Dual Core AMD Recommendation (non-gaming)

[inneedofhelp]

I am planning on building my first AMD system soon.

The system would run 24/7. I won't use it for games, but I will have it running media center, converting lots of video from mpeg2 to xvid, watching high-definition videos, and lots of multitasking. I will also run 3D rendering applications (mostly Maya) and engineering programs (Matlab and Mathematica).

It is very important to me that the system is as quiet as possible, but I don't want to spend too much on a cooling solution (maybe $50 - $80).

Because of my multitasking and video conversion needs, its quite apparent a dual-core processor would be beneficial.

My question is would you recommend an x2 3800+ or an opteron 165 denmark. I would be willing to overclock moderately, and I know that the opteron overclocks better than the x2. But keep in mind noise and cooling is a major concern.

How would a dual 940 CPU motherboard with 2 opteron 244s (single core, 1.8 GHz) compare to a single 939 opteron 165 (dual core, 1.8 GHz)? The price isn't much different.

Also, are there any affordable silent cooling options you'd recommend? Would a decent heatsink without a fan suffice for any of these?

 

[classy]

I would get the opteron 165 retail and use the stock heatsink and fan. The stock coolers are pretty decent.

 

[TekDemon]

I would go with the Opteron-and in fact I *will* be going with the Opteron as soon as the people at Monarch get back to work tommorrow since they have that annoying tendency to jack their prices for the weekend.

 

[inneedofhelp]

Are you talking about the price on the OEM or Retail? $280 sounds like a great price for the OEM, but I would love to hear that sells for less.

 

[pctwo]

If you're going to OC a little, you can get the 165 and bump it to 2.0 easily and you'll have a x2 3800+ with a bigger L2 cache (though I hear the cache does not make much a difference). You can contact dave graham (google flicker down system) and see if he can get you one ($289 retail, shipping included). Monarch also has the opt 165 for $280. it's oem so no fan or heat sink but you'll want better, quieter cooler anyway. you can add $15 for 3yr warranty (I don't know how good monarch warranties are though).

for cooling, you can put on a scythe ninja or thermalright SI-120, and add a nexus 120mm real quiet fan. that should cost $50-$60 total.

 

[inneedofhelp]

thanks

 

[nealh]

for cooling, you can put on a scythe ninja or thermalright SI-120, and add a nexus 120mm real quiet fan. that should cost $50-$60 total.

SI 120 is $45 and Nexus fan is $15..from Jab tech..just bought this combo for a retail opteron 165