Wait for DDR or KT133A NOW?

[bupkus]

I just skimmed through AnandTech's article today entitled


<< Linux Pentium III Chipset Comparison >>

, where some indicators of VIA's KT133A chipset performance are approached.



<< The Intel 815 and BX chipsets face off against VIA's Apollo Pro 133A in this battle for supremacy in the land of the penguin. >>



I'm not so concerned about the KT133A chipset's performance with Linux as how it performs period.
So naturally, this article gave me a slight sinking felling that my next pc was based on a less than superior chipset... until I remembered my original plan, as follows.
This pc is a stop gap machine to take me rapidly out of my P133 and into some respectible, enjoyable speed and stability. It was the issue of pricing that made me go with this choice and not waiting for DDR.

We all know how quality SDRAM is just so darn cheap. Add to that AMD's recent price drop just makes this option too sweet. The cost of a system with
1. Duron 800@1GHz.....(PriceWatch) $75.00
2. 128MB(crucial 133 7.5 CT16M64S4D7E)..... 77.39 (free shipping)
3. MSI K7T Turbo.............. 125.00 (best guess)
4. FOP32-1 HSF.........2cooltek.com 20.00
------
$297.39 (without shipping or taxes)

Add to that a case, video card, and maybe the sound card, and... see my point?
Cannibalize your old pc for even more savings and where can I, or you, lose?

This will definitely take me 6-12 months into a new world of pc options:
DDR chipsets &amp; motherboards
DDR memory
USB 2.0
PALOMINO with heat conductive silicon at ?.?? GHz
CLAW HAMMER even?

With that KT133A mobo I can upgrade nicely to that COOL Palomino and later leapfrog to a new mobo with DDR, using the Palomino.

Please challenge me on my plan. I'd like to know if or where I erred.

 

[hydrobum]

I'd like to know too....bump

 

[snow patrol]

I'd get a KT133A and Thunderbird combo now (when the MSI K7T turbo comes out). I've had my 500e@667 for almost a year now, and when the K7T turbo, or an excellent 133A board comes out, I'm going to be upgrading to a high speed Thunderbird. I think

 

[shiner]

Same here...I'm waiting on the KT7 Turbo and then at least a 1.2ghz T-Bird

 

[jkoppenhofer]

My 2 cents...

I am basically in the same position having a P166. I'm not really interseted in bleeding edge performance and technology, as I am not and avid gamer, and cutting edge technology seems to be much faster than I need. I also like the stability and features of revised chipsets. While I realize the kt133a is a 'new' chipset, I 'trust' it much more than ddr because it seems like just a simple upgrade to the kt133. I believe MB manufacturers will have a better 'grip' on this chipset over the ddr chipsets. Finally, the kt133a is via, which in my opinion is the leader in chipsets right now.

As was mentioned above, sdr systems can come very cheap. While I know ddr will drop in price eventually, It will not be cheap for awhile, as ddr will be in high demand because of the delay. Because of my current slowly dying computer, I need a new setup around new year, so ddr will not do.

Finally, I have not been overly impressed with what ddr brings to the table. While I believe ddr is a great technology, and will be much better in the future, it is just not cutting it now. TweakTown has a review of the KA266R with Iwill's ALi Magik1, and they are not really inpressed either. While the 266 memory bandwitdth is impressive, this platform (chipset) must go through several revisions before it is optimized. Then after all that we have to wait for the price to drop... I don't think so.

So for me... The kt133a seems attractive. Somebody on anand's forums said he asked his local retailer when it would be available, and the retailer said Jan 4th. While I would hope (and speculate) slightly sooner, this works for me. Remember, there will always be a new technology (ie quad pumped ram), so don't disappoint yourself trying to get the best.

JK