The dude from Byte Magazine "bites" back over "unstable" Athlon chipsets

[NFS4]

Original Thread

His response - 3/11/02

 

[So]

<< the system I built and my son Phillip carried, without problems, to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Tripoli back when Bush senior was President was an AMD K6-2 >>



Wow this guy has connections.

 

[BD231]

His word's do hold some truth, I have been runing AMD system's for quite some time now and I would have to say that I've never run into so many quirky problems.

 

[AGodspeed]

What I said last month was "At the same time, I just can't recommend any single-processor AMD system. It's not the AMD Athlon chips, which are so far as I can tell quite stable and solid: It's the support chipsets, which aren't." On reflection that comes across as stronger than I had intended. On the other hand, note that it was in the context of recommending AMD processor systems built on the new dual-processor motherboards. Apparently recommending some AMD systems is not sufficient for the true believers, whose immaturity is pretty well demonstrated by their e-mails.

Lol, how backwards is this comment. Just because he recommends a dual Socket A CPU chipset, AMD fans (not zealots) should lay off his completely inaccurate statement that "I just can't recommend any single-processor AMD system...[because they aren't] stable and solid." Heck, the guy doesn't even mention SiS, nVidia, and ALi based motherboards, as if VIA is the only real Socket A chipset player in the market these days. He blames Socket A incompatibilities on VIA, but it's clear that he's unaware (or inexperienced) with SiS, ALi, and nVidia solutions.

It's all good though, some people just need a little education.

 

[ElFenix]

<< the system I built and my son Phillip carried, without problems, to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Tripoli back when Bush senior was President was an AMD K6-2 >>

hmmm... thats odd... the k6-2 came out in what, 1998? 1999? bush the elder was president as late as jan 20, 1993... must have a time machine or something.

 

[AGodspeed]

<<

<< the system I built and my son Phillip carried, without problems, to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Tripoli back when Bush senior was President was an AMD K6-2 >>

hmmm... thats odd... the k6-2 came out in what, 1998? 1999? bush the elder was president as late as jan 20, 1993... must have a time machine or something. >>

Lol, you're right. This guy is obviously confused...

 

[CraigRT]

Look veeery carefullly...

Original response:


<< His word's do hold some truth, I have been runing AMD system's for quite some time now and I would have to say that I've never run into so many quirky problems. >>



My response with a few changes:
I have been runing AMD system's for quite some time now and I would have to say that I've never run into any problems.

The last problem I had with an AMD system was the absolutely useless ALI AladdinV chipset and my TNT2 card. other than that, all Athlons and Duron systems, and except for that part of my K6 system, they have all been rock solid.

 

[vedin]

Yeah, as if Intel never makes any mistakes. ::coughs::.18 micron PIIIs running at 1.1ghz::coughs:: I think this guy is just full of it. And you know what "it" I mean.

 

[BeauJangles]

HAHAHHA

this guy cracks me up. The k6-2 chipset was introduced, at the earliest in 1997 or so, a little late for the Persian Gulf you might say. Secondly, all he does in that article is try to sound like he's been around for a long time and knows a lot of people. In a simple sentence he is an idiot, who couldn't tell a graphics card from a sound card. Let him roll in his Intel zelotry (sp? [is it even a word? ]). His ignorance and stupidly just oozes out of my monitor and on to my keyboard. I had to close the article before his stupidity oozed onto me.

"A few years ago I reported that Intel had cost-reduced one of its better boards to the point of instability. Intel wasn't very pleased with that column, and has never acknowledged the problem: But the new boards they sent me (and the one I bought at Fry's) didn't have the problems and none have since. "

yea, like Intel would listen to this guy to begin with. I doubt they "weren't very pleased," more like they read it and ignored it.

But by far the best line has to be
"The bottom line is that if you're building normal general purpose workstations at around the 900-MHz cost/performance "sweet spot" (note this is a moving target, and Bob Thompson tells me the sweet spot is 1.0 to 1.2 GHz now), "

lol the 900 mhz sweet spot? Is he stupid? Try the 1.46 ghz sweet spot of a XP1700 (although I doubt he would know what one of those was). Or how about the 1.6a Northwoods that was so cheap for a while?

 

[Pariah]

"I have been runing AMD system's for quite some time now and I would have to say that I've never run into any problems."

You are my God. No joke. Even though you contradict this in your next sentence.

"Yeah, as if Intel never makes any mistakes. ::coughs::.18 micron PIIIs running at 1.1ghz::coughs:: I think this guy is just full of it. And you know what "it" I mean."

This guy stated that AMD platforms are unstable, not chips.

"The k6-2 chipset was introduced, at the earliest in 1997 or so, a little late for the Persian Gulf you might say."

Take a geography class, the Persian Gulf didn't go away after Desert Storm. The others are right though, Bush wasn't President in 1998, not sure where he got that from.

 

[BeauJangles]

The Persian Gulf War there buddy, Operation Desert Storm. Ring a bell? Take a history class

 

[Pabster]

Christ, can't this crap ever die?

The reality is simple. VIA chipsets suck arse, and they've caused countless users to migrate to an Intel platform, even if it means taking a performance hit and spending more. And I don't blame them. Of course, I'm the resident "VIA hater" around these parts, so you probably shouldn't take my word for it. Why not take a look in the various forum areas (not just AT) and see what countless other users have to say.

