🚀 go-pugleaf

Ken <mcclane2000@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:80j944$ek5$1@arachne.labyrinth.net.au...
> 1) Ive heard that some software (very vague as to what software) may not
be
> compatible with the Athlon. I dont personally believe this to be true. Has
> anyone run into problems or have heard of any problems with software
> compatability?

No - you probably heard this from an Intel fanatic who has never used an AMD
processor.  I've had an AMD 8086, 386-40, 486-80, K6-2/350, and now an
Athlon 650, and never a problem with any piece of software.  The only
substantiated report is the fact that Windows 95 has a problem with K6
processors over 350 MHz, for which there is a patch available (except in the
case of the *original* Windows 95, which no sane person should be running
anyway).

> 2) Is it easy to build? what sort of things do i need to be aware of when
i
> put it all together? ive got a friend whos put together intel machines
> before...is it the same? or are there some differences that i have to be
> careful of?

It's very similar.  Just don't buy the FIC SD11 motherboard; it requires you
to replace the backplate in your case, and you have to know what you're
doing before you can tell whether it will fit or not.  Any other Athlon
motherboard should work fine.  If you can get the Asus K7M from a reputable
reseller (who will guarantee the board for at least a year; check
www.resellerratings.com to see if there are any consumer complaints against
them), go for that one.

The other "gotchas":

1.    You need a good power supply, preferably 300 watts.  The list of
"approved" power supplies is on AMD's site.  Personally, I went with the
Turbo Cool 300ATX from www.pcpowercooling.com - another safe (and cheaper)
bet is to get the Sparkle version of that power supply from John Howland at
www.specialtytech.com.  It isn't just the Athlon,  your components will love
you for having a decent supply.

2.    Make sure your case has decent ventilation, and a good "fan path".
That is, you have a fan in front blowing in, and a fan in back blowing out.
This is a good thing to do, regardless of what kind of computer you're
putting together.

3.    You need decent RAM.  If you already have functional DIMMs, it's worth
a shot trying them out, but don't be surprised if you need to spring for the
"good stuff".  Athlon motherboards are much more exotic than their BX-based
counterparts, and as a result are less happy with cheaper components,
especially RAM.

4.    "Utterly incompatible" hardware includes:  the new GeForce 256 video
boards and Dxr2 DVD decoder cards; they're working on a fix for both of
these.  I've seen scattered reports of Diamond TNT2 Ultras crapping out,
though Creative brand boards seem to work fine (I personally have one of
these, and it works great).

5.    When you install Windows 98, the first thing you absolutely need to
install is the AMD AGP Port driver (currently version 4.45).  Reboot, and
install whatever else patches your motherboard manual tells you to install.
Again, here is where the FIC board falls down, they give you downright
incorrect instructions that include having you install Via's AGP patch,
which no doubt has resulted in some reports of "flaky" motherboards.  If you
can get ahold of Windows 98 SE, I would *definately* install that.  It
includes all the patches you need, except for AMD's AGP patch.

Good luck!

Rich