There are many versions of the AMD 64 3200+, ranging in clock speed from 2 to 2.2 GHz. All have 128 kb of level-1 cache; some have 512 kb of level-2 cache, and some have 1 mb.
All versions of the AMD 64 X2 Dual-core 3800+ clock are specified as 2 GHz, with 128 kb of level-1 cache and 512 kb of level-2 cache. The package contains two processors. The P4 HT 524 is not listed in Intel's P4 web page http://www.intel.com/products/processor_number/index_view_p4.htm but looking at the specs of its closest neighbors, its clock rate is probably 2.8 to 3 GHz, and its level-2 cache is probably 1 mb. Besides CPU clock rate, cache configuration, and bus speed, RAM size and hard drive speed (track-to-track seek time) are important performance parameters. All of the systems you're considering will likely yield adequate performance for IE, Outlook, and a couple of digital mode apps. The AMD 64 X2 Dual-core 3800+ will give you a 10-20% performance boost over an equivalent uniprocessor; only apps designed to exploit dual processors, e.g. Photoshop, get more than that. While 512 mb is enough to run XP, you'll almost certainly want to upgrade to 1 gb or more. What are the RAM upgrade limits of these three systems? I wouldn't buy a system limited to 1 gb; adding RAM is the cheapest performance upgrade, and you want that option when you need it. Unless you're also planning to use the machine for digital photography or videography, disk capacity is unlikely to be an issue; anything north of 40 gb should be fine. Do be sure that the system can accomodate a second internal hard drive, though, in case your needs change and you want to add capacity and/or redundancy. If you're running more apps than fit simultaneously in RAM, then you don't want a slow hard drive. Compare the track-to-track seek times of the drives in the systems you're considering with the data available from http://www.storagereview.com/comparison.html If you have additional questions, fire away Andy. 73, Dave, AA6YQ --- In digitalradio@yahoogroups.com, "Andrew O'Brien" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I'm out of the loop on the latest in CPU performance. I'm looking at a > three low end computer deals. One has a AMD 64 3200 + CPU, (basic PC > with 512 MK Ram for $289, no monitor) another a "64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+" > ( 1 Gig of RAM , no monitor for $389), and one more ...the Intel® > Pentium® 4 HT 524 (no monitor , 512 Megs RAM) for $410. > > I wonder if people here would comment on these CPU's for digital modes > and the usual multi-tasking that hams do? I tend to run a logging > program, a couple of digital mode applications (like Multipsk and > MixW),Internet Explorer, email, all at the same time. > > Andy K3UK >
