Celeron 433 or P3-500Forum: Hardware Talk Topic: Celeron 433 or P3-500 started by: ejecta Posted by ejecta on Feb. 04 2007,00:13
I'm currently looking at getting a cheap DSL box, and I've come across two sub $20 choices.1. Celeron 433mhz with 256mb RAM or 2. Pentium III 500mhz with 64mb RAM Whilst the p3 is quicker, would it's one quarter the amount of ram cripple it below the performance levels of the 433 with 256mb ram do you reckon? (I don't really have the option of buying more ram) Posted by lucky13 on Feb. 04 2007,00:20
I'd take four-times more RAM over a meager 67mhz anyday.
Posted by ejecta on Feb. 04 2007,00:28
Yeah, I was thinking that but then p3 is a better processor for video decoding & also has a 100mhz bus with ata-66 vs 66mhz fsb for the celeron with its daggy ata-33 transfer speeds.On one hand I'm thinking the p3 would be better for future expandability, but the celly is alright for a dsl system now and could run with it in ram. Posted by lucky13 on Feb. 04 2007,06:22
What little you gain in bus speed will be completely and quickly lost in swap paging if you're going to load DSL to 64 MB RAM, work with any large file (video or otherwise), or both. I'll stand by what I wrote earlier. I don't think either computer you mentioned is a candidate for serious upgrades unless you're planning to scavenge (or can buy on the cheap) other boxes for more RAM, etc. Even if you're willing to put more money into either of these boxes, I'd still take the one with the most RAM since they're still pretty relatively close within spec and the first thing you'll want to upgrade is the RAM. Posted by torp on Feb. 05 2007,01:17
i'm with lucky13.....torp Posted by ejecta on Feb. 05 2007,11:08
Ahh well unfortunately I ended up being out when they both sold, might end up with something completely different though if I can convince the missus - there's a dell poweredge 733mhz with 1gig of ram selling for only $30! There's some crazy folks out there.
Posted by lucky13 on Feb. 05 2007,12:51
Its RAM alone is worth more than $30 (closer to $100 depending on which type). How hard can it be to sell her on that? Posted by ejecta on Feb. 06 2007,12:09
Yeah ECC SDRAM sells for about $20-$25 per 256mb so the ram alone in it is $80-$100. It's actually standard for the boxs to sell under the value of their ram alone, you could make a small fortune by merely buying them and taking them apart and selling all the parts seperately, if you time was worth nothing that is, else it becomes a rather fiddly & wasteful venture. I think I'll do the ole hey missus we can buy this, take out half the ram and keep the box whilst making a profit for shopping. ;) |