Dell surveys customers: do you prefer AMD?

[fca@home.com]

I would buy AMD becaus of price and performance.

[MrBaseball]

I'd definitly go with AMD because it performs just as well, if not better then Intel and it is just so much cheaper.

[brandon184]

As a loyal Dell customer, I feel it would be a bright move to offer a choice of which processor you want in your system. I think it would definately boost both company and customer morale. http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/smile.gif

[Steve_Jr]

T-Bird all the way baby!
My 1,100 just hums right along.
Why don't they offer choice of mobos too, huh?
Just one of the many reasons why I decided to build my own (2 PC's) this time around. I know everything that is installed and what and how everything was loaded up.

[This message has been edited by Steve_Jr (edited 06-30-2001).]

[CMonster]

I like them both. Intel and AMD each make exceptional processors. I think we need to realize that a CPU is not the component that makes or breaks a system's overall performance. With the prices so low on massive amounts of memory, large-fast hard disks, and blazing fast video adapters, I tell friends - this is a very good time to build a computer.

However, I usually go with AMD CPUs because the price/performance ratio is a little better for a general purpose computer and I can put my customer's money into other system components.

[Fingers]

My perception of AMD is that they offer better performance at lower cost than Intel, but they also run hotter, consume more power, have a more fragile core, and suffer more compatability problems than Intel.

I'll stick with Intel for now. I've always valued quality and stability over price and performance.

[Hellmund]

That survey is actually bugged, Dputigar posted a good link in the forum which explains how but the news article is no longer on the Front page. This news article is from www.amdzone.com (http://www.amdzone.com) and is written by Chris Tom


Check out this e-mail about the Dell survey I got. I removed the html code, but you can get the idea from the description.
Chris - You're not going to believe this one. On Dell's survey, the radio buttons are screwed up for Questions 2 and 3. You can only select one button ACROSS THE TWO QUESTIONS! So, if question 2 you say you most prefer the Athlon, and question 3 you say you least prefer the Pentium 4, and you answer in that order, than only Pentium 4 will be registered in the question. Moreover: That's question 2: "If you were purchasing a new personal computer for your household today, which one of the following processors would you MOST prefer and why? (Please select one)" And this is Question 3: "If you were purchasing a new personal computer for your household today, which one of the following processors would you LEAST prefer and why? (Please select one)" Note my browser, IE5, will only give you one radio button for each NAME attribute. Since both most and least have the same NAME="most_prefer", despite one question being most and one least, that only the second one will be recorded in the system!!! Moreover, look at the 11-point divvy: Again, both boxes have the same NAME, so only one is being sent, and THERE IS NO W3C STANDARD WAY TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE TWO IN THIS FORM, IT IS CONSIDERED MALFORMED. THE BROWSER CAN SEND WHATEVER IT WANTS, OR BOTH, IN ANY ORDER. I guess you're right. Dell is a bunch of ****-ups. Or a bunch of people who are trying to rig the **** out of a survey. >:-# ----- Steven B. Lewis

[Willie]

DEFINATELY AMD. Cost/Performance being the primary issue, but also better R&D and engineering. I recently read a "propeller-head" 8- http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/wink.gif article about the internal workings of P4 vs T-Bird... well, let's just say there IS no comparison! (See: http://www.emulators.com/pentium4.htm )

I have built several systems over the years, most recently a T-Bird 1.2Ghz w/200Mhz FSB. Wanna talk *FAST*??? http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/smile.gif I will use nothing BUT AMD chips in any and all future systems I build, and will always heartily recommend them. It's simply a better product.

[elroy]

I would definitely use AMD due to price and performance issues. BUT the majority of consumers will buy the Intel if they have a choice because they have never heard of AMD. If you asked most people for their preference they would look at you like you wanted to know the distance in millimeters to the sun. Always remember that this forum certainly does not represent the "average" pc buyer or user.

