Is Opteron really the new mid-high end home user CPU?

[glugglug]

Opteron 150 is cheaper than an AthlonFX-51, let alone an FX-53 or any of the Socket 939 CPUs. In fact, you can build a DUAL Opteron 246 system cheaper than any Athlon FX or Socket 939 system, with each of the CPUs being only 400MHz less than the Athlon FX.

It doesn't seem right that the "enthusiast" CPUs are higher priced than the "server" CPUs, with little if any speed advantage.

Not only that, but it seems to me that the Socket 940 architecture is more future-proof as we already know you can add a 2nd CPU later with that, or upgrade to dual-core for a 4-way system on Socket 940, but this is not so certain on 939. This is also strange to me, as businesses generally buy whole new systems rather than upgrading. Home users are far more likely to do CPU upgrades.

Thoughts?

I was going to buy a Socket 939 system in a month or 2 after the initial prices drop, but right now they are so far out there with so little upside I think I will go with a "server" board instead.

 

[Megatomic]

After reading many Socket 939 "reviews" I've been rethinking my own upgrade path here of late. I too have been considering an Opteron, the 150 looks like a superb candidate. All I need is a Socket 940 NF3-250Gb Ultra motherboard and some server PC3200 memory. I can probably sell my current system to buy the RAM at the very least.

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

I agree that the Opt 150 and 148 are great deals right now. Equivalent to FX-53 and FX-51 at much reduced prices.

I was mentioning this on the AnandTech 939 review thread because I couldn't figure out why the FX processors are so much more expensive. Still don't know why.

The only problem is that Opterons are still very high end and expensive in general (compared to the standard A64 line anyway). So, if you are building a high end single proc. system, the 150 is way better than an FX-53, but the 148 or 3400+ still seem like more realistic choices for most of the extreme users.

Also, if you want to go dual proc with Opteron, you have to get the 2XX series which is much more expensive.

Anyhow, AMD's current pricing is pretty messed up if you ask me.

-D'oh!

 

[Zebo]

The 148 aint such a great deal because it's the old C0 stepping ie worse overclock than the CG stepped FX's and 150. Second opterons are top locked...no real biggie at that multiplier but just wanted you to beware. Third is memory is $60 more ECC/Registered. The final issue is mobo cost. The Asus SK8V is $200.

No I think the way to go is a cheap CG 1mb cached mobile/DTR socket 754, with a cheap mobo like $90 chaintech or $130 Epox/gigabyte, and some cheap hynix high speed memory. You won't notice the sight different in performance at half the cost. If you look at other reviews that did the 3700+ ie a 2.4 socket 754 it's even with the FX-53. I suspect anyone can get 2.4 with a $250 chip even with mild OC experiance.

 

[mono]

Well, this thread, and a bit of googling sold me. Last night in the wee hours, I ordered an Opteron 150, an Asus SK8V, 1GB (2x512MB) of Corsair XMS DDR 400. I don't plan on overclocking. Seems like this setup should power me nicely through the upcoming games of the summer.

Anyone see a reason why I can't move my Zalman Copper CNPS7000A-Cu HSF from a P4 on to this Opteron? I read on some site (at 2 AM) that it should fit Socket 940 boards...

 

[Megatomic]

I think that the HSF retention mechanism is the same on all the A64 boards. I may be wrong but I've seen Zalman CNPS-7000A's on lots of boards...

 

[Mloot]

Originally posted by: mono
Well, this thread, and a bit of googling sold me. Last night in the wee hours, I ordered an Opteron 150, an Asus SK8V, 1GB (2x512MB) of Corsair XMS DDR 400. I don't plan on overclocking. Seems like this setup should power me nicely through the upcoming games of the summer.

Anyone see a reason why I can't move my Zalman Copper CNPS7000A-Cu HSF from a P4 on to this Opteron? I read on some site (at 2 AM) that it should fit Socket 940 boards...

I don't know anything about the HSF, but you should be happy with the 150. That will definitely be a nice setup to last you through the year. I don't know if you've thought of this, but a month or so ago, AMD's CEO stated that next year's dual-core Opterons will be compatible with existing socket-940 motherboards, so there is a good chance that you can later turn your single proc. setup into a dually, for all intents and purposes.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Mloot

Originally posted by: mono
Well, this thread, and a bit of googling sold me. Last night in the wee hours, I ordered an Opteron 150, an Asus SK8V, 1GB (2x512MB) of Corsair XMS DDR 400. I don't plan on overclocking. Seems like this setup should power me nicely through the upcoming games of the summer.

Anyone see a reason why I can't move my Zalman Copper CNPS7000A-Cu HSF from a P4 on to this Opteron? I read on some site (at 2 AM) that it should fit Socket 940 boards...

I don't know anything about the HSF, but you should be happy with the 150. That will definitely be a nice setup to last you through the year. I don't know if you've thought of this, but a month or so ago, AMD's CEO stated that next year's dual-core Opterons will be compatible with existing socket-940 motherboards, so there is a good chance that you can later turn your single proc. setup into a dually, for all intents and purposes.

I don't know either but hey whats another $40 heat sink when you have this much invested?
Please let us know how it goes. I bet it will be the most stable AMD platform and superfast for a very long time...the 150 chip is also the CG verison which has high levels of overclcoking in it. I suspect 2.7 w/o too much trouble...of course you don't want to OC...again

 

[mono]

I thought the Opteron's were FSB locked or some such, so you couldn't really OC them? Parts should arrive Monday, so itomorrow night or Tuesday I hope to have it up and running (knock on wood).

 

[imported_TheCadMan]

The current motherboards out for the dual opterons for home use are sparse. MSI and Tyan being the 2 best options. However, this will change towards the end of the year as the new boards being introduced right now are way better. If your going to have dual opterons, i highly suggest waiting just a few more months to get the best price/performance ratio possible.