View Full Version : Athlon x2 skt 939
I currently have an Athlon x64 4000+ chip but im upgrading to vista ultimate.
Would it be worth maxing out the skt 939 as i have a great motherboard and didnt really want to change that.
Would the Athlon X2 4600+ that aria do cope with most power hungry apps and games out there today?
What does it compare to in the intel range?
Cheers
Mat :D
It depends what you need your CPU to do - unless you're playing explicitly multi-threaded games then your GFX card will be the bottleneck in almost everything you do...
If you're also doing things like PhotoShop or video compressing, then SMP is the way to go (I've had multiple CPUs since I got an Abit VP6 and a pair of 1GHz PIIIs).
But with new boards (PCI-E2) and CPUs (Phenom) around the corner, I'd only really upgrade if you have to...
My GFX is a 7800GTX and i refuse to upgrade that due to the ammount i payed for it :evil:
I do everything with my PC. Photoshop, Video editing, Games, Media centre.
Whats SMP? :?
PCI-E would be graphics and a new CPU will be £500+ :cry:
Im thinking about the short term really. Would i see a difference between the x64 4000 and the x2 4400+?
Thanks for your help
Mat :D
[quote:5e8aacb77a=\"M4T VW\"]Whats SMP? :?[/quote:5e8aacb77a]
Symmetric Multi-Processing
[quote:5e8aacb77a=\"M4T VW\"]Would i see a difference between the x64 4000 and the x2 4400+?[/quote:5e8aacb77a]
Depends on what apps - anything that will use both cores will see a benefit.
It's debatable whether single processor applications will see an improvement from adding a 2nd CPU - some people say no, but it can be argued that the rest of the threads on your system will run on one core, leaving the main CPU intensive software to run on it's own CPU.
If you've got the money and you don't intend to upgrade anything else, then I'd go for it... There's a certain feeling of fluidity and effortlessness that you don't get with single CPU systems...
get shut of the gfx card. Treat yourself to a 8800gts, v cheap and goes like a rocket! biggest increase you will see in your performance.
[quote:e2a9ecf264=\"coiler\"]get shut of the gfx card. Treat yourself to a 8800gts, v cheap and goes like a rocket! biggest increase you will see in your performance.[/quote:e2a9ecf264]
Not in multi-threaded games such as Supreme Commander. I'd recommend the CPU upgrade take priority, since the CPU is used for more than gaming, and will provide a noticeable increase in system/application performance, as well as increased performance in multithreaded games.
The X2 3800+ can be had for under £50 now easily. Clock it to 2.64 like I have and you have yourself an excellent gaming system, keeping your 7800GTX.
Thanks hosser. Just what i was looking for.
Is there any reason i would choose a x2 3800 and OC it rather then a 4400?
Surley the 4400 would be faster or does the 3800 go to the same speeds for cheaper?
I never got into the OC part. Is it an easy thing to do and stable so you can just use your PC normal day to day? :?
My 7800 seems fine for the games a play atm. The only thing its lacking is DX10 but i cant see many games coming soon for that.
Right. So a chip and HDD then. Aria seems to be out of stock of both :cry:
[quote:ef0da03fdc=\"M4T VW\"]Thanks hosser. Just what i was looking for.
Is there any reason i would choose a x2 3800 and OC it rather then a 4400?
Surley the 4400 would be faster or does the 3800 go to the same speeds for cheaper?
I never got into the OC part. Is it an easy thing to do and stable so you can just use your PC normal day to day? :?
My 7800 seems fine for the games a play atm. The only thing its lacking is DX10 but i cant see many games coming soon for that.
Right. So a chip and HDD then. Aria seems to be out of stock of both :cry:[/quote:ef0da03fdc]
Well the 3800 is cheaper, and in greater supply. If you can find the 4400 at a decent price, then go for it. I always buy the lowest-end processor in the highest-end segment and clock it higher. I'll be doing the same when those Quad core Opterons and Phenoms arrive.
And yeah, it's not particularly easy if you've not done it before, and it took me a long time to settle on clocks and temperatures that I was happy with. Obviously you need to get a better heatsink too. Do whatever you're more comfortable with; if you'd rather get the 4400 and not OC it, then go for it. :D
And I don't have DX10 either. But my card gives the 8800GTS a run for its money as I've heavily overclocked it so I'm happy. :D
I'll be doing a full upgrade at the end of this year anyway, since I've just recieved my first student loan payment, and I'm pretty sure I won't need £8000 just to last me until April... :twisted:
Thanks again!
The 3800 and the 4200 are the same price, The 4400 is more expensive but aria dont have any in stock :cry:
I might just settle for a 4200. I should see a difference in performance anyway.
Am i right in thinking i can change my chip without reinstalling XP? :oops:
I want the chip now but dont want to install vista yet so could use my XP install :)
[quote:554083cfb2=\"M4T VW\"]Thanks again!Am i right in thinking i can change my chip without reinstalling XP? :oops: [/quote:554083cfb2]
It depends - it can be a good idea, but it's easier to change the machine type to 'ACPI Multiprocessor Machine' in Device manager...
I'd want to do a reinstall to be honest... I'm not sure sl4x0r, but does what you suggested install the Multiprocessor kernel?
I wasn't aware that XP Pro had different Kernels...
But that's what I've done in the past and it's worked...
i never had any issues going from single to dual core, all i had to do was stick the xp disk in when asked and reboot, and all was rosie, dual cpu goodness in task manager etc etc.
I agree get a new graphics card you'll notice the differnce more on games.