[hawkeye177]

AMD becase price and performence

[Shinji-kun]

Think about this for a second. Yes, Dell does get a special deal if they buy only from Intel. This means that if they bought AMD's it would void the contract with Intel. This in turn would raise the price of computers because Intel machines would cost more because the contract is null. Now you might say "Well, it wouldn't matter if Intel raised the price because AMD's are cheap and people would just buy those." This has a few problems. One of which is Windows is built around Intel chip architecture. Yes, AMD's work fine if not better, but this would mean they would also have to buy different Ram types because AMD's and Intel P4's bother use different RAM then previous chips or each other. This would mean Dell would have to buy more RAM which means higher prices all around. Plus only Intel chips can be used in multi-processor computers that want to run Windows NT4, 2000, and XP. It says this specifically in all of their manuals. There might be ways around this, but Microsoft intends it to be used with Intel for multi-possessing. It would be nice to have AMD because they are cheaper and do out perform the Intel chips alot, but we have to look at the larger scope of things.

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

AMD Definately, no problems with stability, price is better, performance is better in most apps, uses PC2100 Mem which is a lot cheaper then RDRAM taht P4 uses meaning better systems for same price.

btw. Shinji-kun
AMD does have multiprocessor technologies, and when those manuals were written they didn't.

Wizzard Of Ozz

[Reddog]

Umm... AMDs have improved much since the original Atholon. My system has never gone above 97F (Duron 800 evcen w/overclocking). I don't trust intel. Their systems are above double the price of a good AMD. So what is the P4 1.7 is faster than the AMD 1.33? Do you really want to pay $600 for JUST a processor and a good heatsink for em (you think Atholons are bad?). I can build a whole computer for $600 out of a TBird, MSI mobo, Phrophrt 4500, 32x cdrom, 1.44 floppy, case, 300w PS, 20GB hdd, and still have money left over (abiet not much). PS, anyone know when Sledge's release date is?

[frnkzks]

I love my Dell PII @400. I bought it about 3 years ago. It's the most stable system I have ever used. Their computer cases are extremely well designed.

When I was in the market for a new PC last month, I did not even consider Dell. They lost my business by not offering an AMD system.

[AndreRIO]

amd because of value

[Darknyt]

I was an Intel man when I bought/made my first PC in 1999. I have to give all the praise to AMD. Its a much better cpu overall. AMD has everything that Intel has.....Multiprocessor functions to be used with Windows NT 4.0/2000, Floating point operations, heck they are even comming out with there own version of SSE. Price to performance is unreal for the Athlon. So you get alittle extra heat from these babies, big deal, they dont melt as long as they are properly cooled. This problem will be eliminated with the next generation AMD. The biggest thing that AMD has going for it when it comes to quality, is the fact that they have never recalled a product because of architectural defects.

For those that dont know....Intel recalled the 1.13GHz cpu last year I believe, thus making that version of the Pentium 3 non-existant to the public. Thats what they get for trying to rush a product out the door. Advise to Intel from one chemistry major to any corporate CEO pig.....GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT!!!!! Can you say Pentium 4? I thought you could.

[seanc]

AMD because of price/performance/quality/stability mainly and how many AMD CPU recalls have there been?

Sean

[rogueflyer]

AMD for sure!

The AMD chips work great and the price is right. I've used the chip in several PC builds without any problems.

[WisiWiz]

AMD all the way because the cost/performance is better. Money talks.
Right now I have to use Intel for my multi processor systems. But believe me I cann't wait to get my hands on two Palominos and a mobo do build a new system and through out the old.

[ironpadre]

I have been building my own systems for years, and in the early years using Intel exclusively. At present I am running five AMD Athlon CPUs, including a 650, 750, 800, and three 950s. AMD rules the roost in my household and offices. Better performance for the dollar. Intel has become haughty in recent years, giving the impression that the computer revolves around them. That is no longer true, thanks to the capitalistic spirit of AMD.

[kgtech1]

I think AMD is cool, but I like intel because intel performance on their processors are way better I think.

[EasyRacer]

I find that AMD processors are faster, cheaper, easier to over-clock and just as reliable as Intel chips.

