Need adivise on CPU?

[Peltz]

Hello
I am getting a new computer in the next couple of weeks and need some advise on wether to go with the PIII of the AMD processor?
I have heard good and bad things about each and I am just wondering what everyone here thinks.
Thanks
Peltz

 

[AndyHui]

Although my own personal preference is for Intel CPUs, most people on this forum would recommend the AMD Athlon for its unbeatable price/performance ratio.

Both CPUs overclock quite well; P3s are multiplier locked but do very well with increased FSBs, while AMD processors can be unlocked, but do not do so well with increased FSBs.

AMD processors tend to produce a little more heat than Intel processors, if that is a factor for you.

 

[dougjnn]

Get an Abit KT7A mobo (runs at 133 fsb, much better for future upgrades and faster now), and a T-Bird processor. The 1.0 ghz are at a sweat price and a magic number. Then learn how to unlock the multiplier and you can probably get some more speed out of the chip for free by some light overclocking. (Do a search on <pencil> on the forums, and in Anand's articles, to learn how.)

T-Birds are a much better deal that coppermines, not to mention P-4's. Also, PIII coppermines are at the end of their speed ram now. No upgrade path if you buy a PIII motherboard. P4's are due to change motherboard (more pins on new P4's) in the 2nd half of 2001. So you gotta chuck that mobo too if you want to buy a new P4 in 9 monts or a year.

Not so the KT7a. You can plug a Palomino upgrade cpu in that board in 9 months to a year for probably only about a $150 upgrade. Sell your old 1.0g @1.2g T-Bird for say $75 then, for a net upgrade price of $75 plus shipping. Very realistic. Leaves room in the budget to buy that NV20 video card when it comes down in price and games start being released that really use it.

If you want to go a little cheaper now, just get a little slower T-Bird. Stay with the KT7a regardless though. For your next upgrade.

 

[NOS440]

Well so far some good points have been made in all camps. The thing I would ask you before answering blindly like some is what will you be using this rig for ?? LMK I will subscribe and make my recomendation after I see what you are going to do with it.

 

[DarkMajiq]

I won't bother to write much, since dougjnn said pretty much what I think. I would go with an Athlon because you get great performance for far less money.

 

[Peltz]

I will be using the computer mainly for games and surfing the net.
Peltz

 

[NOS440]

Well with the current price drops from Intel this is a tough one I lean toward Intel because of better game performance clock for clock with the P-3 and SSE if your not wanting the top of the line Processor at this time it is probably the way to go. Now if you want to build ya the ragged egde on performance I would say Thunderbird if your into saving bucks. But I have no real experience as to the ease of setup or reliability of those. Now if money is no Issue I would Highly suggest a P-4 that is what I have and games are smooth as silk and fast as hell. So there you go !!!

 

[fishy2]

I`m thinking of buying a KT7a and T Bird for overclocking, would I be better waiting for a 133mhz (266FSB) version as I hear the 100mhz (200FSB) version sometimes has trouble on boot up when the FSB is raised or is this not the case with the KT7a. Thanks for your advice.

 

[dougjnn]

That seems to not be an issue with the KT7a from what I've read.

(I believe, by triangularion, that it's an Epox issue. Since Epox is the principal other KT133A board that's gotten out there, and I keep hearing from Abit KT7a owners that they don't have the problem.)