Okay, it's time I seek some assistance here. Some technical input. I've been slowly collecting all the components for a new computer I'm going to build soon. I'm aiming for a system as state-of-the-art as my budget will allow. Only problem is that I'm very unsettled as to what processor should be running this dream machine. One of its primary functions is going to be VHS to DVD conversion. Got a vast collection of aging tapes that are crying out for preservation before they crumble and die. ATI's All-in-Wonder 9800 Pro will handle the video capture. Now here's the big question: For video capture and editing, which processor is the most efficient? Of AMD and Intel, does one stand out as clearly better? I've been pondering the following options: 1. Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz, Prescott core. Okay choice, but I know how Prescotts run hot, and I'm a little uncomfortable about it. I'm going to be putting this thing through its paces. Plus, Prescott consumes much more juice from the power supply than any of the other processors in consideration. 2. Intel Pentium 4 3.2GHz, Northwood core. Interesting, it's more expensive than Prescott, yet older. At least from what I've seen at Newegg.com. Heat is still an issue, just not as bad as the Prescott. 3. AMD Athlon 64 3200+. Less expensive than either Intel processor, and probably about as powerful, which are its most attractive qualities. But how does AMD fare compared with Intel for video capture and editing? Or is the difference minimal enough that it doesn't really matter? Thanks a million. Arthur

I Go with AMD64 amd64 is more better with 3d and games that's not meen it's bad with video editing there is little diffrent between p4 800bus and amd64 with encoding (p4 is the best but not with all programs ) remember you will have better performace with using any program supporting amd64 bit so i go with 64bit cpu and using 64bit operation system !!!

amd64 is better with everything but it's not better than p4 with encoding so it's not bad idea to buy amd64 and don't leave amd64 because p4 is better than amd64 in encoding by 5 seconds!!!!! believe my amd64 sometimes is better with programs supporting amd64 look at this page http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTI0LDM= MSI K7N2 Delta-L Spektek 2*256MB Dual AMD AthlonXP 2500+ GF 5700LE

I have an AMDxp2700 running at 333FSB, 1gig pc2700(333clock). I have old analog camcorder family tapes that I convert to digital, then convert again to mpeg2. Everything runs smoothly, no dropped frames, no hiccups or hesitations, nada. Great sound and picture quality. The 64bit is easily twice as fast as my CPU and mine runs perfectly. I use Pinnacle9 to convert and it runs perfect. Everything also plays perfect in the Windows Media player if I wish. Just as a side thought I am having problems getting the DVD burner to burn mpeg2 onto disk, but that has nothing to do with my system performance which is super. Go with the AMD64. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime; Then industry pollutes the water and kills all the fish.

The Pentium 4 cpu's were beaten on pretty much everything but Multimedia encoding by Athlons (pre Athlon 64). For multimedia, purely, I would likely go with a Pentium4. Wow. I said it! Eeeeek. Now to wash mouth out. Buy an Athlon man. Overall, you won't JUST be video editing, and if you were, you should be looking at a Mac G4 or G5, not a PC.

Stop right there! "P4 is better at Encoding?" Arthur will be using the ATI All In Wonder for the hardware encoding of his video! As such, ANY P4 northwood is sufficient to keep up with that particular video card! I would choose whatever you can afford in a northwood core to keep it as cool running as well as least expensive as possible.. 808

I agree entirely with XxxFrancisxxxUSA. I use an AMD XP2600+ with PC 3200 512M RAM and have no problems. AMD 64 is great I admit, but very expensive too. My personal thought is for the AMD with 2GHz or higher at 333FSB or better. I hate to say this, but with the music and video that I do, I would have been better off with a power mac (sorry guys I will never say that again). When all else fails beat the $%!* out of it!!!