I am looking to upgrade from my AMD 3000+ (754) to a new motherboard and processor. I have settled on an ASRock 939DUAL-SATA2 ATX S939 mobo so i can still use my 6800 GS but i am having problems deciding on the CPU. The prices that i am looking at are, $245 for the 3700+ and $179 for the 3800+, keep in mind that these are canadian prices from NCIX. If anyone could offer some advice for this that would be great.
AMD 3700+ (San Diego) or AMD 3800+ (Venice). Thoughts?
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m25
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- May 23, 2006
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Definitely go for the 3800+: it's 2.4 vs the 2.2 of the 3700+ and all you get with it is 512K of cache which does not count a fraction of +200MHz (especially in AMDs).
You will find yourself more comfortable in gaming, scientific and media applications with the 3800+.
WhatUsername
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- May 29, 2006
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The cache will only make a difference in a few specific programs where as the 200Mhz bump will benifit you all around.
I would go with the San Diego 3700+ because of the 1mb cache AND I have mine running at 2.64 ghz w/ temps running at about 40-45 degrees C and has been for weeks on stock HSF and NO stability problems, if you want to go that route. P.S. I did have it booting up to windows at 2.93 ghz, but things got kinda weird 8O . Just my 2 cents.
dougie_boy
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- Jun 15, 2006
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the san diego core is a far better chip if you are playing about with it. the 3800+ runs at 2.4 which is the same as the 4000+ but its rated 200mhz slower in the chain ( i know its not literal) the improved architeture and the combined 1mg cache of the san diego core also means it runs more efficently.
it also farking loves OC. would u rather have a 2.4 which peaks at early or get a 2.2. which runs all the way to 2.9 with air cooling.
try a Artic Freeze Pro 64. best £17 something ive ever spent. keeps mine at 40c even underload. its at 36c at the mo. farking near silent aswell.
it also farking loves OC. would u rather have a 2.4 which peaks at early or get a 2.2. which runs all the way to 2.9 with air cooling.
try a Artic Freeze Pro 64. best £17 something ive ever spent. keeps mine at 40c even underload. its at 36c at the mo. farking near silent aswell.
SuperFly03
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Alright let me break this down like a fraction for ya :tongue: . I have a friend with a San Diego 3700+ and I have a Venice 3800+. From stock settings I win, its a close match but all in all I take most of the tests.
Now once you OC the tables flip dramaticly. I took my Venice to 2.8Ghz and that required nearly 1.7v to be stable... yeah not pretty. Conversely, the San Diego went to 2.97Ghz on 1.55v.
Every CPU OC's diffrently, but the point of the post is to say since you are new to OC'ing and/or dont really want to OC, the Venice will do slightly better (hey and its cheaper ^^)
Now once you OC the tables flip dramaticly. I took my Venice to 2.8Ghz and that required nearly 1.7v to be stable... yeah not pretty. Conversely, the San Diego went to 2.97Ghz on 1.55v.
Every CPU OC's diffrently, but the point of the post is to say since you are new to OC'ing and/or dont really want to OC, the Venice will do slightly better (hey and its cheaper ^^)
mlightsey0182
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I have an AMD 3700 (San Diego) for sale. It is 5 months old. Never pushed passed stock voltage I will sell to you for 150 shipped plus 1/2 tube of Artic Silver 5, 120mm fan, and Thermaltake 80mm with adjusting RPM
That is a good offer, but no offence, i dont really feel comfortable buying something off of this site yet, i would rather stick to NCIX or Tigerdirect for now. The mobo and CPU i got now i bought used, and the mobo isnt any good, so im kinda wary of used.
mlightsey0182
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have you tried www.zipzoomfly.com. Usually cheaper then the other places. And cheaper then newegg.com too Guranteed not to be DOA if you still wanted it
if you are not into overclocking then go for the Venice 3800.
Re the motherboard i have the slightly later SLI-e version. I agree that the overclocking options are limited but it hasn't stopped me from running my Venice 3000 (9 x 200) up to a Venice 3900ish (9 x 279) without fiddling with any voltages cause i can't.
Its running with the heatsink that comes with the chip at only 45C under load, running Prime95 torture test.
If you do want to push your chip a bit read this article, i followed it and the above is the outcome.
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=300&p=1
Another thing about the board, Asrock dont do a windows based m/b monitoring tool, i emailed them about it and they pointed me at Speedfan, works a treat on my board if your interested.
Re the motherboard i have the slightly later SLI-e version. I agree that the overclocking options are limited but it hasn't stopped me from running my Venice 3000 (9 x 200) up to a Venice 3900ish (9 x 279) without fiddling with any voltages cause i can't.
Its running with the heatsink that comes with the chip at only 45C under load, running Prime95 torture test.
If you do want to push your chip a bit read this article, i followed it and the above is the outcome.
http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=300&p=1
Another thing about the board, Asrock dont do a windows based m/b monitoring tool, i emailed them about it and they pointed me at Speedfan, works a treat on my board if your interested.
3700 has 1mb cache, 3800 has 512k cache and right now on www.newegg.com the 3800 only costs 140 and the 3700 costs 200, and u can get a combo with the 3800 that comes with an ASUS ATI xpress200 mobo that costs 95 bucks, but ud be getting it for 45!
newegg.com is usually the cheapest place, maybe zipzoomfly.com has cheaper cpu's but its got more expensive gpu's, etc, so if u buy a pc go newegg, if u get a single thing maybe its cheaper somewhere else, and the service with newegg.com is incredible
Manson_666
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- Jun 22, 2006
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I don't know where you're looking but last week I picked up a 3700+ for $155 CDN retail!
I got it from these guys at their mississauga location. They are selling like hot cakes, and it is a very good CPU.
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=007674&cid=CPU.611
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