What CPU?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DJ SKY
  • Start date Start date
D

DJ SKY

New member
Okay, what is the best CPU? Is it the AMD Athlon, or the PIII? I know the athlon has some hardware conflicts, has the largest CPU fan I have ever seen, and is capable of warming your lunch on, but is the PIII better or worse. I know they came out with another socket 7 version (also known as the "Flip Chip"), which can use a slot one adapter (the hershey bar design), but does that mean the new socket 7 dosen't have onbard cache like the older PII and first few PIII's?
DJ SKY
 
You know what? maybe some will argue, but the PIII is way too expensive for what it is. I recently built a new workstation, which works just VERY WELL, and no pentium at all: AMD Athlon 900Mhz. I didn't choose the 1000Mhz because the speed differnece is not significant and because it is almost twice the price (!) ofthe 900.

I red in one of your posts that you are running your PC with 64 MB of ram, I suggest that you put at least 128MB to be able to run many software at once, and trigger more sounds etc.. Which depends also on what programs you are using. Nowaday, people put 256MB or even 512MB of RAM.

Anyway, wanted to post my 2 cents about the Athlon, it works very well.
 
Yeah, I think so too. I have 130 MB of RAM :)

[Edited by DJ SKY on 08-25-2000 at 09:04 AM]
 
What CPU are you going to get then, an AMD Athlon?
Post when you get your new PC up and running to tell us how you like it and if you run into problems.

Take care
 
What are the conflicts the Athlon has, is it 100% reliable?
 
AMD has conflicts because it only uses specific motherborards, and I think it uses specific types of RAM. I will post when I get my computer up. Yo mano, what type of sound card kicks?

[Edited by DJ SKY on 09-01-2000 at 04:52 PM]
 
Okay... I am currently running an AMD Athlon 900Mhz. Of course its a special kind of motherboard, just like PIII has its own motherboards.

The memory is not special type. I am running 512MB of PC133 DIMM, just regular 256MB modules.

Apparently I didn't run into any bug or conflict with music software yet.

DJ SKY: The creamware soundcards are the bomb... fromt he LUNA to the POWERSAMPLER or the PULSAR II and the SCOPE SP, they go up to $4600 USD depending on your needs. Check out their website www.creamware.com. I will probably review the PULSAR II very soon, deeply.

By the way DJ SKY... I saw that another guy has registered as "DJ Sky".. hehe :)
 

Attachments

  • MP900442505.webp
    MP900442505.webp
    17.3 KB · Views: 5
Oh my god! The speeds!!??!!

Well, x'use my language but, what the hell do you need those insane speeds for?
The main thing for a composer should be stabillity and the high-end processors are Not the most stable and reliable.
I've been told by and expert that you can save money if you use IBM or AMD in the range of (350-550)Mhz. The AMD is cheaper and just as stable.
I use a 400 AMD K6. Hell, I don't need anymore, I can use three different music programs at the same time, And It Never Goes Dark!
Sincerely Dj Chriss
http://djchriss.has.it
 
Wise wise DJ Chriss :)
getting a cheaper system enables one to get a better soudcard and a bigger screen (you need one with all these graphical interfaces).

I have a 900Mhz and love it, but it is true that a 500 Mhz would do most jobs. Though I will never get enough RAM, this is useful for stability etc..

And as Chriss said, the Athlon (AMD) is much cheaper and works very well. I am still looking for a conflict with my music software and equipment :)

Take care
 
This is the one and only DJ SKY. I am da official DJ SKY. Get it straight. Ha Ha :). WOW. That cream software is about as expensive as a computer. I am gonna have 2 save some (if you follow mm ;)). Man Mano, U must gotta stash. This website pays good huh?

Thanks 4 da info.
Da one and only DJ SKY.
 
...

My PIII 800mhz with 256 megs of ram does me fine... I have a soundblaster audio card...
 
AMD!!

