Which CPU to choose?

[MASTOURA]

I have been always using Intel's CPUs and I have already had 5 of them. I keep on reading about Athlon.

Please someone explain to me if it is a good CPU. I know it is cheaper, but is it same quality? Will I be able to be equally comfortable in my ATX case or will I have problems "adapting" to change? I am talking about CPUs ranging from 600 to 900 Mhz. Not less not more...

Oh and something else...

What is the duifference between PPGA and FCPGA? I think it is something related to cache, but I'm not sure... I read about Coppermines, FCPGA's, etc... and I am copletely lost...
Please enlighten me! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Thanks!

MASTOURA

[rrick31]

if you are thinking about upgrading to amd if you could wait a bit long i would want to see what thunderbird&duron are going to be like.and as far asthe ppga and the fcpga i think it is the cpu socket that is differnet.

[Dputiger]

If your looking for a high-end chip, go with the Thunderbird. If you're looking for a low-end chip that performs almost like a high-end chip, go with the Duron. The Duron running on Beta motherboards has proven to be very stable, overclockable, and compatable with a lot of hardware. Of course, we won't know for SURE until the final tests are in, but the results look very good.

[jad1097]

It is my understanding that both the Duron and Thunderbird are available now. I plan to get myself a Duron 650 with the Asus A7V motherboard and overclock it to 950MHZ since they do it so well. http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/00q2/000623/index.html

[Ygor]

The best news so far (imo) regarding the Duron/Thunderbirds is that the same motherboard should accomodate both without an adapter.
Unfortunately, we have to wait for a good selection of those motherboards and the bios fixes.
But if you have the budget and the inclination to jump in now, go for it.

[wtp]

correct.. the duron will NOT take slocket adaptors. I have no idea if someone will invent a slocket for it so it can be used on Slot As, but they aren't designed for slocket adaptors.

wtp

[Brangwen]

In answer to your question about the difference between PPGA and FCPGA:

PPGA: I understand that to be Plastic Pin Grid Array, which is on the Celeron chip; whereas FCPGA is Flip-Chip Pin Grid Array which allows the chip to fit more than one type of mobo depending on what the FCPGA is and what kind of board you wish to use the chip on. For example, I have a socket 370 chip in a slotket to allow me to plug it into a slot one motherboard.

I hope that is somewhat enlightening...

Brangwen http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[wyvrn]

The FCPGA has an inverted core (exposed on heatsink side) so that it would more easily cool, whereas the PPGA has a core that was not directly exposed, thereby harder to cool and use at higher speeds. Correct me if I am wrong here.

[wtp]

i say, get a Duron. It is taking a Socket A platform. Wait for a month or so, and they'll have em' out (the mobos). I think some stores carry the Duron already. PPGA is just play Socket 370 on a motherboard. FC PGA is a "flipchip socket 370". Those CPUs are the ones that are in those slockets. Thats one example. Thats what I think, uhm... you can ask any Intel users here what they can be. Well, hope I helped! http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

wtp http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[tonym]

MASTOURA,

The Athlon is a great processor. I have converted most of my systems (12 now) to Athlons.

For all intents and purposes it looks like a PII/III. Same for-factor. It even uses a PII heatsink, so you'll be able to get all kinds of cooling if you desire.

I would stick with a Slot A version for the time being. You can get a Slot A mobo for around US$80-130 and a 500MHz processor for US$175-220. And you will need to get a 250 or 300W Athlon-approved power supply (PSU). This will cost you another US$35-75.

The Athlon will fit into your ATX case most comfortably. And you will find it fast and reliable and a worthy alternative to the Pentiums!!


Tony

[paganman7]

Absolutely get a Duron!!!!!!!!At www.unitedmicro.com (http://www.unitedmicro.com) you can get a Duron 600 with heat sink and fan and a Gigabyte Socket A board for $237 (after shipping!). I have heard reports of overclocking this CPU to 850! Although I haven't tried that on mine.

[Inferior]

Get a Celeron II man, they are the best overclockers.

You can get the 533A to 880MHz usually without any problems, and it retails for like $117 bucks I think.

Thats a wicked price for 900+ MHz chip.

But you don't have to believe me, just go to the overclockers forum and see peoples success with them yourself!!!