Trying to decide on 939 Dual Core

tonyjones102

Junior Member
Feb 4, 2007
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I've decided to do one last upgrade on my 939 system, before I jump over to the C2D bandwagon, most likely by the end of this, or early next year.

I'm looking for a decent dual core processor to hold me over until then. I want it primarily for video editing with Premiere Pro, and some gaming (Oblivion, Half Life) as well.

I can't decide between opterons or X2s. I'm trying not to go too far over 250 CAD. Forget about retail prices, Newegg doesn't ship to Canada, so I'm going to focus on eBay. I can get an 89w 4400+ from ebay for 260 CAD, including shipping.

I'm not interested in the Opty 185 or Fx-60, but something that could overclock to those speeds would be wonderful. Right now, the Opteron 165, 170 and 175 are pretty appealing, along with the 4200, 4400, 4600, 4800 X2s.

I'm planning on overclocking, and my goal is 2.8ghz, but 2.6 would be awesome aswell.

Any recommendations? And remember... eBay prices....

Thanks,

Tony
 

freshspace

Senior member
Mar 23, 2002
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I think everyone is jumping on the opteron 165 bandwagon. But doesn't it have 1000 HT, compared to 2000HT with others? How about x2 4400? I thought I saw this chip on sale at newegg for about $190. This also has 2x1mb L2 cache. This is what I would personally get. Besides, the real strength of Opteron is in the overclock, and some people have been getting some not-so-hot numbers recently, depending on the chip.
 

RichUK

Lifer
Feb 14, 2005
10,320
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Opteron 165.

You'll need to do some research on the good steppings before you commit yourself to an ebay bid. There was a time when some opteron 165's did 3Ghz on about 1.4 volts.
 

tonyjones102

Junior Member
Feb 4, 2007
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Thanks,

The thing that bothers me with the 165, is the 9x multiplier. With my ram at 280mhz, that's a frequency of 2.52. To reach my intended 2.8, I'd have to use a divider, which I'm not that interested in. The whole reason why I upgraded my ram in the first place was so I could overclock WITHOUT using a divider. Now upgrading my CPU again so I'm back on a divider doesn't go over that well with me...

;)

-Tony
 

RichUK

Lifer
Feb 14, 2005
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672
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Dividers aren?t really much of a problem on the AMD platform, but if you?re intent on keeping the memory 1:1 then perhaps opt for the 170 or 175.

What memory do you have? Do you already know the OC limits of your memory modules?
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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You realize, of course, that the effect of a high CPU multiplier and 1:1 FSB/RAM ratio and running a higher FSB with a lower CPU multiplier plus a RAM divider is the same? Example:

FX-62 CPU multi: 7x (multiplier reduced)
HTT: 400mhz
CPU speed: 2.8ghz
HTT/RAM ratio: 2:1
RAM speed: 200 mhz (DDR400/DDR2-800)

FX-62 CPU multi: 14x (stock)
HTT: 200 mhz (stock)
CPU speed: 2.8 ghz
HTT/RAM ratio: 1:1
RAM speed: 200 mhz (DDR400/DDR2-800)

All you have to do is use the right CPU multi, HTT speed, and divider to keep your RAM running at 280 mhz (DDR560). Using a divider will not hurt you.
 

tonyjones102

Junior Member
Feb 4, 2007
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Don't know why I never realized that before. So would the following be correct?

Opteron 165 with 8x multiplier
HTT: 350
Freq: 2.8ghz
HTT/RAM Ratio: 5:4
Ram speed: 280mhz

Thanks for letting me realize that! I think I'm going to go with the opty 165...

-Tony
 

tonyjones102

Junior Member
Feb 4, 2007
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What about the max HTT of the opty, and my dfi lanparty sli-dr? Is 350 too much? With the 9x it would be 312...

-Tony
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
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Originally posted by: tonyjones102
Don't know why I never realized that before. So would the following be correct?

Opteron 165 with 8x multiplier
HTT: 350
Freq: 2.8ghz
HTT/RAM Ratio: 5:4
Ram speed: 280mhz

It should work, yes. Keep in mind that AMD platforms use the following formula for determining RAM speed:

(CPU speed/(CPU multi/DRAM divider)) = DRAM speed

But in your case, (2800/(8/.8)) = 280

So you're good to go as long as your motherboard can handle 350mhz HTT.

Originally posted by: tonyjones102
What about the max HTT of the opty, and my dfi lanparty sli-dr? Is 350 too much? With the 9x it would be 312...

-Tony

That would be a function of your motherboard, particularly the northbridge. If you want to find out, drop the multiplier on your current s939 chip as low as it will go, set a conservative RAM ratio like 2:1, and then crank the HTT until it becomes unstable. I have no idea if your board will hit 350mhz HTT or not, but you can answer that question pretty quickly yourself.

According to this review, it topped out at 359mhz HTT: http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/dfinf4sli/13.html
 

Quinton McLeod

Senior member
Jan 17, 2006
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Why upgrade to C2D early next year when the K8L will be released later this year? It may end up being a cheaper option to go with the K8L and DDR3 (yes, I did mean three).