Should I get a 3200 XP or a A64 3000+?

[samgorney101]

Hey all,

I am building a new rig and am in a mid range budget. I am stepping up from my Barton 2800. Should I get a 3200+ XP or a A64 3000+. I have heard great things about the 3200+ and newegg is pitching it off for $180 retail boxed. If I went $40 more and got the A64 3000+ would I get considerably better performance? Socket 754 A64's don't have dual channel DDR, plus I read that a 3200+ XP got a Sisandra 8230 dhrystone, 3424 whetstone. The FX51 averages a 8937 dry and 3450 whet. So a couple hundred points lower and 6 times less in price. But still. Opinions anyone?

 

[imported_nitrus]

a64 w/o dual channel ddr will still smoke the 3000+ xp. even the 2800+ 64 will beat the 3000+ xp in gaming.

anandtech review

the above link shows 3000+ xp, 2800+ 64, and 3000+ 64 perfomance

 

[samgorney101]

Also what is the best RAM to pair with an Athlon 64?

 

[BaneGrievver]

Prolly Pc3200 I suppose unless you're OCing. You dont need any dual-channel pre-made kits or anything since it only runs single channel. I use OCZ 2-3-3-6 PC 3200 for my A64 3200.

 

[imported_nitrus]

because of the intergrated memory controller corsair value select is a good buy. they have a pc3200 that is cas 2.5.

 

[WA261]

A64 anyday.

 

[Mik3y]

the xp 3200+ is compared to the a64 2800+. the 2800+ still beats the xp 3200+ is many benches, and has far more potential.

 

[imported_nitrus]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
the xp 3200+ is compared to the a64 2800+. the 2800+ still beats the xp 3200+ is many benches, and has far more potential.

agreed, all this is done w/o 64 bit software.

 

[samgorney101]

Clawhammer or NewCastle? Which is the better 3000 and what is the difference?

 

[KevinH]

Can the AMD64 just be put right into any ole mobo...say an NF7-S v. 2?

 

[imported_nitrus]

Originally posted by: samgorney101
Clawhammer or NewCastle? Which is the better 3000 and what is the difference?

clawhammer has 1mb cache and newcastle has 512k cache. if they were clocked at the same ghz then clawhammer has about a <= 5% advantage.

AMD Athlon 64 2800+ 1.8 ghz 512k
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 2.0 ghz 512k
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0 ghz 1mb &amp; 2.2 512k
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ 2.2 ghz 1mb &amp; 2.4 512k

Originally posted by: KevinH
Can the AMD64 just be put right into any ole mobo...say an NF7-S v. 2?

the abit NF7-S socket A is a 472pin motherboard, while the AMD64 runs on a 754, 939, or 940. they are not pin compatible.

 

[SneakyStuff]

OR you could jsut wait til the fall and see the 10-15% price cuts that AMD and Intel are promising. I don't think a Barton 2800+ is that bad to begin with (I've got one! )

 

[WA261]

Originally posted by: samgorney101
Clawhammer or NewCastle? Which is the better 3000 and what is the difference?

It is like a 1700 and a barton 2500...the 1700 will usually oc better then the barton, but the 2500 with more cache will beat the 1700 in most (certain) things. In this case the Clawhammer has more cache, but the NC will prob hit higher speeds.

 

[Mellman]

Originally posted by: SneakyStuff
OR you could jsut wait til the fall and see the 10-15% price cuts that AMD and Intel are promising. I don't think a Barton 2800+ is that bad to begin with (I've got one! )

 

[xxichibanxx]

go for the A64.

 

[samgorney101]

OK,

So I am definetly getting the A64. Now should I get the Clawhammer 3200 and 512mb DDR 400 or the Newcastle 3000 and 1 gig DDR400? I hear these processors are memory hungry. Suggestions?

 

[Zebo]

You should get the far cry combo from newegg.com which includes game, A64 2800, and a mobo for only $223. OC to 3400 levels and save $300-$400.

Another alternative which is popular is Shuttle AN35N for $55 and a mobile XP 2600 for $100 total $155...and I've never seen one that can't OC to 2.5Ghz which translates in a true 3400+.

*XP's are slightly overrated ie a 3200+ is no where near a P4 3.2 or A64 3200+...