AMD 64 3800, or P4 3.6ghz
 

I had another thread for my new comp, but i'm gonna be more specific here.. i'm having trouble deciding over an AMD 64 3800, or a Pentium 4 3.6ghz

The thing is I don't game much on the PC, and my friends are telling me that if I don't game i'm better off getting the pentium.. can anyone help me out with the decision?

When yor talking that kind of grunt on either platform, Price of both the CPU and the motherboard would be the main deciding factor for me.

Remebering that;

AMD 64 3800 runs at 2.4 mhz with a 512kb L2 cashe
Intel P4 3.6 runs at 3.6 mhz with 1mb L2 Cashe

If it were me, and I had the cash, i would go for the P4 every time.

P4, bitch.

That's true in terms of hard numbers. But the AMD is going to be running .2 over the P4 by Intel's Mhz. Although it does have 512kb cashe over the AMD.

What are you planning on doing with the computer?

just general use, but since AMD is cheaper, i can't find a good motherboad for the P4, i may get into gaming.. plus it has the whole 64 bit thing i'm gonna go with amd

a lot of people told me i wont even notice the difference, and suggested to go with amd since it's cheaper and better for gaming, so yea

although i have to say that since you guys suggested P4 I am feeling a bit insecure with my decision.. ah well

Then your main factor should be price. The 64 bit revolution hasn't even started yet so no applications will even take use of it. I would suggest the AMD personally.

To be honest, they both sound like way to much for what you're using it for. You would be fine with a 3 or 3.2Ghz processor for general use.

yeah everyone has told me the same thing lol.

the thing is, i know i'm going to have this comp for a LONG time (with little or no upgrades) which is why i'm trying to get the best shit possible

by long time, i mean 3 - 5 years if it lasts that long

I'd go for the 64, as they both will perform pretty much the same.
Windows XP 64bit is due out at the end of this month.
Just make sure your getting the socket 939 A64 and dual channel memory (you'll need 2 sticks)
What motherboard maker are you looking at?