I just upgraded from the 7800gt which scored 6820 in 3dmark 05
I upgraded to a 7900gx2 and scored 11468. i think that shows a performance increase. so instead of playing bioshock on reduced graphics i now play on MAX.........
your choice though good proccessing for encoding dvd's etc or good graphics on games... Mmmmm let me think.
[quote:28a3ff8267=\"mac124\"]i never had any issues going from single to dual core, all i had to do was stick the xp disk in when asked and reboot, and all was rosie, dual cpu goodness in task manager etc etc.[/quote:28a3ff8267]
Great news.
Thanks :D
Most games arn't even optimized for amd x2's so the GFX is money far better spent.
Oblivion, Stalker, Bioshock etc, I went from a 3700 Sandy to a 4200 x2 and seen very very little difference in oblivion and stalker.
Upgraded my gfx from a 7900gtx to a 7950gx2 and it flies like sh** off a stick!! 8)
[quote:d708d94acb=\"coiler\"]Most games arn't even optimized for amd x2's so the GFX is money far better spent.
Oblivion, Stalker, Bioshock etc, I went from a 3700 Sandy to a 4200 x2 and seen very very little difference in oblivion and stalker.
Upgraded my gfx from a 7900gtx to a 7950gx2 and it flies like sh** off a stick!! 8)[/quote:d708d94acb]
I dont play any of them :lol:
I mostly play driving sims and BF2142 etc. Not great demanding games but my current system copes with it no problem but i just thought a little upgrade was due.
Im not upgrading my GFX as said above PCI-E2, Wait for that to come out.
Im trying to save for a new car guys :cry: :lol: :oops:
:nono: treat yourself, get both :lol:
save your money then no point upgrading cpu as you wont notice any difference then.
Oh bloody hell!
And vista will run fast on my 4000+? :roll:
Look guys, his graphics card is perfectly capable. It's not top of the range, but it's more than able to run modern games admirably. The CPU is more deserving of an upgrade, since any graphics upgrade would still be hampered by the aging, single-core CPU.
And if he's migrating to Vista, I'd definitely recommend the move to a dual-core processor - the difference was astounding when I moved from a 1800MHz Single-core Athlon 64 to a 2000MHz Dual-core Athlon 64.
I went for a x2 4200 in the end. I think i will notice a bit of difference and it was only £45.
Overclock here we come.
Also a 320 Seagate HDD..Wanted a 400 but not in stock :cry:
And a fan controller as mine is kacked and flashes multi colour! :? :D
Here Friday hopefully. Install saturday :D
[quote:61334e0b9f=\"M4T VW\"]I went for a x2 4200 in the end. I think i will notice a bit of difference and it was only £45.
Overclock here we come.
Also a 320 Seagate HDD..Wanted a 400 but not in stock :cry:
And a fan controller as mine is kacked and flashes multi colour! :? :D
Here Friday hopefully. Install saturday :D[/quote:61334e0b9f]
Nice job. You'll definitely notice a huge difference in system responsiveness, especially when multi-tasking - I know I did. I'm glad you're holding on to your graphics card, since when the new kit arrives at the end of this year (or beginning of next, knowing nVIDIA and ATI's release habits) prices of existing hardware should be driven down a little, which is always nice.
My order has been shipped.
Just gotta rip it all out now and rebuild it as i have wires going everywhere! :shock:
Anyone know where to get short sata cables? I only need like 150mm (15cm) :wink:
[quote:50277d8fbe=\"M4T VW\"]My order has been shipped.
Just gotta rip it all out now and rebuild it as i have wires going everywhere! :shock:
Anyone know where to get short sata cables? I only need like 150mm (15cm) :wink:[/quote:50277d8fbe]
Abit supplied four with my motherboard, so I've never had to buy any.
What's wrong with normal length SATA cables?
[quote:9edd2bfa47=\"Sl4x0r\"]What's wrong with normal length SATA cables?[/quote:9edd2bfa47]
I think he just wants short ones to minimise clutter.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee53/BigPhilB6000/zippies.jpg
Cable ties dont work on sata cables.
The ones i have are like 400mm long and i have a huge reem of them in there.
They dont bend the right way :cry:
I'm not a fan of using cable ties, since the hardware in my PC gets upgraded and swapped out quite alot, I prefer to just hide cables by shoving them out of sight behind the motherboard or under the hard disks. It all looks very tidy in my case and I haven't used a single tie.
I will take pics of my install on the weekend. Messy i can tell you. :shock:
Hmmm. It seems aria have there product discription wrong on the zalman fan crontroller. :lol:
Just got mine and its the plus version. Oh well Cant be bothered to send it back.
Need some good and quiet 80mm 3 pin fans now. Any ideas?
I have a couple of molex fans but i dont think you can use a converter? :cry:
What's the difference between the fan controller and the plus model you got???
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans%2C+Heatsinks%2C+Coolers/Accessories/Zalman+ZM-MFC1+Plus+Silver+Multi+Fan+Controller+-+Silver?productId=28019
http://www.zalman.co.kr/upload/product/zm_mfc1_c_p.jpg
The non plus one has 2 toggle switches on the end of it for 2 pin fans (Molex)
The plus has 2 extra knobs instead of the toggle switches.
On aria they have the plus title and picture but the decription is of the non plus one. :?
Doesnt matter. Im growing to the look of the one i have now :lol:
Dunno - I think I prefer the MFC1 plus - the other's a bit plasticky...
Yeah. The one they sent me is pretty nice. Big chunky bit of brushed ali. Looks great in my Lian-Li :D
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