[prexaspes]

Well, honestly, I don't think that's a big issue here. AMD for performance gaming, household use, and the Duron. The Duron is a lot of processor for the cheap prices. Intel for graphics applications and business machines, in my opinion. But like I said, that;s not the issue. What they need to do is stop building half and half systems. Why would you couple a PIII 1ghz with a TNT2? Even for business I'd say Matrox over the TNT2. On board what? At this point, a move to AMD would help, though. For a budget household light gamer that people would love put a Duron in a box with a GeForce 2mx. I guess onboard lan would be acceptable, but I've never been crazy about AMR or onboard sound... Just keep all the components in the system fresh and good quality and the choice between AMD and Intel will become moot. But personally, I've been an AMD man since the 486 days. T'Bird all the way, baby!

[a12345a]

I will prefer AMD to Intel right now because
of price/performance. Because luck of AMD processors in Dell computers, I even don't consider to buy anything from Dell. Are they going to tell us that IBM, HP, Compaq are wrong selecting AMD?

[NathanC]

As an upgrade from an overclocked PIII 550e, my AXIA 1ghz has been marvellous providing my with a massive 135% overclock.

BUT AMD has a serious problem with platform stability. Its not the chip but the chipsets!

I never had a problem with my old ABIT BE6-II but my IWill KK266 is a real can of worms!!

**** Via!

[MTAtech]

At the same price of the CPU, one gets more power from AMD. Thus, a more powerful PC can be built with AMD processors. If people like Dells with AMD's, Dell can either offer them or Michael Dell can therefore threaten Intel with going to offer AMD and get more rebates out of Intel in order to continue exclusivity.

[Debb]

Duron/Athlon series is much better than Intel Celeron/PIII/P4 series. From both performance and price points of view.

[Debb]

Duron/Athlon series are much better than Intel Celeron/PIII/P4 series... from both performance and price points of view.

[Debb]

Duron/Athlon series are much better than Intel Celeron/PIII/P4 series... from both performance and price points of view.

[How about this]

AMD all the way, for all the right reasons.
Price & Performance.

[lazerbeam]

About 3 years ago I bought a Dell through my company's outstanding discount plan. I never regretted it. This year I went back to Dell and even with the same discount plan my company has with them they were very expensive for top of the line machines.. mainly due to RAMBUS memory. So I started looking for alternatives. The low-price leaders for top of the line machines are AMD based. But and a big but, most of the "name brand" vendors are not selling the "cheaper" AMD based machines at equivalent cost savings to the customer.. I strongly suspect that Dell, as with other vendors, is not going to pass on the full savings ratios between AMD vs Intel. So I say yes, build AMD based systems and what the heck Dell, prove me wrong about price!!

[Tron]

I just do not like Intel´s marketing-strategies, Monopolist´s that think they are the onely good cpu brand.
And i Love Amd since the Supersocket7-K6-2 cpu´s came out.

[Artic]

Intel vs AMD (Porsche vs Ruf Porsche?)

Much the same at times but also poles apart.
Intel has a truckload of reliability and compadibility. AMD has numerous performance features and usually beats the intel chips in outright speed, though lacks in some compadibility/reliability issues. But kid you not (well my opinion) intel can generally be reuarded as the innovator and AMD the perfector.

Though Dell generally sell Intel chips for business based PC/Servers it will be intersting for their bottom end PCs to include a AMD range no doubt cheaper and faster. Due to AMD warranty/chipset reliability (win2k,unix etc) I will currently find it highly unlikerly to be seen in their higher end workstations /servers, at present. though Intel should watch out just the same.

Complacency killed the dinosaurs- IBM http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/smile.gif

[Chris123ss@aol.com]

www.monarchcomputer.com (http://www.monarchcomputer.com)

I just bought the AMD DDR 266 combo: A7M266 and a 1.4 ghz w/ 512 mb DDR. Great prices guys and gals. Check them out.

[Chris123ss@aol.com]

www.monarchcomputer.com (http://www.monarchcomputer.com)

I just bought the AMD DDR 266 combo: A7M266 and a 1.4 ghz w/ 512 mb DDR. Great prices guys and gals. Check them out.

[markut]

Precisely why I haven't bought from Dell.
They don't sell AMD systems.

[sgrossweiler]

To put it frankly, I prefer AMD over Intel. One- Much more processing power per dollar
Two- Much more stable
Three- I hate intel do to their Gates attitude toward business.

