what do you think?

[underfunded]

I am ready to build my next machine. I've been building AMD K6-2's but now I want something more powerful. What processor gets best bang for the buck right now? My primary thing will be gaming. I am thinking of an Intel 800mhz but don't know which mb to use because of the problems with Rambus mem. I like AMD also but don't know the differences between the duron, thunderbird and athlon. If I get one of those what mb should I go with? Thanks for your input. Ian.

[thirdfey]

In response to the AMD question. The athlon and thunderbird are the same except that the thunderbird is socketA and the l2 cache is on die. AMD is calling it the Athlon with enhanced cache or highspeed cache. Here is the difference between the athlon and duron from AMD's FAQ's

The AMD Duron processor is a derivative of the state-of-the-art AMD Athlon processor. Although the two processors are related, there are key differences in the CPUs and the platforms designed to support them, reflecting the requirements of their target markets. Specifically, the AMD Athlon processor is planned to be available at higher clock rates, and features more full-speed, on-chip cache memory. The AMD Duron processor was designed to consume less power than the AMD Athlon processor, thereby enabling lower cost systems. Additionally, AMD Duron processor-based PCs are likely to employ lower cost memory and graphics solutions.

Hope this helps, as for mainboards for it. A lot of techs recommend Asus and Abit for overclocking and stuff, I'm not sure if Abit makes a SocketA board yet. Personally I have an Athlon 700 with the MSI k7Pro baord which gets high ratings and I never have any problems with it. MSI does make a SocketA board which gets high ratings too. As for Intel stuff. We all know Intel has been around and has the hookups with all the software and hardware makers, legal or not. Its more of a preference than a rating.

Oh and thanks a whole lot for starting up the intel vs. amd debate again

have fun with whatever you choose.
Tony

[underfunded]

This isn't to start a debate over which is better Intel or AMD. This is to find out the facts between the two processors and different MB's.

[Revenant]

As far as intel's go, I just bought one. The mobo I'm using is an ASUS CUV4X (@$110 on Pricewatch). The downside is it has onboard audio. That disables rather nicely and completely though. I'm running a Socket 370 PIII 666, (not celeron) coppermine at 133MHz. This is one he!! of a nice system. Going socket 370 (PIIIcu, not Celeron!) will save you money + the performance is better than the slot 1's. As far as T-bird vs Duron, couldn't tell ya. I'm an Intel fanatic... (PIII 600 boot (post -> Windows) 10 sec, Athlon 700 boot (post -> Windows) 25-30 sec. Pretty much sold me right there) But I'm open to see what the new AMD's are like. And I guess I'll have to convert to AMD for 64bit when the sledgehammer comes out... (WTF is Intel thinking anyway?!?!)

[Sowulo]

1st: My name is sowulo and I'm an Intel snob...

I'm running an PIII 800eb FCPGA on an ABIT SE6, IBM 20Gb ATA100, & W2K. Very satisfied with the stability and performance. I disabled the onboard sound and graphics and went for bigger/badder/faster--piece of cake.

I've also setup a few workstations with the onboard features in use--customers very pleased. Note: I had trouble with the ABIT video driver for W2K--downloaded the 815 driver from Intel and rock solid.

[Sowulo]

P.S. The ABIT SE6 uses PC133 SDRAM.

[Gizmo49]

If I were to build a gaming machine I would start with the Asus A7V which has 200Mhz bus,kt-133 chipset so you can use the Thunderbird 800Mhz with 200Mhz bus,and has faster cache than the athelon, and buy what ever you can afford pc133 unbuffered micron memory. AMD is the best for gaming and the best bang for the buck.
Hope this helps
Bob