Which would you prefer?

[winterlude]

Athlon 64 3000+ with 1024 megs of DDR vs Athlon 64 3400+ with 512 megs of DDR on a Windows XP OS.


These set-ups cost around the same depending on how fast you want your RAM. The 3400 with 512 RAM is actually a bit cheaper. I Know that RAM's important, but it's also expensive compared to CPU's at attractive price points.

What I'm asking, really, is how much of a general performance boost that additional 512 megs will give you on the A64s.

 

[nick1985]

3000/gig

 

[BW86]

Are you talking about the 130nm or the 90nm. If were talkinga bout the 90nm i would go with a 3200 and a gig and just overclock . IF were talking about the 130nm I would go with the 3000 and a gig and overclock

 

[DanDrop]

Originally posted by: BW86
Are you talking about the 130nm or the 90nm. If were talkinga bout the 90nm i would go with a 3200 and a gig and just overclock . IF were talking about the 130nm I would go with the 3000 and a gig and overclock

I'd also go with the 3200 with 1 gig. Or you could buy the 512mb now and just add another 512 later.

 

[winterlude]

The survey is a 3000, not a 3200

 

[DanDrop]

Alrighty then. It really depends on what you are using the system for. If you plan to OC, play tons of games and photoshop, then the best bang would be 3000/gig.

If you are not OC'ing and not do a whole lot of gaming or intensive photoshop then a 3400/512 would be good. Plus, you could add another stick of 512 later.

What will you be using the system for?

 

[Geforcer]

I'd say get the 3400+, use the RAM you have now, and get 2*512MB DDR400 later on when you can. If you don't want to hold off, then I'd say go with the 3000+/1GB. 1GB is the optimal amount to run smoothly these days.

 

[biostud]

1Gb really reduce swapping/loading times. It won't give you extra fps bot generally the use of the computer feels much nicer. I would go for the 1Gb.

 

[DaveSimmons]

If not overclocking:

3400 / 512, then buy another 512 soon. It should be easy to add the second stick later while replacing the CPU is much more expensive and requires more work.

 

[bigal40]

Originally posted by: nick1985
3000/gig

:thumbsup:

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: bigal40

Originally posted by: nick1985
3000/gig

:thumbsup:

 

[KoolDrew]

3000/gig

 

[magomago]

3400/512

and then wait a month and buy another gig.

or just wait a month right now and save your pennies so you can buy 3400/1gig -- that is what i would do.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: nick1985
3000/gig

 

[Megatomic]

3400/512 with another 512 added later.

I use a system with those specs at home and it is wonderful. At stock speed it flies through all my computing tasks.

 

[DJ LUCiTE]

I've got a 1800+ and 512. I need more RAM.
DOOM3 swaps like mad. (that and my CPU just plain sux ass, but I'm aware of that, lol)

EDIT: This post was supposed to mean something, but I forgot...oh...uh...I'd go with the 1GB of RAM. 512's starting to feel inadequate these days...

 

[Bateluer]

I'd got for the 3400 with 512 for now, then drop another 512 in later.

1GB of Corsair DDR400 is only about 150 anyway.

 

[Edward Lee]

You guys are not getting the point.

What would you buy NOW? Forget the "Get another 512" later.
Which is has better performance?

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: Algere

Originally posted by: bigal40

Originally posted by: nick1985
3000/gig

:thumbsup:

POLL DAMMIT!

 

[sam8813b]

3000/gig

 

[nowayout99]

3000/gig.

AT benchmarks show that the 3400+ has a 10% or less real-world performance increase over the 3000+... Meaning you wouldn't even be able to "feel" the difference between the chips, all else being equal.

The gig of ram, however, your system will love you for.

 

[Arcanedeath]

If I had only those 2 choices and couldn't upgrade the 3400+ / 512 shortly to 1GB I'd go w/ the 3000+ / 1GB, but if within say 2 months you can upgrade the 3400+/ 512 to 1GB then I'd go w/ that. With a modern gaming computer 1GB is the way to go these days.

 

[Kccdx2]

Assuming you are talking about all Newcastle cores here, I would go /w 3000/gig.

 

[winterlude]

I tried to set it up as a poll, clicked on the poll button, inserted the question, but it didn't work out. Sorry about that. I'll have to figure out how it's done.
I tend to do more encoding and play games on occassion. I figured that the 3400 would be better, but I'm a little surprised by how many people say that the extra 512 will be a greater benefit. As far as the "Buy 512 later" goes, I was under the impression that RAM for dual 128 bit need to be sold together/certified etc. (not sure what it's called) otherwise there may be issues. Is it really that sensitive, or would I be able to buy a particular brand of RAM with certain specs now and then buy another stick with the same brand and specs in six months?

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
You guys are not getting the point.

What would you buy NOW? Forget the "Get another 512" later.
Which is has better performance?

We answered the question: we'd buy the 3400+/512MB now and buy another 512MB later. How did you miss that?