CPU

[jack bauer]

What is a faster, more efficent CPU? I hear the 170, but why is it like 80 cheaper than the 4400?

 

[fire400]

if you wanted to save the 80 dollars, get the opteron, it will perform you just as well.

 

[vweb]

I think it might help to check out some of the reviews online. Try iNods.com to search for some reviews and past experience of other users.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: vweb
I think it might help to check out some of the reviews online. Try iNods.com to search for some reviews and past experience of other users.

Black man avatar? Check.

Low post count? Check.

Link to useless site? Check.

 

[w00t]

I'd get the opteron due to high quality processor built for stabilty which means it will basically oc like a beast.

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: vweb
I think it might help to check out some of the reviews online. Try iNods.com to search for some reviews and past experience of other users.

Black man avatar? Check.

Low post count? Check.

Link to useless site? Check.

LOL

 

[hclarkjr]

i just went through this myself and decided to go with the X2 4200 and save some money. after looking at all the benchmarks and so forth i seen that the extra cache (512kb VS 1MB) per core did not make that much of a difference. newegg has the 4200 for $355 plus shipping so it is cheaper than the opteron 170 but might not overclock as high as the opteron. you do not mention if you will be overclocking, but for me it come to the 4200 VS 4400 and i could not justify the extra $100 or so for the extra cache when it does not make that much of a difference. this is just my opinion though

 

[sammy1234]

Why are you looking at Dual core? And comparing that to server processors. The Opteron is not a gaming, graphics or anything else processor. It is for servers and discount computing, that?s what it was created for and that is what its best for. Dual core doesn't link right either. Basically it?s an excuse for you to pay more for a processor and think its time to upgrade. They run hot and are not good for anything other than multitasking. So unless your playing two games at once you dont need it. Save your money and stick with single core untill multiple cores are perfected.

 

[hclarkjr]

sammy1234 are you saying that the opteron 170 is a single core CPU? discount computing? opterons are more expensive then their A64 equal. dual core an excuse to pay more for a CPU? i just went from a 3700 single core to a 4200 dual core and can tell you first hand their is a difference.

 

[sammy1234]

As you can see, the Opteron processor is really designed for use in servers.

http://www.devx.com/amd/Article/27340

 

[hclarkjr]

it may be designed for servers but do a search here in the forums and you will see that many have been able to overclock them much higher because they are a little better made than desktop CPU's and they run cooler

 

[hclarkjr]

also, i believe you are implying that the 170 is a single core CPU? correct? well it is a dual core chip if that is what you are implying

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: sammy1234

As you can see, the Opteron processor is really designed for use in servers.

http://www.devx.com/amd/Article/27340

I don't see anything wrong with that article (skimmed through it), but your earlier post was pure FUD.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Originally posted by: sammy1234
Why are you looking at Dual core? And comparing that to single core server processors. The Opteron is not a gaming, graphics or anything else processor. It is for servers and discount computing, that?s what it was created for and that is what its best for.

I think you are referring to the Socket 940 Opterons (the ones that scale to multiple CPU-Sockets)...they use registered ECC memory and are targeted at servers.

The Original Poster is talking about Socket 939 Opterons. These Opterons (and the FX series) are made from higher grade silicon(maybe not the best words) and pass a more rigorous quality check than traditional a64's.

And OP, the reason the Opteron 170 is cheaper than the 4400+ is that it is 200 MHz slower. (2.0Ghz vs. 2.2 Ghz) Neither of them is "more efficient" coz they have the same architecture (and same cache). The Opteron is likely to overclock much higher, which is why people love them.

 

[Bobthelost]

I've got a 4400X2, i wanted the Opteron 170.

Advantages of opteron:
Cheaper
Tend to be better overclockers

Disadvantages:
Slower at stock speeds.

If you're OCing then get the opteron, on average they'll OC to the same speeds as the 4400X2 or better.

 

[jack bauer]

can you overclock a 4400 2x?

 

[hclarkjr]

yes, here are some links for you to read -
link 1
link 2
those 2 links should get you pointed in the right direction

 

[zkaudio]

sum up the thread with this question...

is an x2 4400 or an opty 170 going to be more stable around 2.7ghz? will they both be equally hot?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: zkaudio
sum up the thread with this question...

is an x2 4400 or an opty 170 going to be more stable around 2.7ghz? will they both be equally hot?

