Upgrading CPU for HL2: Athlon XP 2500+, 2600+, or 2700+?

[brigden]

I'm currently running:

Athlon XP 1800+
EPoX 8RDA+
Radeon 9700 Pro
512MB Corsair TWINX512-2700LLPT

I want to upgrade the CPU before HL2 ships. I'm on a budget, and I'm considering the following processors:

2500+ ($134.40 CAD @ Vibe Computers)
2600+ ($155.40 CAD @ Vibe)
2700+ ($212.10 CAD @ Vibe)

The 2700+ is a little more than I want to pay, so I'm considering the 2600+, which, if I recall, is only 30Mhz slower. Now, the 2500+ has the Barton core and twice the cache, but the clockspeed is only 1.8Ghz. Should I still consider it?

I have NO intentions of overclocking these chips, and the PC is basically just a gaming rig. My question to you: Which is the best bet? TIA.

 

[BaboonGuy]

Get a Barton since it will make full use of your PC2700 RAM at 333 FSB IIRC.

 

[brigden]

All of the above mention CPUs run at 333Mhz FSB.

 

[Arcanedeath]

Well if your not going to overclock I'd buy the fastest one in your budget, but if you'll willing to just raise the multiplier you could very easily overclock a 2500+ to around 2.2Ghz @ close to Default voltage, in my exp most of these chips will go at least that far w/ decent cooling

 

[magomago]

yeah - get the 2500+ and instead of any real overclocking just turn up the multiplier and you should hit around 2-2.1Ghz on default voltage...

 

[Tab]

2500+ or you could always go Intel if you've got some money

 

[dmw16]

2500+ and overclock...we have a very similar system. I have the same motherboard and video card. And my CPU is doing a tad over 2.3ghz...so you'll be happy w/ a setup like that.
-doug

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: Tabb
2500+ or you could always go Intel if you've got some money

considering 212 CAD is too high for him I doubt he'll want to spend more on just an Intel CPU

 

[nowayout99]

You probably won't have that much of a difference with a CPU upgrade. But Barton 2500+ is probably the best value. OC's like a champ.

 

[brigden]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Thing is, my case, an In-Win, doesn't have the best cooling. My CPU is currently running at 47 degrees celcius. Overclocking using a stock fan is going to run any new CPU even higher. Not a good idea.

The 2500+ Barton has a clock speed of 1.83 GHz
The 2600+ TBred has a clock speed of 2.08 GHz
The 2700+ Tbred has a clock speed of 2.17 GHz

I'm leaning towards the 2600+ TBred unless someone can convince me otherwise...

 

[nowayout99]

There isn't really a wrong answer from that list.

If cooling is a considerable issue, the 2500+ Barton could be overclocked effortlessly to 2600+ level and generate equal or less heat than the actual 2600+, since the 2600+ is a Thoroughbred (older core). Just a thought, but there are no wrong answers.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: nowayout99
There isn't really a wrong answer from that list.

If cooling is a considerable issue, the 2500+ Barton could be overclocked effortlessly to 2600+ level and generate equal or less heat than the actual 2600+, since the 2600+ is a Thoroughbred (older core). Just a thought, but there are no wrong answers.

Interesting insight.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: nowayout99
There isn't really a wrong answer from that list.

If cooling is a considerable issue, the 2500+ Barton could be overclocked effortlessly to 2600+ level and generate equal or less heat than the actual 2600+, since the 2600+ is a Thoroughbred (older core). Just a thought, but there are no wrong answers.

Interesting insight.

actually, bartons run hotter than throughbreds. i would get the 2700+

 

[nowayout99]

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: nowayout99
There isn't really a wrong answer from that list.

If cooling is a considerable issue, the 2500+ Barton could be overclocked effortlessly to 2600+ level and generate equal or less heat than the actual 2600+, since the 2600+ is a Thoroughbred (older core). Just a thought, but there are no wrong answers.

Interesting insight.

actually, bartons run hotter than throughbreds. i would get the 2700+

I haven't seen that to be the case in any articles I've seen so far. Example Linkie shows a 2500+ Barton to be well under a 2600+ Tbred in typical heat dissipation. A modest OC on the 2500+ to 2600+ level wouldn't likely make it as hot or hotter than the Tbred 2600+.

Overclocking aside, even the 3000+ Barton is cooler than the 2600+ Tbred.

 

[brigden]

I see in that link you provided the 2600+ @ 333MHz FSB outperforms the 2500+ in all the gaming tests. Since that's the primary purpose of the rig, I think I'll be picking up a 2600+. That is, unless the 2700+ drops in price...

 

[modedepe]

The 2500+ would definitely be the best if you were overclocking, but since you're not get the fastest that you can afford.

 

[BFG10K]

When you buy hardware you should always buy the fastest you can afford.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: nowayout99

Originally posted by: shady06

Originally posted by: brigden

Originally posted by: nowayout99
There isn't really a wrong answer from that list.

If cooling is a considerable issue, the 2500+ Barton could be overclocked effortlessly to 2600+ level and generate equal or less heat than the actual 2600+, since the 2600+ is a Thoroughbred (older core). Just a thought, but there are no wrong answers.

Interesting insight.

actually, bartons run hotter than throughbreds. i would get the 2700+

I haven't seen that to be the case in any articles I've seen so far. Example Linkie shows a 2500+ Barton to be well under a 2600+ Tbred in typical heat dissipation. A modest OC on the 2500+ to 2600+ level wouldn't likely make it as hot or hotter than the Tbred 2600+.

Overclocking aside, even the 3000+ Barton is cooler than the 2600+ Tbred.

actually, i speak from personal expeeriance. i have had 5 t-breds and 3 bartons. the bartons always run hotter. I'm sure Shim can confirm this as he prolly remembers his AMD days