Difference between two AMD x4 Processors

[FrPSh]

Hi Guys,

Going through the AMD quad core processors on Newegg for a new build, I noticed that there were two Phenom II x4 965 processors that seemed identical except for the wattage they require.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103692
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Why the extra $4 for an essentially identical processor? What role does the wattage play here? Which one should I buy and why?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[lcp1109]

I think you should buy the one with less wattage. Yu will have less power consumption, less heat will be generated and you will have more marging to overclock.

http://www.google.pt/search?sourceid=navclient&hl=pt-PT&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_pt-PTPT357PT357&q=difference+between+x4+965+125w+140w

 

[saint19]

Hi.

See here

The 1st one is the X4 965 C2, that is rated at 1.5V, the 2nd one is the X4 965 C3 that is rated at 1.4V.

The big difference is that the C3 revision use less power (140W vs 125W), have a better OC capabilities and dissipate less power that the C2.

What CPU you should buy?, the C3 for the reasons that I said above.

 

[FALC0N]

Hi Guys,

Going through the AMD quad core processors on Newegg for a new build, I noticed that there were two Phenom II x4 965 processors that seemed identical except for the wattage they require.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103692
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Why the extra $4 for an essentially identical processor? What role does the wattage play here? Which one should I buy and why?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

This is a processor stepping. Its minor improvements made to the manufacturing process. As saint said, the 140 watt version is C2 stepping. The 125 watt uses the newer C3.

The C3 will perform better and use less power in almost all cases. But its only 8 months old, so some boards, even new ones, may need a bios update before it will run properly. The C2 will run out of the box on just about any new board. Something to consider if your inexperienced.

 

[FrPSh]

Thanks very much for the feedback guys.
I think I'll go with the C3 one in my new build.

 

[FrPSh]

Best answer selected by frpsh.

 

[saint19]

Any time, that's why we are here and enjoy ur rig.