Question regarding choice between 2 processors

[Barad Simith]

What I have to work with is 2 computers, both about 5 years old. (All I really need a computer for is basic web surfing, and any PC games I own are as old as these machines.)

What I need to do is choose which computer to put the best parts into. Both are running Windows ME, and I have 512 mb RAM and a 7200 RPM hard drive to put into my final choice.

So it comes down to processors. The HP has an Intel Celeron 800 mhz, and the Compaq has an AMD Athlon 749 mhz.

I realize those are slow by today's standards, but I don't want to spend any money, and the Intel has met my needs so far. But if the AMD is considered superior, even at 51 mhz less speed, I'll switch to that.

Opinions?

[hobbit709]

1. Personally, I like Athlons better.

Unfortunately, it's in the Compaq and Compaqs are a major pain to upgrade. They use a hidden partition on the hard drive that the BIOS looks for and if it's not there it won't run. They also use a lot of proprietary hardware-try installing a standard floppy drive(it won't fit). The problem I've found with HPs is that the cases are too small to allow for any decent expansion of upgrades.

[charlie]

2. Not 5 year old Compaqs

I've got a pair of old beaters (4 and 5) I've installed almost every version of Windows and dozens of Linux distros on, and swapped out hard drives several times, without suffering BIOS lockout.

I second the Athlon as well, it'll be zippier with its larger L1 and L2 caches and faster bus. The only downside is that Athlons of that vintage tend to run reeeally toasty (just had a 1.1gig go up in smoke a few weeks ago, after years of keeping me appreciably warmer during winters)

[jayfish]

3. 3rd On The Athlon

A 750 should be relatively easy to cool with a modern HS/F. The only thing the celeries from that era were good for was overclocking.

Jay

[tkmorris]

4. Athlon

I would keep an eye on the heat though. Compaq is infamous for putting bare minimum cooling and power supplies in their machines. Asking for more out of either could lead to system instability. Probably not an issue unless you have a graphics card that didn't come in the Compaq to install. If you do you want to watch the heat.