Budget Overclocking? Cheap AMD Multicore solutions.

[Absolute0]

So I am well aware of the performance overclocking choice for CPU's, I bought one a little while ago.

Problem is now I'm looking at doing a new build. I don't need a gaming monster this time. I work in a chemistry/nanoengineering lab and I decided my 15" notebook screen in insufficient for the amount of journal articles and browser tabs I have open. I'm going to build a cheap dual-monitor computer setup that needs to be capable of running some intense applications like COMSOL (physics simulation/analysis). As far as I know, COMSOL is heavily threaded.

So what I'm looking for is a CPU/mobo combo that's CHEAP but excels at multitasking/threaded applications.

I have been Intel for quite some time but I was thinking AMD might fit the bill here. I can get a cheap quad core, 6 core, 8 core even. But I am confused by all the AMD models. Triple core, quad core, quad cores that unlock to 6 cores, 6 cores, 8 cores... New FX models being potentially slower than old models, Ghz all over the place, lol...

Has anything emerged as a fantastic bang/buck in terms of overclocking? Like to keep CPU/mobo combo within $150 (if this is a poor point on the price/performance curve I can go up I guess). I'll slap a decent HSF on and try to crank it up to a respectable speed. Have considered FX-4100 and A3850.

BTW thanks a lot for any responses Hoping there's some AMD guys in here to help.

 

[Puppies04]

Hoping there's some AMD guys in here to help.

Sorry,no. They all performed seppuku when BD was launched.

But on a serious note you might want to do a little more research into the software you will be using. No point in getting a 6 or 8 core cpu if the program is only capable of using 4 cores, so be certain before you pull the trigger on a build.

 

[Absolute0]

The software is meant to be run by server-style nodes with multiple multicore CPUs.

http://www.comsol.com/support/knowledgebase/866/

So it must be heavily threaded

I do not need a COMSOL monster as that would cost a fortune, but I need the ability to run it.

 

[BD231]

Thuban.

 

[Absolute0]

Thuban 1045T is $140 into my budget. Does this clock well? Would also need some ideas for a cheap overclockable motherboard.

 

[chubbyfatazn]

I have a 1055T or 960T that I could sell you with a Gigabyte GA-MA790GX-UD4H mobo. Comes with 6GB DDR2 (or 2x2 + 2x1, whatever you want). PM me if you're interested.

 

[jacktesterson]

I had a 1045T that hit 4.0GHz, because somehow, I got one that was unlocked.

Had a long thread about it here, then sold it.

It was odd as I bought it on ebay, and it had a 110w TPD according to CPU Z

 

[daveybrat]

Absolute, do you have a Microcenter near you by chance?

 

[jacktesterson]

Now to answer your question,

I'd personally chose a 6 Core Phenom II over a Intel i3 Dual core.


EDIT: I thought it was $150 for just the CPU.

For both that and motherboard.... you will need to go used or hit a Microcentre most likely.

 

[Mxster]

OP, to answer your question about cheap, I saw a used FX-4100 for $50 on Craigslist. That's a 4 core Bulldozer. I don't know myself, honestly, how an application like COMSOL would perform. But it can be cheap, of you want to experiment.

 

[Puppies04]

I have a 1055T or 960T that I could sell you with a Gigabyte GA-MA790GX-UD4H mobo. Comes with 6GB DDR2 (or 2x2 + 2x1, whatever you want). PM me if you're interested.

No selling items outside the FS/FT thread...

 

[AtenRa]

Do we know what the application is using ?? Integer or FP ??? Does it use any SSEs???

What is your budget ??

 

[Absolute0]

Thanks for all of the replies, here are responses:

I have a 1055T or 960T that I could sell you with a Gigabyte GA-MA790GX-UD4H mobo. Comes with 6GB DDR2 (or 2x2 + 2x1, whatever you want). PM me if you're interested.

hmm if price is right.. pm sent

OP, to answer your question about cheap, I saw a used FX-4100 for $50 on Craigslist. That's a 4 core Bulldozer. I don't know myself, honestly, how an application like COMSOL would perform. But it can be cheap, of you want to experiment.

Nice that they can be found so cheap but not sure about using Craigslist lol.

Now to answer your question,

I'd personally chose a 6 Core Phenom II over a Intel i3 Dual core.


EDIT: I thought it was $150 for just the CPU.

For both that and motherboard.... you will need to go used or hit a Microcentre most likely.

Absolute, do you have a Microcenter near you by chance?

Nearest one is ~80 minutes away in the LA area, would cost me ~20$ in gas and ~3 hours total time.

I had a 1045T that hit 4.0GHz, because somehow, I got one that was unlocked.

Had a long thread about it here, then sold it.

It was odd as I bought it on ebay, and it had a 110w TPD according to CPU Z

This means that most 1045's are locked and I shouldn't be buying one to OC then?

Do we know what the application is using ?? Integer or FP ??? Does it use any SSEs???

What is your budget ??

Some quick searching shows that it uses floating point operations, not sure about SSE's.

I'd like to get the CPU/Mobo for $150 but if that won't do I could go to $200. Wouldn't want to go any higher! Once I get near $300 I might as well be buying an Intel.

