[RESOLVED] AMD and Cyrix, or Intel

[SCMSGDF]

I have heard many things about which CPU is the best. Some say that Intel is better because that is the most popular processor. Some say that AMD and Cyrix are better.
Which is better in relation to Speed, Reliability, and Compatibility?

[Shinma]

Intel does have a huge chunk of the market, but that does not mean they are the best. Keep in mind, Intel's PIII chip(s) all have PSN imbedded. If privacy is a concern, it is definitely NOT the CPU for you. AMD K-7's are currently the best bang for the buck. The chip itself is quite good according to the various hardware reviews. Intel's Coppermine chip beats it out only by a tiny margin in SPECIFIC area(s) only! Cyrix was recently purchased by Via Tech. so they MAY turn out some good chips, but previous track record has been poor to say the least!

[GezusK]

I'd go with AMD right now, they're the top dog on speed and performance. Does Cyrix exist anymore?? I thought VIA bought them out, and is gonna put the processor out under the VIA name.

[marcjc]

I have used both AMD & Intel processors. For me, Company performance is not as important to me as chip performance. I'm not using the company's bottom line, just their chips. I don't want a free stuffed "Intel Man" or key chain for buying an Intel Processor. I want performance! That is why I switched to AMD. My AMD K6-2/400 blows away Intel Celeron 400 systems! No hype, just a good all around performing processor.

Moral: If you want a CPU with great advertising, buy Intel, if you want a CPU with great performance, buy AMD!

[This message has been edited by marcjc (edited November 17, 1999).]

[Frostbite]

Marcj!

Heheh, I got one of them Intel dolls and I didn't buy their chip...I had to sit through a sales pitch for it though. Even funnier was the calculators Intel gave out. One of the buttons didn't work. I think it was the addition key. I'll bet it was a glitch similar to their floating point problem a few years back. ROFL

[Saki]

I'd go with AMD, it's fast and affordable. Cyrix chips are kind of a drag, they work and then they freeze, cost less. Intell's are good but then they are costly and then there is that serial number shceme on PIII.

[AlienDyne]

Speed, reliability and compatibility?
I'd go for an Intel one. All AMD processors (except Athlon) just aren't too good to hit an Intel one. Well, on the other hand, Athlon seems to be the fastest processor for now. Intel have stayed behind. It's cheap and fast. I can't predict what's gonna happen in the future, but I'm pretty sure that Intel won't stay behind for a long time.

Cyrix finally is out of business. They never made a CPU that could be compared with an Intel or an AMD one.

Choose between an Athlon and a PIII, or wait for a couple of months and check Intel's newest ones.

Keep one thing in mind:
YOU ALWWAYS GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!



------------------
God created human.
Human created computers.
God got mad and created customers!!!!!

[bdunn]

Go AMD. I've never had a problem with an AMD cpu except one I got a machine where someone, tyring to do an upgrade, inserted an AMD486-120 backwards. I previously did not think that to be possible. The board overheated and cracked. Strange though that very same chip in a different motherboard is still operating today.

The one time I called AMD for support they were very good and it turns out it was a Windows 95 problem that they helped me deal with.

Ever try to call Intel for support. I haven't got thru yet.

[H-Bomb]

Mixed reactions on this one. Personally my preffered chip is Intel. I am however yet to have any first hand experience with either the Athlon or the Coppermine chip, but from what I have read, both chips look very sweet. Even though, I would still be inclined to go with the Intel, as they are more compatable than the rest, and incompatabilities often cause reliability issues. AMD make a great CPU if you are using them for business use, but the lack of the FPU on the K6-2 and K6-3 chips leaves their gaming ability dragging behind Intel. At the moment Intels original PIII chips I consider nothing more than paperweights, especialliy since there is a lack of software the uses it's SSE instrction set. Hopefully with the introduction of the Coppermine, things will start to get more interesting. I am still a fan of the Celeron processors when combined with other quality components, make a reasoanbly good gaming setup and business use PC (not for the Die hard gamer mind you). Overclocked of course, these chips are hard to beat for their price, but it is good that AMD are trying to keep Intel honest. Cyrix, well not a lot can be said about Cyrix, after going bust it is fairly obvious they made half assed chips otherwise they would still be in the race. Hopefully Via will be able to come up with something to keep the processor war raging, and therefore keeping prices down for consumers.