processor upgrade ?

[silverdj]

I am getting a socket 939 mobo and now I need a processor to go with it. I do minor graphics design and I don't really play too many games cause I don't have a good graphics card. I want a good processor that is quick and possibly oc'd. I am pretty much a noob when it comes to this stuff so I don't know a whole lot about them, like what is the benefit of having a dual core processor and stuff like that. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

[myocardia]

If you can afford the extra expense of a dual-core processor, there really isn't any reason not to get one. Of course, having two processors fight over less than 1GB of RAM wouldn't exactly make for a fast system. You'd want to have 2x1GB for a dual-core system. If you don't want to buy more memory, you'd probably be better off with a faster single core processor, like a 3800 or a 4000, both of which are 2.4 Ghz, before overclocking.

 

[Pederv]

If you're like most people and keep your computer for 2+ years, I'd get a dual core. More and more general user apps (like games) will go multi-threaded. Several graphics apps take advantage of multi-processors. Most will suggest a 3800 X2 and oc.

 

[Mucker]

I think for what you describe, this cpu will give you plenty of bang for buck: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-3700BN

It should do 2600 MHz pretty easily and has 1MB L2....very hard to beat for $78.....

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Mucker
I think for what you describe, this cpu will give you plenty of bang for buck: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-3700BN

It should do 2600 MHz pretty easily and has 1MB L2....very hard to beat for $78.....

Yeah, if you are an overclocker, get the 3700. If you aren't, or were maybe thinking about trying it, then I'd get the 3800, if I were you, since it's 200 Mhz faster to start with, and isn't much more expensive.

 

[Mucker]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Mucker
I think for what you describe, this cpu will give you plenty of bang for buck: http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-3700BN

It should do 2600 MHz pretty easily and has 1MB L2....very hard to beat for $78.....

Yeah, if you are an overclocker, get the 3700. If you aren't, or were maybe thinking about trying it, then I'd get the 3800, if I were you, since it's 200 Mhz faster to start with, and isn't much more expensive.

Did you miss this in the OP's post?: "I want a good processor that is quick and possibly oc'd."

Why spend more for 200 MHz? The 3700 linked is possibly the best deal on a single core right now......

 

[silverdj]

so get the 3700 and oc it, that sounds like a really good deal. I think that is what i am going to get. Thank you for all of the help everyone gave me.

 

[Mucker]

Just beware, you'll need a heatsink fan also. The chip linked is OEM which means no HSF.

If you want a retail package that contains a hsf, this is a very good deal, identical to the 3700 but with potentially better OC capabilty: http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=BA22048

Although both cpu's are capable of hitting 2700-3000 MHz, the Opty will have a much better chance, as it is a server grade chip....

 

[silverdj]

I think i am going to have to go dual core! So do I really need 2gig to make a difference?

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: silverdj
I think i am going to have to go dual core! So do I really need 2gig to make a difference?

The main reason for going dual core is to run more than one demanding application (or a multi-threaded application) at the same time, and not just a game along with the usual background OS processes. Each of these demanding applications typically has a large memory footprint, and it becomes self-defeating if your dual core system slows down because it has run out of free RAM. 2GB isn't a hard-and-fast limit, but with only 768MB you are very likely to run out of free RAM.