Sempron 3100+ O/C w/ agp/pci lock vs A64 2800+

[Codec666]

I'm looking to buy a Abit Kv8 Pro mobo with the agp/pci lock that has led to some good o/cing results. However, what is the better buy the sempron 3100 or the 2800 A64? The sempron's multi is set at 9 instead of 8 so that gives some more flexibility. Also I heard that having the lower cache results in better overclocks. I'm upgrading mainly to play games and the 64 bit processing is a non-issue since I'll upgrade again by the time I can actually use it. Finally in the gaming benchmarks the extra cache has not improved performace by much. So in the end for o/cing should I get the sempron or the A64 since they are about the same price. Wondering if anyone has overclocked either with a agp/pci locked mobo, also how much of an improvement are the new CG chips, in terms of O/Cing potential.

Codec666

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I've seen the newer 2800+ hitting 2.4ghz, a nice 600mhz overclock on air, so the Sempron would have to be a impressive to match it. Then there is the point that XP pro 64bit beta and supporting drivers for most essential hardware is available *I use it in a dual boot config* and FarCry has a 64bit version coming soon from what I've read. UT2K4 and a few others will be available in 64bit too, so there should be some 64bit stuff in the next few months to play with, though obviously not a lot.

For myself, there is no way I'd give up 64bit for the small price gap between the two. Particularly since I know what a 2800+@2.4ghz performs like, while the jury is still out on sempron.

BTW, some of the nF3 250 based boards hit 300+ HTT speeds so the multiplier shouldn't be a problem.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
Then there is the point that XP pro 64bit beta and supporting drivers for most essential hardware is available *I use it in a dual boot config* and FarCry has a 64bit version coming soon from what I've read. UT2K4 and a few others will be available in 64bit too, so there should be some 64bit stuff in the next few months to play with, though obviously not a lot.

With the latest build, 32bit apps are running faster on the 64bit OS than they do on the 32bit OS, so the performance increase isn't just for 64bit apps.

 

[Vette73]

If buying this system a month from now then you will probable be better with the sempron, cheaper. BUT right now the newness is still in effect so it is better to get the A64 2800+

 

[Codec666]

Thx the responses. After further research I agree with your conclusions and if fact it ended up being cheaper after picking up the Chaintech NF3 250 mobo for only $75 and I decided to go with the 3000+ just for the extra multi and its only a few bucks more. Also are there any physical differences between the CG and C0? or is the CG just more refined?

Codec666

 

[user1234]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
I've seen the newer 2800+ hitting 2.4ghz, a nice 600mhz overclock on air, so the Sempron would have to be a impressive to match it. Then there is the point that XP pro 64bit beta and supporting drivers for most essential hardware is available *I use it in a dual boot config* and FarCry has a 64bit version coming soon from what I've read. UT2K4 and a few others will be available in 64bit too, so there should be some 64bit stuff in the next few months to play with, though obviously not a lot.<BR><BR>For myself, there is no way I'd give up 64bit for the small price gap between the two. Particularly since I know what a 2800+@2.4ghz performs like, while the jury is still out on sempron.<BR><BR>BTW, some of the nF3 250 based boards hit 300+ HTT speeds so the multiplier shouldn't be a problem.

"FarCry has a 64bit version coming soon" ha, they haven't even finished the v1.2 patch yet, and by now all serious gamers have already finished the game. Playing the expansion pack (if and when there is one - this is pure speculation) on 64-bit would be nice though...

 

[Budman]

I would like to know if any more people have any views on this too.

I am planning to buy a 2800+ A64 or a 3100+ sempron,I know the 2800+ should be faster but what happens when you OC the snot out of the sempron?

With my luck I would probably end up with a crappy OC 2800+ but with the newer stepping of the 3100+ sempron it will probably OC up to 2.4ghz or more.

 

[Mamapajama]

You guys might wanna check this out:

Overclocking the snot out of a Sempron 3100+

 

[Concillian]

I think the chances are about the same either way. I've seen a number of newcastle core 2800+ at 2500 MHz and over. The sempr0n may be the best value as you save $30, but mwave has no mobo + CPU special with it like the 2800+. With the mwave Chaintech vnf250 + 2800+ for $206, it's hard to beat the 2800+.

To the OP worried about the multiplier, the multiplier is exactly the same on the 2900+ and the Sempron 3100+. They both run at 9x200 MHz.

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

i'd get the sempron, it looks like you won't miss the extra cache and it'l overclock as good or better

 

[Budman]

I ended up getting the A64 2800+ instead,it was only 10$ more cdn and I am now xp64 ready.

 

[Toro 45]

Originally posted by: Mamapajama
You guys might wanna check this out:

Overclocking the snot out of a Sempron 3100+

Thanks for the link, nice results on overclocking the Sempron, I hope those temps were just a bios bug.

 

[Toro 45]

Good cal Budman, even with those good overclocking results on the Sempron there really needs to be a bigger price gap in the Semp3100 and the 64/2800 to get me to buy it.

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: Toro 45
Good cal Budman, even with those good overclocking results on the Sempron there really needs to be a bigger price gap in the Semp3100 and the 64/2800 to get me to buy it.

Yes the price difference needs to be much more,only 10$ cdn price difference for me wasnt worth losing 64 bit &amp; 1/2 the cache.

 

[Remedy]

That's odd. I paid $99 for my sempron from Monarch. An A64 2800+ is/was $136. That $36 bought me a Thermalright XP-90 for it to mate with. Cdn market? Sigh...

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}
That's odd. I paid $99 for my sempron from Monarch. An A64 2800+ is/was $136. That $36 bought me a Thermalright XP-90 for it to mate with. Cdn market? Sigh...

tell me about it.

Best price I could find for it in Ottawa was,

Athlon 64 2800+ 1.80GHz Socket 754, 512K L2 Cache, 64-bit, Retail, 3 Year Warranty 186.99 $ cdn
Sempron 3100+ 1.80GHz Socket 754, 256K L2 Cache, HT, Retail, 3 Year Warranty 175.95 $ cdn

I figured for 11.04$ more I might as well buy the A64.

 

[Remedy]

I don't quite understand. Why is the canadian computer market so harsh on prices? It's unfair to the consumer who doesn't have much to spend. But atleast you have free health care. Sigh....