Athlon 64 3800+ (single core) on the cheap!!!?

[MatrixVPR]

Newegg = 145.00
Club it = 139.00

So I have herd that AMD is dropping the prices on their single core processors (as I'm sure anyone reading this knows!) but 140 BUCKS for a 3800+ seems really good to me!? I'm a gamer and so I was thinking something like the 3700+ or either of the 4200+/4600+ X2s. It just seems that at 140 bucks i could order the 3800+ Venice now and see some really good improvement over my 3200+ Winchester. I could upgrade to the X2 later on down the road.

P.S. kinda bummed that my 939 MoBo is no longer future proof!

 

[Ika]

thats a single core. if you plan on upgrading to conroe or something sometime in the near future upgrade if you really need it. otherwise, you won't be getting much other than a speed boost.

actually, this option is really only if you don't want to overclock - a 3200+ or 3000+ venice will overclock to levels just as high as the 3800+ will.

 

[MatrixVPR]

I have not had allot of luck with the OCing of my Winchester even to 2.4. It'll get there but isn't the Venice a much better overclocker. I'll be transitioning to a new core that is a better OCer with bigger multiplier and the speed boost off the bat just seems like a win win. I'm not sure though?

 

[the Chase]

Wait for a month until the dual core X2 3800 is $169.00 and go for that. (and OC it).

 

[darkdemyze]

Originally posted by: the Chase
Wait for a month until the dual core X2 3800 is $169.00 and go for that. (and OC it).

Agreed.

 

[Ika]

or, wait a month for conroe, get the first 800fsb model, and OC that up to 4.0ghz. just be careful not to fall into the waiting game trap.

 

[Amaroque]

Unless you only game, I'd wait for prices to come down even more, then drop in an X2 chip.

BTW: The Winchester 3500+ (2200 MHz) I had would only clock to 2300 MHz.

 

[broly8877]

Recent games have been making use of two cores. I think NV's drivers do to some extent, too.

You can bet the UE3-based games will use them well, and that's just a couple months away.

Originally posted by: the Chase
Wait for a month until the dual core X2 3800 is $169.00 and go for that. (and OC it).

Or the E6300.

Can't wait to see a review of that $180 CPU.

 

[the Chase]

Well I agree the Intel CPU's coming are going to be great, but look at the OP's sig- pretty nice mobo especially to jump ship to new mobo,memory,etc. Unless he's a good salesman and can get some good $ for his rig now.

 

[imported_jasonnovak]

I've been trying to decide between the 3800+ and waiting for the 3800+ X2 when it comes down next month. Looking at benchmarks though the single core beats the X2 in pretty much all tests since it's clocked higher except multitasking tests. I'm do run several apps at once, but nothing CPU intensive, like outlook or a browser. Would the single core 3800+ be a better bet?

 

[Amaroque]

Welcome to the board Jason!

For your described usage, I'd have to say a single core would be better in the short term. However, a dual core system will be useful much longer (more future proof).

Three things must be asked to be comprehensive though...


1) How long do you plan to keep the system?
2) Are you building a new system, or upgrading?
3) Do you overclock?

 

[imported_jasonnovak]

I'd probably use it 2-3+ years. I'd be replacing the mb and processor, but reusing everything else in my current system. I currently have a mobile barton 2400+ running at 3200+. I normally don't overclock but the mobile was so easy to do without touching the memory. I have cheap value RAM that probably can't be pushed far, and for the price to replace it I suspect I could just get a faster CPU. Maybe I can play around with it my currnet system and see how far it would go.

 

[Amaroque]

The Barton core tops out at around 2.2-2.4GHz on average. With any A64, you don't need to OC your RAM, you use a memory divider. But any 939 system is a dead end with no upgrade path rite now.

Honestly, you would be better off waiting for the Intel Core2Duo (Conroe/Merom) chips. You would also need to replace your RAM with DDR2 though.

Most people rite now would recommend waiting for the Intel chip, as it looks extremely promising, with excellent prices to boot.

 

[MatrixVPR]

Originally posted by: Aflac
or, wait a month for conroe, get the first 800fsb model, and OC that up to 4.0ghz. just be careful not to fall into the waiting game trap.

It's looking like Conroe is going to really kick some a$$! I was a big time Intel guy and i still like their products but now that I've transitioned to AMD I'm going to stick with them. I really like AMD even if they are slower. I have always rooted for the underdog. I would consider making the switch back to Intel but not till I see what AMD answers back with in a year or so when Vista comes out.