AMD vs. Intel - what to do....

[N]

Hi, I have a BIG problem. I'll have to upgrade my computer but I am really confused :confused:. There is simply too much chipsets, processors and problems out there - but I have finally decided to choose between these 2 solutions:
1: AMD Thunderbird 1400 Hhz. & ASUS A7V-133 (KT133A Chipset).
or
2: Intel Pentiom III 866 Mhz & CUSL2-C Black Pearl.
Both solutions cost the same and from a gamers point of view I have no doubt the AMD solution will rock my Voodoo5 boat :) but I also does some work on my computer (gasp!) and it needs to be STABLE. I have already read about the troubles people have with lockups, weird problems and crackling sound (I have a SB Live!) regarding the AMD solution. My local dealer says there should be no problems with the AMD solution as long as you use prober cooling and install the VIA 4in1 drivers...What do you think ???

[mellotron]

Using an AMD system myself... I've never had a problem with the A7V (not A7V-133A), and ive used a SB64, a SB Live!, a radeon and a V3... and not a problem in sight... hope that helps

[N]

Sounds good :) What OS are you running?
I'm running Windows 2000 Pro and most of the problems seems to be with AMD/VIA/Win2000...

[babystinky]

AMD 1.333 and put it together on the weekend.
Using the asus a7m266 and SB card, no problems with the sound, in fact I am running it on win2k and I heard it was supposed to sound worse, well for me it actually sounds better!!

peace

[Apoch003]

Warning: Sitcom joke ahead.

Get a dual proc mobo and put a t-bird in one slot and a pIII in the other.

Then switch it on and watch your BIOS cross it's eyes.

heh

Apoch

[Kermit]

Where's Dr. Feelgood.

He's kinda slow today. :D

[El Capitano]

I'm sure I'll have Dr. Feelgood on me for this, but the Athlon will seriously spank that PIII.

I've heard horror stories about the KT133, but I think VIA solved a lot of that with the KT133A. Having said that, I have a Duron 800 @ 1GHz, an Abit KT7 (KT133) and an SB Live! Player, and I've used WinME, W2K and Linux on it.

W2K was stable enough, there was a problem with my WinTV card, mostly due to it being crap. WinME is a buggy and unstable piece of crap, but I only use it for games. As far as Linux is concerned, it's been rock solid up until a couple of days ago, I think there's a nasty bug in the latest kernel.

Also, if you hold back a bit, you can get a system with the new SIS chipset. DDR RAM is nearly as cheap as normal RAM and I hear the SIS chipset is a damn site better than the VIA for stability and performance.

[Kermit]

Quick run El Capitano RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!

The big bad Dr. Feelgood's gonna get ya.! :eek:

:D :D :D hehe

[prozpris]

Warning: Sitcom joke ahead.
Get a dual proc mobo and put a t-bird in one slot and a pIII in the other.

Then switch it on and watch your BIOS cross it's eyes.

heh

Apoch


Hahahahahha! LOL!!

[N]

Thanks El Capitano :) and for the rest of you well....

[Pretty Hate Machine]

Originally posted by Apoch003:

Warning: Sitcom joke ahead.

Get a dual proc mobo and put a t-bird in one slot and a pIII in the other.

Then switch it on and watch your BIOS cross it's eyes.

heh

Apoch



Haahahahahahaha, brilliant, Apoch...I'll have to remember that one, it's priceless. :D :D :D

[opus512]

Do either one. You get more bang for the buck obviously with the AMD. The SB problems I have never experienced with any system I have ever put together. Doesn't mean they aren't there, I just never dealt with them. Put the sound card in the last PCI slot, rule of thumb. The KT133A was the one's supposedly having a SB problem, not the KT133.

[Dr. Feelgood]

Don't listen to El Capitano, he's smokin' some really bad weed. All you need to do is get Windows 3.1 and a Cyrix and your all set. :p

Actually, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that a 1.4GHz AMD will be a lot faster than a P3-866. That isn't even close to being a fair comparison, not to mention apples and oranges. However, that A7V133 motherboard is not recommended for that CPU, although it will probably work (I've used it on 1.33's with no mishaps).

Also, don't forget there is more to AMD than buying a mobo and CPU. You should have a good quality AMD approved powersupply and HSF and good RAM. Good case ventilation works too. I thought my case was good enough until I put a Toaster Oven by AMD in it, much to my dismay.

[multigl]

hey ill sell you a Cyrix 233MHz CPU that i just found in my garage!

[mellotron]

N, im running Win2k SP2, win98, and mandrake linux 8... all beautifully

[N]

Well Dr. Feelgood what MB would you recommend then ?

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally posted by N:
Well Dr. Feelgood what MB would you recommend then ?

That, my friend, is something I'm struggling with right now. See this thread (http://www.slackercentral.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=3&t=001700) to see recommendations others have made to me.

If you want to see AMD's recommendations, check here (http://www1.amd.com/athlon/mbl/).

