3500+ --> 3800+, worth $100?

Heya folks, this is my first post here in the THG community.

My question is this. Fry's is having a cpu/mobo bundle with the DFI LAN Party nF3 Ultra-D motherboard and either a 3500+ or 3800+, the prices are $399 and $499. The $100 difference I can add to my computer budget if I can justify the cost. I game almost 100% with my computer (Half-Life 2, Battlefield2, WoW, Counter-Strike). Would you folks reccomend this upgrade given the cost?

-Dan

Save $100 and overclock farther than that $100 would have bought you stock.

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"Save $100 and overclock farther than that $100 would have bought you stock."

Sorry, I should have noted this originally, but the CPU is going to be overclocked regardless of which route I take.

They will both top out about the same.

<pre><font color=red>°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°`°¤o \\// o¤°`°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°
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Um the only version I found of that board is S754 and it didn't even have PCIe, let alone SLI. Maybe I read it wrong, but are you sure that's what board it is?

Wow we both said like the same thing, except I got scooped

Or get home from work earlier, lol...

Bingo - great board! Definitely get the 3500+ - make sure you are getting a Venice core not Winchester. What RAM are you getting?

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

How do you tell which core the CPU has?

Also, the RAM I was planning on getting 2 of <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145576" target="_new"> these </A> modules. I'm very open to suggestions on memory if you have any. Also, this question probably belongs in the memory section, but given that I have no plans to OC my memory, is it best to get the lowest CL memory I can find? Or is the price difference between CL2 and CL3 not worth it at stock speeds?

-Dan

Clawhammer is a slightly older core - the Venice and Sledgehammer are the newest cores and have an improved memory controller. The older memory controller automatically downclocks the FSB to 333Mhz when more than 4 memory banks are installed (most modern 512MB memory modules have 2 banks). IMO, the biggest reasons to want to switch to Venice/Sledge is if you are going to use more than 2 memory modules (4 banks=FSB downclock) in the system at some point or if you plan on OCing the CPU. The Venice is an OCing beast and can usually reach 2.4 - 2.5Ghz on stock air cooling. If the answer to both of those is no, then keep that CPU. The performance will be comparable to the Sledgehammer. Especially if there would be a restocking fee. On the other hand...if you can save more than the restocking fee by returning that bundle and getting a nF4 Ultra-D and 3500+, then I would seriously consider doing it.

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

I'm definatly going to be OCing my CPU, so it looks like I will go for the Venice core (there is no restocking fee). That being said, I found out Fry's is out of the Venice core 3500's. This limits my options to either putting down the extra $100 for a 3800 Venice or waiting until more Venice 3500's come into stock. In case your wondering, the reason I'm stuck with Fry's is that I have a ton of store credit there (damn Fry's return policy).

Also, I think I will take your suggestion on the OCZ value series. Looks like it should save me some money. I'm wondering if <A HREF="http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4177663?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG" target="_new"> this is the same stuff? </A> The Fry's/Outpost website is <b> horrible </b> at giving good item descriptions.

Anyway, this is currently what I'm looking at for my rig:

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ or 3800+ (Venice Core)
DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D (non-SLI version)
2GB OCZ Value Series RAM (4 x 512mb)
Western Digital 120GB SATA HDD
ATI Radeon x800xl 256mb
<A HREF="http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=20430" target="_new"> Antec Truepower 430W </A>
<A HREF="http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800" target="_new"> Antec P180 Chassis </A>
<A HREF="http://www.thermaltake.com/coolers/4in1heatpipe/cl-p0071SonicTower/cl-p0071.htm" target="_new"> Thermaltake Sonictower CPU Heatsink </A>
<A HREF="http://www.thermaltake.com/dcfans/led/bluesmart.htm" target="_new"> Thermaltake A2018 120mm Fan (for CPU) </A>




<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by confusion on 07/24/05 10:11 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

I was thinking of 4x512 just because it's cheaper.

Also, I know it's kinda the luck of the draw regarding OC potential in CPUs, but how high would you guess I can OC a 3200 vs. a 3500 vs. a 3800?

Well, I dont plan on OCing the memory, just the processor. Is that what your talking about with the 1T 2T?

As for the 2GB, I was just trying to increase my Battlefield2 performance. That thing is a resorce HOG.

Rugger, was what you were talking about earlier in regards to OCing the memory?

Also, do you guys have any averages on the OC potential of a 3200 vs. 3500 vs. 3800 (venice core)?

So given that should I just save my money and get a 3200+? And, what would be the advantage of getting a 3500+ or 3800+? Easier/more likely to reach that 2.6GHz speed?

Dan

You can get AT LEAST 2.4GHz out of the 3200+ with stock HSF.

Yes, you're going to get the best value from it price/perf wise.

for god sakes get a 3700 SD, OCs better for like 50 bucks more -_-

<font color=red>gforce mx100/200 @ 230/440 =]</font color=red>

3700+ doesn't actually sound like a bad idea, from the reviews on newegg the thing sounds like an overclocking beast. unfortunatly, however, since im limited to buying my cpu/mbo/ram from Frys the 3700+ is out of the question (they don't carry it for some reason).

Therefor, my options are limited to the 3200+, 3500+, or the 3800+. Even if I get the 3800+, I will still have credit left over at Fry's (about ~$30). So, if I save money on the processor, I could get more in the way of a psu, ram, etc. Also, if getting a 3800+ over a 3500+ (or a 3200+ for that matter) I can get a lower model and keep some store credit for future upgrades or games.

Given that I'm not working with 'real' money, and im not 'paying' anything regardless of whether or not I get a 3200+ or a 3800+, what do you guys think?

Dan

not a gift certificate per se, but $720 store credit from previous returns (they wont refund your credit card, just give you store credit).

Actually, Fry's has a deal going right now where you can get a 3500+ and a DFI Lanparty UT nF4 Ultra-D for $399. Nothing spectacular, but not too bad considering it's Fry's

cheaper than j00 =D

<font color=red>gforce mx100/200 @ 230/440 =]</font color=red>

the zalman 7700 is 40? 50? dollars? thats like nothing... compaired to water/phase =P

<font color=red>gforce mx100/200 @ 230/440 =]</font color=red>

I actually had it in the budget to get a Thermaltake Sonic Tower and a TT A1280 120mm fan. The heatsink is supposed to be passive cooling for the cpu, but im putting a 120mm fan with a thermal sensor on it as well.

If you are looking at 2G, check out
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820145574
it has a CAS of 2.5 for AMD systems, 2.0 for Intel.

I was going to say it was a cheaper option, and better yet no "value" ram, but the price has risen. It used to be $254.