Need help which AMD CPU should I go with?

Dark4ng3l

Diamond Member
Sep 17, 2000
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Also keep in mind that that OEM processor has no warranty beyond the newegg 30 days and will not come with a cooling device so you need to buy that extra.
 

Lead Butthead

Senior member
Oct 5, 2009
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...and unlocking is a crap shoot. If going quad is important to you, forgo the L3 cache and go with the 630.
 

TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Also keep in mind that that OEM processor has no warranty beyond the newegg 30 days and will not come with a cooling device so you need to buy that extra.

Yes I knew about the no HSF but didn't think about the warranty thanks for mentioning that.



...and unlocking is a crap shoot. If going quad is important to you, forgo the L3 cache and go with the 630.


Yes I know some of the reviewers can unlock and some can't that is where I am a little stuck on what to get. I do a little video editing once in awhile and thinking about getting Sony Vegas 9 and either chip will be fine running Vegas while the quad would be a little better. But I don't do a lot of video editing so thinking the AMD X3 black might be the better all around chip due to the 6mb Cache?

I like the 6md cache on the black and do not like no L3 cache on the X4 Video editing a side which chip would you guys go with?


If you don't want to try and unlock the 720 go for the 630.

I don't mind trying to unlock it. But let me hear your opinon on my above questions to lead Butthead.


From what you guys have been saying sounds like both are the best bang for the buck in my $100.00 range and not a big enough difference between the two I am thinking from what you guys are posting which ever one I go with will fine and no looking back will occur. :)
 
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Fox5

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Jan 31, 2005
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It depends on the usage scenario. The Phenom II will be better at games and programs that don't use all 4 threads. Most programs don't, so unless you're big into video encoding and what not, I'd go with the phenom II.
 

nonameo

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Mar 13, 2006
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It depends on the usage scenario. The Phenom II will be better at games and programs that don't use all 4 threads. Most programs don't, so unless you're big into video encoding and what not, I'd go with the phenom II.

QFT, what I was about to say. Another important side note however, is that while most games don't use 4 cores, many will use 3. Personally I think 3 cores is the sweet spot for value right now. The cache will help quite a bit with some games, just look at the anand CPU bench.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
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Sep 28, 2005
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can u unlock that X3?
 

TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Ok thanks for all the posts and help guys looks like I can't really can't go wrong with either chip then so I won't have no regrets which ever I decide on.

That is a nice thing about these AMD chips very nice bang for the buck no doubt!! :)
 
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Dark4ng3l

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Sep 17, 2000
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I say go with the X3. It's as good and you get a decent chance of getting the extra core as a bonus.
 

BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
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x3 by far, it stomps the athlon 2 and gives you more overclocking headroom.
 

TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Guys need to bother you for a couple more questions since you guys really know this CPU from your post before I post in the MB forum. I think I have decided to go with the combo below from Newegg. Is this a decent low cost (for my budget $150-200 for CPU & MB) MB and is it missing any good important features I should be aware of? Also can you recommend a couple options on a low cost quiet HSF for maybe only a mild oc I should go with for this CPU?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...ID=3332167&SID=

Thanks
 
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BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
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Get yourself a Thermal Take V1, all copper version (make sure whatever you get is copper, aluminum coolers SUCK). Should cost about 40 bucks and let you OC like mad, but like I said be sure it's copper. I'm running a Phenom II X3 720 @ 3.73ghz currently, using the thermal take V1 all copper cooler on an MSI C45 770.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130249 <~ spend the extra twenty bucks on this MSI board, you'll get the new 790 chipset and an added PCI-E slot; that way when you want more gaming performance down the line, you don't need to upgrade your entire rig. Just throw in another video card for SLI and have fun.

If you're gaming please don't bother with the Athlon, cache is king.
 
