Athlon vs sempron - Upgrade one, or switch entirely?

[andrew-michigan]

[No message]

 

[enzo matrix]

amd is the worst except the x3

The x3 is worse than the x4?

Andrew, you are not really providing enough details on your situation. This is especially true since there are many models of Athlon and sempron that range in performance so broadly it is impossible to say based on what you have told us.

 

[andrew-michigan]

[No message]

 

[enzo matrix]

Try typing something in the box before pressing submit.

 

[andrew-michigan]

I have, but every time I paste the specs for the two units, it tells me my post has been successful and then shows a blank message. Don't know if it is because of FF or because I'm a newly registered user.... but I give up on this site.

 

[andrew-michigan]

Here's my original post that never showed up...
Hello,
I recently was given a computer, and although I am somewhat geeky, I am lost in the Sempron vs Athlon world. My current model is a Sempron 3000+ (1.6Ghz, with 1.5G RAM). The new one offered is an Athlon XP 3200+ (2.2Ghz, with 448mb RAM),

I have a pretty good PCIe video card in my Sempron model, and can play games relatively well, but I would love something with a little more processor speed. What I can't seem to determine is which machine would I be better off with?

My current Sempron has 1.5gb RAM + a nVidia GT220 w/ 1024mb video memory, conceivably, since the Athlon ~appears~ to be faster to my untrained eyes, I would pull the nVidia PCIe card and install it in the Athlon (that has only 256mb card), and then upgrade the RAM in the Athlon box. (I have another nVidia 512mb video card I can reinstall in the Sempron). Would this be worth doing? Would it make a noticeable difference in my gaming and graphic art programs?

I included the two text files from CPUID that shows the exact details, if I quoted any specs above, that's because I'm losing my nerdy edge. Sorry! Any help you can offer would be really appreciated! I just don't want to take the trouble to make a box change if it isn't going to be worth it. Thanks a lot!!

___________________________
____MY CURRENT COMPUTER ____
CPU-Z TXT Report
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Binaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU-Z version 1.53.1

Processors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 1

APICs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 1 (max 1)
Number of threads 1 (max 1)
Name AMD Sempron 3000+
Codename Manila
Specification AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3000+
Package Socket AM2 (940)
CPUID F.F.2
Extended CPUID F.4F
Brand ID 6
Core Stepping DH-F2
Technology 90 nm
Core Speed 1607.5 MHz
Multiplier x FSB 8.0 x 200.9 MHz
HT Link speed 803.7 MHz
Instructions sets MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, x86-64
L1 Data cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 256 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control no

K8 Thermal sensor yes
K8 Revision ID 5.2
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 0
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 1
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 2
Attached device PCI device at bus 0, device 24, function 3


Thread dumps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU Thread 0
APIC ID 0
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 0, Thread ID 0
Type 02002006h
Max CPUID level 00000001h
Max CPUID ext. level 80000018h
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 64 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 64 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 256 KB, 1 thread(s)


Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge NVIDIA MCP61 rev. A2
Southbridge NVIDIA MCP61 rev. A2
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x8
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 1536 MBytes
Channels Single
Memory Frequency 267.9 MHz (CPU/6)
CAS# latency (CL) 4.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 4
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 4
Cycle Time (tRAS) 12
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 17
Command Rate (CR) 2T

Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Transcend Information (7F4F000000000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-4300 (266 MHz)
Part number JM367Q643A-5
Number of banks 1
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x51
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Transcend Information (7F4F000000000000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-4300 (266 MHz)
Part number JM388Q643A-5
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz

DIMM # 1
SPD registers
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F

DIMM # 2
SPD registers
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F


Monitoring
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Model MS-7309 (0x000001A0 - 0x005F1C39)

