Value for money processor?

cwos

Member
Jan 25, 2005
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What would be a good processor for me to upgrade to that isn't very expensive?
My mobo can only accomodate Intels...
 

zakee00

Golden Member
Dec 23, 2004
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Originally posted by: db
nm

rofl lemme guess what you had there...A64 3000+? :D
i did that before sep with x800xl i think, when the guy said he wanted an nvidia card
we need more info, what kind of soccet do you have?
 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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What do you have now, what motherboard do you have, and what are you looking to improve?
 

cwos

Member
Jan 25, 2005
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Using an Intel Celeron 1.8gHz on an ECS L4S5A mobo, need a processor that won't hit 100% CPU Usage so often.
 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: cwos
Motherboard can only go at 400mHz FSB

In that case, don't bother upgrading the CPU. Go for a cheap AXP or A64 setup that fits your budget.
 

Aenslead

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2001
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I agree with ts3433.

I highly recomend an ASRock or ECS motherboard with the siS 755 chipset (quite cheap) and a Sempron 3100+; it costs ALMOST the same as a top of the line Intel P4 @ 2.8Ghz+, and you get VERY good performance.

Good luck.
 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: Aenslead
I agree with ts3433.

I highly recomend an ASRock or ECS motherboard with the siS 755 chipset (quite cheap) and a Sempron 3100+; it costs ALMOST the same as a top of the line (not quite) Intel P4 @ 2.8Ghz+, and you get VERY good performance.

Good luck.

Though I'd personally get a better board ($70 Chaintech or Epox NF3, for OCing) and go for the slightly more expensive A64 2800+ (for 64-bit sh!ts and giggles later, unless the Sempron is significantly cheaper), that's a much better proposition than a new CPU, because of course if he dropped an 800FSB P4 into his motherboard, it would either not work or run at half its rated speed, and possibly with no dual channel either (I'm not familiar with the SiS chipset on his board).
 

superkdogg

Senior member
Jul 9, 2004
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You could always grab up an XP-M and NForce2 combo for about 130 USD. That's pretty decent bang for your buck. Whatever you get is going to be a world of improvement on your current CPU. Don't forget to evaluate your ram and PSU as well, because depending on what you have they may need to be replaced to allow for a CPU/Motherboard upgrade.
 

Aenslead

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2001
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Well, he DOES seem to be on a budget, hence I suggested the cheap and efficient parts. And yes, it's perfectly understood that should he buy a P4 w/800FSB it would work only at half its original speed, hence I suggested a complete upgrade:

P4 @ 3.0Ghz = 200USD
Sempron 3100+ = 120USD
Any cheap S754 mobo = 60USD

Better performance, less price... AND he can still use his DDR memory, even if its PC2100.
 

Shenkoa

Golden Member
Jul 27, 2004
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The Sempron 3100+ has nothing on the P4 3C/E

Actually the P4 would stomp the crap out of the Sempron.


If you want to upgrade your current setup with no hassle of installing a new motherboard.
 

Aenslead

Golden Member
Sep 9, 2001
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Checked the gaming benchmarks lately, Shenkoa?

How about Business performance? Try looking some at the benchmarks @ AT. You may find some good info.
 

richardrds

Senior member
Dec 7, 2004
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Originally posted by: Aenslead
Well, he DOES seem to be on a budget, hence I suggested the cheap and efficient parts. And yes, it's perfectly understood that should he buy a P4 w/800FSB it would work only at half its original speed, hence I suggested a complete upgrade:

P4 @ 3.0Ghz = 200USD
Sempron 3100+ = 120USD
Any cheap S754 mobo = 60USD

Better performance, less price... AND he can still use his DDR memory, even if its PC2100.


Well if he is going to go $180, he may as well scrape up the extra $70 and get a great performing sytem that has lots of upgrade potential, and can OC to the performance level of a 4000+/FX53:

A64 3000+ Winchester Retail box with HSF = $150
Abit AV8 S939 mobo = $100
 

ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: Shenkoa
Have you?

The Sempron 3100+ is meat to compete directly with the Celeron. Show me the benchmarks that prove a Sempron 3100+ Faster then a P4 at 3 GHz.


http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/article.php/3398581

The 3100+ isn't very far behind the A64 2800+, which is close enough. However, you're forgetting that the OP cannot simply drop in a 3.0C unless he wants to run it at 1.5GHz (400FSB mobo), thus your point is moot.
 

Shenkoa

Golden Member
Jul 27, 2004
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Close enough, but the 2800+ aka Sempron 3100+ is not as fast as the P4 3C/E, maybe the 2.8C.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
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Originally posted by: Aenslead
Here you go:

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20050202/sempron-07.html

Its not quite the best, but its the one of the first I could find. Anyhow, they compare it with a 3.2Ghz P4, and I assume a 3.0Ghz is 5-10% slower, and that's usually the difference that the Sempron shows.

RICHARDRDS:

That's a good suggestion, but its still up to his budget.

Jus stop right now dude. You can't cherry pick your bench suite that only show semp in best light... need global results...http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/sempron_10.html something like that


a sempron 3100 is like a 2700Mhz P4..
 

gobucks

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
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i'd say the socket 939 3000+, especially since there's gonna be a price drop on the 16th. Maybe it'll hit $130? I love mine, it's sitting at 2.5GHz right now with only a .025V vcore bump, and it was stable at 2.48 at stock Vcore. Anyways, I love it, and i think it's a far greater value than anything else, cause it's gonna play nicely into my next upgrade - i got an nforce4 ultra mobo for $120, and that supports PCIe for my next video upgrade, and will support the socket 939 dual cores, so i can upgrade my CPU too. in fact, I think that the new A64s will support 4 full speed DIMMs as well, so i have room to throw another gig or 2 of memory in as well. And I'll just throw my 3000+ and 6600GT into a little shuttle SFF, and make it into a media center.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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This is what you want so you can use existing memory and video card. It's still cheaper than a P4 alone and will way out perform when both Overclcoked. You also are getting a new and better mobo and future built in with 64 bit.

From mwave.com
AMD ATHLON 64 2800+ RETAILEDBOX
EPOX 8KDA3I

$186

Nothing intel has can touch this for price/performance or features. OC to 2500Mhz and you're faster than a p4@3.7.