P3 w/CUSL2 or AMD w/A7V?????

[manualman]

I am having such a dilema in trying to decide which way to upgrade. The options are either a P3 733 w/ the new CUSl2 or an AMD thunderbird 800 w/A7V. These are two comparable setups if you shop around, but what is really going to give me the bang for the buck that I need. I would like to do games, web design and Graphics work on Adobe. HELP!!!!!!!!!


"...I've given my celeron all she's got captain!"

 

[AndyHui]

Why not a 700E instead of the 733EB? Overclocking choices are better, as you have more FSBs to work with.

700E with ASUS CUSL2 is definitely a good choice.

 

[Ulysses]

AndyHui has a point. For more food for thought see
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=28&threadid=199398
and
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=196333
and
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=27&threadid=196333

For overclocking the P3 cB0's look like better options at this time, at least until the Tbird/mobo situation settles out. But for serious graphics work a TBird may be preferred with its superior FPU. I believe the Tbird outshines the P3 in things like Photoshop, for example, but I may be wrong. I know that for serious CAD and OpenGL the Tbird generally rules.

 

[Charizard]

Andy

Why will your 700E not do 7*133?

Is it you RAM etc.

Please post the system details


Char

 

[AndyHui]

Charizard:

It's a week 22 Malaysia cB0 s370 700E. Compuwiz1 had a whole bunch from the same week that couldn't do 933 either. Believe me, it's not the other components:

ASUS CUSL2
128MB PC133 SDRAM
CL GeForce 2 GTS
Quantum LM 20GB
SBLive Value

 

[Charizard]

Andy,

Woh, Now thats a bummer.

Mine is due today will let you know.

I have a cBo retail 700E SL45Y on the way. but no way of knowing th e production week until it gets into my hands.

Going into

CUSL2 with Micron PC133,New IBM ATA100 30 gig, etc


Char

 

[Clandestine]

I have just got a CUSL2 and 700E FC-PGA (cB0 stepping, SL45Y). It will run quite happily @ 933MHz for hours on end sometimes, but on other occasions it locks up on after only 1/2 an hour or so - so there are still a few stability isues I must resolve - any ideas

So far this system is not as stable as my 500e was on a P3V4X - but when it works, it kicks the ass off the old system - 80fps Vs 120fps in Quake 3 @1024x768 32 bit colour and textures, and texture detail all the way up.

BTW
The chip temp is reading 33/34 celsius in the bios (but only 6 celsius using asus probe - so somthing is awry there - any one else not reading the correct cpu temp on a CUSL2 with asus probe 2.11(as shipped with it)?)

The rest of the system is:
CL GTS 2
Promise Ultra 66 converted into a Fastrak66 RAID (+ 2 x Maxtor plus 40 Hdds)
Live (original)
128Mb PC133 (generic)
10x Pioneer DVD
DXR2
Realtek LAN card
Global win FDP32 - doctored to fit the FC-PGA

Could any of the other cards be causing instability? - the DXR is the particular one I am dubious about - being the oldest card in there - plus it is actually superfluous - as i have a proper region free dvd deck, should i get rid of it?

Thanks for any advice

Jeff Clarke


PS
Powerdvd shipped with the CUSL2, but it is the demo - am i missing a registration key somewhere? - or is this just asus being paid to put the demo in with their mobos, in order to get people to upgrade to full powerdvd online?