My choice of Processor

[WIllROP]

i need to know what is better: the ahtlon XP model 1800, or the Intel 1.8 GH P4... if anyone has any reasons why i should buy either one i would greatly appreciate it.
thanks people...

[JromeroROP]

get the AMD saves you money! BIA-BIatch

[bassman]

Hey Jromero,
We're not much for that kind of talk around here. If you take a read thru the "User Agreement" you agreed to, it states something to the effect of "no derogatory or offinsive language or comments."
Your last word here, although not offinsve to ME may be to others.
Keep it clean and keep on posting http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
Thanks

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[Randy_tx]

The answer to the posted question is "both" are better! It really depends on what you want to do and how much money you want to spend. The AMD XP will probably outperform the Intel in most types of speed measurements at a lower cost; however, there are a growing number of folks [including myself] that have endured a few annoyances with the Athalon cpu...most frequent: sudden reboots or resets during initial boot-up and sometimes taking two or three re-boots to get the system up. The other more potentially catastrophic issue relates to the fact that the AMD Athalon family of cpu's does NOT have any protection against sudden failure of the cpu fan. Thus, if the cpu fan fails......about 10-15 seconds later, the CPU fries!! AMD is working on a shutdown fix with motherboard manufacturers but no standard has yet to be announced.

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Will XP save Me ?

[BigBlue66]

I agree with RandyTX insofar as the Athlon processor has serious heat issues. I haven't had any problems with my AMD systems like Randy has, that is, rebooting or multiple attempts at booting. However.

Case in point: I have four computers, one of which is my main grunt machine at work. The other three are for gaming and backups. I chose a P4 1.7Ghz processor for my main work machine, for the simple reason of the built-in thermal capabilities of the Intel chip. I need the machine to work, all the time, without sudden catastrophic problems.

Granted, AMD can hold its own with the Intel performance wise and in some cases can outperform it. But, it's that nagging feeling/fear that the CPU fan will die and there goes my Athlon.

But hey, it's up to you. Spend less on an Athlon, spend more on a damn good HSF for it, and take your chances. You will also need at least a 300watt power supply, whereas my P4 gets by with a 250watter. Or, you can spend more and go with the P4, but yet have that peace of mind.

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Ain't life grand? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

BB 66


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Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
- Pamela Vault Starr

[diurnal]

AMD unless you like steve


Dude your getting a dell



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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[rond36]

The other more potentially catastrophic issue relates to the fact that the AMD Athalon family of cpu's does NOT have any protection against sudden failure of the cpu fan. Thus, if the cpu fan fails......about 10-15 seconds later, the CPU fries!! AMD is working on a shutdown fix with motherboard manufacturers but no standard has yet to be announced.As far as I know all AMD CPUs support power down if the HSF stops. I have an Athlon Thunderbird and it does and it is on a low end motherboard ECS K7VZA and my system will power down if the HSF is stopped with my finger,or unplugged while the system is running and it won't power up with without the fan plugged in also will power down if CPU temp gets over a set temp with the fan (insufficient HSF or not installed properly) This temp is set in the CMOS set up and is disabled by default I have it enabled and set to 65C it can be set between 60C and 75C the highest temp I have seen is 55C (after a long game of Unreal)

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Alright who messed it up this time!

[This message has been edited by rond36 (edited 12-17-2001).]

[BigBlue66]

Hey Rond,

Can you post a link to the information about the AMD powering down?

Thanks.

BB 66


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Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.
- Pamela Vault Starr

[kenja]

Strictly a motherboard implementation for the first generation Thunderbirds and Durons, from what I know. They have no built-in thermal sensor.

[hiredgoonz]

The XP has a thermal diode and all new mobos support heat protection...

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When all else fails, read the instructions.