system build ..... please advice

[Tx_Chaos60]

Building new comp and wanting your advice
thanks in advance

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 3800+ Socket AM2 (89W) ADA3800CUBOX
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA3800IAA5CU

MB: Asus M2N32-SLI DELUXE nForce 590 SLI Sempron/Athlon 64(FX)(X2) SktAM2 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Dual Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA

Memory: Corsair TWIN2X2048-6400C4 2GB Kit DDR2-800 XMS2-6400 Xtreme Performance Memory

Video Card: XFX PV-T71U-ZDF9 GeForce 7950 GX2 Xtreme 520M PCI Express 1GB DDR3 Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI

What is the difference between these 3800+ processors & what does it mean? The diff. i see is VOLTAGE, MAX. TEMP, THERMAL POWER what does this mean?
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/SideBySide.aspx?opn=ADA3800IAA5CU&opn=ADO3800IAA5CU&opn=ADD3800IAT5CU
and what is the difference between the Orleans core and the Windsor core is one better than the other?
Sorry for all the questions
Thanks again

 

[jimytheassassin]

ah, easyone.. it's all about TDP or..thermal design properties? Less watts which you'll notice are 89w, 65w, and 35w..means less heat is being produced by the processor since less energy is being used. Think of it as a lightbulb. Incandescent bulbs at 25watts are like 90percent heat and 10 percent light. Flourescent is 2 to 4 times more efficient so you could use a 6 to 12w bulb and be equal in light out put. Thats roughly the idea. The flourescent runs cooler and does the same job.

 

[Tx_Chaos60]

So is what you're saying is less watts= less heat more energy efficient but same processor output.

So why is one of these 3800+ more than the other?
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-9
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80721-8

Thanks

 

[jimytheassassin]

yes..more efficient and equal output. Also..the more efficient processors will cost more. Just as flourescent costs more than incandescent. I'm not sure if the 35w processors will only be available for mobile platforms or not, when they're available. I haven't seen them yet, anyone else? We have yet to see what those prices will be since they didn't seem to be listed on the upcoming price sku in july. The last factor besides price/benefit will be what voltages motherboards support. They will almost certainly support the 65w procs..but maybe not the 35w procs. If any of you out there have more specific info i'll leave it to y'all 8)

now on your config. that seems alright but just be aware. Some issues have come up with the 7950 with it's drivers. Currently I believe SLI is impossible as that would be quad-core and bios/driver conflicts have appeared. That may change someday. Since the 590 board is an enthusiast level board if you wish to save some cash you could search for a 570 non=SLI board. I always research through forums on mobos before i buy to see what issues people are having. might be a good idea to look through for the 7950. I've seen more than a few posts about it.

 

[Frank_M]

One is x2, meaning dual-core, the other is single-core.

Incandescent bulbs at 25watts are like 90percent heat and 10 percent light.

Bit off topic, but iirc, traditional lightbulbs are just 2 or 4% effective...

Another less OT remark: the 7950 miht be the newest and probably the most powerful, but according to tests and reviews, it's not that much stronger than a single x1900xt. Also, it would be much more difficult to fit it with aftermarket cooling or waterblocks, meaning this has less oc'ing potential. Just my $0.02

 

[jimytheassassin]

Incandescent bulbs at 25watts are like 90percent heat and 10 percent light.

Bit off topic, but iirc, traditional lightbulbs are just 2 or 4% effective...

Good points, and off topic again, not that i disagree with you, but i was only speaking in generalities. still wiki says 5% and i've seen many sources claim 10%..hence the 2-4x benefit with fourescent at 20% efficiency. But it was just an example since lightbulbs aren't the point here..stil some people agree with you also..but who's right..perhaps mr. owl knows since he discovered it only takes 3 licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop.

 

[chrisbrown]

Unless you're going to add another card very soon (or end up using an ATI card afterall) SLI is a bit redundant, plus with the money you'll save you could a snazzy aftermarket cooler or something. I'm not really up to date on AM2, but this motherboard looks pretty good and is ~$140 dollars cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

 

[Newf]

Orleans = single core AM2
Windsor = dual core AM2

Please consider these options:

Asus M2N-E sktAM2 nF570 $99+8 6/18/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131022

Patriot 4-4-4-12 2GB DDR@ 800 2.1v $186+5 AMR($40) 6/20/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220144

G. Skill 4-4-4-12 2GB DDR2 800 2-2.1v $200+5 6/20/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231073

Also, the 3 3800+ CPUs all do the same amount of work and run at the same speed. The lower the voltage required to do this, the less power used (volts x amps). The less power, the cooler it runs and the more it will cost.