AMD or Intel?

[BlueBeard]

I'm building a new cam station and would like to hear everyone's thoughts/experiences on AMD v. Intel as it applies to Mastercam.

[JAMMAN]

I've done both, and I contend it's more in the memory and video card than processor. If intel, I have had more luck with Pentium than celeron. Has anyone measured a duron against an athalon?

Jim

[Bullines]

AMD's CPUs have a stronger FPU and Intel's stress multimedia and audio optimizations. Like JAMMAN said, memory and video card are huge factors too. My suggestion would be to get the fastest CPU you can afford and at the same time, don't skimp on plenty of RAM and a solid video card.

[cadcam]

I have heard mixed thoughts on the Intel,Amd fight.

I my self would like to try the new Amd XP 1.8 see how it does.

And i would all so like to try the Intel 2gig.

Don't know what i am going to build next my self.

JM2C

[bryan.davis]

Unless policies have changed I believe Mastercam support states that they only provide support for mastercam installed on Intel machines, not really the issue I know but I feel that its a point that should be considered in any discussions about non intel processors.

beware that MasterCAM are not alone in this, several other software houses have the same disclaimer

[ 10-27-2001: Message edited by: bryan.davis ]

[cadcam]

I have not heard this issue at all over the years.

If so i would like to hear this from CNC.

[beav700]

I upgaded to AMD T-Bird 1.4Ghz from 1Ghz Pentium III and I see huge improvement. The toolpath and verify runs almost twice as fast. If you search the internet you will find that AMD 1.4Ghz runs most CAD, 3D aplication faster than Intel 1.8Ghz

For a last four weeks, I have not had a problem with my new system and MasterCam V8.1.1

[Wes]

That's right, and CAD/CAM applications run 20% on Windows NT

Wes

[cadcam]

Wes ,

are you saying that they run 20% faster in NT?

[JAMMAN]

So Wes-

You sell pizza using Mastercam somehow?

Welcome to the forum.

Jim

[cadcam]

I think Wes makes custom CNC’ed pizzas in the shape of cartoon shapes.

[Allan Brown]

The 'Wes' post is an inside joke from someone on the In-House team. Almost fell off the couch. How does that go? ROFLMAO? The Occupation field was a nice touch.

[cadcam]

Ok,

We took that hook line & sinker.

[JAMMAN]

And I suppose "Blue Beard" having been created merely two members prior was a valid user. Ok gentlemen of Inhouse; tell me which one of you created Multax?

Jim

[Christian Raebild]

Whether "Blue Beard" is a valid member or a joke from InHouse does not make the question any less relevant, so lets get back to the original question.

CNC Software does not support non-Intel processors, so they will not alter the code behind Mastercam to take problems with non-Intel processors into account, but I have not heard of any problems with AMD processors, and we mainly use AMD Athlons, as they are cheaper for the speed given - In our experience, Athlons are 1.5 times faster than a Pentium III with the same clock frequency, and they cost less than a Pentium III with the same clock frequency.

I do not know how AMD Athlon or Thunderbird processors compare to Pentium IV's, but I have heard from some sources, that Pentium IV's are only marginally faster than Pentium III's of the same clock frequency.

Intel Celeron processors are a poor choice for PC's that are to run Mastercam. The Celeron processor is a discount version of the Pentium III processor, where the advanced graphics and math functions have been removed. The Celeron processor is a fine choice for a home user, who only needs to run a word processor, and perhaps a spreadsheet for household acounting, but it is a poor choice for running CAD/CAM, or for running graphics heavy games for that matter.

[Bullines]

To add to Christian's post, Intel and AMD CPUs in the same "family" are not that different from each other, in terms of compatibility. If you get right down to the dirty details of intstruction sets, they're almost identical. The only difference is the special instruction sub-sets (Intel's MMX and AMDs 3DNow). And since Mastercam doesn't use any of these special instruction sets, compatibility shouldn't be a problem. Minus MMX and 3DNow, assembly code for an Intel CPU will run on the equivalent AMD CPU almost 100% of the time (not sure on the actual percentage).

quote:

---

Ok gentlemen of Inhouse; tell me which one of you created Multax?

---

I don't think any of us could've dreamed that one up, JAMMAN

[Guest CNC Apps Guy 1]

I've been running on an Athlon 1.2 for a few months at work. I must say for all the hype multass put on AMD, I've been disappointed(sp?). It's not THAT MUCH faster than my PIII 800MHz at home. I would bet that it's only about 30% faster instead of the 66% faster it should be. Of course, my PC at home it tuned to the hilt, registry tweeks, the whole 9 yards (sans Overclocking - I don't do that, not that I'm against it, I'm just a little weary of heat damage, etc... because I leave my PC on for months at a time without rebooting.)

Back to the topic, I don't think you can go wrong with either Intel or AMD. If you read the system requirements for Mastercam, you'll see that it states Intel Pentium (as of earlier this year.) as the supported CPU.

JM2C

[JAMMAN]

Do not fear overclocking,grasshopper. Everything I touch that can run faster does. PIII's are forgiving with the right mobo. I have two dual PIII's at work that stay on most of the time with standard cheapie coolers- oc from 650 to 845 ish.

I'm typing this from a 550 oc to 715 ish, standard cheapie cooler. Never crashes. I did have trouble with a couple celerons, they turned out to be unstable at any speed!

Jim

[bryan.davis]

I would not reccomend overclocking AMDs though as they already run very hot, and its quite probable that by Intel standards they are already overclocked

[ 10-29-2001: Message edited by: bryan.davis ]

[BlueBeard]

I'm not quite sure what is meant by being a "valid member" but my employer does indeed have two LEGAL seats of Mastercam and I would have no problem proving this. I just wanted to clear this up for all that were curious.

I've been leaning towards the Athlon XP 1800+ (1.533GHz) but rumor has it that Intel will be cutting the prices on the Pentium 4's.

I've had great success with AMD on the many systems I've built for friends in the last two years but just wanted some feedback from those currently using them in CAD/CAM boxes.

I thank you all for your help.

[Guest]

BlueBeard:

One good bit of information did come from Multax’s ranting and raving. He spoke of a web site called Tom’s Hardware. I have checked it out and it seems to be very informative with out being to technical. It has a good article on the new AMD XP chips. The article provides fair comparisons to the various Intel chips.

Good luck on you new system.

Tom's Hardware AMD XP Article

[JAMMAN]

I've been browsing Toms Hardware for two years at least. Blue Beard- no offence meant at all- it was simply coincidence then that your profile was created two members before the "Wes" joke. I assumed you also were a creation by inhouse because of the member number and lack of info on your profile sheet. Welcome to the forum and your input will be appreciated by all. We have a real decent bunch of daily Mastercam users eager to help each other.

Jim