Best AMD Combo To Date????

[ToBeMe]

OK.....I have made several comments of late stating how *most of my Business/School accounts have all gone Intel regardless of price, performance, what have you. Well, I have finally talked a local business looking to save some money, but, update to the most current systems, into buying AMD systems from me! It's not a "huge" account, but, nonetheless it is a start.

What I need are your ideals as to the best (most stable and fastest) combos available as of now. I am considering T-Birds, MP's & Palaminos (provided I can get them in time). I have my own thoughts, but I also realize there are many here much more knowledgable, especially regarding AMD systems than I. I currently have a 1.4 T-bird/IWill Combo & a 1.2MP running single with a AMD board......but, what of these new SIS offerings? And, in a business environment with users with little computer skills, which would be most likely to take the abuse these people will hand them? I have also been watching what has been going on with nVidia and the nForce......but to be quite honest, I doubt I could wait on them, and, I hate to say it, but they have me wondering just how good they will be once released????? How many more bugs will surface???? In saying that, I doubt the nForce will even be a consideration.

I have 9 of these to build with a tenative delivery date of the first week of October so I'm not rushed, but while thinking about this endeavor this morning, I decided posting this would give me insite I could not attain elsewhere! Thanx for your help!

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

1.2Ghz T-BIRD is a good chip since it doesnt require as much power as a 1.33+ T-Bird and the performance from a 1.2Ghz to a 1.4Ghz is small.

If I was going to build a system for a company I would have to know what price range to look at per computer. Since you didnt say that I will just give you my opinion on a computer that will be up to date and very fast for 2d apps.

1.2Ghz T-Bird

ECS Socket A K7S5A SiS® 735 chipset motherboard. Never used one but heard there stable and they dont come with Overclocking features which u dont need anyways.

Get them either a MATROX G400 or RADEON LE

256MB DDR ram cause i believe u said little computer skill so i guess they wont be doing anything that requires more.

Since you want the hard drives to be reliable. get them a MAXTOR. ive never had one fail on me,

Enlight Medium ATX Tower Case Model EN-72370X3 Recommended by AMD. Since 1.2Ghz doesnt require as much power as a 1.33+ this case would be good enough.

Thats what i would recommend ATM.

 

[Athlon4all]

The most stable and fastest? I'd have to say ECS K7S5A (SiS 735) it's a very stable board, and may be the highest performing Athlon mobo to date and it can be had for $70, and even when other 735 boards come out (MSI K735 Pro, Asus A7S266 for example), I doubt the K7S5A's position will change, it will still be $70 and still be just as stable and high performing (Non-oced of course) as K735Pro and A7S266. For the RAM, u can't go wrong with Crucial DDR, just pick up 256MB for $40 and u'll be set. For the CPU, well by October 1.5 Palys will be out, but they may be expensive (And I don't know weather AMD is releasing A4's lower than 1.5GHz), so in october AMD will be pushing Paly's big time, and they may drop prices on T-bird's (Even 1.4GHz) to be below $100 so i'd have to say 1.4GHz T-Bird may still be the best buy in late September/Early October. I agree that nForce being out by then is very iffy so I'd forget it. So there's my take

 

[ToBeMe]

<< If I was going to build a system for a company I would have to know what price range to look at per computer. >>


I actually thought about posting this, but, as the alternative at this point was Intel based systems, PIV to be exact, and they stated they want the most up to date systems money can buy, it's a given that at this point, even the most expensive AMD single Proc. offering will come in lower than the PIV alternative!

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

well then instead of getting hte CPU is said before get a 1.4GHZ t-bird and get a 350watt ENERMAX power supply

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

im assuming they dont need 3d so i figured radeon is great (great 2d and good 3d). Matrox has better 2d tho.

if they need a sound card the motherboard i said has one built in. if they need bettre then get a Santa Cruz, SBLIVE assuming it odesnt have problems with the SIS hehe, or the ACOUSTIC EDGE

 

[ToBeMe]

<< ECS K7S5A (SiS 735) >>


That was EXACTLY what I was wondering and thinking about going to! So, you would suggest the 1.4 Bird instead of the 1.2MP???? Why is that? I mean, as you've seen, I have one of each right now and to be honest, can't see much performance difference, BUT, the MP seems to run cooler! Overclocking is not something I have to worry about......flat out stability and speed is what they owner is wanting.......something he won't have to update for say 5 years he said!

 

[RedShirt]

HA! Five Years! That's like 3 generations in computer time...