It's been said and said again. AMD processors are not unstable. It is the platform (read: chipset support) which needs improvement. Yes, SiS, ALi, and nVidia all offer solutions which are infinitely more stable than VIA; unfortunately, people keep purchasing VIA because they see a few points in synthetic benchmarks and want the "fastest" Socket A platform. Then they're abhorred to find they're spending hour after hour loading patches, drivers, flashing BIOSes, etc. trying to stabilize their rig.

 

[Pariah]

The Persian Gulf War was a war, the Persian Gulf is a region. He made no mention of war.

 

[BeauJangles]

<< Christ, can't this crap ever die?

The reality is simple. VIA chipsets suck arse, and they've caused countless users to migrate to an Intel platform, even if it means taking a performance hit and spending more. And I don't blame them. Of course, I'm the resident "VIA hater" around these parts, so you probably shouldn't take my word for it. Why not take a look in the various forum areas (not just AT) and see what countless other users have to say.

It's been said and said again. AMD processors are not unstable. It is the platform (read: chipset support) which needs improvement. Yes, SiS, ALi, and nVidia all offer solutions which are infinitely more stable than VIA; unfortunately, people keep purchasing VIA because they see a few points in synthetic benchmarks and want the "fastest" Socket A platform. Then they're abhorred to find they're spending hour after hour loading patches, drivers, flashing BIOSes, etc. trying to stabilize their rig. >>



I'm not particularly arguing his point, just his delivery method. It leaves a lot to be desired.



<< The Persian Gulf War was a war, the Persian Gulf is a region. He made no mention of war. >>



I guess your right. Though the mention of President Bush still makes him horribly wrong. I guess the mention of Bush also just conjures up the image of the Gulf War. Either way he's wrong

 

[LXi]

<<unfortunately, people keep purchasing VIA because they see a few points in synthetic benchmarks and want the "fastest" Socket A platform. Then they're abhorred to find they're spending hour after hour loading patches, drivers, flashing BIOSes, etc. trying to stabilize their rig.>>

I didn't have to do none of those... and if I can do it, anyone can, except maybe you, Pab.

 

[EMAN]

Lol, how backwards is this comment. Just because he recommends a dual Socket A CPU chipset, AMD fans (not zealots) should lay off his completely inaccurate statement that "I just can't recommend any single-processor AMD system...[because they aren't] stable and solid." Heck, the guy doesn't even mention SiS, nVidia, and ALi based motherboards, as if VIA is the only real Socket A chipset player in the market these days. He blames Socket A incompatibilities on VIA, but it's clear that he's unaware (or inexperienced) with SiS, ALi, and nVidia solutions.

I think he's aware of Sis, Ali, and Nvidia solutions. It's just that there's so many people with Via+AMD systems. Your average joe has a Via system with 686 southbridge who has problems like myself. Most of my problems went away after moving to windows 2000 and the new via drivers but still have little quarks here and there.

 

[BD231]

Yield

A system can be solid and still have quirks. I have an AMD system that runs "rock solid" as you put it, but when I hook up an optical mouse to it, it never turns off laser, even when the computer is shut off. The big thing he was dumping on was chipsets, and since most pre-built Athlon PC's come with VIA chipsets, its no wonder he wouldent recomend an Athlon system to someone.

 

[MisterNi]

<< but when I hook up an optical mouse to it, it never turns off laser, even when the computer is shut off. >>



I had the same problem with my MS explorer hooked up to my BE6 via the ps/2 port. The problem went away when I switched to the usb port. And now I don't have any problems with my Logitech optical.

 

[Priit]

<< On the other hand, if you're planning on experimenting, or you may add new hardware, or you're planning on working with Linux one day, the closer to Intel-compatible you come the fewer problems you are likely to encounter ? and the ultimate in Intel compatibility is Intel >>



Umm, WTF is this guy talking about ?

 

[PliotronX]

<< when I hook up an optical mouse to it, it never turns off laser, even when the computer is shut off. >>


I seem to have the same problem with my CUSL2 and BH6 boards, both of which use Intel chipsets. And as MisterNi said, it only happens when the mice are hooked up via PS2, but they turn off with the system when hooked up via USB.

 

[ElFenix]

<< but when I hook up an optical mouse to it, it never turns off laser, even when the computer is shut off. >>

would be pretty hard for an optical mouse to turn off its laser, most don't have one.



and the dude writing the article obviously meant to type DX-2 and it came out K6-2.

 

[oldfart]

<< but when I hook up an optical mouse to it, it never turns off laser, even when the computer is shut off >>


That is a feature. The reason there is always power to the PS/2 port is for power up/wake up via mouse. Same with keyboard PS/2 port. On a CUSL2, it can be turned off via a combo of jumper and BIOS settings. I would imagine other boards can as well. I wouldn't want the laser left on overnight since it would burn a hole through the desktop by morning.

 

[System of a Down]

FYI the AMD K6 Was launched in May of 1997, so says the Processor Emporium. I know myself that i bought a k6 in the fall of 1997 in my first Computer, an AMD K6 200, and the k6-2 wasn't out yet. The K6-2 was launched in Summer of 1998. Bush left office in 1993, so while this guy obviously has the cpu wrong, i seriously doubt he is lying.

 

[kgraeme]

Yep, you guys are all 100% correct. There are absolutely no problems with the VIA chipsets. None at all. Nada, zip, zilch.

 

[CraigRT]

<< You are my God. No joke. Even though you contradict this in your next sentence. >>



Sure.. however the topic is on Athlon chipsets, not K6 chipsets.. so I guess I really haven't had any problems, except for my K6, which isn't an Athlon... therefore on the topic on hand, i have had no problems.