My AMD experience

[BipolarBill]

Chapter 1

So far, so bad.

1. Lots of fan noise - necessary but annoying.
2. Memory types and timing variations are making setup really time-consuming and frustrating. One slip and you restart Win2K setup.
3. The very mainboards that are made for Athlon/Duron can't detect the CPU/memory combination automatically. It defaults to "knucklehead" performance.
4. VIA - need I say more? I will anyway:
Once you set up by booting to RAID controller from CD, the PC will never boot without the CD in the tray. Talk about stupid.
No OS has optimized VIA drivers - they must be loaded again after setup and might work.
More to follow.

[snowfall]

bad luck
mine have been abit better, well at least the fans don't seem to be too loud

[SPEEDO]

BipolarBill

Is that sweat dripping off of your avatar?.....:eek:

Man you must be having a fine time for your selef....;)

SPEEDO

[BipolarBill]

To be fair, I made sure that the PSU had 2 fans and that the hard drives have one. Throw in the Tt Volcano 7 and throw in 2 case fans and we have liftoff! It CPU temp is 42C - nice for a 1900+ XP.

It seems I was sold a "bill of goods" on the OCZ memory. It was touted as CAS 2.0/2-2-2, but it's CAS 2.5.

I figured out the boot problem. The MSI KT3 has a very specific "Boot from RAID" setting. It changes depending on how your array is set up and disappears completely if the array changes at all so that it isn't even in the sequence. Nice integration on MSI's part.

[SPEEDO]

So if the array changes in some way you won't have a clue about what's going on?...:confused:

Is this what you mean? If so this could make for interesting problem solving in the future...:D

SPEEDO

[BipolarBill]

Originally posted by SPEEDO
So if the array changes in some way you won't have a clue about what's going on?...:confused:No...it disappears from the BIOS boot "sequency" (as MSI calls it - LOL). The darned Promise RAID controller makes each single HDD an array in itself if you don't step up. I did, but forgot to redefine the array in the BIOS sequency. ;) Hence, it wasn't a boot selection anymore.

[SPEEDO]

I got ya...:cool:

Well I already did my raid time, I'm now a free man. So to speak...;)

SPEEDO

[BipolarBill]

Understood. I'm hammering this thing to probe it's weaknesses. I went to RAID 0 first (2*80GB WD JBs - 160GB!). It seems to be settling down now and is PDQ!!. I'll try RAID 1 next and will probably set them up individually in the end. I might go full bore and set up an "Otheos SCSI system" eventually. It's all great experience.

Anyway, the OCZ memory is CAS2, apparently. The problem is that the memory has a CAS 2.5 SPD signature and the BIOS can't tell that it is faster. I had to force it.

All is well at this point - except for that noisy Volcano! ;)

[NDD]

You see how the things got better only in few hours ? I didn't believe mighty BipolarBill is ranting about computer problems :eek: :rolleyes: :x
Loud fans seem to be my only problem with AMD machines - I've always used quality parts so there's no "Intel would be working fine with that memory" issues for me :)
Few things however :
1. What the problem about memory types and timings ? I probably wasn't on Earth when OCZ became a "brand" company :rolleyes:
2. Same on CPU/Memory detection routines - only few examples in my 2 year+ experience with newer AMD.
3. And finally regarding VIA drivers - WinXP Pro works very well with its set of drivers. Been installing it on various configs with VIA mobos and wide range of videocards - not a single problem (assuming that every part is good :) ).

[BipolarBill]

You haven't heard me rant yet, ND. When I do get going, everyone will know. :eek: What the problem about memory types and timings ? I probably wasn't on Earth when OCZ became a "brand" company Where were you...on reserve duty? Hehe. The memory seems to be very good (made in India at a very modern factory), but it was billed by Newegg as CAS 2.0 2-2-2 1T. It will work at CAS 2 and 1T, but not 2-2-2.Same on CPU/Memory detection routines While the CPU is detected properly, the wrong FSB is used by default - 100Mhz.And finally regarding VIA drivers - WinXP Pro works very well with its set of drivers. Gotta agree there, Smiley...WinXP get's it right without fuss. The trouble is that this is Win2K. USB does work though - that's a big improvement.

