133 MHZ bus worth losing CPU speed?

[bozack]

Here is my dilemma, I am thinking of an upgrade, mobo and cpu. Originally I was just going to get a CUSL2-C and a 733 p3 since I just upgraded to 256 133mhz ram and I really wanted to use that 133 memory to its fullest potential.

however after thinking it over I also came to the conclusion that a t-bird 850 with the MSI board might be a good solution too, however I just realised that if I went this route I would not be able to use the 133 bus short of overclocking, something I do not want to do.

Should I just go the 733 route since I am just using this for games or should I get the amd setup and only use the 100mhz bus? I can really only afford these two processors and at most a 900 t-bird, anything higher than a 733 p3 is out of my budget now as I am trying to save up for other non computer related things.

any information would be appreciated thanks

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Well, the Athlon bus is DDR vs. the P3's SDR speed. And the RAM can be run at 133 with the FSB at 100 (FSBclk+PCIclk).

Go with the Athlon, it'll be all around faster.

Edit: Comparing the Athlon bus's speed vs. the P3's doesn't work too well. EV6 vs. GTL+ can't be easily done.

 

[ARTIC]

Athlon(100ddr) can run at 133(ddr)mz fsb if you run it with a lower multipler.

 

[Jhhnn]

One of the capabilities of the late model Via chipsets (Intel or AMD processors) is the ability to run the memory bus asynchronously with the fsb, and to keep all the other bus speeds standard at the same time. 100 or 133 memory, 100 fsb, 66 agp and 33 pci. The 815 chipsets will as well, IIRC.

Modern AMD processors use a different bus architecture where the processor bus is twice the fsb, and the latest via chipset allows 133 X 2, helping preformance. Amd processors can have the multiplier unlocked to take advantage of this, 10 X 100 and 7.5 X 133 both equal 1000, for example. Not really overclocking.

While the Intel solutions may be easier to set up, mostly because they are more familiar, AMD offers better performance for the money and more head room for future upgrades. They also need more power and put out more heat, somewhat offsetting the price advantage. Intel's future lies with the P4.

Try some of the articles in the ANANDtech archives to learn more about the modern chipsets....

Having read some of your posts, it seems that you may be more comfortable with Intel. Branching out to AMD systems is somewhat of an adventure, and might prove valuable....You never know.