Advice on hardware purchase please

Babalou · Jul 4, 2004, 11:25 PM

Hi guys!

I'm going to be upgrading 1 part soon, and i've been trying to decide between 2 choices.
Either going with a new processor or hard drive.

The hard drive would be a WD RAPTOR 36GB SATA 10000RPM $192.09 CAD

Or

CPU choices are:

INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.8C GHZ 800MHZ FSB 512k L2 CACHE $256.48 CAD
INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.8E GHZ 800MHZ FSB 1MB L2 CACHE $256.48 CAD

This is going on an ASUS P4P8X mobo.

My main use is gaming, so I'm wondering where the bigger performance boost would be.
Also if I was to go with the CPU, i've read some good things with overclocking using the 2.8E.

I'd like to hear some input.

Thanks!

Nacht · Jul 4, 2004, 11:52 PM

get the 1MB cache p4. You might see better load times with the HDD (around 4-8 seconds faster...maybe more)...but the cpu will help you out more with the actual gameplay.

Vampyromaniac · Jul 5, 2004, 03:11 AM

I suggest CPU, the 2.8C. Overall performance is better with the C's, and the E's run hotter as well. Unless you have heavy-duty cooling, go with the C, it should overclock pretty well anyway.

@/2ct!< · Jul 5, 2004, 04:15 AM

the C as well, the E could be faster if extreme oc'd, but your mobo would break. YOur current HD is more than enough as well

riles9262 · Jul 5, 2004, 05:19 AM

Both those chips oc nice, though the 'E' will go higher, but it runs so much hotter that I would not recommend it.

No_Style · Jul 5, 2004, 05:44 AM

Northwood C's are amazing

I'd get one myself, but I'm satisifed with my B revision of it. Can't complain about 2.4B @ 3.24 GHz. Well..I could complain about lack of HT.

You'll also be glad to know you'll break the 3 GHz barrier with little to no ease and stock cooling and maybe even without a voltage adjustment

E's are great, but the heat issue and the long pipelines hinder it a bit.

Babalou · Jul 5, 2004, 07:01 AM

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it!
I did some reading about the CPU's, and the "C" seems good.

I beleive I will probably go with the "C"
I did like what I read about the "E" being a good overlcocker,
but also the heat factor just doesn;t appeal to me.
Although if newer apps take advantage of the "E" offerings, then I may lose out.

I use air cooling, An Antec Performance II case.
2 front fans, side fan, 2 rear, plus dual fan power supply.
This is sufficient cooling for me, but I wouldn't trust a chip that goes up to 80 degrees I guess.

I really wasn;t sure about the Hard drive factor because i'd never seen a Raptor in action.
But seen some nice benchies that blew me away

mkk · Jul 5, 2004, 08:58 AM

Just in case you care about the noise level of the system I'd like to point out that the Raptors are pretty noisy. Personally I couldn't stand having one in my own system, but we're all different.

Logla · Jul 5, 2004, 10:37 AM

I got two raptors and ended up having to move my case as the noise from them is loud and irritating (high pitched whistle).

Even under the desk they are noisy and they dont really bring that much performance imo.

Go for the 2.8c - much better than the prescott.

Babalou · Jul 5, 2004, 12:37 PM

Actually noise is not a factor for me, as i'm a sufferer of Tinnitus.(hearing problem)
So this is not a big concern, but I appreciate your feedback!

Although maybe me wife might not like the noise

CDsDontBurn · Jul 6, 2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mkk
Just in case you care about the noise level of the system I'd like to point out that the Raptors are pretty noisy. Personally I couldn't stand having one in my own system, but we're all different.

I've seen, and heard raptors in action.....they are not noisy at all. In fact, the only thing i did hear more of were the system fans chugging along at an average RPM of 3500.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 6, 2004, 09:20 AM

the 2.8C is a good chip, but i would definately go for the 2.8E especially since both are the same exact price! Heat should be of no concern so long as you have the proper cooling for the chip. Proper cooling would be to spend about $50 (us) or so on a CPU cooling kit.

Logla · Jul 6, 2004, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pac-Man
I've seen, and heard raptors in action.....they are not noisy at all. In fact, the only thing i did hear more of were the system fans chugging along at an average RPM of 3500.

Er, which raptors are these?

I have 2x 36gigers in RAID0 and believe you me, they are very noisey. Remember that these things run at 10,000RPM so they are bound to generate a little noise. Its just that the noise they do generate isn't particularly loud, just high pitched and irritating.

CDsDontBurn · Jul 6, 2004, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Logla
Er, which raptors are these?