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: Dr. Feelgood ]

[opus512]

If your just going with a KT133/A board and not DDR, I would recomend MSI and Asus, just two personal preferrences of mine. Other boards are Abit and Tyan.

If your going with DDR, I would try to get an Asus A7M266 before they are gone, if they are indeed going. Otherwise, look for a comparable AMD DDR solution.

And stay the hell away from ALi based boards, heh.

[EGhAd]

maybe this article will help....

Dean has a review on an AMD 1.4 CPU worth a read..plus you can mosey over to his site and ask him some questions....

http://www.3dxtreme.org/

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: EGhAd ]

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally posted by opus512:
If your going with DDR, I would try to get an Asus A7M266 before they are gone, if they are indeed going. Otherwise, look for a comparable AMD DDR solution.


*sniff* They are indeed gone. I even called the competitors, some quite far away, out of desperation. (Damn, some of them are real jerks, not mentioning any names SUMMIT DIRECT)

It appears that AMD has decided to abandon their chipsets in the wake of a VIA onslaught. Wimps. I also heard one *theory* that there was something wrong with it, farbeit from me to figure out what that might be, although their history with chipsets isn't exactly admirable. However, the 760 performed far ahead of it's competitors, including the ever so delightful ALi Magik1, so I don't understand what gives.

And stay the hell away from ALi based boards, heh.

I've never heard that before ;)

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: Dr. Feelgood ]

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally posted by N:

1: AMD Thunderbird 1400 Hhz. & ASUS A7V-133 (KT133A Chipset).
or
2: Intel Pentiom III 866 Mhz & CUSL2-C Black Pearl.
Both solutions cost the same

I just thought of something. I think you are full of shit. If these two cost the same (unless one is used and one isn't), I might be tempted to eat my hat.

The only prices I found on Pricewatch (no doubt chock full of spam) the AMD solution was priced at $30USD more. IF you wanted to be fair, which you no doubt didn't, you would have realized you could have said that a 1 GHz Intel and a Black Pearl would be the same price. Cheaper if you just went with the regular CUSL2-C. But then, that just wouldn't sound as sensational, would it?

Hahaha. I can't believe so many fell for this, myself included. You might have a big problem, alright, but it isn't a choice between two solutions.

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: Dr. Feelgood ]

[opus512]

Well it could depend on his source for pricing, too. Not everyone goes to pricewatch. I personaly hate the place, heh, but that's from a local retail shop percpective :D

Btw, doc, don't know who your set up with, or if Tech Data does Canada or not, but they currently have over 400 A7M's in their warehouses, I can still get them. They still are classified as "active", too, and not discountinued yet. Yet, heh.

Have you checked Ingram Micro? I know they do Canada, but don't know if they have any in or not...

[Dabson_Hykydo!~]

Originally posted by MGL 1.2:
hey ill sell you a Cyrix 233MHz CPU that i just found in my garage!

Hey I'll sell you a Cyrix I just stole outta someones garage!

;)

[Dabson_Hykydo!~]

Originally posted by N:
Hi, I have a BIG problem. I'll have to upgrade my computer but I am really confused :confused:. There is simply too much chipsets, processors and problems out there - but I have finally decided to choose between these 2 solutions:
1: AMD Thunderbird 1400 Hhz. & ASUS A7V-133 (KT133A Chipset).
or
2: Intel Pentiom III 866 Mhz & CUSL2-C Black Pearl.
Both solutions cost the same and from a gamers point of view I have no doubt the AMD solution will rock my Voodoo5 boat :) but I also does some work on my computer (gasp!) and it needs to be STABLE. I have already read about the troubles people have with lockups, weird problems and crackling sound (I have a SB Live!) regarding the AMD solution. My local dealer says there should be no problems with the AMD solution as long as you use prober cooling and install the VIA 4in1 drivers...What do you think ???

Listen to me and listen good!
Go get a 266DDR 1400Mhz Tbird on the best DDR 266Mhz Asus board out there and a great technition to slap it all together and your all set.

F*ck Intel......

[TheHip]

Depending on you - if you like to mess around with hardware, yes you can get the KT133/KT133A combo to work, but some issues are still pending, such as Internal ZIP drive.

I didn't have a problem with SBLive and crackling, but trying to do a large copy from one IDE port to another would either give data corruption, BSOD, reboot or the system just hung up.

I took "no chance" and ordered a KT266 chipset based mobo, which got rid of that 686B southbridge.
But with this mobo I got other issues to mess around with.

For the AMD I would suggest that you got a board based on the "revised KT266" - which should be available / shipping as you read.

I'm fairly sure that ASUS (A7V266) and ABIT (KG7) solutions will be based on the "revised chipset", as they have waited to offer anything KT266 based until now.

