64 over mobile?

[MadOni0n]

I am looking for a machine that will run games such as far cry, wolfenstein and various graphic programs. I do want to be able to overclock each as much as i can. I am trying to spend as little as possible, to gain as much bang for the buck as possible. But basically, i still want a great machine i show off with such as benchmarks,etc. I was planning on getting the infamous nf7-s + m2500+ but someone mentioned to instead get one of the cheap A64's, worth it?


I've recently wanted to build a new amd system, and i've looked around and found a good cpu to oc. The Mobile 2500+ and the nf7-s. When i started some new threads about it, alot of people said to get a 64 instead, perhaps a 64 2800+ and a chaintech vnfs3-250. Can anyone give me any links and/or benchmarks showing me why the 64 is superior? for every day use? gaming? if im real going to shell out the bucks, i want to be guaranteed i'll be getting a good performance boost. And if i am going to get the a64 2800+, should i get the 3000? is it worth it?

 

[DoobieOnline]

AT's CPU Battleground will give you an idea of how the A64 matches up. With the A64 3000+ and Chaintech VNF3-250, you have a very good chance of hitting 2.5GHz (10x250). Good luck!

doobie

 

[MadOni0n]

heh.. yea im pretty sure im going to get that combo now.

 

[charloscarlies]

I would agree with Doobie. Monarch has some great deals on the 2800 and 3000 A64's. I love my mobile barton, but at the current prices....it's hard to beat an A64 2800/3000 with that Chaintech.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Yeah, forget the XP-M combo for now. It's a good combo, but Athlon64 is better, especially if you get a good overclocker.

 

[Jaxidian]

Same discussion, different thread, more details here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...9516&enterthread=y

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: charloscarlies
I would agree with Doobie. Monarch has some great deals on the 2800 and 3000 A64's. I love my mobile barton, but at the current prices....it's hard to beat an A64 2800/3000 with that Chaintech.

You notice the faster feel too? A64's are just way snappier which is hard to put a finger on.

Anyway own both and by my calculation a A64 speed x 1.20 = AXP

You can see this in the tests and reviews accross the web. A642800 = AXP3200

Mathmatically it looks like this

(A641.8) x 1.20= 2.2 which is a AXP3200

If you can get a A64 to 2.5 (trivial today) this is a 3000mhz AXP.

 

[masshass81]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: charloscarlies
I would agree with Doobie. Monarch has some great deals on the 2800 and 3000 A64's. I love my mobile barton, but at the current prices....it's hard to beat an A64 2800/3000 with that Chaintech.

You notice the faster feel too? A64's are just way snappier which is hard to put a finger on.

Anyway own both and by my calculation a A64 speed x 1.20 = AXP

You can see this in the tests and reviews accross the web. A642800 = AXP3200

Mathmatically it looks like this

(A641.8) x 1.20= 2.2 which is a AXP3200

If you can get a A64 to 2.5 (trivial today) this is a 3000mhz AXP.

Yeah, and in some instances the A64 2800+ beats out the AXP 3200+, esp in games

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/vie...?id=a642800&page=8

 

[MadOni0n]

i'd get the cpu from monarch, but they dont have the chaintech vnfs3-250 at all? monarch has great prices and free shipping.. but i cant find any of the mobos reccomended here.

 

[DoobieOnline]

Check out mwave.com. They have great customer service IMO and you can get the A64 2800+ (retail) with the VNF3-250 for $219.85 shipped. If you want to go with the A64 3000+ (retail) and VNF3-250, they have it for $244.06 shipped. These prices are assuming you don't live in Cali and won't have to pay tax.

doobie

 

[MadOni0n]

great, two final questions:

the mobo that comes in that mwave deal, is it retail?

the 2800+ i should get is the newcastle core right? so i need to find one that says "AX" at the end? does the mwave deal have this?

if i can get these two questions answered, i will probably get it tonight.

edit: forgot one last thing, the warranty. If anyone could provide links so i can print them and such,etc. Do i get any extra warranty from mwave.com? what do i get from chaintech or amd?

also, should i pay $9 for assembly and testing? i guess they'd give me some extra warranty, make sure the parts arn't defects,etc.

 

[DoobieOnline]

I have yet to see an OEM VNF3-250, so I'm assuming it is retail. I ordered one from mwave Friday night and it should be here tomorrow or Wednesday. I selected Ground and they sent it FedEx Saver. I believe that all 2800+ chips are Newcastles, and the retail version has a 3-year warranty. I couldn't find any info on the warranty for the VNF3-250. Don't pay extra for testing - it's a waste of money. All they do is slap the chip in the mobo, put the heatsink on, hook it up to their bench system and hit the power button. If it posts, it's considered tested & passed.

doobie

 

[MadOni0n]

I believe that all 2800+ chips are Newcastles

Can anyone else confirm this?

No oem vnf3? great. At first i thought it could be an oem, because mwave offers the board for $68 while newegg has it for $82 (labeled retail).

Ok i won't pay any extra for testing.

I'll research further for the warranty, thanks alot doobie.

 

[MadOni0n]

bump

 

[cbehnken]

Mobo vote: Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR $99.00 at the egg

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: MadOni0nedit: forgot one last thing, the warranty. If anyone could provide links so i can print them and such,etc. Do i get any extra warranty from mwave.com? what do i get from chaintech or amd?

If it is a retail box, AMD will warrant the CPU for three years provided you use it in a non-overclocked state with their included HSF. They probably won't know whether or not you overclocked, but I've heard that they require you to send in the HSF with the CPU for warranty service. Not sure on that one. OEM CPU will have 30 day warranty from Mwave. Technically OEM CPUs have 1 year warranty through an AMD authorized reseller, but you'll almost never find that without additional cost.

The motherboard gets probably a year warranty. However, Chaintech (like many others) tell you to contact the reseller. Mwave only gives 30 day warranty. A friend of mine got burned once with an Abit BF6 board that died after 6 months. Abit said "return to reseller" and Mwave said "return to Abit." Yes, Newegg might cost more, but you WILL get warranty service from them for the duration of the year. Up to you whether the extra cost is worth it.

 

[DoobieOnline]

Hey Onion, I just received the VNF3-250 from mwave and it is retail-boxed. I'd be really surprised if you couldn't receive service from Chaintech within the one-year warranty period. It's a retail product and I believe they must provide service during the warranty period. Most retailers (and e-tailers) only provide service on retail products during the first 30 days and then it goes to the manufacturer.

doobie

 

[MadOni0n]

Ok i have all my questions answered, but can anyone else confirm the 2800+ from the mwave special is a newcastle?