Why are AMD cpu's so prone to crash Windoze

[RobUK]

I have noticed a few things about AMD based systems. Scince me and a few of my friends have got AMD CPU's Windoze 98 and SE are prone to crashes and lockups. I have a 450 K6/2 and my mates an 800 Athlon, 400 K6/2 and a K6/2 500. So why are they so unstable? Especially APG graphics cards always play havock, the Matrox G400 especially on my system. Intel and even some Cirix cpus seem more stable.

Can anyone shed any light?

RobUK

[OuTpaTienT]

Honestly I don't know what you're talking about. My Athlon system has been the most stable computer I've ever owned, by far. And I've been a "computer geek" since the 386 days.

Only thing that comes to mind is with the K6-2...some of the super 7 boards didn't have the best implemintation of AGP, especially when they first came out.

Are you running the lastest drivers for your motherboard? for your video card? and any other peripherials?

[jbob]

I also have an Athlon, and I have had no problems with Windows at all.

[seti]

My Duron 700/A7V has been infinitely more stable than my old p2/P2B.

[Mungla]

Newer AMD CPU's are defently very stable. When Windows crashes, it typically isn't a processor problem unless your overclocking an unstable cpu. In most cases, AMD CPU's are MORE stable in Windows/Linux environment's than Intel systems.

Just my $0.02.

[Dputiger]

I've owned six Socket-7 systems and 1 Socket A. Never had a problem here. In fact, the only Pentium system I owned was unstable as hell, but was made by Compaq--which probably explains it.

[jman01pa]

I think that because AMD chips are "Cheap" they are also put into cheap systems with cheap memory and cheap etc.....

Personally AMD is all theat I use. However I am choosy on all my hardware. A PC Chips motherboard and generic memory dont cut it for me. Probably #1 reason for the infamous "BSD".

Just my two cents


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

[scotter]

I will bet that if you checked the temp's that those chips are running at, that they are up around 50/c or higher.
most intel chips run a lot cooler than the AMD's especialy the K6 line that makes the intel systems just a little more stable than the AMD's.
keeping those K6 chips cold or as cool as posable is the best thing you can do to make K6 or T-bird/duron system's more stable.

I've built more than a few K6 based systems and making sure they stay cool is the first thing I do. none of the system's I have built has had any stablity problems http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Dputiger]

Scotter,

I don't know how hot my system USED to run--but since I started monitoring temperature, I keep mine very cool.

Old K6-2 400: 37' Celsius
Current K6-2+ 600: 40' Celsius.
Duron 600 @ 1 Ghz: 46' Celsius

[BFlurie]

One time, my PS fan got stuck, unbeknownst to me. Started getting file errors, then the HD starting getting I/O errors. Then, Windoz won't boot. Booted to floppy, HDs were unreadable. By this time, I happened to put my hand on the box -- HOT!!! But the AMDK6-2 was still working -- 'bout the only thing. Let sit & cool down, fixed fan, everything was fine.

[nunyadam]

the only cpu's I have ever owned are amd. most all of my problem's could be traced to. 3. cheap part's. 2.bugy software. and the #1. reason p.b.c.m.'s (for those who don't know pbcm= problem between chair and monitor)

[Win_98]

isn't AGP advanced graphic port? whatever it mean, it suppose to be twice as fast as PCI since it 66mhz bus. well suppose to.

[AuraEdge]

AGP has 2 features.
One is faster bus speed as compared to the PCI bus, which defaults to 66Mhz.
The other is AGP bus's direct connection to the system memory, something PCI cant do.
When AGP is set 'off', it means the second feature is set off

[Vampiel]

I have an athlon system, it has been the most stable system ive ever owned. Although the k6-2's were not all that stable.

[Erap!]

The AMD architechture differs a lot from the Intel architechture. A big issue is the timing. Of course AMD will be throwing out processors that are stable but the thing is, a bunch of the ones they throw out are bad. Well, not really bad but more prone to heat and errors. Sometimes, a little tweaking fixes it but sometimes, it's just the hardware. I have an AMD T-bird 800 and the heatskink i have with it is the coolermaster stock heatsink. I use an A7V and the temp of my CPU is 66c which is too hot (i think). I sold a 700 t-bird and the temp is in the 40s so amd is really throwing out fluctuating qualities of chips! Mine's not overclocked, nor is it remarked since i got it straight from AMD. For the ppl out there with stable computers, consider urself lucky. For the others, either tweak it, exchange it, or just bear with it!

[scotter]

Earp of your T-Bird is running at 66/c you really need to get some better cooling for it and get it atleast below 50/c the coolmaster heatsinks are really not that good there are a lot better heat sinks on the market also make sure you have some thermal paste between the core and heat sink not a pad

[Erap!]

