled question. I guess I was out of the Tech loop for too long.





