Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > AMD Dual Core Question

AMD Dual Core Question

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs - AMD Dual Core Question

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
TinyTm344   12-08-2005 at 06:48:55 PM

I bought a Socket 939 Foxconn Motherboard about 6 months ago (the model number if anyone needs to know is 755FXK8AA) with an AMD Athalon 3000+ and now am looking to upgrade to an X2 3800+ Dual Core processor, I was curious if dual core works with all socket 939 motherboards by default, any comments will help Thanks.

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
sledgehammer70   12-08-2005 at 07:50:54 PM
- 0 +

Yes the X2's work fine with all 9393 mobo's the worst thing you have to do is flash the bios to the latest version!

Reply to sledgehammer70
slvr_phoenix   12-08-2005 at 08:34:42 PM
- 0 +

At least assuming that your BIOS has a version that you can flash to when you need to. :lol:

I'd email the manu and/or check their website just to make sure. :D

Reply to slvr_phoenix
natatkinson   12-11-2005 at 11:08:28 PM
- 0 +

Right now I am deciding between the two for my new computer. The 4200 X2 is about $100 less than the 4400 X2, but the 4400 X2 has the 1MB L2 cache. So I am pretty much asking if the L2 cache is worth it. I guess they do have different cores as well, so if someone has a comment on that too, that would be great.

Here they are:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103547

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103546

Reply to natatkinson
natatkinson   12-11-2005 at 11:23:37 PM
- 0 +

is this the same ? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103584

Quite a difference in price, but I guess the one on Newegg has heatsink and fan.

Also, I am looking at getting this motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131540. Will these be compatable?

Thanks for your help.

Reply to natatkinson
RichPLS   12-11-2005 at 11:27:23 PM
- 0 +

Yes, only difference is retail verses oem.
I decided to go oem, since I can get a better and quieter cooler for $40, and it even looks cool.

Reply to RichPLS
natatkinson   12-11-2005 at 11:34:40 PM
- 0 +

I am quite an amatuer, so one more question. if I just buy a "cooler," does that replace a Heatsink and fan, or just the fan? I never really looked at buying oem because I do know much about heatsinks and fans, and if it is better to buy your own. So, does this cooler keep your computer cooler than stock heatsink and fan? or just as good?

Reply to natatkinson
RichPLS   12-11-2005 at 11:42:35 PM
- 0 +

The stock heatsink and fans are very good, but a little noisy.
This one I am interested in is quiet and a bit better than stock.
This one comes with 120mm fan and heatsink, then you need some Artic Silver 5 thermal compound to bond the sink to the CPU thermally. Instruction are including with sink.

Reply to RichPLS
natatkinson   12-11-2005 at 11:46:17 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for everything, you have broadened my world!

Reply to natatkinson
User457   12-12-2005 at 01:19:14 AM
- 0 +

Quote :

Right now I am deciding between the two for my new computer. The 4200 X2 is about $100 less than the 4400 X2, but the 4400 X2 has the 1MB L2 cache. So I am pretty much asking if the L2 cache is worth it. I guess they do have different cores as well, so if someone has a comment on that too, that would be great.

Here they are:

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103547

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103546



No the upgrade in Cache isn't worth it... you'll be able to achieve the same performance buy overclocking quite easily.

User457

Reply to User457
natatkinson   12-12-2005 at 03:27:28 AM
- 0 +

Thanks User457, that was a question that I still had. I have read a little on overclocking, and I think I will give it a try.

Reply to natatkinson
endyen   12-12-2005 at 04:18:58 AM
- 0 +

While the 4200 will OC the extra 200mhz it will take to catch the perf of the 4400, the 4400 will OC higher than the 4200, so you end up with the extra cache performance plus a little bit more OC performance. Since the A64s aren't memory hogs, the cache helps keep the chip a little cooler, usually. Not that it matters if you go opteron. They have the extra cache, and OC a lot better. Something to do with being a top binned chip, made from the best silicon.

Reply to endyen
natatkinson   12-12-2005 at 02:51:39 PM
- 0 +

I was looking at the mother of all CPU's chart, and the 4200X2 was way up there for video editing, which is what I do. And I was reading some user reviews on it, and it can multitask like heck according to some users. So I think that pretty much puts the nail on the coffin for me. I will buy the 4200X2, unless the 4400X2 comes way down in price after christmas. Thanks for all your help.

Reply to natatkinson
User457   12-13-2005 at 04:37:07 PM
- 0 +

Sounds good... I'll be doing the same early Jan !!!

