Suggestions on AMD system...work in progress

[PsillyDude]

Hi everyone...again,

It's been a while since my last post, got side-tracked, but I'm finally ready to go ahead and complete my new upgraded system.

Just for a brief background; I'm currently running a P-II333 w/128MB ram (an old Dell system), and have slowly upgraded the components (new HD Maxtor 7200rpm/ata-66 30GB, new video card ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder, and a SB Live Gamer+, and new TDK Velo CD-RW).

Anyway, I also picked up a stick of Crucial pc133 256MB cas2 ram. (back when the prices where still around 130.00...DOH!!!), anyway, I hate to waste this memory, even though I could go to a DDR module for about half the price now!

Bottom line is: I'm thinking of building a system around my existing parts; probably with a 1.2GHZ AMD T-Bird and an IWill KK-266R MOBO. (any comment or suggestions on this board would be welcome, as I had also considered an Abit KT-7aRaid, or possibly an Asus).

Stability and compatibility are my main concerns. I already know about the problems with the SB Live and the VIA chipset, also heard some problems with the ATI cards. I need this card for A/V capture, T.V tuner etc. It runs fine on my present system, but I can't take full advantage of its' capabilities due to my SLOW CPU/MOBO setup. I want to go AMD, but I'm afraid of the problems that could arise with this combo.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Hate to go with a P-III, no future upgrade possibilities, and hate to throw away my memory, but would be willing to go the DDR route if you can convince me it would be worth it. I NEED stability and compatibility above all.

By the way, I'm currently running Win98se, but will soon be adding/upgrading to Win2000. (I'd like to dual-boot to have both OS's on hand).

Thanks,

Peace to all (and 10x Karma)

 

[Athlon4all]

Stability for AMD, probably best bet is Asus A7V133 or KK266. Great mobos, stable, high performing, lots of features. Probably go with 1.33GHz athlon-c, just because it's only about $35 more than the 1GHz Athlon-C. I would recommend despite you don't want to waste the PC133, I would go DDR for the sake of Future and because DDR Memory and DDr mobo's are equal in price now to their SDR counterparts. DDR mobo probably best would be MSI's K7 Master, or Abit's KG7-RAID (very expensive right now, about $200). So, yeah I would not got P!!! because of no future upgrade path, same for Pentium 4. As long as you have a big name mobo (Which are the only ones I've suggested), you should have no compatibility problems, except for SB Live and VIA 686B (Note, all 4 mobo's do use the 686B south bridge). Just a note though, you may want to stick with Win98 because Radeon's have terrible driver support in Windows 2000

 

[Duvie]

What ATI problems??? The only problem I know of will be more related to moving to win2k and ATI's crappy driver support. I have a radeon and an ati tv wonder and have no issues in win98.

Look at Epox as well for a kt133a mobo...very stable, and rarely seen here in the forums with issues. Also good ocer and price compared to asus mobos.

IMO, I would dump the pc133 and move to ddr right now. At least you will be sitting pretty for future upgrades to palominos which will need the ddr to shine...


get 1.2 or greater 266fsb chip w/ epox 8K7A ddr mobo and 1 256mb stick of pc2100 for around 59.00 dollars at crucial. You can sell that old chip, mobo, case & pS, and sticks of ram and pay for a good portion of this upgrade that will do a lot more for you in the long run.

115 for chip
130 for mobo
59 ddr memory

most likely a new case and PS cause DELL screwed you with their proprietary CRAP!!!

 

[PsillyDude]

Thanks Athlon4all,

I understand your suggestion on upgrading to DDR; upgrades/future. I really haven't done my homework on DDR boards out there right now, I'll look into the MSI K7 Master, haven't even heard of the Abit KG7-RAID, I'll look into that also.

Considering you're comments on the SB card, what do you think would be my best bet? Upgrade to a different card? I've heard some success stories using the SB card, but it seems to be hit or miss; plus I have a new DSL modem/NIC combo(efficient 5260 modem and Kingston NIC, that seem to have some bugs, all the software is Rev. 1.0, so hopefully they'll update the drivers to avoid any future bugs?? hope anyway.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback\

Peace, and 10x Karma

 

[PsillyDude]

Hi Duvie,

I'm glad to hear you haven't had any problems with your ATI setup. In past forums I saw a couple of instances where the ATI; especially the Radeon All-in-Wonder, had some problems with VIA chipsets, even ATI's site mentioned this. Maybe the new 4 in 1's will solve these past issues.

Again, another suggestion to move up to DDR. You're beginning to convince me. Don't know what I could get for the "old" parts, I'd probably be better off keeping them, and building a second back-up comp. or maybe a firewall/router for my DSL line. I'm also aware of the problem with the win2000/ATI driver problems. That's why I'd like to set up a dual boot system, until they (hopefully) fix the driver problems.


***EDIT***

Just a thought, but would I be able to use my PC-133 CAS2 256MB Crucial RAM in my existing computer; a Dell P-II333/with a MOBO based on an Intel LX chipset @ 66Mhz FSB. I know it seems like a waste to use this on this pathetic MOBO, but I'd like to use it somehow, as the price I could sell it for wouldn't even be worth the time.

Thanks for the feedback

Peace, and 10x Karma

 

[Garion]

Just remember you probably only build a new PC every few years. It's probably worth the extra $80 to pick up a DDR setup now for the extra 5-10% performace over the life of the system. I didn't and am now wishing I had..

- G

 

[LilScoooters]

I don't know where our from but I would buy from your local shop what HE CARRY'S or can order for you...that way if something go's wrong you can always exchange it....Asus, Epox , Gigabyte , MSI

I have been running Gigabyte 7DX w/crucial 256, amd 1.333 for 2 months without any problems..

you have to look at the whole deal..not just everybody else says...

 

[jaggrey]

Also consider Epox for both KT133A and AMD760 solutions.

8KTA3 - KT133A
8K7A - AMD760/686B

 

[Modus]

There is no issue at all between AMD/VIA systems and ATi video cards. The ATi knowledge base article was a bit misleading because the "fix" was simply to download ATi's latest drivers (which were released at the time of the article and are now months old).

Similarly, the SBLive/686B bug is fixed with the latest VIA 4-in-1 drivers, which anyone would use for a new system build regardless.

So there's nothing to worry about. Good choice on the parts, BTW, though I guess you're kicking yourself for jumping the gun on the SDRAM -- it just goes to show you that it never pays to build a computer system piecemeal. Always better to save your cash and blow it all in one big shot, or else the hardware you slowly accumulate in preparation for the build will depreciate in value, just like your SDRAM.

Modus

 

[Cybordolphin]

Psilly...

You can pick up a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz from DELL right now (refurbished/how bad can it be) for
$35 (free shipping) plus tax.

You need to look in HOT DEALS under the DELL 20% off thread and do a search for the turtle beach once you get to DELL.

Just a thought in case you don't want to worry about the SBLive!