Graphics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of adapters 1

Graphic APIs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

API NVIDIA NVAPI
API NVIDIA I/O

Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0
Manuf. API index 0
Display name \\.\DISPLAY1
Name NVIDIA GeForce GT 220
Revision A2
Codename GT216
Technology 40 nm
Memory size 1024 MB
PCI device bus 2 (0x2), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x10DE (0x196E)
Model ID 0x0A20 (0x0699)
Performance Level Default
Core clock 135.0 MHz
Shader clock 270.0 MHz
Memory clock 135.0 MHz
Performance Level 2D Desktop
Core clock 405.0 MHz
Shader clock 810.0 MHz
Memory clock 324.0 MHz
Performance Level 3D Applications
Core clock 625.0 MHz
Shader clock 1360.0 MHz
Memory clock 400.0 MHz


Software
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c



___________________________
____The Proposed Computer ____
Specs don't reflect the PCIe video card I would put in it, or maxing out the RAM of this unit.





CPU-Z TXT Report
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Binaries
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU-Z version 1.53.1

Processors
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 1

APICs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0

Processors Information
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 1 (max 1)
Number of threads 1 (max 1)
Name AMD Athlon XP
Codename Barton
Specification AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3200+
Package Socket A (462)
CPUID 6.A.0
Extended CPUID 7.A
Core Stepping
Technology 0.13 um
Core Speed 2200.2 MHz
Multiplier x FSB 11.0 x 200.0 MHz
Rated Bus speed 400.0 MHz
Instructions sets MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE
L1 Data cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 64 KBytes, 2-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 512 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control no

K7 Thermal sensor yes


Thread dumps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU Thread 0
APIC ID 0
Topology Processor ID 0, Core ID 0, Thread ID 0
Type 02001002h
Max CPUID level 00000001h
Max CPUID ext. level 80000008h
Cache descriptor Level 1, I, 64 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 1, D, 64 KB, 1 thread(s)
Cache descriptor Level 2, U, 512 KB, 1 thread(s)


Chipset
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northbridge VIA KM400 rev. 00
Southbridge VIA VT8237 rev. 00
Graphic Interface AGP
AGP Revision 2.0
AGP Transfer Rate 4x
AGP SBA supported, enabled
Memory Type DDR
Memory Size 512 MBytes
Memory Frequency 200.0 MHz (1:1)
DRAM Interleave 4-way
CAS# latency (CL) 2.5
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 3
Cycle Time (tRAS) 7

Memory SPD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR
Manufacturer (ID) Hyundai Electronics (AD00000000000000)
Size 512 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2700 (166 MHz)
Part number HYMD264 646B8J-J
Serial number 1C1A9012
Manufacturing date Week 104/Year 35
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Registered no
Buffered no
Nominal Voltage 2.50 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 2.0-3-3-6-0 @ 133 MHz
JEDEC #2 2.5-3-3-7-0 @ 166 MHz

DIMM # 1
SPD registers
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F



Monitoring
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mainboard Model Kelut (0x00000205 - 0x0003D9C0)



DMI
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

DMI BIOS
vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
version 3.10
date 07/26/2004

DMI System Information
manufacturer Compaq Presario 061
product PJ518AA-ABA SR1230NX NA440
version 0nB1411CO101KELUT00
serial CNH43707M8
UUID 60F4FA51-9B01D911-9DA6F573-ACBCCDAA

DMI Baseboard
vendor ASUSTek Computer INC.
model Kelut
revision 2.02
serial MB-1234567890

DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
chassis type Desktop
chassis serial unknown

DMI Processor
manufacturer AMD
model AMD Athlon(tm) XP
clock speed 2200.0 MHz
FSB speed 200.0 MHz
multiplier 11.0x

DMI Memory Controller
correction unknown
Max module size 32 MBytes

DMI Memory Module
designation A0
size 512 MBytes (double bank)

DMI Memory Module
designation A1

DMI Port Connector
designation PRIMARY IDE (internal)
connector On Board IDE

DMI Port Connector
designation SECONDARY IDE (internal)
connector On Board IDE

DMI Port Connector
designation FDD (internal)
port type 8251 FIFO Compatible
connector On Board Floppy