They deserve to be overthrown and run out of town. intel needs to make way for the smaller guys, because they are not as noticable because they haven't been around as long. However, AMD's products are proven less costly and more reliable. AMD also doesn't rush to pump that next gen chip. Even though I still do not see a necessary need for the P4.

[SmittyMCP]

I almost bought a Dell but changed my mind because I wanted an AMD.

[You_know_who]

I would have bought a Dell for my office if they had offered AMD. Instead I went with Gateway which does offer the Athlon.

[FORDS500]

Never had any problems with AMD but had a major problem with the other brand, PRICE !

People with a never ending money supply Love there Intels "STATUS" But most people like to get the biggest bang for there bucks,

Thank You AMD

[AmberJayde]

In my opnion Intel processors are a better choice than AMD processors,also Intel processors last longer

[homery]

Intel's processors are for the guy who likes the blue/green men on tv. Those of us who have been around computers like the idea of having AMD around. If not just think what cost it would be for a computer if we only have Intel and Microsoft. We all know they only have the customer in mind and not profits.

[Seamus Warren]

If I was rich I would go for the fastest processor and chipset combination. This would probably be a Pentium 4 with RDRAM wouldn't it? (but I'm sure I read somewhere that current software is not yet taking advantage of the RDRAM)

The best price/performance Processors seem to come from AMD at the moment. So I'd give an AMD system serious consideration.

I am waiting until I see AMD processors in DELL laptops. I reckon these laptops will be a bit cheaper than the current equivalent laptops that use the Pentium3 chip. I like DELL laptops because they look real nice (a bit like the old Apple Powerbook in my opinion) and they have a large 14.1 inch screen.

I just want to get the most speed and power for my dollar. Whoever gives me the best value will get my money.

Having said all this, I am still hesitant to make any purchase because of the 64 bit chips on the horizon and my indecision about which type or RAM (DDR or RD) is going to be best.

Sorry for rambling on a bit.

[This message has been edited by Seamus Warren (edited 07-05-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Seamus Warren (edited 07-05-2001).]

[cntrowland]

Well, well, well. I own a Dell complete w/ a PIII 600 that I bought about 2 years ago. I love it. But... if they would've offered it in an AMD for a little less I would've jumped on it! Why not? Less cost for the same/better performance. In days past, reliability may have been an issue, but they have proven themselves time and time again. But we all know that the bottom line to the end-user is usually price with comparable products. Matter-of-fact, I'm building a new sys now...complete w/ a 1.2gb Athlon T-Bird http://www.sysopt.com/news/gws/cdata/smile.gif Can't wait... Chris
cntrowland@coastalnow.net

[MoFat]

AMD, pure and simple. Better performance AND availabilty. Price is far more reasonable.

[MoFat]

AMD, pure and simple. Better performance AND availabilty. Price is far more reasonable.

[HOT RODDER]

Well after taking a contract to repair computers me and my brother started making notes and found that we had about 4 times as many problems with Intel and I've personally had to remove 4 Intel p4's with burnt processors and I mean burnt as in cracked into pieces(imagine that!!!)and I've had zero trouble with ANY AMD's even a 650 duron we tried at 950 in a kryotech case.(WOW) i'm not sure but im gonna try for over 1000 mhz and see if it benchmarks.or wont burn out (it was a warranty replacement that wasnt bad {boy do I love gateway and there stupid repair policies} and all i had to buy was a a mobo hehehe) But hey AMD all the way from now on I still build some k6-2's and have 550's (overclocked) smoking a p4 1ghz(its running at i think 966or something like that) and still bench marks better and DOESNT OVERHEAT!!!!! WITH ONLY A HD HEAT SINK AND FAN AND HEATSINK COMPOUND!Uh by the way does anybody know who came up with those little square pieces of what ever that are supposed to take the place of HS compound?
Anyway AMD reliability, price, ease of warranty replacement IF you get a bad chip (I've got 2 in 3 years from AMD and about 15 from Intel and I sell 5 times as many AMD's )

[Skender]

Intel is a great company, for so long they were ruling, but now AMD is here with very fast chips and incredible prices - so who is better????

