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PLS Help: AMD Virgin looking at system

P

Poontos

Platinum Member
Greetings,


I have built Intel based Systems for the last 5-6 years for myself and businesses. Due to the performance advances and price competition, I am seriously considering an AMD based system for a friend, who is a Web/Graphic Designer. Reliablity is TOP priority, and all this talk of the 4-in-1 Drivers from VIA makes me hesitant. Please convince me wrong and let me know of your throughly researched/experienced recommendations.

Here's what I have priced out so far:


-Asus A7V133 (ATX) KT133A, 266MHz FSB, ATA-100 w/ audio
-AMD Athlon (T-Bird) 900 MHz OEM
-ATX 300W Case (do I need an special AMD case?)
-Asus 50X CD-ROM Retail Box
-IBM Deskstar 75GXP - 7200 rpm, 2MB Buffer, and Ultra ATA-100 40GB
-Logitech Internet Keyboard Retail Box
-512MB PC-133 SDRAM Branded
-Logitech Wheel Mouse Optical
-19" 950P 1600 x 1200, 0.22mm DP
-Netgear FA310TX NIC
-V7100 Magic GeForce2 MX-200 32MB Retail Box
-Floppy


Thanks!
 
if you want reliability definitely stay away from the ibm 75gxp...they have had a ton of failures...instead, consider the newer 60 gxp or a maxtor dm+60, as for everything else, it looks good, but you might want to look into a ddr mobo like the EPoX 8K7A and some crucial ddr ram...and also you might want a faster processer since they are cheap...especially if this is going to be used by a graphic designer...hope this helps!!!

Dave
 
What dave said, and if you dont already have that monitor, why would you get a 950 instead of like a 900NF or a 955DF? I also am not sure about the geforce 2 mx card, Maybe get a radeon le or a kryo.
 
Definitely spend an extra $100 on the box and go for at least a 1.33 processor - 1.4 would be even better. You'll be very happy for the extra performance and the machines will last you longer.

Going with the A7V133 is a safe bet, as it's a very mature and stable board. You won't be getting optimum performance, however. You'll get 3-8% better performance from a DDR-based board. Stick with the AMD760's if you're looking for stability.

- G
 
Hmmm...where to start...

1) do not touch the 75gxp line of the ibm hdd...get the 60gxp line which is the replacement to the line that has been plagued by numerous failures.

2)spend the extra cash and get 1000mhz tbird with the 266fsb...IMO

3)I would get a dvd-rom since they are relatively cheap and can do both equally as well...the pioneer/aopen 16x48x can read cd data at 44x, rip audio dae info faster then the asus, plus play dvds and read future dvd-r/rw standards.

4)you do not need a special case for tbirds as they are using standard size power supplies and mobos...mid tower or larger are better to deal with slightly more heat generated by the amds...make sure you get at least one more case fan besides the power supply fan...

5) most via issues are resolved meaning download the official 4 in 1 version 4.32 and load first after install of os...even with intel systems there are occasional drivers that need to be added for support. This is not difficult and if one cannot handle this they definitely should steer clear of building systems. 4.32 should be the only install he should ever have to make unless he has ongoing or future issues with newer devices added.

6)just a note most onboard ac97 sound isn't the best he may not be satisfied with it...IMO, I wasn't and I am not big into needing a 5.1 dd computer speaker system...just didn't like the quality of the onboard sound...

If you list the prices we can see if we can help you find it cheaper as well...
 
Yes, you need an AMD approved power supply (and they usually come in a case 😀) but if he's got an ATX case already, you could get just the power supply if he's happy with his current case.

Crucial RAM, CAS2 latency. Good stuff, decent prices. Order this last, as they drop their prices now and then.

The Geforce2MX is good for a video card. I'd definatly run Win2k on this machine.

If he's going to be listening to mp3's/cds/etc on the pc, you might want to drop the onboard audio in favor of a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz/Hercules Game Theator card. They're very nice. Otherwise, onboard audio is fine.

Oh, and get a good fan. Make SURE of this. Globalwin Fans are nive, but loud. Be careful when seating it on the chip.
 
I must say first that I havent heard of any reliability issues with AMD chips. As I type this I am on a 1.2ghz AMD Athlon on an Asus A7M266 mobo which has the VIA 686B southbridge chipset. I have the 4 in 1 drivers installed and have had no problems whatsoever. I even have a soundblaster Live! card in there, and have had no problems despite what some have said is a major issue between the via chipset and the soundblaster. Thats my personal opinion based on personal experience and what I have read in the past months at various sites/forums.

Now, on to the system you are planning to build. For the case, it is best to get one with a 300w AMD approved power supply. There is a list on AMD's site, and if i can find it i will post it. You cant go wrong with an Antec 300w power supply. They are AMD approved for sure and are regarded as one of the best power supplys, along with sparkle. My as well get a good, solid antec case with that power supply rather than some cheap 30 dollar one. The case design itself is no different than for an Intel, neither is the power supply or connector. Another recommendation i would like to make is to go with an IBM 60gxp Deskstar, instead of the older 75gxp. The price is a slight bit higher i think, but I have one of them and it is great. They claim to have sustained throughput of 40mb as second, compared to the i believe 37mb of the deskstar. Probably worth it to get the latest and greatest in that department.

