Don't Blame The Chip
Written: Mar 15 '01
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Low Cost, Good Performance, Dependable
Cons: none
The Bottom Line: If your into anything but Ultra Gaming, this chip will do the job.
|
|
|
| moregon's Full Review: K6-2, 500 MHz (MPN-AMD-K-2/500BOX) Processor |
I've read some of the con reviews on the AMD K6-2, and wonder how many problems are actually attributable to the chip itself, and how many are due to a poorly assembled or set up system. Personally I gave up on commercial built systems back in the days of the 386 chips, building my first computer based on an AMD 386SX 40. I had a choice of what components I wanted in my system, rather than what the manufacturer wanted to give me. There is a reason why you can buy a system advertising the same processor, for a wide range of prices. Take for example a 600Mhz system from manufacturer A for $1,500 and manufacturer B offers a system with the same processor, same amount of ram, and same size hard drive, for $700, what's the difference? Why such a big difference in performance? Bottom line, is components in the system BESIDES the processor. The cheaper one probably sports a motherboard with audio and video built in, slower RAM and a slower (rpm) hard drive.
The system I am running, is based on an AMD K6-2 500 Mhz processor, FIC 503+ motherboard with 1MB on-board cache, has 128MB of 6ns SDRAM, 8.2 GB EIDE Hard Drive, and a Nvidia TNT-2 Video Card with 32MB RAM. Now, I'm not saying it's the best system, but, I will say it's a good system. Better systems require more money, and I was looking to build a good, but economical system.
I recently ran it through the 3DMark2000 benchmark test to see how well it performed. Before going on I'd like to make a comment on benchmark tests. They do give you a general idea of the performance or you system, however, you will find some benchmark tests are biased more towards 1 type of processor over another. The 3DMark2000 benchmark tests your system close to real-life parameters, by actually scoring your systems performance by running game sequence video scenes. The first tests run game sequences at low, medium and high detail. Then it tests the power of your CPU alone, without hardware/software 3D acceleration.
At the 3DMark2000 site, http://www.madonion.com you can upload the results of the test you ran, and compare it against other results of systems similar or different from your own. Here is how I compared to another system, running a different processor.
My System, 1155 Points
533 Celeron 1152 Points
The Celeron was running the same video card, same amount of ram, same resolution on the test scenes.
I paid $49 for my AMD K6-2 500, typical Celeron 533 runs around $99 for the chip.
I am also running Windows Me, which handles the AMD Chip nicely. I have had no problems I can attribute to the chip itself, but did have a problem with an error showing up in the system devices under My Computer, this was cured by a BIOS Upgrade to the motherboard. Remember one thing, MANY Socket 7 boards did NOT support the AMD K6-2 chip over 450Mhz, and to run the new 500, 533 or 550 K6-2 you must get the latest BIOS upgrade available at your motherboard manufacturer's web site, IF, your motherboard will support the faster chip. Some socket 7 boards do not support the 100MHz FSB needed for these chips, but only support 66,75 or 83Mhz. Also to change the timing by jumpers, if you are running 100Mhz RAM, and a 500 MHZ chip, you need a 5X jumper setting. So if your board only goes to a 4.5x you won't be able to run anything faster than 450.
I agree, the Socket 7 format is a bit dated, but, for the price you can't beat it. For business, all but the highest demanding of games, and all-around computering it's a good choice.
*WARNING There has recently been a glut of processors I've seen show up on eBay and other sites, called the AMD K6-2+ and AMD K6-3+ These chips were produced to be used in mobile situations, laptops, notebooks etc. They run at a voltage lower than most desktop motherboards can supply. In addition, you will find that most motherboards designed for desktops will not support it with their BIOS. So, if you decide you want to upgrade to one of these chips, which I've been told do show an improvement in performance over the K6-2 and K6-3 Check your motherboards' manufacturers support site first. Make sure the board and BIOS will support this chip. There won't be anything more frustrating than thinking this chip is a direct plug in upgrade, and fry it as soon as you apply voltage to it, watching about $75 go up in smoke. I've had good luck with all the support sites I've visited, AMD, FIC and Tekram and usually receive an answer to all my questions within 2 or 3 business days.
Good Luck!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
moregon
|
|
Location: South Beloit, IL USA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Eternally Inquisitive, I like to know what makes things tick.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.