Which is a better gaming rig?

[NDC]

Personally, I would go for the second option:

Abit KT7E
128 pd133 dimm
Duron 750
about $180


Why? Because KT7E's, you can go as far as 1.2Ghz and the AMD chips are far more overclockable than Intel P3 chips, not to mention the lower prices on AMD chips. Since you're going to be using this system primarily as a gaming rig, I would favor AMD mainboards incase you decide to get a faster processor and overclock it in the future... I have my T-Bird 1Ghz on an ABIT KT7A @ 1.4Ghz with defaut voltage...


And just one other thing... Are you sure you ABIT BX6 2.0 supports P3 800E CPU's? The latest BIOS information shows that it only supports up to P3 700E processors...




Filename: BXRNW.EXE
Date: 12/08/1999
ID: NW

NOTE:

1. Supports PIII 600Mhz(100Mhz FSB), 650Mhz(100Mhz FSB) and 700Mhz(100Mhz FSB) CPUs.

2. Supports 40GB harddisks and above, However we aren't quite sure what the precise capacity is, since the current maximun harddisk on the market is 40GB.

3. Supports Socket 370 Celeron 533Mhz(66Mhz FSB) CPUs.

[jaida]

go with the amd setup since it's nearly the same price as the intel cpu. The amd setup would perform much better then the other system and allow for more performance increase if you decide to overclock, tweak etc.

Also the amd setup will be better for upgradability down the road

[NDC]

And just one other thing. Don't get me wrong. Intel P3 have their advantages over AMD processors, that would be applications that utilize SSE Technology, such as Adobe graphic and other graphic applications. There is no support for SSE o the current AMD processors.

I just see no advantage in getting an P3 to serve the purpose you'll be using this system for...

[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 06-07-2001).]

[Kymeri]

I have to agree with everyone else, get the AMD. P3 is expensive and your at the end of your upgradibility with it. The Duron is faster and more stable.

[Bsdboy]

I also agree with the above comments but you are right that it is much simpler to use the PIII if your board and BIOS support it,just swap it in and you're done but you are also done as far as upgradability.

Bsdboy

[TomME]

I am upgrading and of course have many choices with this old system.

Current System
Celeron 400a
Abit bx6 2.0
128 pc100 dimm
WD ATA-66 9gig
TNT2 Viper 770 Ultra


I am considering two options.

Just adding a P3 800@100fsb.
about $180

OR

Abit KT7E
128 pd133 dimm
Duron 750
about $180

I would benefit from the ATA-66 and 133fsb with the AMD upgrade. Plus I would be at the end of upgrades with the P3 option - not so with a new board. But I would have no chance at hardware incompatability problems by switching boards...ie the TNT2. And it would be a hell of a lot simpler.

I will probably upgrade the Video Card down the road...I just do not play any games that really need the upgrade yet. I am just doing this upgrade now because I can more than double my speed for practically nothing.

All opinions welcome.

[TomME]

Thanks for all the replies. My first post on the site.

Yes the Abit will take up to the 1ghz PIII with the last Bios update. The SoftMenu user defined options can be set to use the chips.

These reponses are close to what I expected.

Personally I would rather have a P3 then a Duron. Spending the money on what it would take to go to a Athlon T-Bird(ideal situation) would take this out of the really cheap upgrade realm.

I posted this on another site and the responses were completly the opposite. Most liked the AMD set up better...but felt that the P3 would serve me well for the next 1-2 years and avoiding the the possible hardware compatibilty issues of a new motherboard might be worth skipping.

THe BX chipset is just so stable - I am not sure I want to give it up.

Does anyone know if the VIA chipset problems with Nvidia cards has been mostly smoothed out?

[RobRich]

I recommend going with the P3 800e. When upgrading to the Duron, did you factor decent aftermarket cooling and potential need for a new power supply into the price? I assume not for $180, thus the P3 is probably more cost economical for your particular needs. Be sure to verify pricing at http://www.pricewatch.com .

BTW, VIA's latest round of chipset drivers have basically solved any AGP concerns present with the KT-133(/A) and Pro133A chipsets.

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[TomME]

No I did not look at power supply considerations...I will need to check into that.

I was also hoping the standard after market heat seek and fan would be fine...but I realize AMD chips do run hot.

[Sixpac]

Don't forget the fan (minor detail buts its probably an extra $20).

[MrBaseball]

I suggest you go with the AMD setup.

[Bsdboy]

I have to disagree with RobRich on his suggestion to get an 800e if you decide to get a PIII because of it's 133fsb which on your board will give you an AGP buss speed of 88.6mhz which may or may not be a problem and also you can overclock the 100fsb version easier (my PIII 800 does 1152 at default voltage).I have overclocked 3 800s and all 3 have easily done 1gig+.

Bsdboy

[TomME]

No I would be getting the Slot 1 100fsb version of the P3.

And I have decided that to be the way to go...for simplicity sake.

A P3 or Duron should last me a couple years, I mostly play stategy games that are not to graphically intensive anyway. After two years, any motherboard I buy now will be as outdated as the BX6 is now. Maybe by that time Intels 64bit processor will be consumer oriented and I just redo everything.

At least doing the P3 now keeps my two year upgrade itch satisfied, and this time its cheap. (although I think I might buy a 21 inch monitor soon too http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[TomME]

Oh...and thanks for your input. It helped...even though I went against the consensus on this board.