I know! I do have thermal grease between the sink and the chip. I even smoothed out the surface of the sink! read my other message about A7V being wierd! The voltages are being reported wrong, my system is more stable and cooler at a 1.6v setting! if i put it on that, windows probe reports it as 1.7! Wierd?

[LittleKing]

I feel that Intel's chips and chipsets have been more stable than AMD, except the i820 with MTH, and 1.13GHz. Overall, what I have gathered from reading reviews and such that AMD, as well as via, have greatly improved there reliability. However, overall I still trust Intel to deliver high quality and reliable (compatible) part.

my $.02

LK

[scotter]

Asus allways overvolts there boards, what's is being reported is correct. same thing with the I/O voltage all there board run the I/O at 3.5 instead of the spec 3.3volts
thats one of the reasions Asus boards are a little more stable then most other's.

[scotter]

Asus allways overvolts there boards, what's is being reported is correct. same thing with the I/O voltage all there board run the I/O at 3.5 instead of the spec 3.3volts
thats one of the reasions Asus boards are a little more stable then most other's.

[Vampiel]

Yes but look at the >cost< of the Athlons vs. the pIII's LOL
www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com)

[Erap!]

yes but in the bios hardware monitor, the 12v,5v and 3.3v monitors are slightly above, but the VCore voltage is right at 1.7. Now when i go to asus probe, it sez 1.8??? now i put it at 1.6 in bios, so it displays 1.7 in asusprobe, and the system is a lot more stable??? so which is which?

[Richard_Cranium72]

My Celeron has crashed more per hr of usage than my amd machines.

On one of my AMD K6-2 333, I accidentally left the cooling fan unplugged, after a lengthy while of usage I started getting weird BSOD's.

A couple of reboots didn't help,
Then I looked into my case(All of which STAY open) and to my horror, the fan was stopped.

Then I looked at the RS thermometer lying in the bottom of the case and the Heat Sink on the CPU read 158.2F !!!!!

This was after about 5 min or so of NOT running, so the chip itself had to get near 200F !

It's still running strong, o/c from 333-366 , fsb from 66-75.

My theory is the mobo's are the culprit for crashing as much as the CPU.

Since I put a homemade copper heat sink with fins on my SIS 5598 Chipset, I've had NO unexplained crashes from that particular machine.

Since then, I put 486 type CPU coolers on ALL my chipsets that have fins to attach to or use copper or at least have an extra 2" case fan blowing on the area of heat production.

Please don't ask how many machines I've got running now, cause it changes almost daily. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

DrVette

[Tekkitan]

The only problem here is:

It isnt the processor crashing the system! It is either other hardware, or it is Windows itself. And yes it CAN be Windows, because Window's isnt as stable as MS promotes it as. That is my $2.34

[This message has been edited by Tekkitan (edited 10-19-2000).]

[RampageIII]

I have a AMD K6-2 450 bargain 'puter that runs at 50C. Is this really bad?
I haven't messed with it at all and haven't had any problems.
Maybe the indicator in the BIOS is wrong?
Is there any way to be sure?
What size fan (brand)and rpm rate would be best for cooling cpu?
Why would a factory build unit be set up so HOT in the first place?
HELP!

[Vampiel]

Thats not to bad, I normally try to keep them running around 45C. Just dont let it get to 55C.

THUNDERBIRD 1.2GHz SOCKET A 256K ON DIE FULL SPEED CACHE PRICE FOR PHONE ORDERS ONLY - MUST MENTION PRICE WATCH $ 488

IN STOCK, Pentium® III 1Ghz FCPGA, Flip Chip, 256K Cache Coppermine - OEM - * LIMIT ONE - PRICE FOR Phone Orders Only. Mention Price Watch. $ 649

This is ridiculous, why would anyone want the pIII 1 giG over a Thunderbird 1.2giG? Plus you could buy an extra 128mb PC-133 ram to go with the t-bird for the same price as just the CPU for the intel 1giG. I believe intel is for those people who >just dont know< if you know what I mean.

[This message has been edited by Vampiel (edited 10-22-2000).]

[Dputiger]

I'm gonna disagree: 50 C is pretty high for the K6-2 450. My K6-2 450 never broke 40 C. Here's what I used on it:

Radio Shack Heatsink Compound: $1.95

Thermaltake Socket-7 Golden Orb: $13.

Case fan, standard, 80 mm: $5.

For less than $20 bucks I ran a very cool case. If your looking to cool things down AND have a cooling solution that'll take care of any SS7 based system, get a Gorb. (Golden Orb). Their available at 2cooltek.com, millisec.com, and probably 3dcool.com. Just make sure you get the Socket-7 version.

[Vampiel]

Yea, ive heard those orbs work very well.

[Vampiel]

Yea, ive heard those orbs work very well.