what shoud i consider when going AMD ?

[Zaid]

until now i've only had Intel systems, but im thinking of getting an XP 1900+. with intel, pretty much anything goes, but when going AMD, im under the impression that there are more things to consider in order to get a stable system. what do i need to consider when getting an AMD system ? are Abit boards considered reliable ?

I've heard that in the past, some boards were incompatible with soundblaster live! cards, and AMD users who played Everquest had stability problems after the release of the newest expansion. How can i avoid problems like that ? how do i know my new system wont be a door stop until the proper patches/drivers/upgrades are made available? do i need to keep a close eye on the system temperature? should i maybe just stick with intel ?

please answer in an intelligent manner. if you dont like AMD/Intel, please tell me why.

Zaid

 

[Viper GTS]

Tiger MP + TWO 1900+'s



Viper GTS

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

hahahah viper your sig is hilarious

anyways, yes, you might want to stick with intel, depending on a number of factors. the eopx 8kha+ (i think thats the one) and the abit kg7 both use the amd 760 chipset which is pretty reliable as far as socket a chipsets go. the tiger mp is great but may be over your budget and/or overkill.

still, these boards use the 686b south bridge (not a good one ) but they seem to not suffer the probs that, for instance, the kt133a has w/ soundblaster, etc etc.

and price is a big factor of course. the k7s5a is the el-cheapo king, but it has a pretty spotty track record as far as quality.

 

[r0tt3n1]

IMO, AMD has a great cpu in the XP+ line, but I feel it is more for tinkerers...... If you like adjusting settings for maximum stability or better performance, get the AMD. You can do the same for Intel, but not as a `necessity'(sp) like it seems to be for the AMD......... I use an Asus A7V266-E mobo and XP 1600+ overclocked to 1500mhz. Very pleased with it, very stable, but not a `never crashes' set-up like my P3 system. For the price, you cant beat it..................

 

[Zaid]

Viper, a dual system is out of my budget for now. anything you can say about mid range products ? im considering the abit kr7a.

BingBong...
"anyways, yes, you might want to stick with intel, depending on a number of factors. "

what factors ? im looking for something reliable and easy to maintain.

thanks for the fast answers

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< BingBong...
"anyways, yes, you might want to stick with intel, depending on a number of factors. "

what factors ? im looking for something reliable and easy to maintain.

thanks for the fast answers >>



you might want to stick with intel though, but i emphasize MIGHT. intel setups tend to be real easy. you put the system together, install windows, install drivers, and there you go.

w/ amd systems that use via chipsets (a large portion), you have to load via 4 in 1 drivers. then theres a pci latency patch you may have to use, and you still might get lockups if you have a nvidia card, so on and so forth. it appears to be a hit and miss thing. lots of people (including ME) have had probs with via chipsets with nvidia cards.

but, there are also others who have flawless setups and never have problems. if i had to buy another via chipset mobo, it'd be either a amd 760 board (which only uses a via southbridge), or a kt266a board which seem to be getting good feedback.

all i know is, my next system will likely be a i815/tualatin setup. i'm a broke ass, i dont care if i dont have the most blazing system, and i like not having "issues" such as the ones with via.

 

[Diable]

If you mean by "easy to maintain" not having to install 4n1's, patches or risk killing your chip by installing the heatsink get a Intel based system. You can get a nice i845D or i850 motherboard(from Asus, MSI or Epox)for less then the KR7A and never have to worry about 4n1's.

 

[Pabster]

What should you consider?

How much money you'll save and how much extra performance you'll receive!

The myths floating around about AMD processors still get a good laugh out of me. They're every bit as "reliable" and "stable" and "compatible" as anything Intel offers. To add insult to misery, they're cheaper and outperform Intel's expensive competition.

The vast majority of "issues" appear with VIA-chipset based mainboards. That's true of both platforms; I've never used an Intel platform with a VIA-chipset based board that didn't have some sort of "issues". Avoid VIA, and get yourself a screaming XP. The 1600+ coupled with a K7S5A is currently the best bang for the buck anywhere.

