Phenom II X4 quad-core $49.99 @ Microcenter B&M

[skillyho]

Every time I read about MC or Fry's B&M deals I am simultaneously jealous and happy that I can't get in on it.

My inner-geek is sad but my wallet (and wife) are happy I cannot.

 

[chucky2]

AMD has used the same mounting style heatsink/fans for Socket 754, 939, AM2, AM2+, AM3, AM3+........

So i think he's alright.

So it will mount, but are the heatsink/fan specs the same? It won't mount and then run crazy hot or something will it?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

upgrade to a lower power dual core

So it will mount, but are the heatsink/fan specs the same? It won't mount and then run crazy hot or something will it?

If it's a lower power unit then it may have a smaller and quieter HSF than most. What CPU does he have, exactly?

EDIT>> Just scan the open box section for a cheap heatsink, or ask a salesperson if they have any spare AM3 coolers they would give you.

 

[chucky2]

I honestly cannot remember. I think it was one of the first "e" models to come up, but I just don't remember exactly. We built 3 PC's for him, one I think was the e, two others I think were 4800+'s I think. I'll have to drop by his store and see.

Good suggestion on hitting up Free/Hot Deals. I'm sure I could get an AM3 heatsink pretty cheap.

 

[txlonghorn]

B93 is a rebranded 830...which is incidentally a rebranded 925.

Will this work with ECS A780GM-A v1.0? ECS website http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...6&CategoryID=1&MenuID=20&LanID=0#fragment-CPU didn't list this CPU specifically, but it does list 925 (C3) and 925 (C2) as compatible.

 

[reallyscrued]

Will this work with ECS A780GM-A v1.0? ECS website http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...6&CategoryID=1&MenuID=20&LanID=0#fragment-CPU didn't list this CPU specifically, but it does list 925 (C3) and 925 (C2) as compatible.

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work.

I've got a cheaper ECS that it is correctly recognized in.

 

[Keeper]

OK... Too much info is a BAD thing. I have done the "Analysis to paralysis" thing.

So much to learn. Last night, I was convinced I was going for FX6100 with the ASUS M5A97. Then I read the following:
1. FX version of AMD sucks canal water.
2. Anything more than a quad core seems to benchmark slower in games. Most games run 2 MAYBE 3 cores...

Here is MY PC use. Its a game machine. I only got into consoles cause my kids play on line (My baby is 26. and we play Gears, Red Dead ETC on Monday and Wednesday nites).

Dear AT'ers... For a GAMING rig, And I tend NOT to OC...... Maybe SMALL tweaks here and there. I run Regualar coolers... No water, no thing that looks like it could cool a reator... Run of the mill stuff.

which would you get:

the FX6100? Six Core 3.3 GHz stock
OR
Phenom II X4? 4 core 3.4 GHz stock.

Thanks in advance. I have a headache LOL...

Either will be the Asus M5A97 bundle. That board looks nice.

 

[sunilx]

Phenom II X4 B93 is now $39.99 & Triple-core B73 $29.99 (according to latest MC email). Not that it really matters at the price, but these are C2 steppings.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0389134

skillyho: The FX 6100 is $109.99. I'd "future proof" by getting the B93 now for $70 less and wait until the price of the FX 6100 falls to $70 sometime in the future.

 

[skillyho]

Kepper - I would probably go with the cheapest X4 I could find and if below 3.0GHz put a small OC on it. I picked up a 830 (aka 925 @2.8GHz) from NewEgg a while back and it runs at 3.5Ghz on 1.4 vCore. Those changes are quite simple to make to get that in place, and a cheap ($15) tower cooler keeps the temperatures under control.

I have a FX-6100 and MSI 970A board lying around somewhere, but most benches will tell you that clock for clock the Phenom II's are more efficient. Once you open the gap up a bit (which the FX's can easily do 500-600MHz more) they begin to even out.

