athalon 64 x2 am2 socket

[gorbs]

anybody have this processor in a current gaming rig ?. thinking of doing an AMD build and its hard to pass up with the current prices. i don't have any experience with AMD yet so what do you think of this cpu for a gaming rig?

 

[bryanW1995]

not bad for a cheap upgrade, but you will be disappointed by the oc potential and the heat is tremendous on one of those. Get the 5000+ brisbane core if you must go am2, it should oc to a similar top level as the 5600+, but it will run much cooler. Also, price is about 25% less for 5000+.

 

[lopri]

Disagree. From what I can see, there are 2 choices for an AMD build now.

1. Go dirt-cheap (~$65): Get an X2 3800+ F3 stepping with a cheap motherboard like Biostar or even the top-line board like EVGA/Foxconn with rebates (like $80). Easy 3.0GHz.
2. Go less dirt-cheap (~$165): Get an X2 5200+, 5600+, or 6000+ (note that these are all 2x1MB L2, F3 stepping). Same boards. Easy 3.2~3.4GHz.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=151746

Basically the current cream of crop A64 is Windsor F3 stepping, especially CCB6F batch.

 

[gorbs]

thanks for the info. the only thing i knew about AMD when i was deciding to build my first pc was that they ran hotter than the INTEL. now i know that can be handled by any number of suitable coolers.

also i know a celeron is not what you would use for gaming but in the AMD world i am clueless. there is no other reason for me wanting to build an AMD powered system than just being able to say i did it.

stability is more importatnt than bragging rights as far as how fast i can get it. i am still using the overclocking software on my ASUS board because i don't have the cajones to do it manually and fry something lol. one of these days i will get around to it.

time to go prowl Newegg again !

 

[lopri]

This is what I would do:

CPU

1. Ultra-budget (near free, comes with Call of Juarez): AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz 2 x 512KB
   
   Budget ($149): AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 2.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache

Looks like 5200+, 5600+, and 6000+ are almost guaranteed CCB6F stepping. 3800+ is a hit or miss. (but still ~3.0GHz)

Mobo

1. Budget ATX ($80): BIOSTAR TF560 A2+ Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 560
   
   Budget mATX ($80): BIOSTAR TForce TF7050-M2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7050PV HDMI
   
   Ultra-High ($85 after rebate): Foxconn C51XEM2AA- 8EKRS2H Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI

You can mix and match and there are lots of combo deals. So chances are you will have a CPU + Mobo + memory for $200, that is be top-of-the-line rig which used to cost $1000+ like a year ago.

 

[gorbs]

thanks Lopri,

thats a good bit of info to tear through during my lunch hour here at work. appreciate it !!