AMD AM1 Sempron 2650 1.5GHz dual-core or 3850 1.3GHz quad-core for single-thread?

[waltchan]

Fry's Electronics is selling the Sempron 2650 for $18.99 after promo code this week. Who needs a 3850 with slower single-thread.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Fry's Electronics is selling the Sempron 2650 for $18.99 after promo code this week. Who needs a 3850 with slower single-thread.

For the millionth time, a 1.3Ghz quad will be noticeably quicker than a 1.5Ghz dual even with dual threaded software due to overhead. What happens to the gameplay on a dual core if something is triggered in the background? Minimum framerate tanks to unbearable numbers. A quad? Unaffected and far more consistent.

 

[cbn]

For the millionth time, a 1.3Ghz quad will be noticeably quicker than a 1.5Ghz dual even with dual threaded software due to overhead. What happens to the gameplay on a dual core if something is triggered in the background? Minimum framerate tanks to unbearable numbers. A quad? Unaffected and far more consistent.

I think he is mainly referring to browsing, but yes in a basic game like Team Fortress 2 I would expect the Sempron 3850 to be a better performer than the 2650. The 3850 also has a higher spec on the memory controller (single channel DDR3 1600 vs single channel DDR3 1333) as well as the iGPU (450 Mhz clock vs. 400 Mhz clock).

However, with that mentioned, I still expect Sempron 3850 to be basically unplayable in TF2. (An Athlon 5350 in my experience is the minimum for the game and even that one will occasionally chug in the low 20's for FPS at times)

 

[waltchan]

I just learned if I choose the Asus AM1 motherboard, the Sempron 2650 can be easily overclocked up to 1.9 GHz max. That's only 100 MHz less in single-thread speed than the overpriced Athlon 5350. I'm in for more...

Using multiplier overclocking, memory RAM speed can be increased up to 1866.

Thanks to everyone who tries me to steer me to 3850, but I don't see any deals for it right now, and I know it doesn't benefit me. You can't beat a $18.99 Sempron 2650.

Sempron 2650 all the way...

 

[coercitiv]

I just learned if I choose the Asus AM1 motherboard, the Sempron 2650 can be easily overclocked up to 1.9 GHz max. That's only 100 MHz less in single-thread speed than the overpriced Athlon 5350. I'm in for more...

You're in for more? Well then, learn that if you use the same Asus AM1 MB, the Athlon 5350 can easily overclock to 2400Mhz. (and by easy I mean I've had mine at 2.7Ghz)

 

[cbn]

You're in for more? Well then, learn that if you use the same Asus AM1 MB, the Athlon 5350 can easily overclock to 2400Mhz. (and by easy I mean I've had mine at 2.7Ghz)

Yep, I remember that test. I think you were the first one (or one of the first ones) to really overclock the 5350:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=36301815&postcount=75

Just got a wattmeter so I have some fun power data to share about my Kabini system.

Idle load:
17-18W, the same as silentpcreview

Prime 95 load:
28W with CPU @ 1.6Ghz (-275mV offset, RAM @ 1.35V 1600Mhz)
62W with CPU @ 2.7Ghz (+205mV offset, RAM @ 1.65V 2288Mhz)

I also tested the stock radiator without fan (CPU @ 1.6Ghz undervolted), it can handle moderate loads as long as there's minimum airflow inside the case. (eg. power supply fan or a case fan at very low rpm).

When I have some spare time I'll change the thermal paste on the stock cooler and gather more/proper power&thermal data.

System config consists of: Athlon 5350, Asus AM1I-A, 2 x 4GB Kingston HyperX Beast, 128GB Kingston V180+ SSD, Fortron FSP350 60EGN 350W (Gold Rated, 88% efficiency at 20%load, likely to keep it up at 80% even at lower loads).

Nice to see the stock cooler handle the extra power. I hope AMD decides to up-bin these chips on AM1 to a higher TDP/higher clocks sometime soon.

Speaking of new chips on AM1 aren't we due for a refresh soon? (other than Athlon x4 550 and Athlon x4 530) Its been 1 year since the initial release.

 

[waltchan]

You're in for more? Well then, learn that if you use the same Asus AM1 MB, the Athlon 5350 can easily overclock to 2400Mhz. (and by easy I mean I've had mine at 2.7Ghz)

That would be sweet, but I'm not paying the $55 price as posted on Newegg. I'm more comfortable at $19 (and I still think it's too expensive). It's just me...

 

[monstercameron]

I just learned if I choose the Asus AM1 motherboard, the Sempron 2650 can be easily overclocked up to 1.9 GHz max. That's only 100 MHz less in single-thread speed than the overpriced Athlon 5350. I'm in for more...

Using multiplier overclocking, memory RAM speed can be increased up to 1866.

Thanks to everyone who tries me to steer me to 3850, but I don't see any deals for it right now, and I know it doesn't benefit me. You can't beat a $18.99 Sempron 2650.

Sempron 2650 all the way...

welcome to page 2 http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37256884&postcount=34

 

[Blue_Max]

Is $20 such a deal-breaker? Why aren't you scrounging for cheaper used stuff then? I can regularly get Q6600 quad-core whole machines around $50!