Anybody who has seen the price/performance graphs at http://www.tomshardware.com for the AMD Duron wouldn't need to think too hard about their next CPU...
Prices are comparable to the CeleronII (Flip-chip) yet performance is right up there with the Coppermine PIII's...it's also probably the best CPU for overclocking...for about AU$200 you can get an AMD Duron 700MHz running comfortably at 950MHz!!!!! i'm sure we have a winner now!

it's a pitty i got my Athlon 700 about 2 weeks before the Duron's release :(
 
Ahh yes the Duron is out
I got an Athlon 900Mhz and it works good. I do have some system freezes sometimes, but I don't think its because of the CPU.

Overclocking is fine, HOWEVER:

> some hardware such as the SCOPE SP or PULSAR II creamware, as well as some PRO TOOLS cards are not working properly if you overclock your CPU, so make sure everything you are using everyday will work after the overclocking.

But you are right, I don't see why people would pay almost DOUBLE to have a PIII instead of an Athlon.
 
I'm still very reluctant to buy an AMD, I've heard lots of people talk great about them, but I've preferred Intel. I used to build computers for a living, and when I quit, they were only producing AMD 400's So it's been a while scince I've messed with them. I am on a dual PIII 650 at the moment... and it provides everything I need. I've been looking pretty seriously at getting a 1ghz PIII now though...
 
i did say

Anyway i've been checking out the the athlon and duron prices and performance, the Duron 800 is £95 (appox $130).
I did say in a previous thread that I will be getting a Athlon 800 but the bank has forced me to reconsider :( anyway once I get it up and running I'll tell everyone what its like running on NT (don't say a thing it not perfect but it works):)
 
Go for an AMD. I've got nothing against Intel(well, not too muah anyway) as i'm writing this on a dual PIII 650 as well. 1gig ram, all SCSI system. Home computer is dual celeron 400 512mb ram, all SCSI. Sure they work fine, and if you want 2+ processors go with intel, but for home/budget use, go for AMD.

The compatability problems occur with low quality boards, low quality memory (both of which Intel also suffers from), and low quality power supplies (do to large power draw). Most of the compatability problems you may have heard about are from back in the k5 and k6 era. AMD is cheaper and just as stable as intel machines with the same quality of parts. The more processor power the better, and with a PIII 1ghz going for 439USD, you can save 100USD and get a 1.1ghz AMD Thunderbird(337USD). If you want to go cheaper, you could get an AMD Duron. There is no reason to get a celeron nowadays unless your going for inexpensive notebooks. The Duron performs around 10% less than a comparable PIII or Thunderbird, yet costs much less. An 800mhz PIII goes for 179USD, Thunderbird goes for 127USD and the Duron foes for 93USD. Not too shabby.

A nice Abit KT7 (with or without RAID) isn't too expensive (122USD w/o RAID, 138USD) and is remarkably stable.

with the current price of memory, you'd be crazy not to get 256+ megs (if you build it yourself). 256mb PC133 SDRAM goes for 101USD, so even 512 isn't out of the question...

120USD for a 40 gig harddrive and you'll be all set. If you want a 7200 RPM drive, 156USD for that 40 gig... Still not bad at all.

Sound cards would be whatever you choose, same with video car. If you want this for sound pimpin, i'd suggest staying with whatever is cheapest that has drivers built into windows. Many problems with any computer is traced back to non-micrsoft certified drivers. If you want to play games, i'd suggest an ATI Radeon video card, just because it's relatively cheap (131USD w/o TV I/O). If you want more power than that, a GeForce 2GTS(161USD) or GeForce 2 Ultra(429USD)...

Use whatever mouse or keyboard you are comfortable with. I'd suggest skipping over the ultra cheap keyboardsand mice, as you are in direct contact with these and a cheap mouse is really annoying after a while...

Any cheap modem will do if your stuck on a dial-up connection to the net. If you plan on alot of online gaming, i'd suggest finding an ISA 56k modem or external model. These will outperform (and cost more) than the typical 20USD cheepie modem.

Network cards I woul suggest getting either Netgear, Linksys, 3Com or Intel. All will work reliably and have large followings. Prices range from 20USD to 60USD for the standard network cards.

