Which setup is better?

[LuckyTaxi]

I currently have a Sempron AMD 64 bit CPU w/ 256 L2 cache.
The system is rigged with a 1GB of memory (PC3200).
Running Windows XP w/ SP2

I am thinking of replacing it with an Athlon XP 3000+.
This system also has 1gb of memory but it's a PC2700.
It would also be running Windows XP w/ SP2.

I plan on running Photoshop and burning DVDs along with the usual web surfing and writing documents in Excel and Word. Oh and I will want to play Civ IV when it's released.

 

[Furen]

If the sempron is a 3100+ (or a 2800+), I'd say it'll be quite a bit better.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Originally posted by: Furen
If the sempron is a 3100+ (or a 2800+), I'd say it'll be quite a bit better.

ooops ... yea the sempron is a 2800+.
My only concern is the L2 cache, where the sempron is 256 and the XP is 512.

 

[Insomniak]

Semprons can be hellacious OCers. Sempron all the way.

 

[Avalon]

The Sempron will be a good deal faster. Those processors are little beasts.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Yep, clockspeed>cache and the sempron will hit a higher clock

 

[LuckyTaxi]

I forgot to mention that I wont be overclocking

 

[MDE]

Sempron. Just about any K8 based chip (your Sempron) will be faster than just about any K7 based chip (Athlon XP).

 

[2kfire]

Originally posted by: MDE
Sempron. Just about any K8 based chip (your Sempron) will be faster than just about any K7 based chip (Athlon XP).

due to the integrated memory controller, SSE2/3, better cache (edit: not more, but better as in lower latency and prediction etc) etc etc
Sempron S462 and S754

 

[A554SS1N]

Yep, I'd say Sempron 64 is better too, and runs nice and cool too comapred to a 3000+ XP!!!

 

[nemesismk2]

The Sempron 2800 will be better and with it being 64bit will be future proof too.

 

[nemesismk2]

<double post>

 

[AkumaX]

any k8 sempr0n

 

[Leper Messiah]

sempron def. is better. something like 25% more efficent, clock for clock than K7s.

And why not the OC? Just curious, don't want to pressure you or anything...

 

[DrMrLordX]

He might not have the right kind of board for overclocking. If he does, he should OC it to at least 2 ghz, or however high it will go on stock vcore. Mine hit 2.32 ghz.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Believe it or not I dont know how to OC. I've heard of horror stories of ppl burning their CPU. I would like to but I dont want to risk it. I think I have an MSI board (Chipset :VIA K8M800 (VT8380)) to be exact.

 

[Hacp]

Semprons have a better branch predictor! WTF did I say memory controller lol!

 

[DrMrLordX]

lilcam, the risk in overclocking usually comes from raising vcore(core voltage). As long as you don't mess with any voltage settings, you aren't going to fry any chips. I personally refuse to run my Sempr0n 2800+ at anything but stock vcore, and I can still run it at 2.32 ghz. It idles at the same speed as it does at 1.6 ghz, and goes maybe 2 degrees celcius higher while running Prime95.

In other words, these little chips are no-brainer overclocks, provided your board has the right features. I'm not sure if yours does . . .