(754) Newcastles vs. (939) Winchesters

[Zebo]

I don't think AMD expected the on die memory controller to be as efficient as it is.

Aint that the truth. I have both 754 and 939. One at 2650Mhz, the other at 2655Mhz.. Performance is indescerable between the sockets without using select benchmarks. and even then only insignifigant in a couple tests...Mainly games.

Basically bandwith mean little to A64 due to it's incredibe low latency of it's architecture which benefits both sockets similarly.

You can see this in my 939 mem test thread where even PC3000@LL ~ PC4700 TCCD.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1475190&enterthread=y


Oh BTW price/performance always matters once you've settled on your minimum level of performance...since it's bascially indescerable between 754vs939 it's kinda violates cost/benefit to look 939s direction IMO.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Zebo

I don't think AMD expected the on die memory controller to be as efficient as it is.

Aint that the truth. I have both 754 and 939. One at 2650Mhz, the other at 2655Mhz.. Performance is indescerable between the sockets without using select benchmarks. and even then only insignifigant in a couple tests...Mainly games.

Basically bandwith mean little to A64 due to it's incredibe low latency of it's architecture which benefits both sockets similarly.

You can see this in my 939 mem test thread where even PC3000@LL ~ PC4700 TCCD.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=28&threadid=1475190&enterthread=y

Oh BTW price/performance always matters once you've settled on your minimum level of performance...since it's bascially indescerable between 754vs939 it's kinda violates cost/benefit to look 939s direction IMO.

Yeah, I've read your thread. I even direct people to it when they ask about what memory to get for the A64.

Like I stated, I mainly want CPU upgradeability. I'll throw this MB, and CPU in my girlfriends computer. I keep my CPU's close to top of the line, for crunching purposes.

As far as the Ballistix I'm using, I bought them originally for an AXP machine. :roll:

 

[Lyfer]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: Bleh
Good write up!

 

[Zebo]

Amaroque,

We are enthusiasts..I'm buying that PCIe DFI board this week plus card(s)... Chosonman was writing for sane people, who simply buy a box every 3-5years and enjoy... with that in mind his judgement is sound.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: Zebo
Amaroque,

We are enthusiasts..I'm buying that PCIe DFI board this week plus card(s)... Chosonman was writing for sane people, who simply buy a box every 3-5years and enjoy... with that in mind his judgement is sound.

I can't argue with you there. :beer:

 

[Pr0d1gy]

What would you suggest for someone who wants to build a gaming rig that will last a couple years? I already have an Xtasy x800xt AGP so it needs to go from there. I have been thinking about going 3200 or 3500 939skt with a Neo2 mobo. Initially I was directed to the 3400 skt754 & DFI UT mobo. After reading this thread, and considering I don't want to upgrade for the next couple of years, I am starting to lean heavily back towards the 3400/DFI setup. Tell me what you guys think.

 

[Zebo]

3400 skt754 retail boxed & DFI UT mobo $317 shipped at xtremegear

While the processor is best bang for the buck high end period, even beating 3500 and P4 3.6.. the mobo is the best period of all NF3 boards 754 or 939. This package is golden.

 

[Amaroque]

the 3400/754 is a very good price/performance CPU. I don't think AGP will be going away any time soon either.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Zebo
3400 skt754 retail boxed & DFI UT mobo $317 shipped at xtremegear

While the processor is best bang for the buck high end period, even beating 3500 and P4 3.6.. the mobo is the best period of all NF3 boards 754 or 939. This package is golden.

Zebo
Elite Member

Posts: 15621
Joined: 07/29/2001

Nice stats. I think I can trust what you're saying...lol
Kinda cool I waited this long since the 3400+ dropped $20 off of retail....NICE!
Thanks for the input guys...I like the DFI's looks better anyways & have heard nothing but good reviews about the 3400 for gaming. I guess my only question would be NewCastle 2.4Ghz or ClawHammer 2.2Ghz? I am leaning towards the NC...

 

[Icopoli]

I don't know about any of you, but I was happy on my P3 733, 256mb ram, geforce256 32mb DDR until 4 months ago when I got my a64 3000+ (754), 512mb ram, HiS x800 pro. I think you guys are going a little over the top in saying people will always want the next best thing every 3 months, I've just had the same system for the last 5 1/2 years.

 

[warpigeon]

What about the whole dual channel feature that you get in 939s but not 754s?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Yeah I was wondering about that too. I think it's useful, but the performance increase is probably minimal & in that 1-8% increase range like so many upgrades today.

 

[Amaroque]

Originally posted by: warpigeon
What about the whole dual channel feature that you get in 939s but not 754s?

The on die memory controller of the A64 greatly minimizes the effect of dual channel, and low latency RAM.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Nice, thank you...nothing but the facts...man this thread rocks.
One last question, what is some good value RAM to pair up with the 3400/DFI combo (I want 2gb)? :thumbsup:

 

[Jeffyboy]

I just bought an Asus A8V motherboard (i heard it was good) with the 3200+ 939. I now have future upgradability to an nforce4 board since they are s939 also. That's why I wanted to chose the 939 now.

Jeff

 

[warpigeon]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Yeah I was wondering about that too. I think it's useful, but the performance increase is probably minimal & in that 1-8% increase range like so many upgrades today.

That 1-8% range is not minimal. Hell, this whole thread deals with comparing processors that may or may not differ in that range.

 

[warpigeon]

Originally posted by: Jeffyboy
I just bought an Asus A8V motherboard (i heard it was good) with the 3200+ 939. I now have future upgradability to an nforce4 board since they are s939 also. That's why I wanted to chose the 939 now.

Jeff

You're planning on upgrading your motherboard w/out upgrading your processor ? That's original.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Yeah I was kinda wondering about that one too?

 

[rise]

he must be planning on selling the board and buying the nv4 when the price drops to a reasonable level? just guessing....

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I think my rationale is I would rather pay $1000 for a %200 increase in performance than $1200 for a %220 increase.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

I guess my only question would be NewCastle 2.4Ghz or ClawHammer 2.2Ghz? I am leaning towards the NC...

Could someone throw out some opinions on this little side debate?

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy

I guess my only question would be NewCastle 2.4Ghz or ClawHammer 2.2Ghz? I am leaning towards the NC...

Could someone throw out some opinions on this little side debate?

Newcastle will beat it down. It's got 200more Mhz.

CH 1mb lvl 2 only good for 100Mhz not enough to make up for it's 200mhz slower clock.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking, thanks.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
Yeah that's kinda what I was thinking, thanks.

Check it out..http://hardware.fr/art/imprimer/496/

NC 3400 kicks it's arse. Like I said Best bang for buck chip period.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Yeah you wouldn't happen to frequent the Abit forums would you? lol