AMD 3800+ vs FX-53

[GoldFiles]

There is a huge price difference between the FX-53 and the 3800+

What are some of the features of the FX53 that the 3800+ doesn't have?

 

[Manzelle]

Unlocked multiplier is one...

 

[Chronoshock]

512k more cache (L2? I forget)

 

[yhelothar]

one extra BLiNG BLiNG

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

Completely unlocked multiplier (not as big a deal with HTT overclocking available but easier if you don't want to screw around that much with overclocking) and an extra 512K cache. I would get the 3500 and overclock to 2500-2600 range and get close to if not better than FX-53 performance for 500.00 less

 

[Zebo]

FX-53 is a better value between those two

1mb lvl 2 cache, unlocked CPU and only 4% more money well worth it IMO.

Why not just get 3500 and OC well past both chips for half?

 

[Yanagi]

Originally posted by: Zebo
FX-53 is a better value between those two

1mb lvl 2 cache, unlocked CPU and only 4% more money well worth it IMO.

Why not just get 3500 and OC well past both chips for half?

agreed. If you're into overclocking thats the way to go. Seems like most chips reach 2.5 Ghz or more anyway.

 

[Shimmishim]

true but i think that a 3800+ would probably overclock a little better than a 3500+

if you get a 3800+, why wouldn't you just overclock that?

 

[Gongo]

so besides the obvious L2 difference and the price.. is theFX53 going to give me a big boost over the 3800? both are 939 socket so i could buy the 3800+ then upgrade to the FX53 when the price drops. is the FX53 worth the price difference?

I dont overclock so please keep that in mind..i'm looking for good bang for my buck right out of the box and dont mind paying a little more for better performance

 

[charloscarlies]

Originally posted by: Gongo
so besides the obvious L2 difference and the price.. is theFX53 going to give me a big boost over the 3800? both are 939 socket so i could buy the 3800+ then upgrade to the FX53 when the price drops. is the FX53 worth the price difference?

I dont overclock so please keep that in mind..i'm looking for good bang for my buck right out of the box and dont mind paying a little more for better performance

If you aren't overclocking go with a non-fx chip....the only real benefit in socket 939 is the unlocked multi and extra L2 cache like everybody already noted. The added L2 cache doesn't seem to make much of a difference from my experiences.

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: charloscarlies
The added L2 cache doesn't seem to make much of a difference from my experiences.

The extra cache makes a 3% - 7% difference depending on the application. In other words, the 3800+ is the equivalent of an FX-53 running at @ 2232 - 2328 depending on the application. Since the FX is 24% more expensive than the 3800+ it's not really a value, but it's the best. Keep in mind, it's currently in vogue to say that cache size, HTT, memory timings and memory dividers don't make much of a difference on the A64. Maybe not individually, but the compromises (and that's what they are, compromises and rationalizations for lesser purchases) do add up eventually. If you want the best, everything needs to be the best.

If I had a Socket 939 board, I'd get the 3500+ and drop in an FX-53 at a later date.

Originally posted by: Zebo
FX-53 is a better value between those two

1mb lvl 2 cache, unlocked CPU and only 4% more money well worth it IMO.

Why not just get 3500 and OC well past both chips for half?

The FX-53 is 24% more expensive than the 3800+.

 

[Gongo]

what kind of ram would you guys suggest with this mobo/cpu set up... i'm looking for 2x 512 sticks... and i dont want to oc

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

if your looking for good ram and not wanting to spend too much money on all that big brand trap i'd highly suggest Geil. theres an awful lot of zeal for the major makers, a bit over rated and over priced if you ask me.

anyhow, i have it running in my main rig, and i also suggested a friend purchase it for his 939 socket FX53, both of us more than happy with it.
it actually runs UNDER spec at stock speeds if you give it a little more than default voltage(still within the rams specs), about 2.7 volts it will run 2 4-3-3 1T

linkage

 

[ScrewFace]

I also recommend GEIL. I have 512 MB of PC3200 running at 5-2-2-2.0 at my 400MHz bus. I bought 512MB of much more expensive Corsair TWinX (I believe it's called that) and I had to raise my timings to 8-3-3-2.0. GEIL forever!!!

 

[XRaider]

I would suggest some GOOD RAM. Clip from the last paragraph of the Geil review.

In the more difficult area of memory for the Athlon 64, the Geil brings nothing new to the table. We found it behaved like Samsung memory tested in our roundup on the Athlon 64 platform, which means it tops out MUCH lower on the A64 than the Intel platform. Consider the A64 limit to be around DDR466 with this Geil Ultra X. That means for Athlon 64 systems, your best choices are still Crucial Ballistix or other Micron-based memory like OCZ 3500EB or 3700EB. The Micron-chip memory performs the same in our tests on either Intel or Athlon 64. If you prefer Samsung chips for your A64, then OCZ PC3200 Platinum Rev. 2 was the only Samsung dimm to reach DDR500, which was still far short of the DDR557 it reached on the Intel 875 platform.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

"dont overclock so please keep that in mind."