Best Socket 939 Processor (Bang for Buck)

[stretch]

Hi,

I'm looking to upgrade the processor in my current system. As you can see by my current video card, I don't do a whole lot of gaming. I did see a post recommending the FX-60, but I don't really want to shell out that much coin. I was wondering what your recommendations would be the best processor (for the money) from the ones below - or any other recommendations you may have. Currently I'm not overclocking, but I have in the past - so I'm not totally opposed to the possibility.

AMD Opteron 165 Denmark 1.8GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail 156.99
AMD Opteron 170 Denmark 2.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail 184.99
AMD Opteron 175 Denmark 2.2GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - Retail 228.00
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail 185.00
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester 2.4GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor - Retail 242.00

Current System
Athlon 64 3000+ Stock Fan/Speed
DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D
OCZ EL Platinum PC3200 2x1Gb 2-3-2-5
Antec Sonata w/ 450W SmartPower 2.0
BFG Nvidia 6600GT OC
2 x 160Gb Barracuda 7200/16Mb Raid 0

Thanks,

Stretch

 

[myocardia]

I recommend the Opteron 185, since you aren't an overclocker. If you were, I'd recommend the 170, because of your RAM.

 

[11427]

OC'd Opteron 165,... definitely the best bang for the buck, or the 170. Either will likely hit 2.8 with your DFI.

 

[stretch]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies. If I were to OC, I'm guessing I'd have to upgrade the stock HSF that comes with the 165/170. Is that correct?
Thanks again,
Stretch

 

[11427]

Nope,... it is actually pretty good.

 

[11427]

I was able to hit 2.8 on my 170 without raising volts, even used the thermal compound that came on the AMD heat sink.

 

[myocardia]

The heatpipe heatsinks that come with dual-core Opterons are supposed to be good for 2.6-2.8 Ghz.

 

[tallman45]

Go with the 165, you MB and Memory are ok. The AMD heatsink that comes with the retail boxed CPU is a Heatsink and fan combo very similar to a smaller XP-90, I guess it could be called a Look alike XP-80. In other words it is a very good cooler that your best efforts may get you a small amout difference but you need a much larger cooler

Here is some info on the cooler

AMD OEM Heatpipe Cooler Review

 

[s13se]

My 165 came with the dual heatpipe cooler with a smaller 70mm fan. The one Madshrimps reviewed was the one I was hoping for .

 

[stretch]

Hi Again,
So what I'm seeing from the posts is the opteron is definitely the way to go. Is it worth the 30$ to upgrade from the 165 to the 170?
Thanks for the replies,
Stretch

 

[tallman45]

Originally posted by: stretch
Hi Again,
So what I'm seeing from the posts is the opteron is definitely the way to go. Is it worth the 30$ to upgrade from the 165 to the 170?
Thanks for the replies,
Stretch

If you are going to OC, then no it is not worth the $30

 

[stretch]

So a 170 won't OC better than a 165? Are they essentially the same part, just differently stock frequency, or do they have different stepping etc...?
Thanks again,
Stretch

 

[hydroponik]

Originally posted by: stretch
So a 170 won't OC better than a 165? Are they essentially the same part, just differently stock frequency, or do they have different stepping etc...?
Thanks again,
Stretch

Same part, just higher multi (10x on the 170, opposed to the 9x on the 165).

 

[aka1nas]

Alternately, the 10x multiplier on the 170 may help if you are trying to reach very high overclocks and don't have a board that can handle more than 300Mhz or so HTT speed.

 

[Ayah]

165 and overclock. The DFI will handle uber speeds.

 

[hectorsm]

Originally posted by: s13se
My 165 came with the dual heatpipe cooler with a smaller 70mm fan. The one Madshrimps reviewed was the one I was hoping for .

Check your heat sink again. It should be 4 independent heat pipes two on each side. Each pipe ends on the other side. The older ones use 4 pipes on a single side. The 2X2 should be a little more efficient since they spead heat evenly on both side.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Ayah
165 and overclock. The DFI will handle uber speeds.

FTW

Fwiw, I did run across an early 165 that wouldn't pass 2.2 on a SLI-DR, but that was a year ago.

Most 165s in stock now are CCBBE stepping, AFAIK .. good for 2.6+, and even 3.0 with good cooling+extra volts.

The DFI mobo is the reason you can o/c like mad without worrying about multipliers. You can literally tune it to mars and back.

 

[the Chase]

For $28 extra the 10x multi of the 170 is good to have if you want to get to 3Ghz.(And have your ram at a decent divider.)

 

[Lord Banshee]

I do not know i would get teh 170... i think the 10x multi is pretty important... No matter what i do to my CPU it will never get over 2.6Ghz (a 165) if i have all my fans running at full speed and my memory at the slowest speed my CPU will go no more..

But i can't say i don't like my 2.6Ghz but it just seems 2.7Ghz is a lot faster and i have no idea why haha... must be a mind game.

 

[hectorsm]

Originally posted by: Lord Banshee
I do not know i would get teh 170... i think the 10x multi is pretty important... No matter what i do to my CPU it will never get over 2.6Ghz (a 165) if i have all my fans running at full speed and my memory at the slowest speed my CPU will go no more..

But i can't say i don't like my 2.6Ghz but it just seems 2.7Ghz is a lot faster and i have no idea why haha... must be a mind game.

What stepping do you have?

The higher multiplier will not guarantee a good overclock. Some Opty with higher multiplier will not go over 2.6 ot 2.7 no matter what you do or what mobo you use.

So if you get a good stepping then your in luck.

 

[tallman45]

Originally posted by: hectorsm

Originally posted by: s13se
My 165 came with the dual heatpipe cooler with a smaller 70mm fan. The one Madshrimps reviewed was the one I was hoping for .

Check your heat sink again. It should be 4 independent heat pipes two on each side. Each pipe ends on the other side. The older ones use 4 pipes on a single side. The 2X2 should be a little more efficient since they spead heat evenly on both side.

Seems like there are 2 AMD OEM Heatpipe Heatsinks. One has 2 thin heatpipes extruding from each side and uses a 70MM clip on Fan, that also keeps teh lastch meachanishm in place. It would be impossible or extremely difficult to adapt another fan. The fins cover a smaller area the the next one I will descripe (came with a 165)

They is another than has 4 much thicker heatpipes on one side that run under and through the other side. There is a 80 x 25mm Fan that is actually screwed in so a replacement can be easily added. (came with a 185). This one looks very much like a smaller version of the XP-90. The 80mm fan is none other than a Delta AFC0812DD

I removed the stock 80mm fan and am using a 80-120mm adapter with a 120mm Scythe fan and it is a quite efficient cooler. Simple mod, just unscrewed the old fan and screwed in the new

 

[Lord Banshee]

Originally posted by: hectorsm

Originally posted by: Lord Banshee
I do not know i would get teh 170... i think the 10x multi is pretty important... No matter what i do to my CPU it will never get over 2.6Ghz (a 165) if i have all my fans running at full speed and my memory at the slowest speed my CPU will go no more..

But i can't say i don't like my 2.6Ghz but it just seems 2.7Ghz is a lot faster and i have no idea why haha... must be a mind game.

What stepping do you have?

The higher multiplier will not guarantee a good overclock. Some Opty with higher multiplier will not go over 2.6 ot 2.7 no matter what you do or what mobo you use.

So if you get a good stepping then your in luck.

Ya my stepping isn't that great
CCBWE 0550XPMW