New build...CPU question.

[EliteRetard]

So anywho, I got stuck trying to build a system on a tight budget...ended up getting a Foxconn 6150K8MA 1x1GB Corsair XMS4000 and an AMD Opteron 146 using a Thermaltake Venus 7+ (about 375$ Shipped). I was curious what I actually ended up with on the CPU. CAB2E 0604EPAW anyone got any info? Any idea how far it may be able to OC? I beleive its an E4 stepping not 100% sure. Also, the chip showed up a tad bit scuffed and the corners look like theyre ground down some also go some glue looking stuff oozed from one side...is that the way theyre supposed to look? It doesnt appear there was any thermal paste used on it, so I dont think its used (its supposed to be new OEM).

The rest of the rig consists of a 250GB 16MB Cache SATA 150 HDD, a cheap CD/DVD R/RW Drive, XP Pro, a cheap (free) case, and a Thermaltake 430Watt PSU. All total about 600$ shipped for a running machine (I am curious how well I did on choosing components...I was trying to get the best bang for the buck, though I did try to go for some OCability for longevity, since I couldnt spend more for better parts). The integrated video soultion must be used for now due to the budget and this machine probably wont get any OC untill it starts to get dated and slow...though I would like to try it now and see what it can get so Ive got some idea of its longevity.

Ive got a basic Idea of how OCing works, but Im gonna end up asking allot of questions and making a bunch of retarded comments (well thats a given ) Id like to OC as far as I can without messing with voltages, since those are what really affect the life of the parts.

Thanks in advance!

 

[EliteRetard]

No replies?! Its cause Im retarded isnt it? Im not so much differant from your kind...trust me, I dont bite. Or maybe its cause Im new...some sort of hazing I gotta go through first? Or is it my trout? Cmon you know the fish is pimp.

Somebody? Anybody? Can I get some help here?

 

[Furen]

Any reason why you went for the Opteron 146? I think an A64 3200+ would have been a better choice given that you dont plan on overclocking. I've never seen a cpu with "glue looking stuff" oozing from its side but if you got it from a reputable merchant then I wouldn't sweat it. I have seen scratched CPUs before though perhaps not to the extent which you describe.

I think you overpaid a bit on the CPU considering that you only got a 2GHz CPU and dont plan on overclocking immediately (Like I said, a 3200+ could have saved you some bucks or you could have almost gotten a 3700+). Also, running in single-channel mode is about 5% slower than running dual-channel (more so with integrated video). I think you got a really good deal on the rest of the stuff though, considering that you only spent like 100 bucks more on hardware (Windows XP by itself costs ~$140).

 

[EliteRetard]

The Opteron 146 was 160$ Shipped (OEM). The 3200 was closer to 180$ shipped (which is bullsh*t since it was at like 130$ at one time) and a 3700, though nice, is going for about 220$ shipped. I spent a good ammount of time trying to get good deals on parts, but there were none to be had on CPUs, and they kept going up in price...that is all except the opteron. Hence the purchase. That and the Opteron has 1MB L2Cache and the 3200 has half that. Plus from what I read the opterons use less power and run cooler at stock speeds than equivelent AMD chips and OC as well or better partially due to this. And the plan is to OC...just no need to at this point. At stock speeds it will be more than fast enough for the integrated video...which is what were stuck with for now due to the budget. Eventually a much better graphics card (7800GT? X1800?) will get tossed in and at that point depending on performance the CPU may be OCd. I just dont see any reason to OC and shorten the life of the chip when there is absolutely not a single % of gain from doing so at this time. I know, bragging rights...but Im trying to get this thing to last for like another 10 years.

Also the single channel is due to the budget as well. There was absolutely no way to afford a 2GB kit, but it was important to have that expandability. 4x512MB dimms is a big no-no and tossing out 2x512MB is even worse. That and I can get the same or even beter performance out of this single 1GB stick than I could out of a 2x512MB kit for the price. The RAM was like 120$ shipped...and reviews showed that its an excellent OCer and even at stock PC4000 (500MHz) its rated 25% faster than your standard PC3200 (400MHz).

That was the biggest goal here, to try to get the most bang for the buck and provide the most longevity (since this person cant afford a nicer PC or afford to replace it any time soon). I tried to do this by spending slightly more on parts that were good now and could be expanded or OCed further on to keep its performance levels good. Hopefully I acomplished this...I do like to hear what other people have to say, its good to get some other ideas...someone is sure to know more than me or maybe has an Idea I hadnt thought of yet. And thank you for the CPU suggestion, though it was already considered...for the price it didnt seem that the opteron could be beat.

MOBO 85$ Is supposed to be a good MOBO decent OCer usable video for temporary to maintain budget
CPU 160$ On sale 1MB cache good possibly great OCer (Still wondering if anyone can shed some light on this)
HS/F 10$ Same price as retail fan better performance (hopefully) should allow some OC
RAM 120$ About 20-25% more $ than other performance PC3200 but should offer about 25% better performance Good OCer allows easy upgrade to 2GB and makes up for lost dual channel performance
HDD 100$ Tried waiting for a decent deal on a decent HDD but nothing out there that didnt require 14MIRs for 10$ each on a ****** 2MBCache ATA100 HDD...this is the only thing Im pretty sure I did poorly on
OS 70$ (license Ive got the CD) XP Pro cheap good yep
PS 30$ Good value reliable...unfortunately couldnt afford a better/higer power unit
CD/DVD RW 30$ Cheap works
Case 0$ Free=GOOD especially since it comes in glossy black with a side window drive covers and decent cooling

Total=605$ Shipped. The budget was 500$ but I conned em into a tad more cause that 100$ differance probably woulda ended up Sempron. Much more bang for the buck this way.

So hows about the CPU? Got any idea how this one will fare? The "damage" isnt bad...Ive just not seen one of these newer AMD chips...Im used to the old green exposed Bartons. The top of the cover is just kinda scuffed...and the corners look like the were rounded with a grinder. Could just be the way theyre made...and as for the glue stuff Im guessing its just the adhesive for the cover thats oozed out a tad. Hopefully its a good chip...