I'm currently running an A8N-SLI Premium mobo maxxed at 4 GB or RAM on an x2 3800+ cpu. I have the opportunity through a private sale to pick up an FX-60 at about the same price I can find an Opteron 185.
Primary purpose would be gaming, and I won't be overclocking.
From the stats I can find off newegg, the only difference is the HT spec listing with is 2000 MHz on the FX-60 and 1000 MHz on the Opteron.
Should I pick up the used FX-60 (It's still working, and the current user is not overclocking or abusing in any way), or get the out of the box 185?
Go for the Opteron 185 or FX-60, it's the exact same chip, but without an Unlocked Multiplier. Since you have no ambitions of over clocking the Opteron 185 would be awesome. The Multiplier the FX-60 would be of no use to you and the Opteron would be much cooler and rugged for constant usage Example games.
BTW. the Hypertransport on them both are the same Dual-Pumped 1000Mhz
Or a Collective 2000Mhz(Push and Pull) so it makes no different to list it as 1000Mhz or 2000Mhz
It's a toss up...they use identical cores, the same amount of cache, and the same clock frequency....if you're not overclocking, then there will be ZERO performance difference. (BTW, why not just OC the X2 3800+ to 2.6GHz or more and save your $$$ :? )
There will probably be a difference in resale value, and based on that, I would buy the FX-60.
However, at the prices I've seen these going for, I'd really recommend switching platforms, new mobo, RAM, and C2D (even an entry level model will perform similary) should be priced similarly. Course, if you're not going to OC, I guess there's not much of an arguement for this option....nevermind
What are you DELETED talking about? a Opteron 185 and a FX-60 are still well respectable CPUs. It's not like he's going with Pentium(Netburst) or Sempron/ Celeron, Which I'm sure you two would have phrased him for going with a Pentium 4 over Athlon64 (If he ever did say Pentium 4s are Awesome)
Oh well You won't be able to know the performance of a E6300 or E4xxx on Toms, because we don't know they exist on our "Charts":wink: (You know what I mean)
I'd get the FX60 if they are the same price. Something about name value, if nothing else, and the ability to use the unlocked multiplier if you ever get into overclocking.
As to those who are advocating a C2D, they are ignoring that to go for a C2D would mean you would have to spend a lot of money on things like a cpu, new motherboard, and new ram, and maybe a few other things. That would end up costing a lot more money. Besides, such answers don't really address your original question and should therefore be trashed and ignored.
Welcome to toms, where we only recommend core 2 duo....apparently.
I'd go for the brand new boxed processor every time. The FX-62 primarily serves to make AMD a lot of money. You're not OC'ing so the unlocked multiplier won't really matter.
(scrolls down and realise someone already said that)
Resale value....Unless you are planning to resell it tomorrow neither will have a resale value in a years time.
Personally I'd oc your x2 3800...I nearly bought one of these on 939 because they were cheap and sweet oc'ers! C2D came out though, and DDR+AGP supporting mobo clinched it.
I wouldn't switch platforms. The person that recommended that obviously didnt see you have 4gb of ram
Of course all those recommendations depend on the price you are paying for it and how much longer you think the system will last you.
Welcome to toms, where we only recommend core 2 duo....apparently.
Oh thats not true and you know it.
If someone wants the the best value entry level system they can buy, AMD cant be beat right now, and the 3600/3800s are great for over clockers (as you more or less noted)
Quote :
Resale value....Unless you are planning to resell it tomorrow neither will have a resale value in a years time.
Not neccasarily true, but timing is everything.
I sold a used athlon XP 3200 for $124 US on ebay not long ago. I paid $119 when I bought it new. The last time I checked, the one retailer who had any 3200's NOS was asking over $300. I would guess that 939 prices will do the same thing as the retail supply dries up. Prices will climb steeply, and people who need to replace them( for whatever reason) will be on ebay looking for deals. Im going to be very interested to see what the 939 4000 Sandys are fetching on ebay in a year or 2.
You are right, i was hoping someone wouldn't pick up on that. I wouldn't count on the sale though. The Opty will still be worth money too. It's second hand, just sell it as an FX-62.
If the person has knowledge they'll know it's as good as the fx.
If they don't then they won't know any different anyway
Thanks all for the advice. I'd rather max out my 939 for the time being than start over, and I prefer my fans (not a big WC fan yet) quiet rather than overclocking.
Resale is of no concern to me, so i'll go with the boxed Opteron 185.
You won't be able to know the performance of a E6300 or E4xxx on Toms, because we don't know they exist on our "Charts":wink: (You know what I mean)
Oh thats not true and you know it. 