Our Verdict
There is no doubt the improved features of the Athlon Thunderbird processors are well worthy of consideration. There is no single reason for anyone to purchase a Slot A Athlon solution based on the old design. Even if you have to upgrade your motherboard! Its still money well spent. 4-6 months is a lifetime in our industry, a lot can change, and be in no doubt it will. AMD has a superb roadmap with the launch of the 'Mustang' processor, and the AMD 760 and 770 chipsets, support for the new DDR standard, all this and more within the end of 2000 or most certainly in the first quarter of 2001. So where to you go from here? simple if you are in the market for a system now, then we would have no hesitation in recommending a solution based on the VIA KT133 chipset with the Athlon Thunderbird processor, better still a VIA KT133 solution with a third party ATA/100 hard disk controller would be ideal, we are aware of at least four Motherboard manufacturers that are to make announcements shortly. There is also a planned VIA VT82C686B Southbridge chip, which is to support ATA/100. As for you folks who need to upgrade our advice is to wait for a similar solution as above with ATA/100 option, or alternatively if you are in no rush then play the "wait and see game". Whatever, your decision one thing is certain currently AMD is on form and has an outstanding vision for future processors and chipset releases, they cannot be denied, we are certain you will select an AMD processor for your solution. The AMD Thunderbird is a great improvement, without the price penalty over the previous Athlon's; and as such we have no hesitation awarding the AMD Thunderbird 1GHz Processor our One2Surf Excellence award. Well done, AMD for having a clear vision and providing users with value for money processor's.

Congratulations to AMD on winning our One2surf excellence award !!

Prev | Next