Dazed and Confused

[FiveseveN]

After searching through many posts I still have a few un-resolved questions. I completely understand alot of the differences between a Opteron and an Athlon. I am going to build a computer here soon, and would like to get some stuff narrowed down so I can start ordering the parts.

I plan to play games, mostly 1st person shooters. I will also use it to do video editing, photo editing and other appications. I want a dual monitor set up, SLI and definately AMD.

My un-answered questions are:

1:
Can you do a single core, dual chip setup. If so can you use the fx-57? Or even a dual opteron? If this is possible I am surprised no one has done a dual fx-57 since its such a fast chip for gaming...........I do know it is expensive and that is probably the reason. I am also assuming anyone who answers this will also tell me why I shouldnt do this.

2:
The Opteron being a server grade chip and of high quality. If its so damn good and such high quality why would it be so much cheaper than an fx-57? Just trying to figure out why a better chip is cheaper.

3:
I had read on one post that you could assign lets say a game to one processor and OS and virus ect... to the other chip. I have never heard of this, how is this possible? Also if possible then I assume that this can also be done with a dual core single chip?

I hope someone can answer these questions. I do have some more but I would like to narrow it down first with answers to these questions.

Thanks in advance. My first post here, and I look forward to learning alot.

FiveseveN

 

[peleejosh]

1. No. the Fx-57 is a 939 chip. Only 940 boards can have two processors.
2. The fx-57 is the fastest single core 939 chip, it is also mulitplier unlocked. That is why it is so expensive. Also to compare all opterons to the fx-57 is silly.
3. Yes you can assign programs to use a specific cpu or a specific core, its called affinity.

 

[n19htmare]

1) I havnt really seen dual 939 chip boards around, nor have I seen a chipset that would support it. I have however seen skt 940 dual and quald boards, quiet expensive and mostly for server duties.

2) Opteron was meant to be for system integraters, purchased in large quantaties. Now, you would have to compare a high end opteron to the fx-57 such as the opteron 154 which runs at 2.8 stock at the price of around $850 (still not cheap). Also, take into account the fx57 has unlocked multi up and down.

3) This one, I dont know. I think it has to do with assigning priorities. Someone can chime in hopefully.

 

[FiveseveN]

Thanks peleejosh:


So for what I am doing is it important to have a chip that is multiplier unlocked?

I am guessing that the fastest Opteron dual core would be better and more efficient than a single fx-57 and maybe faster.

What would you suggest for the fastest and most efficient set up you could possibly get?

 

[FiveseveN]

Thanks n19htmare:

After doing some more reading here on Opteron. Would a dual core 165 be better than a dual chip 154? Again just looking for the fastest and most efficient solution.

 

[peleejosh]

I would go with a dual core opteron 165, 170, or 175. They are 939 so you dont have to buy expensive ecc registered ram (like 940). And the 939 is definately faster in games than 940. Also if you are not overlcokcing then go with the fastest dual core opteron you can afford. If you are overclocking, then go with the 165 or 170.
For what you are doing you dont need an unlocked multiplier.

 

[davegraham]

just to clear the air a bit.

1xx series opterons CANNOT be used in 2P/4P systems. the "1" part of the naming scheme denotes how many processors can be used in a system.

2xx/8xx opterons can be single core/dual core and obviously used in systems as denoted by their schemes. the caveat: 8xx opterons can be used in 2P, 4P, and n-way systems.

dave

 

[FiveseveN]

Ok so I am liking the 165/170 option as peleejosh suggested.

Out of sheer curiosity of what dave has said. Is the 2xx or 8xx options be better than the 165/170 even though it would cost alot more? If it is only a marginal increase then obviously the cost/performance would be for the 165/170. But if it is a huge increase in performance then I may go that way, unless the gaming side would suffer alot.

Sorry, im just trying to understand what the benefit of going the other route would be.

Thanks for all of your input, I think I am getting it narrowed down.

FiveseveN

 

[peleejosh]

they (2xx or 8xx opterons) would be slower in games, also the socket 940 mobos are expensive and you have to buy expensive ecc registered ram.

 

[FiveseveN]

Final Jeapordy question:

If price is not in question. Is there any reason to get a 180 over the 165 or 170?

 

[n19htmare]

170 i belive will give you the best results. it uses a 10x which i think is just perfect for overclocking....9x would stress the ram more (more fsb needed to up the to same clock speed as 10x) and 11x may hit the cpu wall before memory wall. I dunno but i like 10x multis. But it all depends on what else ur running.

170 have been overclocking well and really no need to get the 180 as i dont think it'll overclock any better than a 170...

My vote goes to 170

 

[Markbnj]

I havnt really seen dual 939 chip boards around, nor have I seen a chipset that would support it. I have however seen skt 940 dual and quald boards, quiet expensive and mostly for server duties.

I took over an IT operation a few months ago, and decided to get the developers new boxes, since they had all been working on four year-old equipment (not to mention being treated like ****** forever). Went for HP systems with Opteron 280's, since we have a vendor relationship with them. The base systems were only around $1400 delivered. Was suprised today when they came in and I saw the empty slot for the second CPU.

 

[the Chase]

Well if price is really not a concern then buy the highest rated dual core Opteron you can justify spending the money on. The higher multipliers of the faster chips will make overclocking easier and give you more memory divider options(or even running ram 1:1 for best performance). Also I have to believe that they must speed bin these to some extent so the chances of getting a higher clocking chip go up with the model #'s.(Have really no/very vague idea of how AMD actually speed bins chips). All that said though the newer games are all about the biggest/most video cards you can cram into your 'puter and a really super awesome jacked up CPU isn't really needed especially at higher resolutions. I think n 19htmare has the right idea- my vote goes to the 170 also and any money saved goes to the most extreme/multi/liquid nitrogen cooled/nitrous oxide injected video card that you can buy!!

 

[peleejosh]

170 and 2 x 1gb of some crucial ballistix ram for the win.