Hardware questions

Factual Questions
1

  1. How much of a difference is there between an AMD Thunderbird C core and a Palomino core?

  2. How much of a difference is there between PC2100 and PC3200 DDR ram, and in what applications would it be most noticeable?

  3. Other than a dual processor setup how can I speed up multitasking? (I like to burn cds, run p2p software, surf the web, play mp3s, and run office or photoshop all at once)

  4. How does the SB Audigy compare to older soundcards?

  5. How does the GF4 ti4600 compare to the GF3 or ATI Radeon 9000?

2

I hope this isn’t a completely useless answewr, but the number X in the term “PCX DDR ram” refers to the maximum throughput in bits (bytes?) per second. So, PC3200 can move ~18 % more data in the same amount of time as PC2100. But, this only comes into account when the RAM is operating at its peak, and I have no idea how often it occurs.

ps(I just scorred a motherboard with four pc2700 slots, an athlon XP 1800 processor (with cheapo fan), and 256 mb of pc2700 ram, all for ~$270)

As for video cards, I don’t plan on researching those until the Christmas Shopping Season.

I’m sure there are numerous web sites that deal with comparing sytem components (Palimino vs. Thunderbird, PC2100 vs PC3200), but I don’t really know of any. It just strikes me as the kind of thing that ought to exist, you know?

3

  1. In terms of performance at the same clock speed? The T-Bird tops out at 1.4Ghz, Palomino goes much higher… to around 1.8Ghz. At the same clock speed the Palomino will be a bit faster and run cooler.

  2. For an unoverclocked Athlon system you will see zero difference between PC2100 and PC3200 RAM because the FSB speed is going to be 133mhz (266 effective). Doesn’t matter if the RAM is rated for higher speeds if the FSB doesn’t run at a higher speed.

  3. The best way to speed up multitasking without dual processors is to have enough RAM. I can use all the apps you describe simultaneously on a single processor system with 256mb of RAM, unless it’s a really big photoshop file. For the use you’re describing, dual processors would be overkill. 512mb RAM should give you plenty of breathing room without wasting money.

  4. Don’t know.

  5. Early reports indicate the Radeon 9000 is much, much better than a GF4 Ti4600. GF4 Ti4600 is much, much better than any GF3.

For more detailed answers, try the forums at Ars Technica. Just as you do here, before posting a new thread, make extensive use of the search function… these questions have all been discussed in depth there many times.

-fh

4

Yeah, but all in one thread? :slight_smile: Thanks for the responses and the link.

5

  1. The Palomino core is fabricated with a .13 micron process and the Thunderbird used a bigger (.18 micron) process. Recently the Palomino was replaced by the Thoroughbred which will be replaced by the Barton Any Day Now.

  2. In applications that require large continuous streams of data, say video compression for example.

  3. Use an OS with a better task switching system. Say *nix

  4. More features

  5. Are you looking for a graphics card upgrade?

6

I’m very happy with my GF3 at the moment, but my card is losing value on eBay by the day, and I’m considering selling it and putting the money towards a card that will be better able to handle Doom 3 when it comes out. This is some way off I know, and I should just wait, but I paid so damn much for the card (I had to have a GF3 right when it came out: :wally) I’m toying with getting some money back.