mechBgon
Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
- Oct 31, 1999
- 30,699
- 1
- 0
AMD was talking at one point about NEVER using DDR2. In the interview I read, they didn't seem to see any point in it from a performance standpoint. Higher bandwidth, but with a latency penalty that neutralizes the benefit. And when's the last time an AMD processor was extremely dependent on huge memory bandwidth in the first place, eh? If it were a Netburst-family processor, with their general trait of dependence on memory bandwidth, then maybe it would be a different story. And oh look, look where DDR2 is used... Pentium platforms.
:light:
:Q
Yeah.
:light:
:Q
Yeah.
Ronin
Diamond Member
Originally posted by: mechBgon
AMD was talking at one point about NEVER using DDR2. In the interview I read, they didn't seem to see any point in it from a performance standpoint. Higher bandwidth, but with a latency penalty that neutralizes the benefit. And when's the last time an AMD processor was extremely dependent on huge memory bandwidth in the first place, eh? If it were a Netburst-family processor, with their general trait of dependence on memory bandwidth, then maybe it would be a different story. And oh look, look where DDR2 is used... Pentium platforms.
:light:
:Q
Yeah.
And yet, they're going DDR2 anyway, after it's had the time to mature.
sk8er...
1. DDR2 is high latency, so for an AMD processor it's death. This is because the AMD processors are VERY efficient (run faster at lower clockspeeds). The P4 has to run at a much higher clockspeed to come close because it's VERY inefficient...but this also means that it doesn't really care as much about latency.
2. DDR2 will be available next year at mainstream prices in the 667MHz and higher range. At this point, the clockspeed of the memory will outweigh it's latency problems and it will be usable on an AMD platform with much less penalty. Remember, DDR2 isn't any better than DDR (in fact in many ways it's not nearly as good), but it does have the advantage that it will be able to clock higher eventually.
3. The Pentium D is an embarrasment to Intel, but they absolutely needed to put it on the market quickly. The AMD's have been designed to be dualcore processors since they were first conceived (6+ years ago), which is why they have such a significant advantage over the Intel dual cores.
4. Many maintain that it's possible Intel's future Conroe/Merom processors will finally be AMD's equal when they come out (sometime at the end of next year), though nobody really can know yet (they sound good on paper, but we've heard that one before...).
5. As to motherboards, I suggest an Nforce4 chipset...beyond that, go with the features and brand name you prefer.
The bottom line is that the very best you can buy today is an AMD X2 processor on an Nforce4 platform...there really is no dispute anywhere about that fact (except for those who just like to argue because they like to argue...).
1. DDR2 is high latency, so for an AMD processor it's death. This is because the AMD processors are VERY efficient (run faster at lower clockspeeds). The P4 has to run at a much higher clockspeed to come close because it's VERY inefficient...but this also means that it doesn't really care as much about latency.
2. DDR2 will be available next year at mainstream prices in the 667MHz and higher range. At this point, the clockspeed of the memory will outweigh it's latency problems and it will be usable on an AMD platform with much less penalty. Remember, DDR2 isn't any better than DDR (in fact in many ways it's not nearly as good), but it does have the advantage that it will be able to clock higher eventually.
3. The Pentium D is an embarrasment to Intel, but they absolutely needed to put it on the market quickly. The AMD's have been designed to be dualcore processors since they were first conceived (6+ years ago), which is why they have such a significant advantage over the Intel dual cores.
4. Many maintain that it's possible Intel's future Conroe/Merom processors will finally be AMD's equal when they come out (sometime at the end of next year), though nobody really can know yet (they sound good on paper, but we've heard that one before...).
5. As to motherboards, I suggest an Nforce4 chipset...beyond that, go with the features and brand name you prefer.
The bottom line is that the very best you can buy today is an AMD X2 processor on an Nforce4 platform...there really is no dispute anywhere about that fact (except for those who just like to argue because they like to argue...).
gsellis
Diamond Member
- Dec 4, 2003
- 6,061
- 0
- 0
Quoted both for truth. Get what you can or want. It will be faster than what you have. If you want advice on what to get specifically, for dual core budget range, gwt a X2 3800 or 4200. If you have too much cash that it is making your mattress lumpy, get an Opteron 275/285 system.
I do not see a mention of any special apps that you will be running, so I will assume games. An AMD platform will be the better fit. But, if it is a pain to change your order, don't. You will still be happy with a newer computer. The 820D is still a solid processor, just not ideal.
LOL, yeah, I've got some uber-secret 1000 pin RAM modules that really scream
Now, seriously, pin count has nothing to do with it.
DDR2 is the future, like it or not. Intel has been using it for quite some time and next year AMD will adopt it as well, making it the de-facto standard.
DDR2 is capable of running at much higher frequencies than DDR, and at lower voltages.
And as DDR2 matures the latencies will improve.
Thanks for all the input guys. I didn't think I would stir up so much trouble. Glad I didn't get the P-D. I am sure I will be happy with my P4 but after reading other responses I think I would be even happier with AMD, but not an option at this time.
Ronin
Diamond Member
The P4@3.0ghz is an old and creaky chip. Get something better. A P-D would be a good start. An X2 would be better.
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