Monitor, i'd say go for a 19" model. Some people insist on getting expensive monitors, and while they may look slightly better, getting a larger size is more important if you have alot of windows open at once. Acceptable 19" monitors can be found for 213USD.


These are just my suggestions. I'd be happy to debate this with anyone in a friendly manner, as i'm not into flaming people with differing opinions... :)


-=Whittey=-
 
:( long post only joking Whittey :D u got a lot of info in there. I got my PC already built its just a matter of swaping the motherboard and Processor for me i reasonably happy with everything, apart from price, US prices are 33% cheaper than the UK it would actually be cheaper for me to come to the US buy my bits and bring them home.
Anyway its Athlon 800 + Abit motherboard

Where the hell do u work Whittey to get a PC like that?

Dual Processors AMD motherboards will be out soon so watch out, that dual CPU beast will be more affordable but it won't work with win98 lol
 
ManoOne said:
Wise wise DJ Chriss :)
getting a cheaper system enables one to get a better soudcard and a bigger screen (you need one with all these graphical interfaces).

;)I agree with the monitor thing 100% I have a 19", and I don't think I could live with anything else! I tried using one of the programs I use on my friends computer, (he struggles with a 14" screen I think) and I couldn't see anything! A larger monitor is almost mandatory I'd say. The next one I get is going to be at least 21".
On the CPU issue, I use a PIII 600mhz, and that seems to do me just fine.
Soundcard isn't too bad as well, it's a soundblaster live.
Crisp Disco.
 
The daul PIII system is a friends that will soon be web site hosting and domain controller. Win2k Advanced Server (probably should have used server, but just knowing I can cluster is comforting) running DHCP, DNS, WINS (for pesky 9x machines we get from time to time), IIS, SQL, Exchange..... Sucks up some memory, but I still use it as a workstation because it's not serving much till I get the DNS figured out.

My home machine I just pieced together. I'm no employed, and haven't been since April. Not too bad considering I still have money in my pocket that I earned.... :)

Who needs Win9x anyway? Put a gig of RAM (or even 512+) and your wasting most of it. You'll even be swapping alot of the time. My brother has 256megs and it runs out of memory playing 4x4 Evolution (sometimes, not always). Just plain horid memory management. Oh, and don't even try any kind of serious 3d Modeling work in Win9x.

I'm currently running an IBM P72 monitor. 2 years ago it was among the cream of the crop and I happened to get quite a deal on it (normal price for me was ~500USD and I got it for just over 300USD after shipping). When I upgrade, I think i'll end up getting a small HDTV, which is just a big computer monitor anyway, and getting some interesting vid cards to go with it. Single monitor and a high-end KVM switch should do me good.....

AMD said like 4 months ago that Duals would be out by Christmas. Now their saying late Q2-01. Not good. My machine is just not fast enough now. It may be dual 400's, but typical programs don't use the second processor so they react like a single 400mhz machine. This will become my backup machine when I get my dual AMD DDR setup. The machine i'm on right now is a duron 800 (880mhz OC'd, 110mhz FSB) with Abit KT7-RAID, 2x30gig IBM ATA100's, with a stingy 128PC133. I'll be putting this 128 in the other identical machine and buying a single 256PC133 stick for this soon, though. One thing I can't stand is swapping :)

Acording to everything i've read so far, the AMD SMP setup should outperform the Intel configuration. The EV6 bus should (IIRC)break into multiple full-speed busses that aren't limited to number of processors like the intel setup will. So long as the processors are within spec distance from the controller, everything will be fine. A dual or bigger intel setup will also share the bus, though interleaving should soften the blow, whereas the amd solution provides a bus for each processor.

Question for you non-USA type people. Are your monitor different from US monitors? I ask because of the difference between televisions. You have the PAL standard while we use the NTSC. I don't know if this transfers over to monitors as well.....


-=Whittey=-
 
PAL or NTSC doesn't make a difference with monitors it TV and video(VCR) thats the f=*/ing pain, I think that non-US monitors cost more because of the power rating stuff Europe 220-240volts to (is it?) 120volts in US this is the major sucking point as far as i see because we pay almost double for our monitors :(
 
Back
Top