I just picked up the X2 4400+ ADV4400CDBOX (as opposed to the ADA4400CDBOX). I spent a bit more on the 4400 vs the 4200 mostly because I expect the extra cache will help with the video rendering I do and I thought it had a piped heatsink(could've saved $40-$50 in a better heatsink). Turns out it has EXACTLY the same plain jane heatsink as the 3000+ I pulled from my machine. So now if I want to get past the 2.6Ghz ceiling I'll need to invest in a better cooling solution.
Btw, I picked the 4400+ up from ZipZoomFly last Sunday for $250 and today it is $230 w/free shipping:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80726-1 . Talk about crazy prices falling.
As for why I am replying to this thread. I am taking my old 3000+ and was trying to decide between the Asrock 939 Dual-SATA2 or the new version the Asrock 939 Dual-VSTA . Why the AGP? Well I have previously invested in an AGP based NVidia FX 5200 w/tv tuner which when combined with the recently retired A64 3000+ will make a nice little media pc. Oh and there seem to be a ton of people who vcore & vdimm modded the Asrock 939 Dual-SATA2 mobo for a better OC and I figure it'll be fun to tinker.
So I am wondering
eelw, where did you pick up your VSTA or was it not a 939 model?
As for those who recommend against the Asrock, is there another AGP based Skt939 you'd recommend with maybe a bit better (non vcore&vdimm modded) OC track record in the same price range?
Oh and
thuganomics what kind of OC you looking for? I have gotten 2.6Ghz+- w/the stock cooler on both my 3000+ AND now my X2 4400+ (in fact I am currently prime 95 stressing it now in 26C ambient and the CPU is at 64C. If you can live with those numbers I'd say just stay with stock and install RightMark clock and SpeedFan to keel it "cool 'n' quiet" when you don't actually need the extra Mhz.
Thanks for reading this lengthy post and TIA for your input.
John