I thought that the crowd was louder (esp. when the players ran in). I also thought that the crowd was very loud in the second quarter when GT started to "pour it on." The new configuration seemed to help the noise; I know that some have complained about not being able to hear the band, but I could hear them just fine from Section 224 (which is N. of the 50th).
Also, the crowd in the North endzone was very loud when Dennis Davis downed a punt at the one, putting Vandy in a hole. Given the new configuration, I think that the crowd could be very loud and a difference in games like BYU, UVA and FSU. I am very happy about Phase I; they really did a very good job. Field looks terrific as well.