Sempron 3100+ vs 2.8GHz P4

[dpopiz]

which one is faster for multitasking, app performance, and video/audio editing?

btw the 3100+ is a K8-derived core (athlon 64 with 256k and no 64-bit)

 

[o1die]

Depends on which 2.8 p4 you use. The "c" is what I had, and it beats the sempron for multitasking, especially when overclocked.

 

[DrMrLordX]

2.8c and 2.8e should both be better at mutlitasking and video encoding. The Sempron wll be faster over all in single-threaded apps and in games.

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX
2.8c and 2.8e should both be better at mutlitasking and video encoding. The Sempron wll be faster over all in single-threaded apps and in games.

QFT

 

[RussianSensation]

Never underestimate the power of the letter C.

Start Gaming benches
Video

Although the sempron is slightly faster in games, it is way slower in video benches. Hyperthreading will make it faster in all office applications too as well as in adobe photoshop. AMD is strong at WinRAR though.

The problem is, even if P4 2.8 was faster across the board even in gaming I still cannot recommend it. This is so because S478 boards do not come with PCIe graphics card support. At the same time, Sempron is 754 socket and it's a dead socket, doesnt have dual-channel support and half the time comes with an AGP slot. Therefore, it is not a good choice either. The amount of $ you'll spend for a decent AGP videocard will far offset any benefits you'll get from savings by going with S478 or 754 over the more expensive 939 solution.

I would personally spend a little more and get A64 3000+ on S939. Not only can you get cheaper and faster PCIe cards for same or lower prices, but you'll have dual-core support and future PCIe upgradability. In 939 scenario you could keep the same motherboard and upgrade to A64 4800+ in the future. With S478 you are stuck at 3.4ghz and no 64-bit support and with 754 at 3700+ single core. But if you on a budget and must choose, go with Sempron and 754 PCIe motherboard.

 

[furballi]

The 3100 will overclock to +2.3GHz...better than the P4 2.8.

My 3100 is running at 2.44GHz, which is slightly faster than a stock A64 3500. You can't beat a $90 MB/CPU combo. Dual core and PCI express will not achieve mainstream acceptance for another 1 to 2 years. At that time, sell the 3100 rig and build another system. Even a top-of-the-line system will have problem running the latest technology after one year.

 

[Zap]

It is not true that there are no socket 478 boards with PCIe. It is true that the only one widely available in the USA uses a "fake' PCIe slot that's actually 4x not 16x (IIRC, an ASRock board). I think Asus and Albatron makes some but those are not available on these shores. One forum member recently bought an Albatron from some Asian shop and paid $40 to ship it here. He actually got it and it's the real deal.

Socket 754 is as dead as socket 939 - both to be supplanted by AM2. No dual channel or dual core? Big whoop! For my purposes now, and for the forseeable future (couple of years) dual core is of no use to me. Yes, I'm typing this on an overclocked x2. No, I notice absolutely NO difference in performance between this and my overclocked P4 without Hyperthreading from two years ago that I still use. I also noticed no difference in performance from the socket 754 A64 that I was using before I got this x2. I DID notice big differences with gaming from upgrading the video card. With PCIe available for socket 754, that makes for a nice budget gamer.

I'm not saying that there is no value to dual core. My point is that not everybody will benefit for the next few years and you do a disservice to others by convincing them to pay more for dual core (or dual core capable) if it is of no benefit to what they are planning to use the computer for. Now, the OP mentioned multitasking - sure that is one benefit of dual core. Is he really going to multitask? Many people who think they are multitasking are really task swapping. Got tons of application windows open and running? Well, which ones are actually taking up real amounts of CPU time? Encoding a video or folding in the background? Sure thing! Having a couple of IM, your email software, bunch of browser windows, couple of documents open... I don't think so.

 

[furballi]

1GB of RAM will allow the user the ability to run many applications in the background. However, only video encoding and gaming are CPU intensive tasks. I notice a minimal speed drop when I transcode a DVD title and run Office at the same time. For the majority of PC users, the use of a dual-core CPU presents no additional performance benefit.