> What may be true is that systems using AMD CPUs that were assembled >3 > years ago are generally build from cheap, low-quality parts.
Not sure about the >3 years, but some of the Athlon (around 1200?) chips were running extremely hot (power consumption 120W!!) and some well-known integrators in Christchurch were too stupid to make a system which works (venting the power supply fan spent air straight onto the CPU - doh). High CPU temperatures limit life span. Rumour has it that currently the Intel CPUs are consuming 120W and AMDs are significantly lower than that. There is merit in checking the CPU power + cooling before buying. > areas they were previously unable to reach, particularly with the > demanding "high performance" (and highly critical) gamer/tweaker > markets. I rather got the impression that the gamer/tweaker market is flooded with the crappiest of boards - highly competitive, low prices (are we talking professionals here?) and speed is all that counts. Forget all about reliability and quality, hey it only has to be 1% faster. I presume these people never use a mobo for 3 years anyway, so what the heck if it blows up. I mean, why spend a few bucks on reliability when they can be spent on some dumb blue lights instead. Not that I care what other people buy, but if I was looking for a long-lasting reliable mobo I'd stay way clear of the gamers area. Btw Steve I've got a K6 system here which must be 7y old and which goes fine. The CPU isn't a can-fry-eggs-on type. Volker -- Volker Kuhlmann is possibly list0570 with the domain in header http://volker.dnsalias.net/ Please do not CC list postings to me.