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TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Get yourself a Thermal Take V1, all copper version (make sure whatever you get is copper, aluminum coolers SUCK). Should cost about 40 bucks and let you OC like mad, but like I said be sure it's copper. I'm running a Phenom II X3 720 @ 3.73ghz currently, using the thermal take V1 all copper cooler on an MSI C45 770.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130249 <~ spend the extra twenty bucks on this MSI board, you'll get the new 790 chipset and an added PCI-E slot; that way when you want more gaming performance down the line, you don't need to upgrade your entire rig. Just throw in another video card for SLI and have fun.

If you're gaming please don't bother with the Athlon, cache is king.


BD231 thanks for the info on the cooler. I am not a big gamer but do play games once in awhile so will only be using one video card but good point if some one was to so with that let me ask you this . What would that MB 790/750 chipset give over the 770/710 chipset?

Would these MB support achi (I would assume they will) for my G2 SSD?

BTW wow nice OC!

*
 
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BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
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Thanks! The OC was easy, seems like most all Phenom II's don't have much issue reaching these speeds so you're in for a treat.

The motherboard dose not offer much in the way of additional features, go with your choice if gaming's not a big deal for you. I know I was disappointed I didn't go for the second PCI-E slot myself; the only reason I suggested it. Twenty bucks for the ability to cross fire seems well worth it. ACHI? Not on the solid state train at the moment, couldn't say.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
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Go with the stock cooler. If you're looking for a budget rig, don't go fancy with something as expensive as a 40 dollar cooler.
 

TR2000

Member
Mar 12, 2010
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Thanks! The OC was easy, seems like most all Phenom II's don't have much issue reaching these speeds so you're in for a treat.

The motherboard dose not offer much in the way of additional features, go with your choice if gaming's not a big deal for you. I know I was disappointed I didn't go for the second PCI-E slot myself; the only reason I suggested it. Twenty bucks for the ability to cross fire seems well worth it. ACHI? Not on the solid state train at the moment, couldn't say.


I agree with you but thinking since I do not see SLI in my future and since I have to now buy a HSF for the Phem II Black vs the Progus 630 no need to throw $20.00 on the board. Unless there is some advantage in the newer chipset I am unaware of.

My budget for the whole upgrade (CPU,MB, Ram & video card ) I am shooting for is around $310.00 or under so for me every little bit helps at this point.

BTW budget for the video card is around $80.00 any suggestion for a video card in that price range that would be a better choice than the one below?

This is the one I am looking for $79.99 shipped.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161287&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=


*
 
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TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Go with the stock cooler. If you're looking for a budget rig, don't go fancy with something as expensive as a 40 dollar cooler.

Yes I agree with you but the CPU is an oem so it doesn't come with a stock cooler. I can't find a stock cooler on Newegg to see what they cost to see the difference in price vs. what BD231 recommended.
 

TR2000

Member
Mar 12, 2010
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**Update**

I found a better combo deal with the Phen II X3 2.8 Black/MB combo( better MB with 3.0 USB & sata 6gbs = F.P) vs the MSI MB for only $3.00 more from a link in another Anandtech thread. But the funny thing about it is I can't find this combo if I just go to Neweggs site unless I use the link from the Anandtech thread. :)

Combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...ID=3332167&amp;SID=


*
 
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TR2000

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Mar 12, 2010
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Just keep in mind that that MB has only a single PCIE slot.

Thanks for pointing that out but yes I know same as the MSI MB (1 PCIE) in the combo I was going to get. See my post 19 on my thoughts on one PCIE slot oh and thanks for the cooler option for me to check out.
 

BD231

Lifer
Feb 26, 2001
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If you have to get everything from newegg you'll be ok with this ~> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103064

People say it's huge but @ twenty bucks with copper piping its a good deal. My V1 has a 110mm fan and it fits fine in my mid tower.

My video card of choice ~> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102824. Anything less and you'll be jumping down to 128bit ddr3 and shorting yourself 400 stream processing units. I took some dough off the cooler and added it to the video card.