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Operating Frequency Vs. L2 Cache

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so its still better to get the 3800 X2 than an a opteron 165 or 170. As in money value..? P.S. I'm needing the retail version
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
so its still better to get the 3800 X2 than an a opteron 165 or 170. As in money value..? P.S. I'm needing the retail version
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It's all about your budget. The 165 is a better processor than the 3800+, but it's also more expensive. If you feel like spending the extra money, go ahead and get the 165. If not, the 3800+ will do just fine.
 
Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
Originally posted by: MrPickins
Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou When overclocking, the 3800+ maxes out at about 2.3-2.4 GHz.
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Ummm, huh. 😕

My X2 3800+ does 2.4 easily on stock voltage, and runs cool. I have seen several people around here with oc's in the 2.5-2.7 range, and even some up to 2.9

I know you are trying to make a comparison, but lets be accurate.
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I don't think you could get an X2 to 2.9GHz even with a liquid cooler. Whoever told you they had done so was almost certainly lying.

As for 2.5-2.7, well, was it stable? Probably not. Did they use a retail cooler? Again, probably not.

You've gotten your X2 up to 2.4 GHz, and that's great. I'm a bit surprised you didn't have to raise the voltage, though. Are you using a third-party cooler? In some cases an 3800+ can get to 2.5 GHz stable on retail cooling, but that doesn't seem to be the norm. Most reach the wall at 2.3-2.4 GHz, like I said before.
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You might want to read this thread:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1684862&enterthread=y

I'd be inclined to say that 2.4 is a pretty average o/c, with 2.5-2.6 starting to push it.

And, yes I have aftermarket cooling (zalman7700cu), as I would expect anyone who is serious about overclocking would do. And although the 3800+ doesnt come with the nifty heatpipe cooler, the one it does have is more than sufficient for small o/c's. Also for the record, mine is stable at 2.4 on stock voltage, but i'm sure I can go higher with a bit more voltage. I just like that particular speed for my memory divider (cheap pc3200 ram).

Really, though I'm not trying to argue which cpu overclocks better, I just think you are shortchanging the 3800.


 
I'll comment🙂

Originally posted by: MrPickins

And, yes I have aftermarket cooling (zalman7700cu), as I would expect anyone who is serious about overclocking would do. <-- I'm not planing on OCing at all. But if I were to, I'd only OC on stock voltage.

And although the 3800+ doesnt come with the nifty heatpipe cooler, the one it does have is more than sufficient for small o/c's. <-- Does Opterons come with a differnt cooler.. or... 😕

This is my first build so I'm just probably going to stick with what ever stock cooler that comes with the CPU.
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CPUs I've narrowed it down to.


3800 X2

Opteron 165

Opteron 170


Just so you all know, I really appreciate all this help!
 
I'd have to say that without overclocking, both the 165 and the 3800 should perform very similarly with the extra cache in the opteron compensating for the 200mhz speed deficit.

IMO both offer great price/performance, and both should overclock similarly on stock voltage, as they are the same chips, just with slight difference in silicon quality, and of course the 3800 has 1/2 the cache disabled. However, the opteron might have a slight edge (again due to the silicon).

I may be wrong, but I think the dual core opterons come with the same cooler that the 4200+and higher x2's have. It's a very nicely designed one with heatpipes, and cools as good as many aftermarket heatsinks.

As far as the 170, the jump in price for the extra speed isnt worth the jump in price IMO.
 
Originally posted by: ribbon13
Opteron 170 FTW!
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Originally posted by: wizboy11
Opty 165 FTW!!!
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Um as you can see there is some disagreement on which CPU to get...😕

The opteron 165 is pretty much only OEM right now:\ And I was planning on getting retail so that my butt is covered for three years🙂
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
Originally posted by: ribbon13
Opteron 170 FTW!
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: wizboy11
Opty 165 FTW!!!
Click to expand...

Um as you can see there is some disagreement on which CPU to get...😕

The opteron 165 is pretty much only OEM right now:\ And I was planning on getting retail so that my butt is covered for three years🙂
Click to expand...

Its really hard to find both 170 and 165 retail right now. I think Monarch dosn't have either. Get the OEM with a nice OEM warrenty if you want one so bad.
 
Here's another difference: When overclocking, the 3800+ maxes out at about 2.3-2.4 GHz. The 165 goes all the way up to 2.4-2.5 GHz on stock cooling. So, not only are the Opteron's L2 caches bigger, but its core clocks are about 100MHz faster when overclocked. And that's why a lot of people fork over the extra ~$85.
Click to expand...

My 3800+ can do 2.5ghz on stock cooling..

 
With the 165/170/175 or any of the OEMs you can choose a 3 year warrenty for $15.
Just thought I'd let you know. (in the dropdown menu, default is like 90 days or something.)
 
lol ya I'm sticking with the 3800 X2 uuuuff I can't make my mind ever>_<

Ok I've made up my mind on the CPU and the graphics card and mabe the case but I'll show you all the case later

Now onto the motherboard....🙂

DFI nForce4 Ultra (939) LanParty UT Ultra-D = Price went up:

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra = Looks ok...🙂

Anyone have a suggestion/help for a motherboard?
 
Originally posted by: harobikes333
bump before I go to sleep
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hehe, but mobos to get (if you don't plan SLI):

MSI
or
Epox

Either will suit your need nicly for not a lot of $$$.

(Bump before I go to sleep too, I hope I picked the right stuff, i'm falling a sleep here *yawn*)

EDIT: Forgot the other o in too.
 
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