[Skender]

Intel is a great company, for so long they were ruling, but now AMD is here with very fast chips and incredible prices - so who is better????

[IZZIE]

I have never used a A.M.D. processor based system, but I do like the price that A.M.D. offers their C.P.U.'s for better than Intel.Also their front side bus is faster than Intel's.

[pdoyle]

Why not?

[GTLarson]

I prefer AMD processors mostly because of the huge price difference, but also I find that the newer ones will usually outperform the Intel equivalent.

[Drifus]

First the answer is YES to AMD and second how about making some dual processor laptops!!!

[Ezstreet48]

I love reading those comments from Intel fans. You know the ones about how AMD's cpu
overheats ,cracks and can't get along with any software. AMD has been setting records with the Athlon for over a year. How could so many people be duped? I think the people being duped are Intel fans. As long as Intel is higher priced and doesn't offer me any REAL additional benefit, I will stay with AMD.

[JayPeg]

When I started to build computers for people I was warned not to use AMD chips. The person that warned me had recently built a system for someone and had broken the chip while installing the fan. He was not the only person to warn me. After seeing the chip i could see the problem(very thin). I just figured that not using the hydrolic press to get the fan installed would be best.
I have just built an AMD 1.13 Tbird system for a customer and it was the fastest thing I've seen. (Can't wait to build a 1.33 system)I had no trouble installing or setting up. I will continue to recommend AMD because of the price, performance and reliability.

[j_mclain]

As a systems administrator at the University of California, I don't buy or recommend Dell computers anymore for one reason: They don't sell computers with AMD CPUs. When you can get better performance for less money, it's sort of a no-brainer.

I'd like to see Gateway does all right with their Athlon machines but I'd like to see more Duron boxes out there. We have some labs that don't have much money but I could probably talk them into using some of their grant money on a cheap machine. Why not a Celeron? Sheesh, might as well buy a PII...

[Herms]

Another vote for AMD here...
Just out of interest, check out Microsoft's hardware compatibility list..
http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/

You'll notice that under CPU's, the "AMD Athlon Family" is listed as compatible with everything (except Windows ME, but then not much is).
While the Intel Pentium series doesn't even make it on the list... hmm..

[thezman]

I have been buying AMD (since K6 came out) and Intels. In my experience I have had less problems with AMD than Intel chips.

I think it's just a perception that AMD has a more fragile core and suffers more compatability problems than Intel.

[AudioPlus]

I have a Dell PC. However, I would strongly prefer the option of purchasing an AMD cpu. Its cheaper and more productive.

[marquisg]

I think AMD gives you the biggest and best bang for the buck. I have 4 computers with AMD's and a laptop with an intel.

[marquisg]

I think AMD gives you the biggest and best bang for the buck. I have 4 computers with AMD's and a laptop with an intel.

[Madmortigan]

By supporting AMD and buying its products, users will make Intel's products better and cheaper. And vice versa. Keeping the competition high will only benefit users.

Simple and true

Take it easy

[msterzer]

I did use intel for quite a while. Tried a K6-2 400, then upgraded my 3d card to a Diamond Viper V770 Ultra when it first came out. They absolutely would not play together. Moved to a P2-400 and problem solved. Later moved to a P3 550, system kept locking up unexpectedly. Slip the P2 back in problem solved. Got an RMA from Intel. It took slightly over 5 months before I got that processor replaced. I did try to OC it once. Moved FSB from 100 to 102, would not work at all. I ran the P2 400 at 125 for months. No problems. Its that 5 months that lost Intel this customer. AMD all the way.

[berky]

AMD All the way.. I always go with the underdog cuz they have a better motive to make good chips. Intel could make the sh*ttiest chips (not to say they don't already) and anyone that knows nothing about computers, which is most of the public, would still buy high-priced, crappy chips by Intel. Intel needs to learn how to make a good chip. Until then, I'll never buy Intel.

[vfarrace]

Offering AMD processors would give choice to customers in terms of the price/performance ratio and allow them to select a lower horsepower CPU for systems that do not require it. AMD is also committed to maintaining the IA32 architecture and did not sacrifice that compatibility when developing their 64-bit systems.