 

[przero]

Just switched from PIII 800/ I815e chipset to an Athlon XP1800+/ KT266A chipset. No issues to deal with that I did not have with the Intel setup. Runs fine and fast. both setups are/were Raid 0, internal Zip drive, all all the other bells and whistles. AMD is faster, much faster for the buck, and just as stable. I do notice some boards(Epox, ECS, etc.) seem to have some issues but my KR7A Raid and my SA6R did not seem to have those problems. It's a pity PC2100 tripled in price in the last 45 days!!

 

[venk]

My KT133A Setup ---> Problems with Sound Card, TV Tuner, Hard Drive(s), RAM, and even the Video Card.
My Sis 645 Setup ---> Problems with too much free time

 

[NateSLC]

BingBong,


<< the eopx 8kha+ (i think thats the one) and the abit kg7 both use the amd 760 chipset >>


Nope. The EPoX 8K7A uses the AMD chipset. I am using one right now and it's wonderful. The 8KHA+ uses the VIA KT266A chipset. I have used many EPoX boards and they are reliable. I've used several VIA KT133 and KT133A boards and they were nice, but the AMD 761 seemed slightly better, of course it could be that I moved to an NT OS too. I doubt you will have any serious issues with the KT266A, but if you are extremely paranoid get an AMD 761 (but you may want to hurry, I heard the chipset was no longer being manufactured).

 

[Siddhartha]

I have never built an Intel based system but I have owned two of them. I have built four AMD systems, K6-3, "Classic Athlon", Thunderbird 1.33 gHz, and XP1900+. The problems I have had with either Intel or AMD systems have been hard drive crashes. And the Intel systems were more expensive.

What to look out for in building an AMD system?

1. Cooling: make sure the cpu heatsink\fan is properly installed. People seem to have problems with applying the heatsink grease and installing the heatsink\fan. If you are not sure about doing this it may be worth it to go to a shop and have them do it for you.

2. Powersupply: make sure the powersupply is approved by AMD.

3. VIA 4 in 1 drivers: If you going to use a VIA chipset based motherboard, install the 4 in 1 drivers after you have the OS running. When your system is running check VIA's website to see if there are more up to date drivers available.

 

[ruther]

You should consider your cooler cannot fail!

 

[Jen]

i went from intel to amd........people say amd is unstable i found the opposite to be true. more stable than my previous PIII setup. would i go back to a PIII setup no would not even look back

best processor to get at the moment is the XP or consider the MP . I have heard the MP processors are factory unlocked and of course will run in dual setup should you ever want to do that later on.

consider a good motherboard also.........my favorite has been the Epx 8k7a


also you need a good powersupply that for me has been a PcPower and Cooling 450 watter definitly alot of powersupply and expensive. i have heard sparkle is very good also and much cheaper

you need a very good heatsink..........IMO alpha 8045 is the way to go with studs instead of the mounting setup that comes with it.

then a good computer case that has very good air flow...........that to me has been the Antec series


those are my thoughts


Jen

 

[sandorski]

Hehehe, I guess I'm a non-tinkering tinkerer then. Just like an Intel system, install OS, install mobo drivers, then install the rest of your system's drivers.

 

[Mem]

<< Hehehe, I guess I'm a non-tinkering tinkerer then. Just like an Intel system, install OS, install mobo drivers, then install the rest of your system's drivers. >>




Funny I get that with my VIA/AMD setup ,anyway having good components is important ,PSU,ram,cooling etc,and it`s always best to do a clean install of OS.

I`ve gone from Intel to AMD cpu and Intel/SiS chipset to VIA and have had the same stability,I`m a hardcore gamer so stability is important to me . whatever chipset you choose don`t forget tthe rest of the other parts some people skip on the quality.

 

[hausdave]

I have built numerous machines and like both platforms. AMD is good if you upgrade yearly and want to consider cost. I have found that they run a little hot and have a tendency to cook themselves into the grave a little earlier than Intel platforms. If you want longevity and cost is not a factor Iwould recommend Intel.

 

[Novgrod]

That's right. If your heatsink, or the spring that attaches it, or the clip that holds it on were magically to vanish, your cpu would be screwed. Personally, I'll take my chances

I've put together three amd systems, and I'm a frickin' history major, so I don't consider it to be an overwhelming challenge. Some of the motherboards have their quirks, though; just like any others. My understanding of Abit, FYI, is that they have something of a nasty RMA rate. My one Abit motherboard had a bad pci slot, so they lived up to reputation