3500+ or 3800+

[coinz]

hey since a friend of mine is planning on doing some video encoding and what not with a new comp he's buying I was wondering which would be the better processor? how much of a difference would the 500 mhz is it? be to the entire computer.

thanks

 

[CheesePoofs]

The difference is only 200mhz, not 500. The 3500 runs at 2.2 and the 3800 at 2.4. IMO the 3800 is not worth the extra speed. It costs more than twice as much, but its not even clocked 10% faster, which equates to probably only a 5% performance boost.

 

[Koyanisquatsi]

and the 3500+ will almost surely overclock to the speed of the 3800+

 

[CheesePoofs]

If you're ok with overclocking, almost all 3000 can hit 3800 speeds, and they are less than a fifth of the price of a 3800.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Koyanisquatsi
and the 3500+ will almost surely overclock to the speed of the 3800+

If it's a Winchester, it will most likely clock past stock 3800+ speeds.

 

[Architect]

Though, only a small amount of people managed to get past 3800+ speeds, as the majority of them cannot even past the 3500+ mark and run it stable.

 

[HeaterCore]

Originally posted by: Architect
Though, only a small amount of people managed to get past 3800+ speeds, as the majority of them cannot even past the 3500+ mark and run it stable.

Er, what? The average OC for a Winchester is looking to be in the neighborhood of 2.6GHz, well over the 3800's 2.4.

-HC-

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: Architect
Though, only a small amount of people managed to get past 3800+ speeds, as the majority of them cannot even past the 3500+ mark and run it stable.

um no. 90% of the time, you can expect an oc to beyond 2.4ghz iwth the winchester core. hitting 3800+ is really easy. even cheapo boards dont have a problem with that.

 

[Architect]

Oh okay, but doesnt that entirely depend on your cooling??

 

[Dookie]

I have a 3500 win running at 2.46-218x11 (according to CPU-Z) on stock voltage with a thermalright Xp-120 and AS5. It peaks at about 28deg C. It will go faster but I need a new PSU so I can up the voltage.

 

[Tiamat]

I would probably get the 3200+ or whichever comes with the 10x multiplier. They cost for the 3500+ and especially 3800+ is unfounded especially if you have a motherboard and ram that is capable of a slight overclock. If you have ram that can hit 240-260fsb, you already have a higher performing system for at least 100$ cheaper. With 50-60$ of this money saved, you can get a thermalright xp-90 or xp120 with fan so that your OC wont burn.

 

[richardrds]

Originally posted by: Architect
Oh okay, but doesnt that entirely depend on your cooling??

Nope, The winchester cores OC just fine using the stock retail HSF. I OC my 1.8Ghz 3000+ to 2.5Ghz which is higher then 4000+/FX53 speeds (2.4Ghz) just using the stock HSF with air cooling. And i am using the Abit Av8 mobo which does not have a great reputation with OC's when using a x9 multiplier CPU due to high LDT bus pblms with the board, or i could have gone higher. Reaching 2.6-2.7Ghz on air is the norm (with a good mobo) with the Winchester cores, even the 3000+ which is the low end model at only $155.

 

[caz67]

Get the 3500+, it's not worth paying the extra , just overclock it..

 

[christopherzombie]

The 3800+ only comes in 130nm and the 3500+ is either 130nm or 90nm. Save yourself 300 bucks and get the 90nm 3500+. It's an all-around better CPU with OC headroom. The 3800+ has very little OC headroom. I have the 130nm 3500+ and top out at 2.5ghz on the stock HSF. I wish I would have bought the 90nm, but at the time they were $65 more just for OEM.

Check out these 4 links:

A64 130nm vs 90nm @ BleedingEdge

90nm A64 @ Anandtech

3500+ 130nm

3500+ 90nm

 

[GuitarDaddy]

If you are going to overclock the 3000+ is definately the one to get.

 

[kamranziadar]

3500+ will be my choice.

 

[thegimp03]

If you are going to overclock the 3000+ is definately the one to get.

Agreed, my 3000 winnie and asus a8v are clocked to 2.4 ghz right now without much effort at all. I haven't tried overclocking more but I'm sure I can push it because I'm still running stock voltage on the vcore, idles at 30c, load at 41-43c with stock cooling. This chip is a beast.

 

[Markfw]

I had to take my 3000+ winchester to 1.6v to get 2385 stable ! and thats only 1/2 hour stable ! They don;t all OC that great.

 

[zakee00]

Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
If you're ok with overclocking, almost all 3000 can hit 3800 speeds, and they are less than a fifth of the price of a 3800.