I have 2x 36gigers in RAID0 and believe you me, they are very noisey. Remember that these things run at 10,000RPM so they are bound to generate a little noise. Its just that the noise they do generate isn't particularly loud, just high pitched and irritating.

lol, yea, the ones i've heard and seen are WD's raptors (raptors are made only by WD) both the 36Gb and 74Gb drives. I'm aware of their 10k RPM, and the ones i've been around are just as quite as my 40Gb 7200RPM 8Mb WD and 60Gb 7200RPM 8Mb WD. The only thing i hear are my CPU and system fans; and it's all i've heard in both my friend's system w/their raptors.

speaking of who makes raptors.....Maxtor is supposed to release a 10k drive out somewhat soonish if they haven't done so already.

Jul 4, 2004, 11:25 PM	#1
Babalou HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Advice on hardware purchase please Hi guys! I'm going to be upgrading 1 part soon, and i've been trying to decide between 2 choices. Either going with a new processor or hard drive. The hard drive would be a WD RAPTOR 36GB SATA 10000RPM $192.09 CAD Or CPU choices are: INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.8C GHZ 800MHZ FSB 512k L2 CACHE $256.48 CAD INTEL PENTIUM 4 2.8E GHZ 800MHZ FSB 1MB L2 CACHE $256.48 CAD This is going on an ASUS P4P8X mobo. My main use is gaming, so I'm wondering where the bigger performance boost would be. Also if I was to go with the CPU, i've read some good things with overclocking using the 2.8E. I'd like to hear some input. Thanks!

Jul 5, 2004, 03:11 AM	#3
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 74 System Specs	I suggest CPU, the 2.8C. Overall performance is better with the C's, and the E's run hotter as well. Unless you have heavy-duty cooling, go with the C, it should overclock pretty well anyway. __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

Jul 5, 2004, 04:15 AM	#4
@/2ct!< HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Not Vegas, anymore :( Posts: 1,391 Rep Power: 0	the C as well, the E could be faster if extreme oc'd, but your mobo would break. YOur current HD is more than enough as well __________________

Jul 5, 2004, 05:19 AM	#5
riles9262 Driverheaven brewmaster Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 4,842 Rep Power: 70 System Specs	Both those chips oc nice, though the 'E' will go higher, but it runs so much hotter that I would not recommend it. __________________ A beer a day keeps the doctor away.

Jul 5, 2004, 05:44 AM	#6
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	C Northwood C's are amazing I'd get one myself, but I'm satisifed with my B revision of it. Can't complain about 2.4B @ 3.24 GHz. Well..I could complain about lack of HT. You'll also be glad to know you'll break the 3 GHz barrier with little to no ease and stock cooling and maybe even without a voltage adjustment E's are great, but the heat issue and the long pipelines hinder it a bit. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Jul 4, 2004, 11:52 PM	#2
Nacht ein Krieger Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clemson Uni Posts: 3,127 Rep Power: 0	get the 1MB cache p4. You might see better load times with the HDD (around 4-8 seconds faster...maybe more)...but the cpu will help you out more with the actual gameplay.

Jul 5, 2004, 07:01 AM	Thread Starter #7
Babalou HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it! I did some reading about the CPU's, and the "C" seems good. I beleive I will probably go with the "C" I did like what I read about the "E" being a good overlcocker, but also the heat factor just doesn;t appeal to me. Although if newer apps take advantage of the "E" offerings, then I may lose out. I use air cooling, An Antec Performance II case. 2 front fans, side fan, 2 rear, plus dual fan power supply. This is sufficient cooling for me, but I wouldn't trust a chip that goes up to 80 degrees I guess. I really wasn;t sure about the Hard drive factor because i'd never seen a Raptor in action. But seen some nice benchies that blew me away

Jul 5, 2004, 08:58 AM	#8
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,384 Rep Power: 120 System Specs	Just in case you care about the noise level of the system I'd like to point out that the Raptors are pretty noisy. Personally I couldn't stand having one in my own system, but we're all different.

Jul 5, 2004, 10:37 AM	#9
Logla HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3,311 Rep Power: 62	I got two raptors and ended up having to move my case as the noise from them is loud and irritating (high pitched whistle). Even under the desk they are noisy and they dont really bring that much performance imo. Go for the 2.8c - much better than the prescott.

Jul 5, 2004, 12:37 PM	Thread Starter #10
Babalou HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 132 Rep Power: 0	Actually noise is not a factor for me, as i'm a sufferer of Tinnitus.(hearing problem) So this is not a big concern, but I appreciate your feedback! Although maybe me wife might not like the noise

Jul 6, 2004, 09:20 AM	#12
CDsDontBurn 127.0.0.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,458 Rep Power: 202 System Specs	the 2.8C is a good chip, but i would definately go for the 2.8E especially since both are the same exact price! Heat should be of no concern so long as you have the proper cooling for the chip. Proper cooling would be to spend about $50 (us) or so on a CPU cooling kit. __________________ Her First Day \| A year later