Help!! Need some opinions here!!!

[bfletcher24]

Ok, I have a tax return coming to me soon, a b-day on Saturday and a deposit from my old apartment coming to me in three weeks.

I want to upgrade my system - Which package should I get?

A)Pentium 4 1.7 (retail)
256 mb PC800 RDRAM
Asus P4T mobo
Plextor Plexwriter 40/16/10
New Sparkle PS for P4

OR

B)AMD T-Bird 1.33 (OEM)
256MB Corsair CAS2 PC133 SDRAM
Asus A7V133 mobo
Plextor Plexwriter 40/16/10

I'm not too much into Overclocking because I am always afraid i'm going to kill my CPU, so I don't really take OC'ing into consideration.

I've just heard things that Athlons are more for the hardcore and Intel is the safer route. (that's just what i've read on forums and other sites, but I also have read how well Athlons run)

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[nortexoid]

AMD system...

then, u can treat yourself to a meal out for the next century and even a new pair of shiny alligator skin boots or something...

it's unarguable that the athlon beats the p4 in certain benchmarks and vice-versa (p4 beats athlon in certain benchmarks)
it's also unarguable that the athlon is a billion dollars cheaper

it's also unarguable that both cpus are more than any software can even dream to fully utilize...well, i'm sure there are some, but that's unimportant as it attempts to defeat my argument.

 

[bfletcher24]

Yeah but are T-Birds stable? And I have a SB Live...what about the 686 bridge issue? I would have to go get a new sound card. Right?

 

[bjc112]

T-birds are just as stable.. i like intel.. have a intel comp.. but i would go AMD on this one.. save some money.. and the left over money that you would have spent on your p4.. get a good vid card more ram.. and some nice speakers or something !!good luck! hope it comes out nice

 

[SerraYX]

<< Yeah but are T-Birds stable? >>



These are the rumors we try to dispell. My Athlon rig, and most others, run perfectly if built correctly (ie: proper HSF installation, VIA 4in1 installation). The instability was more with the lower-quality K6 lines, and some of the K7 &quot;Irongate&quot; processors. The newer Thunderbirds and Durons are just as stable as any Intel out there.



<< And I have a SB Live...what about the 686 bridge issue? I would have to go get a new sound card. Right? >>



I'm running the two together, and many others. Just disable SB16 emulations, install latest VIA drivers, problems solved!

 

[bfletcher24]

What exactly is the Via &quot;4 in 1&quot; installation? Why is it so lauded?

 

[buck]

The via 4in1's are just drivers for mobos with the via chipset. Via has always worked well for me.

 

[emjem]

Man, bfletcher24, spend some time reading other posts on this forum. Or are you just trying to start another pssing contest?

 

[4824guy]

The value and price choice goes to your AMD system over the p4 1.7g

 

[gygheyzeus]

I just changed over from a Pentium III to a T-bird myself, I don't plan on going back to Intel for the forseeable future.

 

[bfletcher24]

I'm not trying to start an argument here. I just know that you guys know your stuff, that's why I value you opinions.

I appreciate the feedback.

 

[dingdongdingdong]

let my asking you one thing do you like trouble if yes than get AMD system. that why I Like AMD product

 

[conlan]

I have 3 Intel systems , and i would go for the AMD setup in a heartbeat , much more bang for the buck. Except i would use an Asus A7M266 Mobo and PC-2100 memory instead of the SDRAM setup.

 

[SDTom]

Either or would make a good system. I would go the AMD route myself.
The Athlon is a great chip, priced right, and as stable as any platform there is.
The bottom line, you can build a solid system with either Intel or AMD. If you don't know what you are doing, you can build a piece of crap with either of them too.
I get so sick of people trying to bash the other side. They both are very good.
Follow your heart and get what You want. Both choices will serve you well.

Tom

 

[conlan]

Well put Tom

 

[bfletcher24]

Well, I play a lot of games, so I should probably go for the T-Bird, because it scores better in benchmarks for gaming (except QIII, who cares)

What about DDR RAM? Worth it?

Aw fug it i'll probably just get an AMD setup w/DDR RAM

Thanks for the help, people!