Difference between Opteron 1xx series and Athlon 64 FXxx series

[hytek369]

They seem to have the same specs they work in the same chipsets, motherboards, etc. If they are the same, why make both? Opterons 1xx series are cheaper anyway.

 

[Vette73]

They are the same but they do not want to hurt the image/marketing of each.
One is marketed for high-end gaming the other is high-end workstation systems.

 

[klah]

FX has unlocked multiplier.

 

[hytek369]

i did not know that either of them were locked

any links?

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: hytek369
i did not know that either of them were locked

any links?

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.html?i=1936&p=2

the Opteron 1xx and Athlon64 FX do differ in one very important way. The Athlon64 FX is unlocked and multipliers can be adjusted; the Opteron 1xx is multiplier locked and ratios can not be adjusted.

 

[Jeff7181]

Yup, the FX line is marketed towards enthusiasts... and they want to allow enthusiasts to overclock with ease if they choose to, but don't want the common man (socket 754) messing with his stuff and voiding his warranty.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: hytek369
i did not know that either of them were locked

any links?

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.html?i=1936&p=2

the Opteron 1xx and Athlon64 FX do differ in one very important way. The Athlon64 FX is unlocked and multipliers can be adjusted; the Opteron 1xx is multiplier locked and ratios can not be adjusted.

thanks for the link

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

i don't think the FX is multi-processor capable.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: AWhackWhiteBoy
i don't think the FX is multi-processor capable.

neither are the Opteron 1xx series

 

[LaughnCynic]

Does anyone know for sure if Opterons selling now like the 144 and higher really support pc3200(ddr400). I was just looking at this spec sheet which says, "* DDR400 supported by Rev C0 and later, Refer to AMD OpteronTM Processor Power and Thermal Data Sheet, order# 30417, for silicon revision determination".

Was just wondering if anyone knew off hand because I was just looking at the Asus SK8V board and thinking the fx 51 is just way too expencive for me. If I could be sure an Opteron 144-146 would work with pc3200 mem at ddr400 it's something I'd consider seriously (and might just be in my budget).

 

[klah]

As long as the product number ends in AK and not AG, it supports ddr400.

Like this: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-406&depa=0

 

[myocardia]

Don't forget though, that both the Opterons and the FX's require registered ram.

 

[andreasl]

Originally posted by: hytek369

Originally posted by: AWhackWhiteBoy
i don't think the FX is multi-processor capable.

neither are the Opteron 1xx series

Yet there have been sporadic reports of people being able to run the AFX in SMP systems.

 

[hytek369]

Originally posted by: andreasl

Originally posted by: hytek369

Originally posted by: AWhackWhiteBoy
i don't think the FX is multi-processor capable.

neither are the Opteron 1xx series

Yet there have been sporadic reports of people being able to run the AFX in SMP systems.

but why? they are more expensive and do not have the proper amount of hypertransport channels.

 

[glugglug]

Opteron 1xx requires ECC RAM. Athlon FX does not.

Also, you'll notice the fastest sold in the 1xx series is either 200MHz or 400MHz slower than the FX (I forget which).

 

[andreasl]

Originally posted by: hytek369

Originally posted by: andreasl

Originally posted by: hytek369

Originally posted by: AWhackWhiteBoy
i don't think the FX is multi-processor capable.

neither are the Opteron 1xx series

Yet there have been sporadic reports of people being able to run the AFX in SMP systems.

but why? they are more expensive and do not have the proper amount of hypertransport channels.

I think the fact shows that they DO! AMD was too quick to release the Athlon FX that they simply rebranded Opteron 2xx chips. Once they get to socket 939 this will end however, possibly even sooner if AMD feels the need for it.

 

[andreasl]

Originally posted by: glugglug
Opteron 1xx requires ECC RAM. Athlon FX does not.

Also, you'll notice the fastest sold in the 1xx series is either 200MHz or 400MHz slower than the FX (I forget which).

No there are Opteron 148, 248 and 848 chips all running at 2.2GHz, same as the Athlon FX. And I do not believe you need ECC for Opteron. What you need for both Opteron and Athlon FX is registered RAM.

 

[LaughnCynic]

Originally posted by: klah
As long as the product number ends in AK and not AG, it supports ddr400.

Like this: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-406&depa=0

Thanks. Good to know.

Now I'm going to have to consider getting and Opteron 146 (the 148's are essetially the same high price as the FX 51's) in an Asus SK8V instead of a P4c3.0. Even with the more expensive ram ($331 for Corsair Twinx1024RE-3200LL on Newegg which is just a few $ more than their regular 3200LLPro) it just might come within budget considerations. Could even go with Fedora Core 1 x86-64 and save the cost of Windows XP Pro (since the 64bit version isn't out yet). Hmmm... Decisions decisions...

andreasl: And I do not believe you need ECC for Opteron. What you need for both Opteron and Athlon FX is registered RAM.

Yeah I believe all socket 940 cpu's need registered ram. I think the whole socket 939 move for the later FX chips is to remove this requirement so they can run with regular unregistered ram like the A64's. 940 will stay for Opterons though AFAIK.

 

[glugglug]

Originally posted by: andreasl

Originally posted by: glugglug
Opteron 1xx requires ECC RAM. Athlon FX does not.

Also, you'll notice the fastest sold in the 1xx series is either 200MHz or 400MHz slower than the FX (I forget which).

No there are Opteron 148, 248 and 848 chips all running at 2.2GHz, same as the Athlon FX. And I do not believe you need ECC for Opteron. What you need for both Opteron and Athlon FX is registered RAM.

Edit: I stand corrected..

Last time I looked on pricewatch and other sites, there were no 148s, the 1xx line stopped earlier than the 2xx and 8xx.

Now they have 148s for $20 less than A64FX.

 

[mslezak]

I just bought a 144 Opteron from Newegg and it runs at DDR 400. I didn't think it would because AMD's website states only 146 and up support DDR400, so I am either lucky or the new ones support it.

Don't get excited about OC'ing the chip either, mine only goes to 1950mhz! And it's on the SK8N as well. The AGP speed appears to be the limiting factor as I can't OC my Radeon 9800SE when the FSB is bumped up in the bios resulting in 1950mhz. So if there really are any locked AGP frequency mbs, I would buy one (but all out appear to be lying about the locked multiplier). Good luck!

 

[hytek369]

all the new opterons run at DDR400, there was an article on anandtech that mentioned it but i cannot find it.

dammit