Purchasing tommorow, Need Help !

[Blurred Reality]

Allright,

My computer is almost finally done. I had it built 3 weeks ago by me and a friend, and have since made several changes, one of these was selling my AMD 64 3700+ Today, as I wanted to get a Dual Core, figuring games and programs will only get better with them, and right now they work great anyway.

However I'm extremley torn between these two chips, the Opteron 170, or the X2 4400+. A little information, I will be overclocking, but nothing extreme, only what I can achieve on stock voltages and with the stock HSF. No water cooling or what not for me. I'm just wondering, given that information, which would be a better guy? The Opteron 170 is $60 less or so. Not a huge different, but a noticeable one.

However, if I'm not planning on Crazy Overclocking the Opteron's, are they still a better choice than just getting a X2 4400? If it matters, the rest of my specs are:

X1900XT
2GB G.SKILL PC 3200
160GB WD HDD (7200RPM)
Asus A8N Series MoBo
Dell 2005FPW 20.1'' WS LCD

Comfortable level of Gaming mixed with normal everyday activities is what this computer will be doing with this computer, which in your guys opinions would be the better purchase?

Also, the GPU I have is the Powercolor version with a Lifetime warranty, however that thing can get a bit loud, anyone know of a Cooler/Silencer I can put on there that wouldn't be difficult to do but would make a noticeable improvement?

Thanks in advance guys, need to order this tommorow so I can overnight it and have it here Tuesday to play Oblivion !

 

[imported_miahallen]

The opty stock speed is 2.0GHz, the 4400+ stock speed is 2.2GHz. If you were not OCing at all the $70 difference for the 4400+ would probably be worth it. But you plan on doing a modest OC, and if by "modest, you mean only 2.4Ghz or so...they'll both do that easy, so go with the cheaper option, the opty.

Good luck!

 

[Blurred Reality]

Thanks ! I've been doing some reading up, I really want to get a Dual-Core, but is it worth it right now? I seem to find alot of people saying Vista doesn't even want to work right with any form of Dual Core right now without flashing the BIOS (Haven't had to do this, how hard would it be, and what steps would I have to go through?) It IS worth getting either a Opty or a X2 compared to the AMD 64 4000+ Isnt it... ? I don't do any SUPERHEAVY multi-tasking, just running internet, conversation programs, some music and what not, no video rendering...

But I have a feeling getting a Dual Core now might save some headaches down the line and they are going to be integrating Dual-Core advantages into games... so they make use of it soon, correct?

 

[Blurred Reality]

Bah this is really becoming a multi-way fight. It seems that the A64 4000+, and the A64 X2 3800+ are now in the mix as well. Been trying to read up and see many conflicting reports on wether the 3800+ or 4400+ are the better all around chip... money isnt a HUGE issue as long as I stay with a max of about $450, allready spent -way- too much on this computer (for what I -expected- to spend anyway!). The prices are interesting however, as a X2 3800 right now is $295, with the X2 4400 clocking in at $463. Wonder if the L2 Cache is worth the price difference. If I could OC the 3800+ to 2.4Ghz maybe that's the way to go? Not sure. Anyone who can help me sort this mess out, it would be most appreciated ! (Games I play the most are either FPS or MMORPG's by the way... and I plan to sink -alot- of time in Oblivion.)

 

[imported_miahallen]

Well if you already sold your 3700+ and need a new proc anyway, get the dual core....but if you didn't yet sell it, based on you usage you told us about, you could probably get more life our of your 3700+....it's still a great proc.

Lots of people here would probably agree, if you don't need it yet, then don't get it yet, cause prices are bound to drop by the time you do need it.

 

[Blurred Reality]

Yea, unfortunatley I allready sold the 3700+. For the price of a 4400+ I could get a 3800+ and a 74GB Raptor HDD... if that would be worth it, not sure. Could still use some advice on this, also, one other question, if anyone knows, with the new 6.3 Catalyst Drivers, using a ASUS 3600 Vento Case (Huge... great airflow) the fan controls itself, should I really need to worry about manually setting the fan speeds or should it use the fan enough to keep within "safe" temps.

But yea, like you said only point is to go Dual Core now, question just comes down to which of the ones I mentioned.

 

[imported_miahallen]

Go for the Opteron 165, it has the extra cache of the 4400+ and few have had problems reaching 2.4GHz with it. Mine is running at 2.4GHz right now. And it sells for only a little more than a 3800+. Then you could still afford the Raptor.

 

[malvare1]

opty 170 all day long, 2 meg cache for 70.00 less = priceless, in ocing, you will do better than a 4400 at stock volts. lots of people including myself went to 2.6@ stock volts prime 24hr stable.

good luck

 

[Blurred Reality]

Just woke up, I have to work today but need to order by the end of the day so Newegg can ship it out tommorow and have it here on either Tuesday or Wednsday. The Opteron 165 and X2 3800+ are getting some serious consideration now.

If the Opteron 165 can reach 2.4Ghz on each core right out of the box with no tweak to voltage, just the FSB/Multiplier, that is pretty impressive... I mean hell my 3700+ was running 2.46Ghz, so for an extra $100-150 I would be adding a core running about the same as that and have a whole second core for the future...

Anyone else have any opinions? Not sure what the post above mine means, theres no text that i see! =p

 

[Blurred Reality]

Whoops, now theres text for Malvare's post, just wanst originally on my screen weird. There's a refurbed 165 for $296 on Newegg... so the 170 OC's to 2.6 Stable generally eh? I wish I knew how to test Prime Myself on Dual Cores instead of just a single one, that way whenever I *do* get one of these processors, I could test it.

Are any of these CPU's actually bottlenecks though? From what I read the bottlenecks nowdays just come from the GPU and RAM more than anything.

 

[malvare1]

once you have this cpu definately wont be a bottleneck.

to prime them all you do is make two separate folders of prime95 and start them both and set affinity to each core. guide is on dfi-street forum

good luck

 

[imported_miahallen]

Originally posted by: Blurred Reality
Whoops, now theres text for Malvare's post, just wanst originally on my screen weird. There's a refurbed 165 for $296 on Newegg... so the 170 OC's to 2.6 Stable generally eh? I wish I knew how to test Prime Myself on Dual Cores instead of just a single one, that way whenever I *do* get one of these processors, I could test it.

Are any of these CPU's actually bottlenecks though? From what I read the bottlenecks nowdays just come from the GPU and RAM more than anything.

Yes, your GPU is the bottleneck for most games.

 

[Blurred Reality]

Well my GPU should be damn fine for awhile, at least I would hope >_< Today at work I'll do some research on the options if I get a choice. Before I do anything though, I just want to make sure, the Opterons basically just ARE X2 Chips, but ones that tested higher testing, correct? I still can't fathom why the Opteron's are cheaper than the X2, if there the same chip, made of higher quality silicon, and test out better

 

[Extelleron]

The Opteron 165 for around $300 is your best option, as others have stated. The only advantage of the 170 is the higher multiplier (x10 vs x9), so if you are looking for a big overclock and dont have a mobo that will take a high FSB then the 170 is better.