Thats about all I have to say. I hope what I have said helps to push you to the AMD side 😀
Good luck.
 
you don't need to buy an expensive fan for this unless he really plans on doing an ocing...go to www.tcwo.com and buy the 1ghz (266fsb) with asus mobo with hsf they recommend (which is more then sufficient as it runs my 1.2ghz tbird at very cool temps). They will give you a 1year warranty on the oem chip (which is usually only 30days.).

grand total at www.tcwo.com is 251.00 plus 6.95 S&H (flatrate) for 258.00...asus mobos are mor expesive then most kt133a mobos out ther, but they are rock stable...look at epox kt133a mobo at newegg for a very stable board at near 100 dollars.

also if you get mobo at newegg you can get the retail boxed 1000mhz (266fsb) cpu which comes with 3 year warranty and a taisol HSF that is quite capable no matter what some ppl say here.
 
I agree with many of the replies that you should get a faster processor. At least 1GHZ, if not 1.33 or 1.4. I also agree that you'll need a good heatsink.

I also think that you should use a different video card. Geforce2 mx are good gaming cards but your friend is doing web/graphic design. You should get a card with better 2d quality, even if that comes at the expense of quake3 framerate. You can get an ATI radeon card for about the same price as the mx, and they have superior 2d image quality to the mx.
 
Thanks guys!

I will avoid this particular modem of hard drive. This comes to me as a surprise,
as I thought all if not most of the IBM hard drives were some of the fastest and
most reliable.



 
A Matrox G450 16MB/32MB should be mandatory. Excellent image quality, and decent 3D performance. DualHead is also a great feature if your friend wants to use two monitors - it's more useful than you think.
 
From Newegg.com

AMD Athlon Palomino 1.2GHz 266MHz FSB - $229 + $10 shipping
EPoX EP-8K7A - $125 + $10 shipping
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus60 60GB - $166 + $9 shipping
Matrox G450 32MB DualHead - $88 + $5 shipping
Enlight 7237 /w 300W PSU - $45 + $15 shipping
Mitsumi 48X CD-ROM - $26 + $10 shipping
Altec Lansing ACS33 SPKs - $30 + $15 shipping
Mitsumi 1.44MB FDD - $9 + $6 shipping
Netgear FA311 NIC - $13 + $5 shipping
Microsoft Intellimouse Optical - $30 + $10 shipping
Microsoft Internet Keyboard - $20 + $10 shipping

From Crucial.com/webpromo

(2) 256MB PC2100 DDR-SDRAM - $112 + free 2nd day shipping

From mwave.com

AOpen AW744 3D Sound - $15 + ~$5 shipping

From Plycon.com

Taisol CGK760 /w Sunon 26CFM fan - $42 + ~$5 shipping

From EMSComputing.com

(2) Samsung 900NF 19" - $780 + $78 shipping


Total - up to $1923

You've got a nice system there. 1.2GHz, overclockable past 1.5GHz almost guaranteed (especially with the nice Taisol heatsink), 512MB DDR memory, a fast hard drive, a dual monitor-capable video card with supreme 2D, and 2 19" monitors with arguably the best or one of the best images available. You can use the second screen for the tools and menus and stuff (I do that with my 17"es).

/me wipes drool off keyboard
 
Thanks eh, but I is in Canada. 😉


So, what DDR based memory, motherboard, and CPU taking the AMD route, would you recommend?

Budget is $2000 CDN.

 
can't help you on canadian retailers and prices, but here is my opinion...

1)best mobo is epox 8K7A followed by MSI K7 master

2)crucial memory still a great deal even if you have to pay for shipping...

3)get the 1gig retail if money is tight...

Does he already have a monitor to use if he goes the dual route? That will save cash...

While the DDR route will give him the greatest future upgradeability DDR platforms are not that much encredibly faster then kt133a systems until you start ocing...DDR memory is so cheap that it is hard to overlook at this time...

Was the dual head vid card a must with him? I link the advice to get a radeon 32mb ddr is a great idea and will give better 2d performance then geforce as well as great 3d perfromance...
 
Get an ASUS A7M266 for the motherboard, it's about $290 CDN. The Epox one is good too. 512 MB of Micron PC2100 DDR SDRAM can be had for about $270 CDN. at NCIX.COM.
 
"If stablility is your primary concern, user Windows 2000 and you won't have to worry about the 4in1 drivers. "

You still have to use the 4in1 drivers in Win2K. I installed them on mine anyway.
 


<< You still have to use the 4in1 drivers in Win2K. I installed them on mine anyway >>



you dont have too. i would just install the AGP driver from via. other than that i noticed better peformance from the MS reference drivers than the VIA 4 in 1's.

good luck.
loosbrew
 
Win2K was going to be installed, anywayz. 😉 Was thinking about Win3.11, but...

Please elaborate on the difference in performance and reliabiltiy when using the 4-in-1 drivers, vs. MS default drivers.

Thanks.
 
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