Looking to buy a new processor.



Looking at Opteron 165 (939 socket, DDR, 1MB L2 cahce) and Athlon 3800+ x2 (AM2 socket, DDR2, 512 L2 cahce).

Price is same. Opteron prices just dropped radically.

Which one is faster in default configuration? Which one has better stable long-term OC possibilities?


If I choose Opteron, can I reuse my PC2700 DDR SDRAM?

1. You didn't specify WHICH Athlon X2 you're looking at.
2. It's AM2, not AS2.

Since it's at about the same price point as the Opteron 165, I'll assume you meant the X2 4600. I can tell you right now that the X2 4600 will be faster. They're practically the same CPU, only the X2 4600 is clocked 33% faster (2.4 GHz vs. 1.8 GHz).

However, you will need to buy DDR2 with the X2.

Quote from Forbin :

1. You didn't specify WHICH Athlon X2 you're looking at.
2. It's AM2, not AS2.

Since it's at about the same price point as the Opteron 165, I'll assume you meant the X2 4600. I can tell you right now that the X2 4600 will be faster. They're practically the same CPU, only the X2 4600 is clocked 33% faster (2.4 GHz vs. 1.8 GHz).

However, you will need to buy DDR2 with the X2.

OK, sry fixed those.

Quote from Forbin :

1. You didn't specify WHICH Athlon X2 you're looking at.
2. It's AM2, not AS2.

Since it's at about the same price point as the Opteron 165, I'll assume you meant the X2 4600. I can tell you right now that the X2 4600 will be faster. They're practically the same CPU, only the X2 4600 is clocked 33% faster (2.4 GHz vs. 1.8 GHz).

However, you will need to buy DDR2 with the X2.

agreed
if youre into overclocking though you might want to go for the opteron after all ... but if you really are you probebly did knew about this already and if you didnt id advise you to get that idea out of your head asap

but in general if youre thinking about buying a new cpu in that price range and especially if you plan on getting a new motherboard and ram anyway you might want to consider an intel e6600

It looks like you are about to do some bigger HW upgrade. Presuming this, I would reccommend you AM2 Athlon X2 4600+. AM2-socketed Athlons arent the best CPUs AMD have ever done, but they are quite good.

The only reason why do I reccommend you an Athlon is DDR2 RAM support. Keep in mind that old DDRs will become unsupported once DDR2 is spreaded enough - and that will be pretty soon IMHO.
AM2 4600+ used with some decent PC6400-800MHz DDR2 RAM modules will be faster than even overclocked Opteron 165 with old PC2700-333MHz ones despite its 2 times bigger cache.

As Shotglass already mentioned, the best chioce would be Conroe E6600, in power-packed system it can perform almost same as Athlon FX-62, but it is a bit more expensive.

Choice is up to you, but if I were you and wanted an AMD, I would get an AM2 Athlon X2 4600+

erm... Conroe e6600 and Athlon 4600+ are twice as expensive as the models I previously mentioned. The thing is, I just can't afford that much.

Opeteron is good for overclockers as they are cut from the center of the silicon (makes it better, FX's are cut from there too) and designed to run 24/7. Just because it's stock 1.8 Ghz, doesn't mean that with a nice Asus or DFi board and some high-end air cooling it won't hit high (afaik they tend to hit 2.8 on Air, some steppings do more or less though)

PLAYLIFE, are you sure about the price? According to prices in Czech Republic Opteron 165 costs same as Ath 4600+ AM2. Thats why I compared them.
If your prices differs, than sorry for disinformation...

Because of the rumors of the amazing Opteron that is bloody cheap, the prices in Europe doubled, however some retailers keep them at the "original" prices. Depends where you are!

Quote from Jakg :

Because of the rumors of the amazing Opteron that is bloody cheap, the prices in Europe doubled, however some retailers keep them at the "original" prices. Depends where you are!

Yup, maybe thats it!

PLAYLIFE, I think that you should say us how much costs Opteron 165 in Estonia(converted tu USD) to avoid these misunderstandings...

Quote from PLAYLIFE :

erm... Conroe e6600 and Athlon 4600+ are twice as expensive as the models I previously mentioned. The thing is, I just can't afford that much.

uh huh ? in your first post you said that you also consider buying an am2 x2 4600

Quote from Shotglass :

uh huh ? in your first post you said that you also consider buying an am2 x2 4600

Nope, it was Forbin, who suggested it for me after he assumed that Opteron 165 costs as much as x2 4600

Quote from MadCatX :

Yup, maybe thats it!

PLAYLIFE, I think that you should say us how much costs Opteron 165 in Estonia(converted tu USD) to avoid these misunderstandings...

