Opty 165 vs Ath64 X2 4200

[virus5877]

Ok, time to build a new comp and that means time to get a new proc...

the contenders:

Opteron 165 Denmark: $340
L1: 64k x2
L2: 1Mb x2
1.8 Ghz

Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester: $360
L1: 128k x2
L2: 512k X2
2.2Ghz

I know that I can OC the Opty up to 2.2 or higher so that's not an issue, however the question remains, which is better more L1 cache or more L2?

I plan on doing lots of multitasking and heavy 3d gaming, so any advice/ideas would be AWESOME!

 

[hergieburbur]

more L1 cache is always better, since it is faster than L2. However, I don't know if you will notice the difference. My advice is to go with the Opteron if you can afford it.

 

[admiral25]

Ok, time to build a new comp and that means time to get a new proc...

the contenders:

Opteron 165 Denmark: $340
L1: 64k x2
L2: 1Mb x2
1.8 Ghz

Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester: $360
L1: 128k x2
L2: 512k X2
2.2Ghz

I know that I can OC the Opty up to 2.2 or higher so that's not an issue, however the question remains, which is better more L1 cache or more L2?

I plan on doing lots of multitasking and heavy 3d gaming, so any advice/ideas would be AWESOME!

haha 2.2 im doing 2.8 with my 165, with the stock 4 heatpipe cooler and 1.45 volts lol at 2.6ghz with 1.3 volts im prime95 stable 24hrs. Another plus is that the opterons have e6 stepping vs e4 stepping with the a64 x2's. If you do get a opteron 165 make sure u get a dfi land party ultra d(if you do dual gcards sli/crossfire) because they hit 300fsb easy. with a 165 u get a 9x multiplyer and to oc well u need 2 get atleast 300mhz w/o a problem.

 

[virus5877]

Ok, the price diff is not a problem, however the overclockability of the opty is a real big enticement!

I am going to liquid cool so i dont' really care about the stock hsf

do I need a special mobo to OC ridiculous amts?

I've heard that the Asus A8N-E isn't very good for OC'ing the opty...

should i get the DFI?


if I can get the opty up to 2.5-2.7 area I'd be SUPER happy!

 

[admiral25]

lol I edited it with tha info dfi is the best and I get 2.8ghz with air cooling, with water u should be able to get 3ghz eazy... but not all opterons are created the same(some people get them to 2.5ghz others can hit or go over 3ghz)

www.dfi-street.com

 

[trdexalbee]

go for the opty. the extra cache is worth it

 

[hergieburbur]

As I said, go with the Opteron, its a better chip. I am considering a similar purchase, only Opteron 165 vs 170. I have heard some things about the 170 being a much better OC chip than the 165.

 

[conroe]

The 165 is the best now. Most go realy far ocing with just 1.4 to 1.45 volts. It will most likely out do even a 4800+, some will go as far as a FX60(~3ghz on air.)

I seen a test where it matched a opteron 180 in overclocking.