AMD-Based Win2k Server?

[etkin]

Hello all...

I'm about to buy a new server box. It's going be running win2k. I know AnandTech uses AMD servers, and so i thought this would be the best place to find out about their long term reliability.

I'm thinking about the ASUS A7M266, or the Gigabyte GA-7DX (used in AnandTech WebServers) I'm leaning towards the Asus as I've had good luck with them in the past. The machine I'm replacing has a Gigabyte MB right now, which has been acting flaky lately, which somewhat sours me on Gigabyte. On the other hand, the AnandTech server article is about the only one i can find that mentions long term usage of DDR Athlons and reccomends the Gigabyte...

Should I also be considering other AMD-friendly chipsets? I've heard of instability problems with some of the other ones... and as this is a server box, I'm somewhat concerned.

...or do I just blow about $300 more on a 1.7ghz p4 based system?

-Henry Etkin

 

[Becks2k]

-Bump to the top!-

This is just my opinion, but I think any newer mobo will be fine. There might have been problems with older chipsets but any of the current ddr chipsets should be fine.

Isn't google all amd processors? Bunch of linux boxes with tbirds?

 

[Noriaki]

I wouldn't hesitate to build an AMD based server.
Remember, the CPU doesn't make a system unstable, it's the motherbaord and chipset that do.

Make sure you pick a reliable motherboard, and use the latest non-beta drivers for the chipset, and your system should work just fine.

If it makes you feel better go for the P4, a couple hundred extra for a server shouldn't be a big deal, and Intel chipsets are top notch. I disagree with the common myth "you can't go wrong with Intel" as relates to CPUs, because sometimes you'll get Intel CPU w/ Via chipset, that's no different at all than AMD w/ Via chipset.

But "you can't go wrong with Intel" as relates to chipsets I do agree with. Ok the i820 was a poor choice from a cost/performance viewpoint, but it was still very stable (disregarding the MTH).

I think that with the right steps and careful planning you can make an AMD CPU system as stable as Intel, but the choice is yours.

 

[splice]

I would have to agreed with Noriaki.... As long as you do the setup properly and buy good components, an AMD based system is a great choice for a server. I'm currently working on a small (physically) file server box based on an Duron 600. It should be pretty sweet when it's all done.

 

[etkin]

Thanks for all the comments... So which Athlon Chipset is best for stability?

I've heard bad things about VIA incompatibility.... are AMD's chipsets for Athlon as good as intel's are for pentiums?

Oh, and now I'm looking at the DDR Epox board too... only two ram slots though ;(