AMD Processor Upgrade

[beartooth91]

Folks,

Would like to upgrade my cpu in the next couple of weeks. Its a socket 939 motherboard (a Biostar), so, my choices are limited. Currently running an Athlon 64 3200 Venice. I'm looking at 1) another Athlon 64 4000 (Clawhammer) or 2) the Athlon 64 X2 3800 (Manchester). Both are in the $49 to $59 price range at Newegg or Tigerdirect.
The X2 really interests me, though, the performance rating is lower than the Clawhammer. Also, I've heard of a few problems with certain games on the dual core Athlons.
Is anyone here playing SH4 with an Athlon 64 X2 on a S939 board ?

Thanks,

beartooth91

[LZ_Baker]

I have a dual core, but its the newer socket (am2?). If you get a dual core, you need to download the daul core drivers from AMD. You are diffinatly better off with the dual core. It may be rated lower, but remember its two cores at 3800. For comparison, one of my old roommates had a better video card than me (7800gt to 7900gtx) but I had the dual core (x2 4200+ to Athlon 64 4200) and I could play games like stalker and oblivion alot better than he could (they are made to use dual cores)

[JREX53]

I agree with LZ_Baker.
Dual Core is the way to go. Just make sure your motherboard can do dual core. It should, but you need to check and make sure.

[Rockin Robbins]

You just helped me make up my mind. I'm running an Athlon 64 3700+. I've been happy with the game but wondering how to evaluate possible improvements in microprocessor. I might just go for that X2 5200+! Thanks for the info.

[DrBeast]

Keeping in mind that:

1. The Socket 939 is a dying species,
2. The AM2 socket will be around for quite a while, since the new AMD quad-core processors are AM2-compatible,
3. AM2 motherboards are quite cheap, and
4. DDR2 RAM is a dime a dozen these days

I'd say you're better off taking the leap from the antiquated S939 system to a brand new AM2 counterpart. Just start saving up those bucks

[beartooth91]

The board is a Biostar Tforce 6100-939. It supports the Athlon 64 X2. It runs SH4 well just as it is. I'm just noticing that socket 939 processors are a dieing breed, so, I'd like to do 1 final cpu upgrade for it. In the last couple of months, I've purchased a new video card and brought the RAM up to 2 GB. I built it 14 months ago, so, I'm not ready to switch over to a socket AM2 board just yet.

[Wilcke]

Originally Posted by beartooth91

Folks,

Would like to upgrade my cpu in the next couple of weeks. Its a socket 939 motherboard (a Biostar), so, my choices are limited. Currently running an Athlon 64 3200 Venice. I'm looking at 1) another Athlon 64 4000 (Clawhammer) or 2) the Athlon 64 X2 3800 (Manchester). Both are in the $49 to $59 price range at Newegg or Tigerdirect.
The X2 really interests me, though, the performance rating is lower than the Clawhammer. Also, I've heard of a few problems with certain games on the dual core Athlons.
Is anyone here playing SH4 with an Athlon 64 X2 on a S939 board ?

Thanks,

beartooth91

Yes, I run an Athlon 64 X2 4800, the last of the 939 socket chips. Its the end of the road for my rig. Along with 4 gigs of fast Corsair memory and a BFG 7950 GT OC, SH4 and SH3 run as fast as you want with all settings to MAX. No slow downs below 30FPS.

If you go to the AMD web page support there are two small utilities that will optimize the AMD dual core for a WinXP install. At those prices why not upgrade...

[irish1958]

I have an Athlon 4000+ and it can't run SHIV at all
The problem is the video card not the processor.

[codeseven]

Ya, I hear ya about the upgrade dilemma. I spent a pretty penny when I built my 'top o the line' puter a couple of years ago (or maybe longer now). I too have a 939 Athlon 64 3700+, and a BFG 7800GTX, big stuff at the time and now costs a fraction of what I paid for it back then. It is really hard to scrap it when it all still works 'ok'. I've been chomping at the bit to at least buy an Athlon X2 939 whatever for awhile now but the longer I wait instead of cheaper the 939 cores are getting scarcer. I was looking for a X2 4800 or an Opti 185 but the prices never came down enough to justify the expense (and trashing my 3700). I should just grab a X2 4200 before their gone I suppose.

[Rockin Robbins]

Where can you get an x2 4200? The best I can find is an X2 3800 and I think I'll strike at that one.

[Wilcke]

RR,

You know I just realized that the X2 4800 (939) Socket chips are long gone. Thats why I snagged mine last year in order to avoid this and extend the life of my rig another 18 months.

Maybe Ebay, but that can be scary. I have sold CPUs on Ebay but never bought. I recently purchased to videcards on Ebay and they are both still running!

Good luck!

[beartooth91]

Originally Posted by Wilcke

Yes, I run an Athlon 64 X2 4800, the last of the 939 socket chips. Its the end of the road for my rig. Along with 4 gigs of fast Corsair memory and a BFG 7950 GT OC, SH4 and SH3 run as fast as you want with all settings to MAX. No slow downs below 30FPS.

If you go to the AMD web page support there are two small utilities that will optimize the AMD dual core for a WinXP install. At those prices why not upgrade...

Well, looks like both Tiger Direct and Newegg have seen the last of the X2 3800's in the last week. The best they have are the X2 3600's with a smaller cache. I went ahead and sprung for a X2 3800+ Retail box on eBay yesterday. With my 8600GT, I'll get good performance and I'll probably upgrade in a year or so.
With regard to the dual drivers; I see a list of different stuff on AMD's dual core utilities page, but, am not sure which one(s) I'll need. One is called the "AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor Driver Version 1.3.2.0053 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (x86 and x64)" and from the description it looks like it adjusts the cpu speed, voltage, etc based on loading. Does this mean if you don't install it; it runs full out ? Do I really need this one ?
The other one is called the "AMD Dual-Core Optimizer" and it appears to be for gaming.
What AMD drivers are you dual-core users running ?

beartooth91

[gruntington]

As far as Opteron vs X2, the Opteron is designed as a server CPU. Thus, it gets more comprehensive testing at the fab plant and is likely to be more robust. Also, and dont quote me on this because I lost the link, the Opteron has a more streamlined built-in memory controller. All things being equal, for example a 4800+ running at 2.6ghz and an Opteron 185 running at 2.6ghz, Id pick the Opty...and I did.

I use all AMD Dual Core Optimizer and other related drivers, including the Microsoft one. All I know is, Crysis is Dual Core coded and does indeed use both cores when running. If you see any patches, AMD or otherwise, Id grab them and install them. If there were any conflicts, as opposed to simple redundancy, Im sure we would know about it by now.

[Rockin Robbins]

@grungington: looks like an Opteron 175 for me! Whew! I almost waited too long to upgrade this motherboard.

[gruntington]

Opty 175, good choice! From what I understand, the late stepping Opterons (165 to 185) are all cut from the same wafers. If you decide to overclock, you should get the same gains as you would with a 185. Just be carefull with the Hypertransport speeds. Good luck.