New Machine time

Have been doing some research and have some questions / observations. Stability is a key driver for me I like tweaking but work load does not allow too much time for messing around, so any solution needs to be a pragamatic one. cards that will be inherited (for the time being) miro DC10+ Adaptec 2940UW and a 1505 for scanner, soundblaster AWE 32 (an isa slot would be useful, but it will be replaced by hercules game theater at some time), DLINK is my prefered brand of nic and will probably get an nvidia MX for 3d.

Had just about decided on the AMD route for my new machine (bangs/buck)and had looking at using an ABIT (non raid) via kt133a chipset. However it would appear (from my reading) that there are problems, would like to get a balanced view on this as some is contradictory. Would a P3/P4 suit me better? however price is an issue! Basically I want it all....now and should cost nothing ....... thoughts anyone?

aaaaaah

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I am in the process of building 3 new computers:
Work system for me--cheap but fast
AOpen AK73ProA with AMD 1.33GHz ($128+$199 USD)
ThermoEngine Heatsink/fan ($27)
Geforce2 Pro 32MB ($155)
256MB SDRAM CAS2 PC133 ($102)
Maxtor 20GB ATA/100 7200RPM (DM Plus 60) ($100)
Toshiba 16X DVD ($80)
Generic Floppy ($15)
SBLive Value ($53)
56K Modem ($35)
A-top AT850 Case + Enermax 350Watt Powersupply + 2 extra fans ($59 + $59 + $25)
Cost (includes S&H) = $1037 USD

Work system for partner--Same as above.

Home system for me--fast game machine
Asus A7V133 with AMD 1.33GHz ($146+$199 USD)
ThermoEngine Heatsink/fan ($27)
Geforce3 64MB ($365)
256MB SDRAM CAS2 PC133 ($102)
2[Raid 0]--Maxtor 20GB ATA/100 7200RPM (DM Plus 60) ($100)
Toshiba 16X DVD ($80)
LS-120 drive ($78)
SBLive 5.1 X-gamer ($90)
A-top AT850 Case + Enermax 350Watt Powersupply + 2 extra fans ($59 + $59 + $25)
Cost (includes S&H) = $1430 USD

Prices are a little bit lower because volume spreads out the S&H costs.

Ram is cheap, get as much of it as you can afford. I personally like the A-top cases, they have a "screwless" design, sturdy, and allow extra fans (more quieter fans is better than a few loud ones) [one tip: turning the side case fan to blow air in rather than out lowers the MB and CPU temp by almost 5C]. I am using a linksys DSL router and NIC and I am happy with both.

Neither motherboard comes with ISA but have onboard audio (OK but very temporary). I am personally liking the Asus motherboard better in terms of ease of setup but no significant problems with either one. I am using WinMe on all my systems. Other than having to update the Via drivers, I have not noticed any difference in setup compared to the i815 machine I setup late last year. I tried Win2000 but found it to be a waste of time and money--it was much slower and was not compatible with some of the software I use. I ended up re-installing WinMe. I also tried Win98SE but it was not much faster and much LESS stable than WinMe [with system restore disabled!!]. My personal experience in managing my and my offices computers is that WinMe is most compatible with the widest range of hardware and software.

I also highly recommend the intellimouse optical mouse.

Hope this helps.

<i>Its not fun AFTER you have fragged everyone.</i> James

I'm sure there is more to the VIA problems than hot air, but even still, these problems are more the exception than the rule and many could be attributed to improper setup or user error. I have two systems running on VIA chipsets, an Athlon 900 on an Asus K7V mobo and a T-bird 1333 running on an Asus A7V 133. Both are rock solid. I'm a little confused by the comment above that states you will need more time with the Athlon setup. Sounds like a load of crap to me. If money is an issue, you can't ignore AMD systems. Incompatibility and instability is rhetoric based on old issues and old technology that AMD no longer uses. My opinion based on my experience.

The issues with VIA chipsets are real but mainly due to poor chipset drivers and older chipsets. VIA has come a long way in improving their chipsets and thier drivers for them. Unfortunately, they still have a bad reputation from thier past mistakes and Intel loves to harp on those to make AMD systems less attractive to those who care about stability.

"AMD will require more time" is true because you have more options to tweak and overclock an AMD system than an Intel. If you don't tweak or overclock your system, then there is no difference in time involved in setting up an AMD vs an Intel system.

As I said above, I have had more problems with Microshafts various OS's than any problems in setting up the hardware. The instability problems I had with Win2K was on my partner's Dell pentium system. He and I are both much happier with WinMe on his system. But that has to do with the software we use and not the hardware!

I chose not to go with DDR because it is more expensive, harder to find, and has not demonstrated any significant performance benefit to justify the trouble and expense. I don't have a problem with the latest and greatest--I am getting a Geforce3. The Geforce3 may not be much faster than a Geforce2 Ultra but I think its extra features for future games is worth it for me.

<i>Its not fun AFTER you have fragged everyone.</i> James