AMD Processor Upgrade

[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!

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by 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!

Looks like you can buy an X2 3600+. You MIGHT find a 3800+ lurking out there, but the sites are crawling with Opteron 175's, which would be a very good choice. I hate to spend over $100 on a processor (cheep! cheep!) but I'm going to.

[Wilcke]

RR,

Try Tiger Direct for the X2 3800 and yes the Opterons are very capable! Amazing that in AMD's line they do not have any processors over $300! I usually check out www.sharkeyextreme.com for the latest prices.

Intel is still pretty pricey for their Extreme processors.

[gruntington]

I run a S939 as well with an Opteron 185 2.6ghz Dual Core CPU w/ 2GB RAM. I run SH4 maxed out and play Crysis at 1280x1024 32bbp with XP SP2.

I got my Opteron 185 from Newegg for less then $250. The Opteron 185 has some features that make it slightly faster then the X2 4800+. Plus, the 4800+ is virtually impossible to find anymore.

With minor tweaks, I have taken this CPU to 2.8+ghz and I have read that they can hit 3.0ghz with decent cooling. I dont bother that much with CPU overclocking because most games are GPU limited, not CPU limited.

Crysis does have Dual Core optimization and my G-15 Keyboard LCD reports my CPU never gets above 75% usage. I plan to pick up a second 8800GTS at the end of the month and I am sure I will finish out the year with this system and have no problems at all.

Hope this helps.

[codeseven]

Are the Opti's generally superior to the Athlon x2's? In other words, would an Opti 170-185 be just as good as an Athlon x2 42-4800?

[Wilcke]

Don't know if superior but just as capable...the Opteron is a good option if you are at a dead end with a 939 socket Mobo.

[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.

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by 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.

$153.99 Newegg, free 3-day shipping. WooT!!!:p

[codeseven]

That sounds good!