Out of the loop for a while, need an update

[Migroo]

Hi guys. I've been out of the loop for a while. I'm familiar with the old Athlon naming scheme, ie "2400+" but I've no idea what FXs are, or what the latest P4 names are (like 630, or 640) - I'm guessing these are just like the AMD 'model numbers'.

Can anyone give me a short history?

 

[LiquidImpulse]

AMD Opteron Dual Core's are the new craze. 165/170 OC great. Another way to go dual core, but to run cooler, are the AMD X2, they range from 3800+-4400+ i believe.

 

[Migroo]

Thanks, so how does the Opteron relate to the Athlon?

Athlon became Athlon 64 (updated with 64bit archetecture) or Athlon 64 X2 (dual core)
Duron became Sempron
Opteron is new dual-core 'server' chip?

Is this correct?

 

[Migroo]

Bump for more guidance

 

[Lasthitlarry]

You pretty much have it right.

AMD makes all these chips at different speeds, some dual core, some single core, and the ones that pass the most stressful tests are labelled Opteron, since servers require a high degree of performance and reliability, thus they are better suited to "mad overclocking". The next ones that pass the most tests are 64s, and the next ones after that are Semprons.

I myself am getting a 64 3200+, don't plan on overclocking much beyond stock voltage and I will probably upgrade later on, but I currently have a 2500+ Barton, so I "need" it.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

also, the processor designed for inadequately educated gamers that are looking to spend $$$$ would be the FX. AMD's FX philosophy is this
AMD<AMD64<AMD64 FX.
IMO, all the FX's are OC'ed Opteron's with the added sticker price. So if you're looking for a kick ass processor that is HIGHLY overclockable( some can go from 1.8-3.0), Opteron is the road to take right now.

 

[Migroo]

Got it, thanks guys

I've got a 2400+ Athlon (I forget which varient) right now, running a 133fsb (fastest my mobo can support)!

The machine as a whole is getting a little slow. I do varied work, from web developing, standard internet/email and occasionally some image work. The other demand on my hardware is World of Warcraft

How much of a difference would there be upgrading to say an Athlon 64 3000 (venice or newcastle, not sure what the difference is)? Does the 3000 mean 3.0Ghz or does it mean '3000+'?

Thanks guys

 

[m1ldslide1]

The 3000 is supposed to mean the equivalent of an intel 3ghz machine, but the 3000+ is actually rated at 1.8Ghz (socket 939).

As far as Venice vs. Newcastle, I'm not familiar with Newcastle -- maybe socket 754? Anyhow, the 3000+ Venice is the low-end socket 939 chip. Often the different cores will have slightly different features, like 512KB L2 cache vs. 1MB L2 cache. Looking on newegg I actually just saw a 3800+ venice single core at 2.4ghz w/512KB L2, and a 3800+ manchester at 2.0ghz dual-core.

And yes I think you would notice a huge difference after upgrading. Between the a64 chip, and the faster motherboard chipset (like nForce 4) would make a big difference all the way around.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

:beer:hit us up with any more of your questions , we'll try to answer to the best of our ability

 

[alimoalem]

newcastle and clawhammer are both from s754. i believe the difference is clawhammers are clocked 200MHz slower than the Newcastles but have 1mb cache instead of 512kb cache

you don't want either.

you want the venice if you're going with the 3000+ (and yes, it's "3000+," not 3GHz). venice is the s939 version of the 3000+. san diego is another core (i think only the 3700+ has this core though).

you can wait for the socket M2 to come out in the summer...just a few minutes away. differences? it uses ddr2 ram instead of ddr and the performance maybe a couple % higher than the socket 939 cpus. just a thought

 

[Migroo]

Cool, thanks thats cleared it up.

I have a kind of mental barrier - I've never spent more than £100 on a CPU... which is why I'm restricted to a 3000+ Venice

Re: motherboards, most of the socket 939 mobos seem to be nForce4 boards. Thats no baad thing, but I've never had an nForce board before - I've always sticked to VIA in the past.

Noob question - I remember nForce being developed and it was all onboard graphics. Unfortunately the sales information at the site I frequent isn't great - are they available without onboard graphics?

What freq/speed DDR ram would a new Venice need?

Thanks for all the info guys, its good reading

 

[m1ldslide1]

Originally posted by: Migroo
Cool, thanks thats cleared it up.

I have a kind of mental barrier - I've never spent more than £100 on a CPU... which is why I'm restricted to a 3000+ Venice

Re: motherboards, most of the socket 939 mobos seem to be nForce4 boards. Thats no baad thing, but I've never had an nForce board before - I've always sticked to VIA in the past.

Noob question - I remember nForce being developed and it was all onboard graphics. Unfortunately the sales information at the site I frequent isn't great - are they available without onboard graphics?

What freq/speed DDR ram would a new Venice need?

Thanks for all the info guys, its good reading

Most nF4 boards don't have onboard graphics - you shouldn't have any trouble locating one without on newegg.com. The 3000+ is a good chip and although certainly not the fastest it is one that you should be happy with (and can also overclock pretty well with the right MoBo/memory combo).

As for memory, you'll want 2x512 or 2x1GB of DDR400. If you're not planning on overclocking, then get the value stuff and save some serious bucks. Just make sure you get your total quantity in the form of two dimm sticks -- that way you can utilize the dual-channel memory that's now supported on these setups.