Reply to User457
RichPLS   12-13-2005 at 05:26:01 PM
- 0 +

Monarch has the Opteron 170 for $410
and the 175 for $461.

Just something to consider if your paying $400 or so for your X2 4200, the Opties are in your price range.

Reply to RichPLS
bhendin   12-14-2005 at 02:34:35 AM
- 0 +

Can you give some more information as to the advantages/disadvantages of the Opteron over the X2?

thanks!

Reply to bhendin
BaronMatrix   12-14-2005 at 03:15:57 AM
- 0 +

Can you give some more information as to the advantages/disadvantages of the Opteron over the X2?

thanks!


WIth the Opterons, you get a little better perf but you have to pay extra for the ECC RAM and MB. With the X2 you will save on both with nearly the same perf.
I would go for the 4400+ since it's got the extra cache which I believe does help Photoshop-type apps.

Reply to BaronMatrix
julius   12-14-2005 at 03:20:49 AM
- 0 +

hes talking about the s939 opterons. they have a tdp of 95w, and the x2s have 110w tdp, so the opteron dc will oc higher, since both cores have same tdp ceilings.

Reply to julius
bhendin   12-14-2005 at 04:30:58 AM
- 0 +

Let's say I don't want to overclock (I probably will fool around with OC, but let's say straight out of the gate)...

How does the:
- X2 4200 compare with the Opteron 170?
- X2 4400 compare with the Opteron 175?

Out of the 4 of those is the 4400 or 175 really worth an extra $100?

thanks!

Reply to bhendin
RichPLS   12-14-2005 at 09:34:02 AM
- 0 +

The opteron 939 uses same boards and non-ECC memeory, same as X2's.
ZZF has the Opty 175 for $461 and the 170 for around $415.
They are the best X2 ever made.

Reply to RichPLS
User457   12-14-2005 at 11:02:29 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

Let's say I don't want to overclock (I probably will fool around with OC, but let's say straight out of the gate)...

How does the:
- X2 4200 compare with the Opteron 170?
- X2 4400 compare with the Opteron 175?

Out of the 4 of those is the 4400 or 175 really worth an extra $100?

thanks!



Don't have any experience with the Opteron's but from reading various forums i believe the performance is around the same and they will overclock further.

If your nor overclocking then get the X2 and don't pay for the extra cache.

Reply to User457
RichPLS   12-14-2005 at 11:18:18 PM
- 0 +

The X2 4400 939pn is basically the same as the Opty 175 939pin
Same core speed, same cache, etc...
Main difference is the Opty comes from the premium fab of AMD.
Also, I ordered on at Monarch $461 and that is a better price than an X2-4400!

Reply to RichPLS
Admiral_Cecil   12-15-2005 at 01:09:27 AM
- 0 +

Hello,

Buy retail. Your CPU has a greater chance of not breaking/ damaged while in transit or in the warehouse. Warranty is generally better this way.

Reply to Admiral_Cecil
RichPLS   12-15-2005 at 01:34:38 AM
- 0 +

It is $70 more for retail, and the chips are the same.
I am using watercooling, and rather that 70 goes to the 100 the BigWater costs SE....

Reply to RichPLS
seanx   12-15-2005 at 10:49:17 AM
- 0 +

well I am also looking to buy x2 3800/4200/4400 +
my thinking now is that since all these 3 chips can be clocked easy
enough to 2,4ghz ...and above
why not go for the one with more cache ?
other than price of course, surely the extra cache will preform better
even if all 3 chips r @2,4ghz o'clock ?

Reply to seanx
natatkinson   12-15-2005 at 02:09:15 PM
- 0 +

but I think only the 4400 X2 has the 1 MB cache.

Reply to natatkinson
fishmahn   12-15-2005 at 11:31:47 PM
- 0 +

If you're going to OC any chip to the same point (2.4ghz), 1mb L2 will perform better than 512k L2. Any of those should hit 2.4g with ease.

Mike.

PS: And Natat... is right - the 4400 is the only 1 w/ 1MB L2/core.

Reply to fishmahn
david_uk   12-15-2005 at 11:41:11 PM
- 0 +

yes but just how significant is that extra 512kb of cache. Is it worth paying so much extra for it.

Reply to david_uk
fishmahn   12-16-2005 at 05:32:09 PM
- 0 +

Good question. Don't know the answer - that's up to each person.

If I was to choose between 1024kL2@2.0ghz or 512kL2@2.2ghz I would likely choose Mhz, but as for spending $ for 1024k vs 512k... Tough one.

Mike.

Reply to fishmahn
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > AMD Dual Core Question
Go to:

There are 973 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.488 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them