CPU for new rig

Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
Ive been up in the air about going dual core here are some of my concerns:

- Heat, 2 cores = 2 times the heat correct?

- OC, i want to push it to the max if i can, with 2 CPU's i will be limited by the one that OC's less right? i realize i might get a ****** Single core CPU but with 2 the odds are not as good of getting 2 great OCers correct as opposed to only having to worry about 1 core, also the higher heat will limit me unless i make my case sound like a F-16.

- Price/performance, will i notice the differnce? how well do games now days take use of 2 CPU's?

Rig will mostly be used for gaming with some video rendering DivX encodeing etc. Will have a DFI mobo and probably a Geforce 7900GTX. Thanks for any input you can offer, oh and CPU choices are as follows unless you can suggest something better, limit $500 canadian give or take $100

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Dual Core Processor S939 Toledo 2.2GHZ 1MBX2 90NM Retail Box

AMD Opteron 165 Dual Core Processor S939 Denmark 1.8GHZ 2MB L2 Cache 90NM Retail

Thanks!

 

pcoffman

Member
Jan 15, 2006
117
0
0
Originally posted by: Rifterut
2 cores = 2 times the heat correct?
Not exactly. Intel deals with the heat by lowering the clock on its dual-core CPUs. Not sure about AMD, but would think that maybe they do the same?

how well do games now days take use of 2 CPU's?
Most games do not take advantage of dual-core CPUs, because most games are single-threaded. There are a few exceptions. Also, more and more games are being written and re-written to make good use of that second core, so it would probably be a wise investment to go with dual-core. The same should apply to dual processors as goes for dual-core.
 

AlabamaCajun

Member
Mar 11, 2005
126
0
0
I see about a 2C increase on my Opty 170 compared to the singles which is no big deal. Throw one of those 12 pipe ninjas at it, I only see about 37C to 42C with 120mm fans. Right now that sink is selling for 34-40 bucks and well worth it. Just put one on an oced 3000 and it's doing about 35C on 1.425 Vcore oced to 2.25G. The 170 is OCed to 2.4G and no additional vcore.