X2 4400, 4600 or 4800

[AgentJean]

I'm going to upgrade my Athlon 64 3500+(Winchester) in the next few months.
My current chip runs at 2.2GHZ with 512KB cache.

Which CPU would give me the best preformace upgrade for the money?
X2 4400 @ 2.2GHZ with 2x1MB cache
X2 4600 @ 2.4 with 2x 512k
X2 4800 @ 2.4 with 2x 1MB

I guess it would be possible to OC the 4400 to a 2.4 without any real problems but the 4600s are like 8 bucks more so why not get a chip that is already clocked but it has half the cache. How big of a difference does 1MB of cache make over 512K?

P.S, this will be the final upgrade to this system. The 939 socket is obsolete so this upgrade will max out my system.

 

[Ayah]

I suggest the 4400+ and overclock it.

 

[Mucker]

This isn't too bad: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103542

If you are going to OC, you're going to need a HSF anyway......

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: Mucker
This isn't too bad: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103542

If you are going to OC, you're going to need a HSF anyway......

That's not bad at all.
I already have a Venus 12 heat sink but I may upgrade to a A64 freezer.
I haven't done any overclocking before so I'm not sure if I will.

 

[pkme2]

You can overclock the 4800+.
Check this out.

 

[russki]

just buy the cheapest one.... $$ FTW!

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: pkme2
You can overclock the 4800+.
Check this out.

Umm phase change cooling is a way out of my league and pocket book.
Plus my current computer puts out enough heat as it is. I don't need an A/C unit in my computer putting out even more heat making my room even hotter.

 

[OcHungry]

Why not just get the Opteron 175? it's same price as 4400 and overclocks much better.
plus, it comes w/ a good heatpipe saves you another $30.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103584

 

[MBrown]

I was looking at doing the same thing but this will be happening to be in about a week. I have to same current rig as you as well. I will be getting the 89W 4400 because those seem to overclock very nicely. I'll be able to see what my Epox board is made of.

 

[AgentJean]

Originally posted by: OcHungry
Why not just get the Opteron 175? it's same price as 4400 and overclocks much better.
plus, it comes w/ a good heatpipe saves you another $30.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103584

Man, you just had to go throw in another CPU for my consideration, after I was set on the 4400


What's so great about the Opteron's anyways? I thought they were server CPUs.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

First off, 175s will not clock as well as well as the 165s/170s, you'll probably go around 2.6-2.8 max unless you get lucky (really) and/or use exotic cooling.

If you're going for an Opty, I would pick up a 165 or a 170.

As for your question, I'd get a 4400 and OC it...

 

[GundamSonicZeroX]

Well, I guess I'll be getting the 4400 as well

 

[customcoms]

Opteron 165 is the best dual core chip from AMD atm, period. They are cheaper than every other dual core and pretty much all the AMD dual cores overclock the same (reach around 2.6-2.8), plus it has that sweet heatsink for free

 

[Mucker]

Originally posted by: customcoms
Opteron 165 is the best dual core chip from AMD atm, period. They are cheaper than every other dual core and pretty much all the AMD dual cores overclock the same (reach around 2.6-2.8), plus it has that sweet heatsink for free

Just beware that your MB must be able to handle at least 289 HT for 2600 MHz and 312 for 2800 MHz.....and....have the necessary memory dividers if your ram is not upper end......

 

[Skitzer]

The X2 4400+ is an excellent choice. My son has his running at 2.6GHz at 1.55v with the stock cooler. The 1MB cache per core is nice to have also. It actually runs most things smoother than my 3700 San Diego at 3.0GHz. I'd get one but I've decided no more upgrades until next year when the next generation DX10 cards come out.