Ease of setting up: AMD or Intel?

[Jumpem]

I'm going to be building a new machine with either a Thunerbird/Asus A7V combo or a P3/Asus CUSL2 mix. The AMD route would be a little cheaper, and faster (1.2Ghz vs. 1Ghz). However, I'm really paranoid about getting it set up nice and stable, and that's the only reason I'm considering a P3. Also, I'm worried about cracking the core of a Thunderbird, when putting the heatsink on it. What have you're experiences (good or bad) been like? Let me know if you want any other info about the other peripherals I'll be putting in it. Thanks very much!

 

[dcdomain]

Well, just built my first AMD machine... no problems with the AMD chip so far, but having some problems with Win2k. Concerning AMD you really have to look at air flow and heat problems... but otherwise, I'd go for it. Cheaper, faster... but hotter...

 

[bigshooter]

I'm running my win2k server off of a duron 650 @ 1050. Some heatsinks are big, i have this weird rounded one works great, but i had to bend a few capacitors on the motherboard, and slice my finger to get it on. Works great since then, i think i'm getting a few errors due to overclocking, may go down to 900 or 950 for stability. Just wanted to see how fast it would go. I'm using an Abit KT7, but i heard the MSI board is better (don't remember what the model is).

 

[Rakkis]

From what I've heard, AMD based systems are pickier when it comes to power supplies.

 

[Windogg]

I've setup alot of both and neither is hard or easier than the other is you use quality parts. Only cavet is that the T-Bird/Duron cores are little more delicate alothough I;ve never killed one (yet) since I work very carefully in with highly regimented steps.

Windogg

 

[Bignate603]

I wouldn't reccomend a power supply that wasn't AMD reccomended for any system that would have those components anyways. He's going to fill something like that with highdraw components and any supply with an AMD ok probably would do a little better. The dual fan enermax would be nice for either system.

 

[Howard]

If you're really as concerned with stability as you say, get an Enermax and an MSI K7T Pro2.

 

[Train]

well, AMD makes awesome chips, but ive really had trouble with all the AMD motherboards ive touched, i know ill probably get jumped all over for saying this but its true, im 5 for 5 in getting messed up AMD mobos, and im 0-8 in getting messed up Intel Mobos, all the intel boards ive used, (mostly 440BX based) have been cake to get up and running, i think with the AMD boards its the drivers that always gave me trouble, who knows.

 

[Bignate603]

I've had a real easy time setting up the system below. With any system it's a combination of the quality of parts and a little luck how easy it turns out. Remember if you show me something that is foolproof, i bet i can find a fool that proves you wrong... Anyways, i've done absent minded things and made settings mistakes building a system that take a long time to track down. Stuff like that is your fault, not the system's.

 

[dcdomain]

First time AMD user... the system I built with the MSI K7T Pro2a is awesome... damn win2k though..

 

[smp]

256 ram
900 tbird
asus a7v
30 gig diamond max
aiw radeon 32 ddr
+ other goodies
and a sh_tty case

I got this system last week and I'm having stability problems. It's not the machine's fault, it's the heatsink/fan and the crappy 98 I got on it. Hopefully after I do my drive partitions and reinstall three OS's and the proper drivers (new heatsink/fan too) it should work good. I hope I hope I hope. But yeah, make sure you don't get crappy parts.. like a crappy heatsink and fan, or a crappy power supply. I like AMD because they've always been the underdog, and I always root for the underdog. Or well, I try.

 

[Mem]

My own AMD PC (MSI K7T PRO & 900 mhz T-bird)was very easy to setup, the best way is to use good quality & AMD approved parts for PSU,heatsink etc & you will be off to a great start,even the Via 4 in 1 drivers are very easy to install.Btw this is my first AMD & Via chipset system & I`m still waiting for my first lockup.

 

[Dulanic]

Ya if your worried about problems pick up a MSI K7T Pro2A.... it is a solid board and seems to have the least issues out of all the boards.

 

[David2k]

dc,

Please explain your comment about W2k.

I am considering the purchase of a new system and am torn between PIII and AMD Athlon.

I am a business user and want both speed AND stability but I am tired of rebooting. If there are stability issues with AMD and W2k I would love to hear about them.

Your comments(and anyone elses) are appreciated.