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How come no one runs Opterons?

S

sisooktom

Senior member
I was just doing some research into the differences between the A64, A64FX and the Opteron. I knew that single channel vs dual channel was obviously a difference, but was confused as to the others. Anyway, it appears that the Opteron 150 pretty much the same processor as the FX-53. And a quick check at NewEgg shows the Opteron is $181 cheaper! So this begs the question of being the enthusiasts most of us are, why would you buy an FX over an Opteron? What am I missing?
 
Not sure, check my rigs in my sig, 2 opteron systems. One dual one single.

The real difference between the opteron and the fx is the requirement for registered dimms/ECC. For some people that aren't using more than 2 dimms it makes a speed difference. Once you load up all slots in the system with memory, tests have shown the registered/ECC memory is faster then the non.

Apparently there is an inherrent latency with having more memory to search through. With registered/ECC that is covered from the get go, so as the slots were filled up the the access of the memory remained the same. With the non registered/ECC as the slots were filled up the access time sucked the performance down.

Either Anandtech/firingsquad/Toms had a test where they showed this.

I didn't have time to find it. But it was pretty interesting. Basically if you are going to use more than 2 dimms per a memory controller you want registered/ECC.
 
I am not sure if the Opterons are multiplyer locked above the default multiplyer or not. I know the FX is completely unlocked. So, that would be one reason to get the FX over the Opteron. Unless the Opteron's are completely unlocked.


Jason
 
There are a few reasons:
1) Opterons are harder to obtain (your local store won't have a computer with it up and running on display).
2) Motherboards are more expensive and/or have less features that enthusiasts want.
3) Required to buy much more expensive memory.
4) FX series was faster until the last 3 weeks. Thus more people have them.
5) Opteron series just got price cut, while A64 and A64FX haven't had an official price cut for quite some time. Thus this is more of a temporary price difference where the Opteron is cheaper.
 
Originally posted by: dullard
There are a few reasons:
1) Opterons are harder to obtain (your local store won't have a computer with it up and running on display).
2) Motherboards are more expensive and/or have less features that enthusiasts want.
3) Required to buy much more expensive memory.
Click to expand...
1. Newegg carries them. Therefore they are easy to obtain.
2. No more expensive than FX-geared boards to this point (same exact boards), and Socket 939 boards are still quite expensive as well.
3. Not much more expensive, and up until just now, same as the Opteron. Much easier to get 2-4GB actually running at PC3200 or PC2700 speeds.
 
Originally posted by: dullard
There are a few reasons:
1) Opterons are harder to obtain (your local store won't have a computer with it up and running on display).
2) Motherboards are more expensive and/or have less features that enthusiasts want.
3) Required to buy much more expensive memory.
Click to expand...


1) This doesn't explain much considering enthusiasts don't usually shop brick and mortar.
2) Don't they use the same motherboards in some cases (eg Opteron 150 and FS-53)?
3) Don't they both require registered DIMMS?
 
1. Can I overclock it ?
2. Can I get cheap DDR ( $85 for 512 MB is the limited for me Corsair Value Select ) ?
3. Motherboards: Same features and overclocking ability ?

Have not seen to many articles that show the Opteron wins in a bang for your buck award.
 
Originally posted by: sisooktom
1) This doesn't explain much considering enthusiasts don't usually shop brick and mortar.
2) Don't they use the same motherboards in some cases (eg Opteron 150 and FS-53)?
3) Don't they both require registered DIMMS?
Click to expand...
1) Many do, many don't. And this doesn't have to be limited to enthusiasts (it could apply just as well to anyone who wants the top computer money can buy).
2 & 3) I'm focussing on the more general thread topic - in comparing "the A64, A64FX, and Opteron". There are reasons almost everyone chooses the A64 over the other two.

Added a #4 and #5 in my post above.
 
i'm just waiting for the duel cored fx when it comes out sometime next year. it should run the equivalent of a dual opteron 250
 
Originally posted by: dullard
There are a few reasons:
1) Opterons are harder to obtain (your local store won't have a computer with it up and running on display).
2) Motherboards are more expensive and/or have less features that enthusiasts want.
3) Required to buy much more expensive memory.
4) FX series was faster until the last 3 weeks. Thus more people have them.
5) Opteron series just got price cut, while A64 and A64FX haven't had an official price cut for quite some time. Thus this is more of a temporary price difference where the Opteron is cheaper.
Click to expand...


good points, but wouldnt i end up with an overall cheaper system if buy an Operteron 148 + registered ram + operteron mobo rather than FX 51 + ram + board?
 
Originally posted by: shady06
Originally posted by: dullard
There are a few reasons:
1) Opterons are harder to obtain (your local store won't have a computer with it up and running on display).
2) Motherboards are more expensive and/or have less features that enthusiasts want.
3) Required to buy much more expensive memory.
4) FX series was faster until the last 3 weeks. Thus more people have them.
5) Opteron series just got price cut, while A64 and A64FX haven't had an official price cut for quite some time. Thus this is more of a temporary price difference where the Opteron is cheaper.
Click to expand...


good points, but wouldnt i end up with an overall cheaper system if buy an Operteron 148 + registered ram + operteron mobo rather than FX 51 + ram + board?
Click to expand...

Right now, given the recent Opteron price cuts (see point 5), this may indeed be true. I don't know if the newer Socket940 motherboards are identical in performance and features to the Socket754 ones, though, or if registered/registered ECC RAM is available at high speeds and/or with tight timings. While I was able to find a handful of high-speed registered ECC sticks (up to PC3500, at least with 512MB DIMMs), they weren't cheap. If you need more than 2GB of RAM on an Opteron system, you're limited to PC3200 for now, and CL3 at that.

Also, I *think* the Opteron processors are multiplier locked, ad the FX-51 is not. So you would likely be able to OC the FX-51 further, especially if you can't get a Socket940 board with an AGP/PCI lock.
 
The main reason is no CG steppings (ie AT ending) and they are locked. Otherwise I'd get a 1.6 for less than $200 and have a FX-55+++ 😉
 
The memory arugement is bunk. it's only $40 more for a gig of 2-3-2 ECC/registered from OCZ. $260 vs $300.
 
Originally posted by: Mik3y
i'm just waiting for the duel cored fx when it comes out sometime next year. it should run the equivalent of a dual opteron 250
Click to expand...

I'd sure like to run a dual-cpu setup with a pair of these 😀
 
Originally posted by: cuddles
My friend runs dual Opteron 250's with 3GB of ram. Cost him $1,600 for the processors I think. He renders mostly, still gets it at 100% load easily.
Click to expand...

3D rendering eats up CPU power like nobody's business.

I'm waiting for the dual cores, so right now I'm running the highest MP procs. Talk about an upgrade wall...
 
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