Which AMD

[Matrix777]

Hi Folks,
I'm new to AnandTech [Really got some meat to it], since there are a lot of people out here
who really know their onions, I'd like to post my question out here.

Coming to the point :

I've never bought an AMD before, but interested in one,
I'm a soft. dev. and 've been using P 1.5GHz+ with 512 MegRam to run all the
Servers and development Tools [All IBM stuff, they suck for performance and eat ram without a burp].
And ofcourse games 8-]

I won't be overclocking, hence can you Gurus suggest me the following :

1.) AMD chip between [ comparable 1.5GHz to 2.4 GHz of Pentium ]
2.) Chipset [I've heard lots about nForce2].
3.) Motherboard.
4.) The brand for 512 Ram which is perfect for the chip suggested [The FSB I mean].

Can anyone tell me which CD burners are the best.
I've tried Samsung [but returned it, since it failed after about 300 writes.]
My ASUS drive went bad after about 6k writes.

I am running Linux & XP. With 2 other comps. connected, hence some networking too.
[Shouldn't matter, but just in case.]

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lonyo]

ABit NF7 (-S if you need the extra features, SATA, better onboard sound, and I think more USB2/Firewire ports/connectors).
Barton 2500+
TwinMOS PC2700 or 3200 (PC2700 would suffice as it has the same speed as the Barton's FSB).

Look for a Lite-On CD-RW, since they're said to be the best/cheapest, and some other drives are just rebadged Lite-Ons anyway.

My "onions"

 

[Corporate Thug]

nf7-s (nforce2) / 2500+ / 512 buffalo pc3200. easily runs 5-2-2-2 on stock voltage @ 200 mhz

 

[Matrix777]

I don't get "5-2-2-2" ?
I tried to search this site, but it does'nt seem to be explained in any article. Could you please point me to one ?

Thank you All for yor reply.

 

[PanzerIV]

Matrix777 those are the memory timings. The lower the better since it equals faster performance. You want your CAS level, in this case 2, as low as possible.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Matrix777
I don't get "5-2-2-2" ?
I tried to search this site, but it does'nt seem to be explained in any article. Could you please point me to one ?

Thank you All for yor reply.

5-2-2-2 refers to the CAS latency of the memory. Running lower numbers in this respect boosts memory system performance, and is akin to overclocking it. You could try tweak3d.net, they'll probably have an article on it.

Most users just plug the stick of ram into the motherboard, set the BIOS to "optimal" memory timings, and don't worry about it.

As for the system suggestion, I agree with the 2500+/nforce2 combo. I personally like the Asus A7N8X-deluxe board. It's fast, stable, and has oodles of features.

<EDIT: For CD burners, Plextor has the best brand recognition IMO. However, I would reccomend spending the extra money for a DVD burner, as most of them can also burn to CD. I have a Pioneer DVR-A05 that I'm very happy with, and I know someone with an A06 and they think it's great.>

 

[Matrix777]

Thanks Dave and PanzerIV !
That was very informative, tweak3d.net seems a fundoo site.

Yes, I'm going for a DVD Burner.


-------------------------
Matrix777
Don't think you can, KNOW you can..

 

[EeyoreX]

1.) AMD chip between [ comparable 1.5GHz to 2.4 GHz of Pentium ]

Personally, any Barton based AMD proc. I have a Barton 2800+

2.) Chipset [I've heard lots about nForce2].

Just about any nForce2 board in my opinion. I think just buy one with the features you need. Some people like one brand over others.

3.) Motherboard.

I like my MSI K7N2 Delta-ILSR board. Of course, I also can't compare it to other boards, since I haven't used any other nForce2 boards.

4.) The brand for 512 Ram which is perfect for the chip suggested

With what other people are suggesting (Barton 2500+), I see zero need for anything other than PC2700 RAM, other than possible "future-proofing". PC2700 runs synch with Barton CPUs (unless you get a 400MHz FSB Barton, then you should get PC3200). For whatever motherboard you get, you might want to check nForcersHQ, they have in most (all?) of the motherboard manufacturer forums a thread about incompatable RAM, as some boards don't like some brands. My board works great with Corsair.

<edit>My CD-RW info isn't needed, since I missed somehow that you are going for a DVD burner.</edit>

\Dan

 

[splice]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: Matrix777
I don't get "5-2-2-2" ?
I tried to search this site, but it does'nt seem to be explained in any article. Could you please point me to one ?

Thank you All for yor reply.

5-2-2-2 refers to the CAS latency of the memory.

Actually, that's only partly true

5 - Bank cycle time (tRAS)
2 - Column Address Strobe (CAS)
2 - Row Address Strobe (RAS) to (CAS)
2 - RAS Precharge Delay (tRP)

Obviously, lower is better for all the values.. but it's the CAS cycles is what most ppl look at because it gives the biggest delta in performance when comparing memory.

 

[illuminati]

I second ( or third/fourth... whatever ) the recommendation for a Barton/nForce2 combo.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

5-2-2-2 are actually quite stupid timings...

try 11-2-2-2. You'll be surprised in the memory benchmarks

I second the Abit NF7-S , 2500+ barton, Buffalo\TwinMOS combo.

 

[MDE]

Abit Asus and Epox are all highly regarded by most as good motherboard brands. The Barton core Athlons are the 2500+, 2800+, 3000+, and 3200+. The best bang for the buck is the 2500 especially if you overclock.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
5-2-2-2 are actually quite stupid timings...

try 11-2-2-2. You'll be surprised in the memory benchmarks

I second the Abit NF7-S , 2500+ barton, Buffalo\TwinMOS combo.

Esspecialy since TRas "should" be CAS + CAS to Ras + 2 = 6. But yeah for a few N force2's 11 is best.