Help on weight pros and cons of Intel vs. AMD solutions??

[revvy]

I'm just about to get a new computer and I'm debating on whether I should get an AMD solution or a P3 Intel solution. To date, I've heard horror stories about unreliability of an AMD solution paired up with a V5 5500 and nothing but praise and ultimate stability for Intel. Can someone help me weigh the pro's and cons of Intel so I can justify spending $3000 CDN ($2000 USD) for a new system?

Specs of proposed AMD Solution:
Asus A7V133
Athlon 1.2 GHz w/266 Mhz FSB
256 MB PC-133 Crucial RAM CL=2
IBM DeskStar 40GB 60XGP
Asus V7700 Pro
Soundblaster Live! Value
Pioneer 16X Slot DVD
Yamaha 16/10/40 CD-RW
Inwin S500 w/300W PS
Sony G400
Logitech Internet Keyboard
Logitech Optical Mouseman
Epson Stylus 880

Specs of proposed Intel Solution:
Asus CUSL2-C
Pentium 3 1 GHz
256 MB PC-133 Crucial RAM CL=2
IBM DeskStar 40GB 60GXP
Asus V7700 Pro
Soundblaster Live! Value
Pioneer 16X Slot DVD
Yamaha 16/10/40 CD-RW
Inwin S500 w/300W PS
Sony G400
Logitech Internet Keyboard
Logitech Optical Mouseman
Epson Stylus 880

 

[Tates]

I would say, why look at the near top of the line in both arenas, and base the answer on the compatability with the V5? Need to move on to a more current graphics solution. IMHO.

 

[Archknight]

The two systems seems to be the same except for the AMD and Intel. I would pick the AMD because faster (even at same Ghz). The anandtech review Linkhad commended about the stability of the A7V133 over 48hrs stress test without a crash, while the CUSL2 is also stable Link.

Don't worry about the V5, you will be getting a ASUS V7700pro.

My personally experience is that AMD is not unreliable and the ultimate stability of Intel is more like the ultimate compatibility which started to shake recently. And the T-bird is cheaper and a better performer than P3. I mean you can see the difference.

 

[Stanman]

Go with the AMD but get the 1.0 (200fsb) AXIA chip instead of the 1.2, (266fsb) it's the same chip it's just got the multiplier set different. with the 1.0 200fsb chip you have the 10 multiplier and do not have to unlock it. Just set it at 133, (to start) and you are running 1333, and you probaby can go to 1400, almost all AXIA's go 1400, many at default voltage. If you have never unlocked a TBird before it could be a hassle

 

[Belegost]

Just a thought too, the DDR mobos are about the same price, and DDR ram at crucial IS the same price... though most people only see a 10% increase in performance, for about the same price the AMD solution with DDR gets more attractive.

 

[MustPost]

I would say AMD.
Why do u even care how well a V5500 works if ure just geting a Geforce anyways?

 

[Boonesmi]

another vote for AMD

 

[DieselMan]

AMD, AMD, AMD!

 

[DarkMajiq]

Well, the only difference in those 2 systems is the processor and motherboard. The AMD solution will be faster for sure, and there shouldn't be much of a price difference (not sure which would cost more). If you're getting a V7700, why do you care about the V5? The V5 is outdated and 3dfx is out of business anyway, you don't want to start a new system with that kind of thing. There shouldn't be any stability or reliability issues with the AMD system, as long as you have the latest BIOS for your motherboard to correct the possibility of an SBLive! / VIA 686B / ATA/100 conflict. You should also be able to have more upgradeability with the AMD solution, because the mobo should be able to support the Palominos with just a BIOS update.

 

[Garet Jax]

revvy,

Another vote for AMD.

On another note, if you are buying a new sound card, you may want to look into the Hercules GTXP or the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (same sound chip as Hercules, but without the extra hardware).

I bought my Santa Cruz from MWave.

 

[sandorski]

HUH? Voodoo5/AMD unreliability? Whoever told you this doesn't know what they are talking about. My Voodoo5 has worked without a single glitch in 2 different AMD based systems.

1) Duron650@750/Asus A7V/Voodoo5
2) Tbird 1.2(266)/MSI Master/Voodoo5

Until this thread, I never even heard of a Voodoo5/AMD complaint, nevermind issue. Are you sure you haven't mixed up AMD with P4(where a Voodoo(anything)) will not work at all?

 

[igiveup]

Well if you get an AMD based system for the most part you can rest assured that you will be able to upgrade your CPU a little further down the line without having to swap motherboards. Intel seems to like to mess around with a ton of different chipsets so that you can't just drop a faster CPU in and let it run (current P4 Chipset comes to mind, next revision won't be pin compatible).

 

[shawnman]

I just made the switch to AMD. I have to say that I am quite happy. I stayed with Intel because of the stability/compatability. However after researching the issue it seems the AMD platform has matured quite a bit and is very stable and mature.

I say GO AMD! You simply cannot beat the price/performance ratio!!! I went with the IWILL kk266 motherboard for 2 reasons 1. I have yet to find a bad review about it. 2. It takes SDRAM. I didn't feel like going out and buying all new RAM (even though it is incredibly cheap), the performance gained with DDR isn't that remarkable, and the KT133A solutions are more mature and stable. I see that you have chosen the Asus board which has a KT133A. I am BIG Asus fan and love their products, but the Iwill was getting better reviews and was a little cheaper. So far I am very very happy with my new setup.

My 'Old' Setup
___________________
ASUS CUSL2
Intel P!!! 700 @ 933 MHz
256 MB Crucial PC133 CAS2
Radeon LE
Sound Blaster Live!
Netgear FA 311
Zoom Lucent based v.90 modem (DSL Backup)
Maxtor ULTRA 100 IDE Controller
Maxtor UDMA 100 60 GB
Maxtor UDMA 100 45 GB
Quantum UDMA 66 15 GB
Plextor 12x IDE CDRW


My New Setup
___________________
Iwill KK266
AMD Thunderbird 1.33 GHz
512 MB Crucial PC133 CAS2
Radeon AIW w/DVI for my new 17.4 Planar Flat Panel
Sound Blaster Live!
Netgear FA 311
Zoom Lucent based v.90 modem (DSL Backup)
Maxtor ULTRA 100 IDE Controller
Maxtor UDMA 100 60 GB
Maxtor UDMA 100 45 GB
Quantum UDMA 66 15 GB
Plextor 12x IDE CDRW


The system has been very stable so far. There are boatloads of information for the Iwill KK266 and the Asus A7v133.

One word of Intel-to-AMD advice: Make sure your power supply is ready for your new setup. These AMD's are power hungry and my 250 WATT PSU was giving me some power on issues. I have a Enermax 350 Watt PSU on order that should solve that problem.

GO AMD!!!

 

[sad]

GO AMD!

Two things I would change about your proposed system. I'd go with a ddr solution since you are starting from scratch, and think about getting a bigger/better case than S500. Unless you have space restrictions, you'll be happier with a bigger case. oh yeah..Go ANTEC!

 

[The_Lurker]

Wow..... $3000 for those systems? What store you looking at? I think you can get something like that for less thatn $2000 (not including monitor of course). Where you Checking prices? I live in Toronto and $3000 seems pretty steep for a computer of these specs without monitor.

 

[Archknight]

Oh! yeah I forgot my vote, AMD, AMD and AMD.

 

[revvy]

Hey thanks for all your opinions/suggestions/comments guys!
DOWN WITH INTEL!
haha!