It's also my understanding that some Windows 8 features will utilize the Bulldozer architecture more effectively than Windows 7 - Google is your friend if you want to know more on that one.

Either choice is solid, and the FPS difference in most games between those two chips will be very, very small at default settings. I would say the FX-6100 is perhaps more future proof and may serve you better in the long haul.

 

[Keeper]

Kepper - I would probably go with the cheapest X4 I could find and if below 3.0GHz put a small OC on it. I picked up a 830 (aka 925 @2.8GHz) from NewEgg a while back and it runs at 3.5Ghz on 1.4 vCore. Those changes are quite simple to make to get that in place, and a cheap ($15) tower cooler keeps the temperatures under control.

I have a FX-6100 and MSI 970A board lying around somewhere, but most benches will tell you that clock for clock the Phenom II's are more efficient. Once you open the gap up a bit (which the FX's can easily do 500-600MHz more) they begin to even out.

It's also my understanding that some Windows 8 features will utilize the Bulldozer architecture more effectively than Windows 7 - Google is your friend if you want to know more on that one.

Either choice is solid, and the FPS difference in most games between those two chips will be very, very small at default settings. I would say the FX-6100 is perhaps more future proof and may serve you better in the long haul.

LOL Its the internet that gave me analysis to paralysis.... But thanks.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Keeper, there is nothing wrong with the FX 6100 as long as you overclock it. It uses less power than PII and it is starting to show it's strengths in gaming.

sunilx, why in the hell would you recommend someone spend $40 now, plus ~$70 later plus not get a discount on a board? Your suggestion would cost $40 (CPU) plus $90 (mobo) + hopefully $70 (second CPU) for a total of $200. He can get your final suggestion now (FX 6100 plus M5A97) for just $155.

 

[codyray10]

edit- someone beat me to the new price listing

 

[sunilx]

AnonymouseUser: I didn't read earlier posts which discussed the bundle. I was speaking only of CPU for someone who already has a board. In any case he'd have a 2nd, quite cheap, CPU on hand

PS No need to use the h*ll word...

 

[AnonymouseUser]

AnonymouseUser: I didn't read earlier posts which discussed the bundle. I was speaking only of CPU for someone who already has a board. In any case he'd have a 2nd, quite cheap, CPU on hand

Even then, $40 plus $70 = $110 spread out, or just $110 now. So go several months with reduced performance, then get the CPU you wanted all along? The $40 CPU is for budget conscious people who just need an upgrade for an older machine. Those building new should get a better CPU, preferably with the bundle.

PS No need to use the h*ll word...

I apologize if that upset you.

 

[sunilx]

AnonymouseUser: I was merely adding my take to skillyho's post where he ended by saying

"Either choice is solid, and the FPS difference in most games between those two chips will be very, very small at default settings. I would say the FX-6100 is perhaps more future proof and may serve you better in the long haul."

Also, some people don't overclock (I don't, what's the point of shortening lifespan of component? Buy a faster one if one can afford it.) and as you yourself said

"Keeper, there is nothing wrong with the FX 6100 as long as you overclock it."

I personally feel that $40 today plus $70 at some future inflated currency value is a better option than $110 today, especially if one's pocketbook is a concern.

I have no more to say on this topic.

 

[PottedMeat]

thanks op, my brother 'reserved' one for pickup

all he got was a reservation number, didn't even get asked for a CC/payment type

 

[B-Riz]

So, is $40 for the x4 and $70 for a board a good value for the money?

Or is someone better off getting an i5 3450 and cheap board?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

So, is $40 for the x4 and $70 for a board a good value for the money?

Or is someone better off getting an i5 3450 and cheap board?

No, paying full price for the motherboard with this CPU is not a good deal. You'd be better off getting a combo deal with a better retail CPU. CPU with motherboard starts @ $90.

The person's budget will be the deciding factor for the i5 3450. As of now, it will cost a minimum of $200 for that CPU and a basic mobo.