Probably the Opteron 170, re: your first question. No idea as to the latter.

 

[HardWarrior]

The most reported max OC for a 4400 X2 is 2.64. They use 120 watts at idle and 180 watts at load. I don't know how this translates into heat dissipated. I've never owned a Opty 170, but I'm very pleased with my 4400. XPro never bogs down now and seems to like the extra processing muscle. As far as games I'm running everything at 1600x1200 full detail with no problem. Q4 is the only game I own that takes advantage of DC CPU's and it's running fine, though that might be attributable to my video subsystem. PREY is the game I'm most looking forward to and it's DC compatible right out of the box.

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: sammy1234

As you can see, the Opteron processor is really designed for use in servers.

http://www.devx.com/amd/Article/27340

i know this has been answered but i'll just add to it. your article refers to the socket 940 opterons, not the socket 939. the ones you referred to are ALL single core (iirc) and the model number 2xx opterons can be run on dual CPU boards, meaning their not dual CORE. the 8xx opterons can be run on motherboards with slots for up to 8 cpus meaning it'll have an 8 CPU system, not a CPU with 8 CORES.

OP, the 4400x2 at stock speeds is faster but the opteron 170 usually has a higher overclock. i haven't seen any one boast about reaching 2.7 with a 4400x2 but i do know reaching 2.8 with an opty 170 isn't unheard of. so basically you should either get the opteron 170 (if you overclock) and the 4200x2 (note i didn't type 4400x2) if you don't. the cheaper 4200 is much more worth it than the 4400

 

[HardWarrior]

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't how a full meg of level 2 data and instruction cache per core is a bad thing. Is it simply because the privilege costs a bit more? That certainly doesn't stand to reason since we have NO idea what our respective budgets are. How could most people actually KNOW what the differences are in performance? That's why "which is better" threads like this one almost always devolve into nothing but a lot pontificating.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior
Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't how a full meg of level 2 data and instruction cache per core is a bad thing.

It isn't. But the Opteron 170 and X2 4400+ have the same amount of cache.

How could most people actually KNOW what the differences are in performance?

Benchmarks.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: sammy1234
Why are you looking at Dual core? And comparing that to server processors. The Opteron is not a gaming, graphics or anything else processor. It is for servers and discount computing, that?s what it was created for and that is what its best for. Dual core doesn't link right either. Basically it?s an excuse for you to pay more for a processor and think its time to upgrade. They run hot and are not good for anything other than multitasking. So unless your playing two games at once you dont need it. Save your money and stick with single core untill multiple cores are perfected.

Seriously, until you know what you're talking about dont be giving recommendations to other people. S939 Opterons are JUST AS GOOD for gaming as A64's, they are just "cherry picked" and are often better overclockers. Also, even the cheapest Opteron (Opteron 144- $130) comes with 1MB of L2 cache, meanwhile most A64's come w/ 512KB unless you buy a high-end one. And dual core has MANY, MANY purposes, and ARE being used in games. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Call of Duty 2, and Quake IV all take advantage of dual-core CPU's and many new games will as well. Please, know what you're talking about before you start confusing others.

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: Howard
It isn't. But the Opteron 170 and X2 4400+ have the same amount of cache.

Granted, but I was responding to this:

the cheaper 4200 is much more worth it than the 4400

How could most people actually >>>KNOW<<< what the differences are in performance?

Benchmarks.

Which, like temp sensors can be completely believed or dismissed, depending on the audience. When it comes to performance, I trust the fact that I use my rig and know it's performance curve intimately.

Staring at "benchmarks" is only part of the story.

 

[batmanuel]

Originally posted by: HardWarrior

Which, like temp sensors can be completely believed or dismissed, depending on the audience. When it comes to performance, I trust the fact that I use my rig and know it's performance curve intimately.

Staring at "benchmarks" is only part of the story.

Huh? Your subjective options about how your rig "feels" aren't the least bit scientific when judging the price/performance ratio of a processor or video card. Benchmarks are. In fact, when it comes to high end hardware, usually the performance differences are so minute that you can't realistically tell which is faster without benchmark tests.

When it comes to performance, a balanced set of real-world benchmark tests are usually the beginning, middle and end of the story. Any seat-o-the-pants feelings that you have about your rig are likely just the hardware equivalent of the placebo effect.