How to tell whether you're getting Newcastle or Clawhammer @ Zipzoomfly or Mwave?

[JackHawksmoor]

I was all set to finally buy my new system today (convenient about the price drops ). I?d prefer to just get everything from NewEgg, but their prices on the 3400+ chips stink compared with Monarch and Mwave (both of which are ?safe? choices, I?m assuming).

I?m a little confused though, as both Mwave and ZipZoomFly only list one retail 3400+, and in both cases the description is of a Clawhammer. I?d rather get a Newcastle, as I?ll be running at default clock speeds. Is there any way to tell for sure which model you?re actually getting? I?m wondering if both Mwave and ZipZoomFly are just randomly giving you a Newcastle or Clawhammer depending on what they have in stock.

Monarch has the cheapest CPU specifically labeled as a Newcastle 3400+. Mwave?s 3400+ is the cheapest, at under $300, but the description is of a Clawhammer?

Actually, at these prices I would probably go for a socket 939 chip, but there aren?t many Nforce 3 939 boards out yet.

 

[imported_ceejay]

1mb cache is clawhammer
512k cache is newcastle

 

[JackHawksmoor]

Thanks, but both Mwave and ZipZoomFly only have one listing for a retail 3400+. The description is of a Clawhammer, but I'm wondering if it really is...I'm guessing they must have been selling Newcastles and Clawhammers together under the same listing, and I was just wondering if someone knew for sure.

I just emailed Mwave with this question. I'll post back if I get a response. Their 3400+ is just $296. Actually I suppose I'd be happy enough with it even if it is a Clawhammer.

 

[FatCity]

I see what you mean. The Mwave site is confusing as hell if you're looking for a specific core. Bottom line for me is that they're really not any cheaper than Egg or Zip when you add in their shipping charges. Egg and Zip are free shippers and they are much more clear about the CPU you're gonna get.

3400+, Claw, 1MB cache, 2.2ghz, ADA3400BOX --------$305 @Egg and $303 @Zip.

Myself, I've gone back and forth deciding whether to get a CH or a NC. I've read arguments for both and I'm thinking that it's just a tossup between 'em, performance-wise, especially if you're not looking to OC. I think it's more important to be sure you get the CG stepping.

MY $0.02....

 

[JackHawksmoor]

Yeah, I decided I want to make sure I get the CG stepping, and the only CPU I was sure about was the 3200+ at NewEgg. It's the only one with "AX" in the product name.

I would have rather spent the $80 on a 3400+, but oh well, this'll work fine. It's my first AMD system since a disaster with a VIA chipset back in the early Thunderbird days, so I'm crossing my fingers.