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

there basically same speed. yet a 1.4ghz t-bird is lots cheaper than a 1.2ghz MP. RETAIL 1.4GHZ T-BIRD cost $143 shipped at newegg. 1.2GHZ MP at newegg is $177 for the OEM one. wit hthat extra money u could buy a good heatsink and it would run just as good (and u get RETAIL WARRENTY instead of OEM)

 

[flight23]

Hey which cases are you buying, and where are you buying them from?

 

[ToBeMe]

Sorry, forgot to mention also......I've already got everything except the MoBo/Chip decided! I ALWAYS use Crucial Ram, and will be using Matrox V/Cards. 7237 cases are my standard build. I'll probably opt for the cheapest sound offering as none of them uses it now! They have that silly &quot;elevator music&quot; playing throughout the place and headphones aren't allowed........I have to laugh everytime I go there to do service because all the ladies just hate it!

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

what are these computers going to be used for? u said these guys dont have muhc computer experience so that makes me think Word and Excel type stuff?

1.4Ghz should last 5 years for that kind of stuff

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

the SIS has built in sound. thats good enough then

 

[ToBeMe]

<< HA! Five Years! That's like 3 generations in computer time... >>


Well......considering their fastest system right now is a PII 350.......

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

i would get that SIS motherboard and a 1.4Ghz (or 1.2Ghz). if u dont want to go with SIS there is the AMD 761 chipset.

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

epox 8k7a and the MSI Motherboard, K7 Master are good boards as well.. yet more expensive (twice that of a SIS ).

 

[ToBeMe]

<< what are these computers going to be used for? >>


All Office apps., Email, billing, payroll, etc. but nothing graphic! They actually have two &quot;Macs&quot; they do all their graphics on!

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

Yep thats what i was guessing. 1.4Ghz t-birds would be best out there right now.

 

[ToBeMe]

<< epox 8k7a and the MSI Motherboard, K7 Master >>


Well......I am also considering these......but man.......do a search, there a SO many people lately with issues on these boards! I'm fairly certain it's a LOT of &quot;user&quot; issues as I use the Epox myself, but, remember, I have to service these puppies for the next 5 or so years too!

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

i have epox never had problems. some people might have them the boards die on them but remember lots of those people probably wear socks only while installing them (Bad idea btw. ever have socks on and rub your feet on carpet and touch metal. ) if u going to use WIN 2k and get a EPOX board u dont even have to install any drivers (AGP MINI PORT only really helps if u going to play GAMES or other 3d apps).

Up to u tho..

 

[Night Blade]

I had the K7 Master &amp; it gave me alot of headaches, switched to the DFI AK76-SN which is much cheaper &amp; has been a great board, fast &amp; stable, you might want to consider the DFI.

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

i never uesd K7 master juts heard it was good. Yet i have used Epox 8k7a and i can tell u its good

 

[nortexoid]

I'd say go ECS K7S5A as well...built in audio and 10/100 ethernet is perfect for that environment...

depending on their video requirements, there's several routes..

u can get he best 2d w/ mediocre 3d and dualhead 16mb matrox g450 for DIRT cheap...
otherwise, radeon 64mb/32 ddr make excellent choices for excellent 2d and good 3d performance...

if they don't need 3d performance, i'd go matrox singlehead 16mb, or a SIS 305 8mb/16mb board (i.e. Pine 305 AGP)...it has better 2d than nvidia based cards w/ sub-mediocre 3d...but when u can pick up the 16mb ver. for ~20 bucks w/ good driver support, u can't complain

anything from 1ghz-1.33ghz would give the best price/performance ratio...i'd personally go 1.2ghz or 1.33ghz 266mhz fsb retail

 

[QuestionsandAnsweres]

<< anything from 1ghz-1.33ghz would give the best price/performance ratio...i'd personally go 1.2ghz or 1.33ghz 266mhz fsb retail >>



Thats what I recommended basically at first but he said

and i QUOTE



<< most up to date systems money can buy >>



1.4Ghz is more up to date than a 1.33

 

[ToBeMe]

<< i'd personally go 1.2ghz or 1.33ghz 266mhz fsb retail >>


I'd consider that........but, the owner fancy's himself as a sort of computer geek (although he's not one must appease the customer!) His reason in fact for choosing the AMD systems was, he read an article which stated the 1.4G Athlon was as fast or faster than a 1.7G PIV for a lot less money and my bids showed exactly that! The other guys whom bid this account had narrow margins between AMD &amp; Intel!:Q This is a new account for me and I want the guy to honestly believe he's getting the fastest out there even if the difference is negligable!