Mobile or Desktop...that is the question...

arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
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Last time I assembled a machine, the 1ghz Tbirds were at the price/performance sweet spot. It's time to upgrade two of my machines. Seems a lot has changed in the AMD CPU world since then. Not only do we have 4 sockets to choose from now (940, 939, 754 and Socket A) but there are different types of the same CPU: there are standard desktop CPUs, the mobile CPUs and the DTRs (which appear to be somewhere in between?). And the mobile CPUs seem to be further broken down into power dissipation...you have the 35W and 45W flavors of the XP and I think I saw some 65W A64 mobiles but I could be mistaken.

Assuming one's mainboard with support them, is it generally recommended to get the mobile version of a CPU instead of the desktop version? I assume the mobile chips have more OC headroom but what about heat dissipation? If a desktop CPU and a mobile CPU are run at the same speed, will they produce the same amount of heat? Is there a compelling reason NOT to go with a mobile CPU?

At this point, I haven't decided whether to go with A64-3000+ and try to overclock to 3400+/3500+ levels or go the cheaper route with mobile XPs.

The thought of SMP using a pair of 35W mobile XPs is attractive (and combined would still dissipate less heat than either of my OC's Tbirds).
 

L00PY

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2001
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For Socket A, the mobile version of the CPU is probably the preferred version. It's unlocked, the heat output is less and the die is rated for a higher max temperature. The drawback is that it comes in with a 133 FSB, and you'll have to overclock (which can be luck of the draw) to get the most performance out of the chip.

I thought I remembered reading that some people were having issues trying to get their mobile A64 parts working in desktop boards. Maybe certain revision of the processor worked with certain chipsets or something like that.

If I were in your boat (and upgrading as frequently or infrequently as you do), I'd probably go with a A64 variant. OTOH, since you're doing two machines, why not do one of each?
 

magratton

Senior member
Mar 16, 2004
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Socket A -> Mobile
The overclock is nearly guaranteed, and I do not know anyone who has not been able to get it to 200FSB where the processor was at fault. Go with either the DFI Ultra Infinity/Lan Party or the Abit NF7-S.

Others can answer better the pros/cons of the Athlon XP vs 64.
 

arcas

Platinum Member
Apr 10, 2001
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Thanks for the replies. I spent some time browsing ocforums and EOC forums and it would seem that there may be some stability issues with SMP using mobile XPs. So it looks like an SMP system using 35W CPUs is out. *sigh* That was such an attractive option, too.
 
Jul 12, 2004
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Be aware that there are two classes of mobile Athlon 64s. The more common have pretty much the same power spec as the desktop chips. But AMD recently released a lower power model in the vain of the Athlon XP-Ms. Not sure how readily available these are and how well supported they are on desktop boards?