Best AMD 64 For The $$?

[Weeeman]

Hello all, first post here, and certainly not the last.

I currently am running a p4 1.4 ghz... ouch eh? I've been long due for a new computer, and I've finally decided to fork out the money.

To start, I hadn't heard of AMD until last week, so I'm not quite up to speed on it, but from what I've read, it definatly seems the way to go for my gaming self.

To the question: What is the best AMD 64 for it's price? From reading around anandtech, it seems to be the 3000+ but -- If i have another hundred or 3 to spend on it, is it worth going to the new 939 3500+?

As for OC'ing it. To be truthful, I'd never heard of it till' i recently started looking at CPU's, I expect I'll be pushing the limits of my new system later on....but nothing immediate

Thanks for any and all help

 

[myocardia]

If you want to wait until socket 939 becomes readily available, you're going to be waiting quite some time. And yes, the A64 3000 seems to be the best value in A64's at the moment, assuming you're a gamer. Also, it overclocks quite well.

 

[Weeeman]

I definatly want something that is readily available, seeing as I'm looking at ordering the parts either this week or next.

I'm assuming toss in a SK8V mobo with that?

 

[myocardia]

I would say either an SK8V, or the Chaintech nForce3-250 board (can't remember it's name at the moment).

edit: It's the Chaintech VNF3-250.

 

[RussianSensation]

3000+ overclocked to 2.4+ghz on that $92 Chaintech VNF3-250 board on newegg.

Spend the extra hundreds you speak of on the new generation videocard or 74 gig raptor drive.

It definately doens't make sense spending $50-60US extra on the 3200+ A64 considering how close it is to performance of 3000+ as seen Here and among other reviews on the net. And it definately doesn't make much sense to spend $369 on 3400+ for 10% extra performance. So you take your pick.

 

[JBT]

Agreed the 3000+ seems to be the best price/performance CPU and OC's well too.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

S939 3500+

 

[dimasukr]

Yep.
My A64 3000+ (Newcastle core with 512K cache rev CG) o/c'ed to 2.42 easily on VNF3-250.
Looks like this is the best deal right now.
I will be trying A64 mobile though this week - will see if it gives me 2.6

 

[Weeeman]

Thanks for the advice all much appreciated

I was going to start another topic asking for memory/drives and such...but mine as well do it here I suppose

Here is what I have in mind so far..

Kingwin 424 [Case]
3000+ AMD
SK8V
x800 XT Platinum
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS GAMER


Beyond that I have no idea...like I said, i've been out of the loop for awhile, so im not too up on the brands :frown:

 

[Hyperlite]

looks good...make sure you get a good PSU, 400W to be safe. shoot for an Antec.

 

[Avalon]

Anandtech's latest article says the Epox 8KDA3+ is the best socket 754 board you can get, featurewise and overclockability wise. Anyone had any experience with it? Is it even out?
I can't seem to find it anywhere. Ah well. Thought perhaps it could be a viable alternative solution to the suggested Chaintech and Asus board, but I guess it's not a very good alternative when it's not even buyable
I tried

 

[Weeeman]

I'm thinking the Zalman Silent 400W Power Supply

 

[stardust]

I bought the 3000+ overclocked it to 2.42ghz (not it's max) and it should be on par with the new 939's in performance. I'll live with single channel for another 4 months

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

939's definitely aren't worth the extra money yet.

I agree that the 3000+ is a very good choice.

For overclocking, I think the only real option is to increase the FSB, so if you are interested in eventually overclocking then you'll want an Nvidia chipset since they have the AGP/PCI lock.

You'll also want to check out high speed ram, and maybe choose something above PC3200 (which is DDR400).

I like the seasonic supertornado 400W power supply, but it is a bit pricey and only has one adapter for SATA power (maybe not that big a deal).

I would get the 10K RPM Western Digital 74GB raptor drive, and some DVD+/-RW drive (AT had a roundup a while ago, but I can't remember who came out on top - maybe check for the roundup).

Have fun!

-D'oh!

 

[Weeeman]

Well hmph...that pumps a kink in the plan -- was searching newegg to get a rough estimate on a few things, and NE isn't even showing the x800 platinum. I know i can find it on cnet...anyways

Just tossed a raptor onto the list of things to buy and hunting for a supertornado


Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

 

[nycxandy]

Originally posted by: Weeeman
Thanks for the advice all much appreciated

I was going to start another topic asking for memory/drives and such...but mine as well do it here I suppose

Here is what I have in mind so far..

Kingwin 424 [Case]
3000+ AMD
SK8V
x800 XT Platinum
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS GAMER


Beyond that I have no idea...like I said, i've been out of the loop for awhile, so im not too up on the brands :frown:

The ASus SK8V is a socket 940 motherboard... NOT 754.

 

[glugglug]

Contrary to marketing efforts, I think the best value even for a HOME user is an Opteron.
See my thread here for why.

 

[Weeeman]

Sorry meant a k8v

 

[Weeeman]

It would appear I broke the link..

Geil Ultra Series Dual Channel 184 Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-4000 --Hows that sound--

Moving right along

 

[SickBeast]

Hey what about the 2800+ A64? And the new 35 watt mobile A64s?

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Hey what about the 2800+ A64? And the new 35 watt mobile A64s?

I have heard the 2800's are that great of OCer's and I donno about the new 35 watt A64 mobile's I would guess they are pretty capable but I really have no idea.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Weeeman
Well hmph...that pumps a kink in the plan -- was searching newegg to get a rough estimate on a few things, and NE isn't even showing the x800 platinum. I know i can find it on cnet...anyways

Just tossed a raptor onto the list of things to buy and hunting for a supertornado


Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

X800XT $529
X800xt $495 - this one should be available shortly

If you plan on overclocking, it's better to get an nforce 3 250 chipset motherboard with AGP/PCI lock as AnnoyedGrunt mentioned before because running 2.4 @ 270FSB and lower multiplier 9 for instance gives you much better results than 240FSB and stock 10 multiplier.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: Weeeman
Well hmph...that pumps a kink in the plan -- was searching newegg to get a rough estimate on a few things, and NE isn't even showing the x800 platinum. I know i can find it on cnet...anyways

Just tossed a raptor onto the list of things to buy and hunting for a supertornado


Any other suggestions?

Thanks again all.

X800XT $529
X800xt $495 - this one should be available shortly

If you plan on overclocking, it's better to get an nforce 3 250 chipset motherboard with AGP/PCI lock as AnnoyedGrunt mentioned before because running 2.4 @ 270FSB and lower multiplier 9 for instance gives you much better results than 240FSB and stock 10 multiplier, not to mention that the latter is going to be hard to achieve anyways because of the lack of AGP/PCI lock on the KT800 chipset

 

[Muadib]

nm