[N]

Hey, hey Dr. Feelgood easy know - "full of sh.." - WTF ???
I'm from Europe and as it stands right know the two solutions do cost EXACTLY THE SAME. I'm not joking... :)

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally posted by opus512:
Well it could depend on his source for pricing, too. Not everyone goes to pricewatch. I personaly hate the place, heh, but that's from a local retail shop percpective :D

I'm not saying I like Pricewatch, either. I could figure it out once I get to the shop in Canadian dollars, but it isn't that important. Thus, Pricewatch serves it's one and only purpose. :)


Btw, doc, don't know who your set up with, or if Tech Data does Canada or not, but they currently have over 400 A7M's in their warehouses, I can still get them. They still are classified as "active", too, and not discountinued yet. Yet, heh

Have you checked Ingram Micro? I know they do Canada, but don't know if they have any in or not...


I deal with both. Thank you VERY much :) I will call them today when I get to the shop. Even Supercom was sold out. :(

[tastypoison]

Originally posted by TheHip:
For the AMD I would suggest that you got a board based on the "revised KT266" - which should be available / shipping as you read.

I'm fairly sure that ASUS (A7V266) and ABIT (KG7) solutions will be based on the "revised chipset", as they have waited to offer anything KT266 based until now.

According to Abit, the KG7 uses the AMD 761 chipset.
http://www.abit-usa.com/eng/product/mb/kg7.htm


I had planned to order an a7m266 in a couple of weeks...256 Meg of Crucial DDR is supposed to be delivered today, and I was gonna shop for a case next...


Where can I get any info about the a7m266 being cancelled??? I don't see anything on the Asus site.


edit spelling :D

[ 07-17-2001: Message edited by: tastypoison ]

[Dr. Feelgood]

Originally posted by tastypoison:
Where can I get any info about the a7m266 being cancelled??? I don't see anything on the Asus site.


You really can't until you call and try and order one. Then the suppliers tell you it was discontinued and replaced with an A7A266 POS. Opus gave me a lead that I'm going to check on today. Every other supplier that sells Asus (even my competitors) don't have one and can't get one. :(

[Dr. Feelgood]

I tried Tech Data Canada, without success. They cancelled the entire Asus line. !?! :( :(

I did try Ingram Micro, who gave me the only fairly good news I have had since I started this silly quest. They can still order the A7M266 with audio in limited quantities, they claim. I just have to back order it. However, the ones without audio have been discontinued. :(

Oh well, beggers can't be choosers. :) The question remains will I get the two I ordered?

[TheHip]

Tasty:

Sorry my mistake : I mean ABIT KR7 ... Thanks

[El Capitano]

" Depending on you - if you like to mess around with hardware, yes you can get the KT133/KT133A combo to work, but some issues are still pending, such as Internal ZIP drive."

OK, I don't get this. This is my system:

ABit KT7 (VIA KT133)
Duron 800 @ 1GHz
160MB RAM (64 of which is PC66 no less)
8GB and 13GB hard drives
12X DVD ROM drive
Internal ATAPI Zip drive (!)
SB Live! (!)
Voodoo5 AGP
crappy WinTV
3Com and RealTek 100Mbps network cards

From these specs and what people say, I should be having trouble with this system left right and centre. Why aren't I? I've got a bog standard WinME install, and I've got Linux. No problems out of the norm from either. Somebody please explain this to me, am I blessed, lucky or what?

[batuo]

From these specs and what people say, I should be having trouble with this system left right and centre. Why aren't I? I've got a bog standard WinME install, and I've got Linux. No problems out of the norm from either. Somebody please explain this to me, am I blessed, lucky or what?

No because the problems are with the VIA 686B southbridge chip which is part of the KT133A chipset not the older KT133 chipset that you have.

[TheHip]

Capitano:

Well for some it works - for others it's a nightmare. The data corruption part is on the KT133A.

Even evident TODAY look no further than HERE: www.viahardware.com (http://www.viahardware.com) (newest headline).

Chip Magazine tries to troubleshoot the chipset: http://www.chip-online.com/products_tests/products_tests_4663.html

Even a faq: http://www.viahardware.com/686bfaq.shtm

And the 686B bug also bites the new AMD 762! http://www.aceshardware.com/index.php?timespan=995312187

Here's John Gatt of VIA asking for help. http://boards.gamers.com/messages/message_view-topic.asp?name=VIAHardware&id=zzcws

Not enough? - Just wander through ANY msg. boards and you'll see zillions that have all kind of problems.

Do you get it now??? :confused:

[El Capitano]

I'm not saying VIA boards have no problems, hell I've seen enough problems posted on boards to make me wonder if they really do have the same board as me. However, VIA boards are not the only ones with problems (Read the entire thread of the last link you gave), the i850 for example has a PCI problem limiting it to 90MBps, ouch.

It does seem that the SBLive! is a common factor in these problems. Technically, this is due to the Live! having dodgy bus-master support turning it into a bit of a bandwidth hog but c'est la vie.

Anyway, I must point out I have the latest 4in1s installed, and I've heard a lot of cases where they solve such problems.