DMI Port Connector
designation COM1 (internal)
port type Serial Port 16450
connector 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
connector DB-9 male

DMI Port Connector
designation COM2 (internal)
port type Serial Port 16450
connector 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
connector DB-9 male

DMI Port Connector
designation LPT1 (internal)
port type Parallel Port ECP/EPP
connector DB-25 female
connector DB-25 female

DMI Port Connector
designation Keyboard (internal)
port type Keyboard Port
connector PS/2
connector PS/2

DMI Port Connector
designation PS/2 Mouse (internal)
port type Mouse Port
connector PS/2
connector PS/2

DMI Port Connector
designation USB0 (external)
port type USB

DMI Port Connector
designation VIDEO (external)
port type Video Port
connector DB-15 female

DMI Port Connector
designation AUDIO (external)
port type Audio Port

DMI Port Connector
designation ETHERNET (external)
port type Network Port
connector RJ-45

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI0
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI1
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCI2
type PCI
width 32 bits
populated yes

DMI Extension Slot
designation AGP
type AGP 8x
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI Physical Memory Array
location Motherboard
usage System Memory
correction None
max capacity 2048 MBytes
max# of devices 2

DMI Memory Device
designation A0
format DIMM
type unknown
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 512 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation A1
format DIMM
type unknown


Graphics
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of adapters 2

Graphic APIs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

API NVIDIA I/O

Display Adapters
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter 0
Display name \\.\DISPLAY1
Name NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 (Microsoft Corporation)
Revision B1
Codename NV34
Technology 0.15 um
Memory size 256 MB
Memory type DDR
PCI device bus 0 (0x0), device 8 (0x8), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x10DE (0x0000)
Model ID 0x0326 (0x0000)
Performance Level 0

Display adapter 1
Display name \\.\DISPLAY2
Name VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP
Memory size 64 MB
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x1106 (0x1043)
Model ID 0x7205 (0x8118)
Performance Level 0


Software
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Windows Version Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c



Any thoughts? Thanks again! Andrew!

 

[enzo matrix]

your idea about mixing the systems and taking the athlon would be welll worth it and increase performance for sure.

 

[Pro Llama]

+1 Enzo

The Athlon is faster and would be worth the switch. Here is an article with a higher model sempron losing to an Athlon 3000+: http://www.anandtech.com/linux/showdoc.aspx?i=2170&p=4

 

[andrew-michigan]

Thanks all! Sorry about the screwups with the blank posts! I appreciated the advice, it confirmed what I had assumed, but didn't have enough familiarity to really judge. Thanks!

 

[mbscomp]

You won't be able to swap out processors.

The Semperon is a socket AM2 and the AthelonXP is a socket A.

 

[enzo matrix]

You won't be able to swap out processors.

The Semperon is a socket AM2 and the AthelonXP is a socket A.

But he will be able to swap out the GPU.

 

[mbscomp]

PCI-e vs. AGP

 

[enzo matrix]

I revise my opinion. I wasn't paying close enough attention to the specs. We are comparing this:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K8/AMD-Sempron%2064%203000+%20-%20SDA3000IAA3CN%20(SDA3000CNBOX).html

to this:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K7/AMD-Athlon%20XP%203200%2B%20-%20AXDA3200DKV4E.html

Which aren't even on the same socket. This Athlon is an Athlon xp not an Athlon 64

The sempron would still perform worse than the the 3 year older athlon xp, but not by as much. especially when you take into consideration that you would be abandoning the DDR2 ram for DDR ram.
And yes you would not be able to put that video card in the Athlon board because it does not have a pci-e slot.
So really, if you wanted to do anything, you couldn't anyway.

 

[Pro Llama]

I can’t believe 2 of us missed that. Thanks mbscomp. I was looking at it the same way enzo was lol. I stand corrected.

 

[andrew-michigan]

Best answer selected by andrew-michigan.