At least now the Answerator is not at a loss when he's asked about an AMD problem. ;)

[BipolarBill]

Not much to report on here. I've come to the conclusion that an Athlon XP differs from P4 only in the effort required to set it up initially. Beyond that, things are the same. The "Xthlon" does run reasonably cool - better than I expected. I may "downgrade" to a quieter fan. Any suggestions on a quiet, non-OC fan/heatsink combo? Maybe even an AMD OEM? Source?

I have notice that FSB bumps are not tolerated by the Atlon. I've heard about the multiplier trick, but my eyes ain't what they used to be - I'll pass. ;)

[NDD]

Well ... fine :)
Still can't agree on OCZ - first time I ran into their memory with my Abit KT7A and OCZ PC150 - the memory couldn't pass 146MHz limit :(
Second time I ran into OCZ was with my friends' Abit KR7A and OCZ PC2400 ... guess what ? Same story here, don't remember where it stopped exactly but it never reached 150MHz as well :(

[BipolarBill]

To be fair, the OCZ is rated at CAS2 where most are CAS2.5 - even Corsair. Pushing RAM that is already being pushed pretty hard at standard would probably not be fruitful.

So OK - it's probably the OCZ mem that's not overclockable. While I do experiment with OCing, I don't subscribe to it long-term anyway. Sooner or later, I can migrate to Corsair or Mushkin. The price is not too, too high. :cool:

[fishybawb]

Bill: For a *really* quiet hsf, give the Zalman Flower a go. Looks weird, but it works :)
No idea of where to get one in your part of the world though...

[BipolarBill]

Thanks...it's available. ;)

[couch potato]

AMD.....BA HUMBUG!:r

[fishybawb]

couchpotato: Surely you're not one of those people who enjoy spending ridiculous amounts of money on (cough, gag) *INTEL* processors are you? ;)

[BipolarBill]

I do! I do! :x

[NDD]

To be fair, the OCZ is rated at CAS2 where most are CAS2.5 - even Corsair
Which OCZ memory is it exactly (model) ?
Having PC133 CAS3 Micron at 155MHz with CAS2 ... that's what I call "pushing" :)

[BipolarBill]

"OCZ DDR RAM 512MB PC-2700 333Hz OCZ333512-3. HeatSpreader. DDR333, CAS 2.0, REV3, 184 Pin Dimm, ULN Technology, 2-2-2 1T timings, Performance DDR memory, OEM, Lifetime Warranty. Model#: OCZ333512-3"

Sounds good, right?

Anyway - I have news. While changing heatsinks, I spread a little Arctic Silver on the PCB around the slug. Result? Dead CPU. I never had to worry about that with Intel CPUs. Ah well...RMA time.

[$1500-P4 gamer]

:eek: My AMD eperiment wasnt too bad. It was a Duron 1gig on a MSI K7T turbo2 LE mobo. Run good from the start, maybe I was just lucky! The P4 was easier to setup though both hardware and software wise. Just by looking at the Duron you can tell its 100x more fragile. No I dont mean dropping it I mean installing the heatsink. Dont go off people I know what I'm talking about. #1 Intel cpu's ALL of them require alot less pressure on the Heatsink as to transfer the heat properly. A AMD has some serious pressure on it. Now the real prob. is the after market ones not the AMD HSF. I know the one I got was pretty Dam* tight! I had the heat sink as parallel as possible with the socket which is how you prevent damage to the core. And guess what- you could still hear the cpu creaking as I got the clip over the tab on the ZIF! Scary to say the least. It works fien but I'm not looking forward to ever havveing to take it off and put back on again! This P4 is alot tighter than any I had before on the Intel line. But still no where near the duron and Intel still implemented a cover over the die for saftey pressure wise. That was the only complaint I had through the whole ordeal. Yea I still hate via chipsets too.:rolleyes:

[michaeln]

I've been building with AMD for some time now. (I don't build too many). My first was an AMD K6 II 450 and since then I've moved onto the Athlons. I have never had a processor/memory related problem to date. The only problems I have encountered were with cards and drivers. I do not overclock (with the exception of running a few 450's at 500).

[BipolarBill]

...just be sure not to spread conductive grease over the L bridges or you will have a CPU problem. :eek:

[michaeln]

Originally posted by BipolarBill
...just be sure not to spread conductivr grease over the L bridges or you will have a CPU problem. :eek:

I have no doubt but that you are correct :)