I am 100% sure of Opteron 165 prices in Estonia:

http://www.hinnavaatlus.ee/pro ... tvara/Protsessorid/49763/

On 16. October they cost 3960 EEK = ~330 USD
Since 16. October they cost 2450 EEK = ~200 USD

i have the amd 3700+ thats got 1mg L2 cache and im impressed with it all round really and for the price its quite good.

If you consider buying 3800+ AM2 and Opteron 165, then I would get Opteron. Converting to AM2 socket means DDR2 RAM usage and that will make your upgrade much expensiver - decent DDR2s cost still too much.

2x bigger L2 cache will eliminate little frequency advantage of 3800+ and you can overclock it easily as guys mentioned above. But I really woudnt reccommend using 333MHz RAM module, getting a 400MHz is not that budget-killing and you will not regret, especially when overclocking.

Yes, it looks strange that I am now against DDR2 RAM, but when you are on tight budget, awareness of ther future technologies shoudnt be priorized. AMD will change to some new architecture because of unbeatable Conroes, and only god knows if today AM2 MoBos are compatible with upcoming new CPU gen.

Also depends on the machines use, If your mainly playing LFS - either processor would be fine.
If your looking at latest games etc then whatever you get will be out of date already.
If the prices are the same then check GOOD review sites for benchmark reviews and see which they recommend after extensive testing.

OK, yesterday

AMD Opteron 1210 1,8 GHz, Dual-core, Socket AM2

dropped to same price level.

Is it much better than the others or is it like Opteron 165 only for AM2 socket?

Can you not stretch to an intel e6300? Beats a lot of the A64s at stock at many things (even/close to FX62 at some stuff!), and amazing overclocking ability (cant think of any I've seen that don't reach 3ghz (with a capable motherboard + ram)....had mine upto 3.4ghz (1.86 stock), with a £15 cooler.

I need a new CPU into my machine because LFS used 100% CPUillepall
I don't wanna buy expensive processor, but It must be good, and cheap.
Found these, please help me which one to choose

AMD-Athlon-64-3000-S-AM2
AMD-Athlon-64-3200-512k-S939
AMD-Sempron-3000-Socket-A-BOX
AMD-Sempron-3000-S754
AMD-Sempron-3600-S-AM2-BOX

Quote from Töki (HUN) :

I need a new CPU into my machine because LFS used 100% CPUillepall
I don't wanna buy expensive processor, but It must be good, and cheap.
Found these, please help me which one to choose

AMD-Athlon-64-3000-S-AM2
AMD-Athlon-64-3200-512k-S939
AMD-Sempron-3000-Socket-A-BOX
AMD-Sempron-3000-S754
AMD-Sempron-3600-S-AM2-BOX

Well, if youre just gonna buy a new cpu you need to buy one for the same socket as you currently have.

And where should I know what socket has my Asus P4S-X and which these CPU-s have? Do not say to check it in my computer

Quote from Töki (HUN) :

And where should I know what socket has my Asus P4S-X and which these CPU-s have? Do not say to check it in my computer

Looks like a Intel Pentium Socket 478...
I think these procs can be used with that board:
Pentium M 740-780 Socket 478...
Not sure call your local dealer and ask.

regards Mike

Definitely forgot on getting AMD CPU. I bet that the best you can get is some old version of Northwood-cored P4, which has S478.

Quote from PLAYLIFE :

erm... Conroe e6600 and Athlon 4600+ are twice as expensive as the models I previously mentioned. The thing is, I just can't afford that much.

Can I say ... the Conroe will beat a fx-62 at benchmarks , its great, i know 2 people who have them, one is standard and the other has overclocked his to 3.2ghz each core.. on air! .... save up, steal from your girlffreind or summink, rob a banK!

Don't need to get a E6600. E6300 is pretty cheap, and oc's like mad (roughly 80% oc on mine at max iirc. (1.86-3.43ghz)

Assuming you alreay have a socket 939 motherboard then the Opteron is the only choice and very good one at that. They overclock like mad and very easily on air with much hassle and will outperform the Athlon X2 for a lower price. You can also keeo your DDR ram, whereas with AM2 you'd have to buy DDR2.

I'm running a X2 3800+ @ 2.5ghz from stock 2ghz and it has no trouble at all with LFS even though only 1 core is being used by LFS it still plays very well. With my nvidia 7600GT I play in 1680x1050 with 4xAA and 16xAF without a problem.

LFS doesn't need a very powerful cpu, if you want more fps then get a better graphics card. I bet I could get LFS running on my P3 with Ati 9600Pro at a decent fps. Wouldn't look very good but itl be playable.