AMD chips unstable?

[Slashco]

First, I apologize if this has been asked before but I'm relatively new to computer hardware.

I'm thinking of a processor + mobo upgrade (from 800MHz Celeron), and was attracted to the Athlon XP line because of the lower price comparable to Pentium 4s. But I've heard from some people that AMD processors have various issues with Windows and are generally unstable, as well as requiring a special power supply. Is this still true, and is it a major issue? Thanks.

[saphalline]

The stability problems haven't been true since 1998, at the latest. Since the K6-2 and K6-3, but even then it was because AMD chips were always surrounded by inferior parts to begin with so it was guilt by association. As far as requiring a special power supply, in fact the opposite has been true. The P4 from the very beginning required special power supplies and cases, but now all new power supplies are built with the special 12V P4 connector (so it's now a standard) and the case problem has been fixed.

As for the Windows problems, ever wonder why it's called the Athlon XP? Sound like Windows XP? It is. Microsoft themselves worked extensively with both Intel and AMD to ensure that all processors perform flawlessly on Windows XP and all future Windows OSes.

So not only are AMD chips cheaper than Intel chips, but they also have nothing holding them back anymore. They do tend to run a bit hotter, but if those OEM rigs with only the power supply fan can run fine, then adding an extra one or two to your own rig will ensure that any chip is cool enough.

You're bound to get plenty of more help from here as you plan/build your next PC.

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