Please help me select a new AMD processor

[mazeroth]

I just made a purchase today at Newegg due to them having three parts I really wanted on their 8 hour sale:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1805314&enterthread=y

What I need now is a processor to use. I remember reading an article about a month ago that showed game performance scaling with different processors and I *think* it didn't make a huge difference. I'm thinking of going with a cheaper Athlon64 / Opteron 144 retail from Newegg for $199 shipped for the time being, and in 9-12 months getting a dual core processor and a new video card. I've read how most Athlon64 3000+ 939s can reach 2.4+ghz on stock cooling, which I think would be plenty for my setup with the 7800GT. Is this true? Also, I know the 1.8ghz 3000+ and 144 Opty have a 9x multiplier. Does this mean it's harder to overclock due to having to push the RAM harder? I currently have 2x512 Corsair ValueSelect I was thinking of reusing, but if you think it's worth it to sell it for ~$50 and get a good gig of RAM I'm all ears. I don't want to overclock my CPU to death but want one that will let my 7800GT take advantage of as much CPU power as it will need.

Thanks for any advice you guys can give me!

 

[lopri]

Opteron 144 should be more than sufficient. ANY single-core Opteron will do 2.4 @stock, which will make no difference vs faster CPUs in gaming, except in those dual-core optimized cases.

 

[Zap]

Well, as mentioned in the other thread there's a possibility of the Corsair RAM not working in the board. Find out first before plunking down on new RAM - if it works, don't bother. If it doesn't, then get new RAM. In the meantime I suggest you look up some old threads about these compatibility issues just to give you an idea of how to spot them and deal with them (in case there's a fix).

For the overclocking, seems like most of the 90nm chips will hit 2.4GHz on default vcore or near it. As for the multiplier, having 10X is handy for 2.4GHz because then with the memory set at 166, it will be running at the "proper" DDR400 when your CPU is running 2.4GHz. The Opteron 144 is a tough sell for me at $196 because we all know it should be a lot cheaper - someone's making a killing on these, plus recently Monarch had the OEM version for a low $130. For only $5 more it would be tempting to just get the A64 3500+, or just save $25 and get the 3200+. You'll want to decide how much you really intend to overclock and push your equipment and how much you think 1MB cache is worth to you. Mild overclock... don't waste money on Opteron.

 

[mazeroth]

Ok, before I hit BUY let me know what you think. I'm going to get the Athlon 3700+ San Diego for $212 and the Enermax Liberty 500w for $108. 2.2ghz stock with 11x multiplier should make OCing easier, so I'm hoping for 2.6ghz.

Sound like a plan?

 

[ayabe]

Go for it man, that will be a sweet rig.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Yep, 2.6ghz on a 3700+ will be a piece of cake. Mine runs 2.8ghz on 1.55v