 

[Lark888]

I picked up a phenom II with motherboard at Microcenter for a little more than $100. It is a 500 BE dual core that easily clocked to 4 ghz using all four cores (unlocked the other two). The performance in multi threaded apps such as Handbreak has been great. As noted by another post, if you have a MC nearby, you should be able to ge a six core with MB that would be a budget screamer.

 

[AtenRa]

Well, how about FX6100 ($139,99) + GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 ($94,99)

You can OC that CPU to 4-4.2GHz with default heat-sink and voltage
or up to 4.7-4.8GHz with a better heat sink and more voltage.

 

[Absolute0]

Well, how about FX6100 ($139,99) + GIGABYTE GA-970A-D3 ($94,99)

You can OC that CPU to 4-4.2GHz with default heat-sink and voltage
or up to 4.7-4.8GHz with a better heat sink and more voltage.

Uhm looks nice but that combo is $235. If I could find a mobo that can overclock for 50-60$ then I'd be in business.

I guess now is a good time to ask... FX-6100 or Thuban 6 core? I'm not sure what the difference is, other than the FX series being newer and clocking much higher, but somehow AMD made the IPC suck in a way reminiscent of the P4.

I picked up a phenom II with motherboard at Microcenter for a little more than $100. It is a 500 BE dual core that easily clocked to 4 ghz using all four cores (unlocked the other two). The performance in multi threaded apps such as Handbreak has been great. As noted by another post, if you have a MC nearby, you should be able to ge a six core with MB that would be a budget screamer.

I'll keep this in mind... As mentioned I'm about 80 minutes from a microcenter... Unfortunately as a grad student I rarely get time to go off campus for adventures like this. I am looking to purchase within the next month so I'll try to keep my eyes open for MC deals.

 

[Uppsala9496]

If you are willing to invest the 3 hours to make the MC run, it should be worth your while.
The 1045T or 960T bundles are good deals. Make sure you get one of the decent mobo's though.

 

[Absolute0]

If you are willing to invest the 3 hours to make the MC run, it should be worth your while.
The 1045T or 960T bundles are good deals. Make sure you get one of the decent mobo's though.

Ok maybe I will do this. Based on what everyone is saying I think 1045T is a good choice. Now as for a board that OCs well, Microcenter has the following Motherboard offerings for bundles:

Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Socket AM3+ 760G mATX
ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS Socket AM3+ 760G mATX
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 Socket AM3+ 970 ATX
ASUS M5A97 AM3+ ATX
ASRock 970 Extreme4 AM3+ ATX
Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 Socket AM3+ 990FX ATX

http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

I think some of their bundles are over since some don't work when you add to cart, but any motherboard recommendations? I don't need anything fancy just need to sustain a respectable overclock.

 

[Denithor]

Some quick searching shows that it uses floating point operations, not sure about SSE's.

Based on this you certainly don't want Bulldozer, as each 'pair' of cores contains only a single FP core, meaning that the 'eight core' model is really only equal to Intel's quad-core model for FP. At best.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4955/the-bulldozer-review-amd-fx8150-tested

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ok maybe I will do this. Based on what everyone is saying I think 1045T is a good choice. Now as for a board that OCs well, Microcenter has the following Motherboard offerings for bundles:

Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 Socket AM3+ 970 ATX

This one is a good overclocker, with 8+2 power phases. Don't get the 760G boards, they have crap for power phases, and will burn out with overclocking.

I'm running an ASrock 990FX Extreme4, which is also a nice deluxe board, with a 1045T from MC as well, overclocked to 3.51. I gave it a trivial try to clock higher, but termps and voltage were too high for my liking.

 

[royo]

You can get a good OC on Thubaneven without a very expensive mobo.

 

[AtenRa]

If you can go to MC, get the FX8120 + GA-970A-UD3 combo offer for $209,98.

You can OC to 4-4.2GHz with default heat-sink and voltage
or add a better heat-sink and OC up to 4.6-4.8GHz.

The 8-core BD at 4GHz+ it will be faster than 6-core Thuban in almost every multithreaded app.

 

[chimaxi83]

If you can go to MC, get the FX8120 + GA-970A-UD3 combo offer for $209,98.

You can OC to 4-4.2GHz with default heat-sink and voltage
or add a better heat-sink and OC up to 4.6-4.8GHz.

The 8-core BD at 4GHz+ it will be faster than 6-core Thuban in almost every multithreaded app.

^^ this is probably your best bet, OP.

 

[Absolute0]

You guys tell me to buy Bulldozer right after Denithor pointed out that BD architecture has shared floating point units so for the kind of software I'm using it would be more like a quad core.

Are you saying that the extra overclockability of BD is enough to make getting an 8120 more worth it? I am going to invest about $30 in a heatsink and try to get a very solid overclock going.

edit: Not sure if the added $ and power consumption from a Bulldozer is worth it. If I do overclock to 4.8 Ghz on air then I would need a good PSU then right?
210$ for Bulldozer combo. Around 150$ for Thuban combo from MC. leaning towards that one.

 

[OCGuy]

I'm not sure I would be overclocking a CPU that was for business calculations.......unless I knew it was EXTREMELY stable.