Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
(OP)
We're looking into upgrading a couple machines, and have had a couple people say that AMD is the way to go, better bang for the buck, as it were. While others say they buy nothing but Intel.
Currently running Mathcad 8, on WinNT4
Anyone have any problems running Mathcad on an AMD system, or should we just stick with a P4 system to be safe?
Currently running Mathcad 8, on WinNT4
Anyone have any problems running Mathcad on an AMD system, or should we just stick with a P4 system to be safe?
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
from pricewatch.com:
Pentium 4 motherboard combo 2.2GHz starts at $234
Athlon 2200 motherboard combo starts at $194
Keep in mind that an Athlon 2200 is actually a 1.8GHz machine - 2200 is a "Pentium-equivalent speed" (read marketing mumbo-jumbo)
Athlon 2200 is the fastest AMD combo that I see on pricewatch, while there are P4 combos available up to 2.8GHz ($559)
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
IMHO, with Mathcad especially, make sure you've got plenty of RAM on board and your laughing. Hope this helps.
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
I've got an AMD at home that I've had no problems with... I just don't run Mathcad. Boss is thinking of upgrading a few machines, and I was looking for info for him.
Personally, I like AMD a bit better, seems to be a bit less expensive for the same amount of toys. But, that's also at home, with my money.... Boss's money is another matter....
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
For most math problems encountered in everyday engineering, it's probably machts nichts. The likelihood is low that you'll wind up processing a problem that would cause the math engine to hiccough.
If you are doing complex math or or mathematical theory, then either processor is equally likely to have an obscure bug deep in the math processor.
TTFN
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
without any incidents !
Yes, AMD does indeed provide more bang for your buck !!
Merry Christmas
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
Dave Adkins
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
p4's can be a problem.
while they use an advanced instruction set they only implement part of the IEEE floating point standard.
additionally they have removed one of the ALU's (the P6 architecture, used in pentiums,PII,PIII's, and pentium pro's had dual ALU's). Less heat, generation but performance is geared to software that uses the advanced instruction set.
if you are using p4 1700 for example with 80 bit floating point calc.(so called extended precision) the performance is comparable to a pentium 233 mmx! ouch. AMD chips seem to hold there own for some reason.
the PIII-s chip set is fine, and presumably so is the Xeon.
RE: Mathcad and AMD vs Intel
I'm running Mathcad v11.0b on three different AMD and v6.0 Pro on another AMD .... Never a hiccup ....
Only way I'd convert to Intel is if they bought AMD or AMD did an el foldo ... which I don't see on the bubble.
jOmega