Pentium III v. AMD

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Esquire

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I apologize if this question has been answered elsewhere but the search engine is not working (I searched for "music" to test it and nothing came up). After reading several posts, I am now planning to build a new computer system. I am just getting into computer-based recording so I don't know much.

Based on what I've read, it appears that most people use Pentium III chips on their systems. Is there some advantage over the lower-priced AMD chips? Basically, I'm planning to do some basic multitracking on the computer using some software package (I'm still reading up on which package). I've visited some of the manufacturers' sites which recommend a Pentium III. Is the P III really necessary? I've heard that Pentium IIIs are better for "multimedia" applications but I've also heard that AMD chips provide excellent performance at an excellent price. I've currently got my eyes on an AMD Thunderbird 1Ghz chip. Any feedback?

Thanks to everyone for your help and patience. I am really learning a lot from this BBS.
 
I'm running an AMD Athlon 700 that seems to be working just fine with a SB Platinum and Cubasis VST. I have heard (probably on this BBS) that there are some issues with some dedicated audio cards and the VIA Athlon chipset. If you are looking at a specific card to use in the AMD, I would check with the card's manufacturer to determine if there are any known problems with non-Intel chipsets. Also investigate the MB you are plugging the CPU into - for AMD, some are definitely more robust. I'm using an EPoX product that got great reviews (EP-7KXA I think). Here's a good site for AMD MB's :

http://www.amdmb.com/motherboards.php

I really like non-Intel processors, personally - I've been using Cyrix and AMD since 94 with nary a problem (in fact, they are still running fine and used daily).

Cheers,
Mike
 
Heres a quote from one of the resident computer experts, Slackmaster2K....

"Currently I'm interested in AMD processors. The Duron stomps the celeron so badly it's pathetic, at up to half the price...in fact, it damn near keeps up with the PIII. AMD FINALLY got a good FPU cooking, no more faking it with that 3D Later! crap. They're better overclocers too since they can be unlocked with a graphite pencil. I'm not sure how good the KT133A chipset is, but supposedly almost all the kinks have been worked out. I just ordered an Asus A7V133 and a Duron 750 to upgrade my girlfriend's machine. The A7V133 has all the good features plus built in Promise RAID. Maybe when she's not looking I'll stick my Delta in her upgraded machine and see how well it runs (that sounds naughty)...if everything jives I'm ditching Intel for a while. I'm no fan of AMD after the pathetic K6 series and I'm no fan of VIA due to almost every chipset it's ever produced....but if things have changed, things have changed...a good DAW is more important than brand loyalty. Oh, the 750Mhz Duron cost $45 and should overclock to 900Mhz (without adjusting the bus speed)...I've seen 750's go over 1000Mhz though, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. "
 
Gidge or Slackmaster. I think I read somewhere (upgrading and repairing pcs 11th edition, Mueller?)and I may have misunderstood so please clarify if possible; that the AMD Athalon and the Pentium 3 were basically identical in performance except the Pentium had a better chache, either more, or faster or both, allthough it should be faster if there is more?
I have athalon 600 and shes been working just fine.
After saying all that I will go quietly back to my closet and hide for fear of more acts of shear stupitdity.
 
I searched for "music" and got 9382 hits:D

Try the search again. It's pretty common that it's down but it seems to be up now, so hurry.

As for a quick answer to the AMD vs. PIII question:

AMD is more power for the bucks but some souncards still have compatibility issues with some motherboard chipsets for the AMD processor. So, considering all the other issues we computer based suckers live with, I'd rather be safe than sorry and get a PIII. Unless I aim for a processor/motherboard/soundcard combination that I have seen working. Seen working that is. Not claimed by the manufacturer.

So much for a short answer.

/O
 
If I remember correctly, AMD's Thunderbird chips outperform P-III chips at the same clock speed in most benchmarks. Might want to double-check though.

Not sure about P4.
 
i chose the pentium III over the AMD b/c my soundcard wasn't compatible. but I had wanted to get an AMD b/c the Bus Speed was much faster than the Pentiums. I wound up getting the 133mhz bus...at that time AMD had out the 200mhz bus and since then it's gotten a heck of a lot faster. the last i heard was like 400mhz. but the new pentium 4's have all that. i haven't been keeping up on it since I got my chip...733mhz pentium III...but keep in mind the bus speed is an important issue that is often forgotten.
-Tom
 
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