AMD CPU NewB Question

[BrettB]

SO,

I found these 2 on the same website:

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 800MHz FSB Socket 754 E6 Processor Model ADA3000BXBOX - Retail

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ ClawHammer 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model ADA2800BOX - Retail

for the same price. The Clawhammer is actually a few dollars more.

I thought the Venice was newer (better)? Is that the case? Does anyone have a link to an AMD roadmap that could point me in the right direction? The AMD website is rather vague on the topic...

 

[ChipDeath]

Venice is a 90nm chip with 512Kb L2 Cache, whereas the Clawhammer is a 130nm chip with 1Mb of L2.

So Clawhammer does have more cache, but the Venice's extra clockspeed will win out 95% of the time. Coupled with it's much better overclocking potential (and reduced power usage) it's the one to get really.

You sure it's a clawhammer and not a newcastle? Didn't think they bothered with the Slower CH 754 chips... (someone correct me if I'm wrong of course).

 

[BrettB]

I've done a bit more ersearch, and I agree with you. Especially since this is a ClawHammer with half the L2 cache disabled. I double-checked, and it is only 512k. (These are retail boxed, from NewEgg BTW).

 

[K8MAN]

The venice will run cooler and has better memory compatibility. Dont bother with a A642800+ as they were the lowest binned A64's with the poorest avg O/C.

 

[hehahohee]

The Venice core is newer than the Clawhammer so AMD should be phasing be out the old Clawhammer core if they haven't stopped its production already. This means supply would be low (apply economics here). My sugestion is to go with Venice if you're deciding between the two.

 

[endyen]

Mobile chips? Do they have a heat spreader?
AFAIK there are no desktop venices for 754, and a clawhammer with only 512k cache is a newcastle.
Probably just a misslabeling.

 

[BrettB]

Thanks for the advice. I went with a AMD 64 3200+ Venice CG stepping. It rocks for gaming/apps. I have not tried to overclock yet, but I can say that a die hard Intel dude has had a revelation!

 

[Vile]

Enjoy ^^

 

[ChipDeath]

I wish I had waited for a Venice 3200+, but alas my hand was forced by a mobo breakdown. Still, I guess I can't complain with my winchester... It could be a whole lot worse :mrgreen:

Have fun - you should get a decent OC out of that chip, but don't worry too much about it, it's plenty good enough for today's games/apps at stock speeds....