 

[RussianSensation]

I don't understand why this deal is so great.

MC has $89.99 Phenom II X6 1045T that OCs to 3.7-3.8ghz + $55 Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Socket AM3+ 760G mATX AMD Motherboard = $90 after $10 rebate and $40 instant savings. That's hot!!

 

[B-Riz]

I don't understand why this deal is so great.

MC has $89.99 Phenom II X6 1045T that OCs to 3.7-3.8ghz + $55 Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Socket AM3+ 760G mATX AMD Motherboard = $90 after $10 rebate and $40 instant savings. That's hot!!

I need to upgrade a 775 celery e3200 w/ 2gb RAM.

It is getting an SSD and Win 7 with at least 8 gig o ram.

A quad core 775 upgrade seems to be a diminishing return and I already have the 8GB DDR3.

I am torn between the x4, the x6 or an fx 8120 as this is the last time the computer will be upgraded. (buying from Microcenter)

 

[VirtualLarry]

I don't understand why this deal is so great.

MC has $89.99 Phenom II X6 1045T that OCs to 3.7-3.8ghz + $55 Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Socket AM3+ 760G mATX AMD Motherboard = $90 after $10 rebate and $40 instant savings. That's hot!!

Except that "free" motherboard is absolute crap for overclocking. Someone burned out like two of them in the DC forum.

To reliably overclock a power-hungry AMD chip, you need to spend good $$$ for a mobo with 8+1 or 8+2 VRM phases, like the Gigabyte 970 board listed as one of the combos for another $60 or so.

http://www.microcenter.com/product/375772/GA-970A-UD3_Socket_AM3_970_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

 

[VirtualLarry]

I need to upgrade a 775 celery e3200 w/ 2gb RAM.

It is getting an SSD and Win 7 with at least 8 gig o ram.

A quad core 775 upgrade seems to be a diminishing return and I already have the 8GB DDR3.

I am torn between the x4, the x6 or an fx 8120 as this is the last time the computer will be upgraded. (buying from Microcenter)

What is the primary usage of the computer?

Office apps? X4 would be fine.

Distributed computing? X6 might be the best choice.

Overclocking? 8120 OCs the highest, but the X6 overclocks too, they are close to equal in some things, because of the lower IPC of the FX chips.

Gaming? I dunno, kind of a toss-up. Very few games make use of more than 4 threads (BF3?), and the Phenom X4 BE chips overclock pretty high.

 

[DarkTXKnight]

Which of these choices is a good upgrade for a Phenom II X3 740 Heka core on an MSI 870A-G54 MB?

 

[RussianSensation]

Which of these choices is a good upgrade for a Phenom II X3 740 Heka core on an MSI 870A-G54 MB?

None of those. Core i5 3570K + OC.

I am torn between the x4, the x6 or an fx 8120 as this is the last time the computer will be upgraded. (buying from Microcenter)

If you are using the computer for basic tasks, won't OC, then the 1045T CPU + mobo deal for $90 is a great value, better than FX-6100 or FX8120. FX8120 costs too much. At that point might as well get an i5 2500K system.

 

[BIGFOOTPI]

I don't understand why this deal is so great.

MC has $89.99 Phenom II X6 1045T that OCs to 3.7-3.8ghz + $55 Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P Socket AM3+ 760G mATX AMD Motherboard = $90 after $10 rebate and $40 instant savings. That's hot!!

good luck
I have personally confirmed that garbage motherboard doesnt even have the power components to stabilize a meager x4 840 at DEFAULT SPEED AND VOLTAGE barely over 8 hrs of prime95- confirmed with two cpus, two sets of ram and two PSUs. one cpu thread ends up erroring out.
Had to downclock the cpu via multiplier so that they would pass prime95
oh , and they cant run the b73 triplecore at full speed unless you disable cpu thermal protection

and yeah- and they undervolt the RAM too
the board is barely worth $10