Barcelona or Agena

[will101]

From reading some threads it seems there are people running Xeons etc in their home PCs.

What woud be the penalties of running a Barcelona in a gaming/general use pc? I know the Agena is the upcoming desktop version of AMD's new quad core architecture but how will it differ from the server version?

I'm an AMD man but was thinking I would have to wait till Sept time to enjoy king of the hill performance (maybe?!), so was planning a stop gap of an X2 6000+ AM2 based system until Agena and AM2+ products were released... As I am planning to wait till R600 is released, would a Barcelona - RV790 rig be a reality around the same time frame?

Thanks in advance.

/Will

[Biscuit]

With the AMD and ATI merge i think that they probably have a similar release date in mind. It would make sense really

[will101]

Yeah, that's what I read. Is using a server cpu in a desktop PC considered a sensible course of action?

If not I don't have the patience to wait till Agena release and will carry on with 'Plan A' *insert URL pointing to 'Will's '07 PC Build' thread here*

[kalniel]

Unless they have a specific memory requirement (eg ECC) then there's no problem at all. The difference between server and desktop chips is very small these days anyway.

[jonathan_phang]

Yep - opterons are sever chips and they seem to be fine. As above, it may rest on what other constraints there are in terms of other components. If anything, server chips will (I think) be better silicon as they are needed to run consistently 24/7 so reliability is a tad better.

[Biscuit]

My opty is great! I do get wierd lag in long gaming period but im not sure thats the opty, it may be something to do with ram or mobo temps.

[will101]

Is there anyone that has a Socket F System around here?

If this posted my Kalniel in another thread is not just marketing then maybe there are more options to be looking into for the future AMD system builder...

Originally Posted by henri
Being a gamer myself, I understand you very well. Having to backup and rebuild a RAID just because you are changing chipsets is a hassle one wants to avoid unless there is no other choice.

The Quad FX platform is all about giving a base with a LOT of headroom in every dimension such that one can start today with a single dual-core processor and move progressively to up to two octal cores, four graphic cards and 8 hard drives. I was the person that essentially speced the QUAD FX because the standard ATX form factor is really out of gas.

So I would encourage you to move to that platform and I can guarantee you it will last you a VERY long time.

Henri Richard

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

[kalniel]

You'd be mad to. I mean, sure, you get the best current AMD performance, and you'll get benefits from backwards compatible chips for a while, but you're going to have to buy a new board when people go to DDR3 in the not too distant future.

But yeah, the product exists and there will be a barcelona based chip you can buy for it - but it won't be the AM2 one it'll be an FX one.

So it's only really feasable for people who are happy to pay ridiculous money for the absolutely top range. You say you're an AMD man, but are you the kind of guy who only buys the FX series processors? If so, this product if for you. Otherwise, if you're like most of us who want a great AMD product but without paying a humongous premium, it's not really relavent.

[will101]

I'm reading confusing things regarding whether the next gen AMD processors (esp Quad core) will be socket F or a variation of AM2. Wikipedia can be very helpful in shedding light on PC tech but even they seem to be unsure on this one!

Mainly I'm just trying to choose the most future proof component options that will work now but give me the most direct upgrade path. I am like most, happy to buy higher mid-range but not going to pay excessive amounts for the last few %

[kalniel]

Both

Ie, mainstream chips will be AM2+, ultra-top end will be socket F(X).

Server versions will be just F.

[will101]

It would be unusual a chipset manufacturer to support two different socket types for it's desktop processor family. Especially if this means to go high end you need to migrate to a new system.

As seen in the past, todays high end is tomorrows mainstream so when will AM2+/3 be phased out? Anyone have a crystal ball?

[Marcvs]

I have a socket F board which im using with an opty in it, seems prety good - i see little point in buying a board just for barca as they are upping the HT link and stuff

[kalniel]

It would be unusual a chipset manufacturer to support two different socket types for it's desktop processor family. Especially if this means to go high end you need to migrate to a new system.

But they're not. The desktop family are AM2. The Server family are F. The enthusiast are F(X).

[DanceswithUnix]

As seen in the past, todays high end is tomorrows mainstream so when will AM2+/3 be phased out? Anyone have a crystal ball?

AM3 should last for a few years when it does finally come out.

Remember, the move from S939 to AM2 was nothing to do with performance but all to do with marketing and cost of memory. When DDR2 became cheaper without a performance drop, AM2 was released.

So, AM3 will be phased out a while after DDR3 starts to decline in popularity because there is a replacement.

The marketing bit is due to non technical people thinking that DDR2 must be better than DDR as it has a bigger number. Sadly I think AMD did lose sales thanks to that.

[Biscuit]

... but you're going to have to buy a new board when people go to DDR3 in the not too distant future.

Is there any predictions on this? i wouldnt mind keeping my sytem right the way through ddr2 and moving straight onto 3 in its earlier days if this is the case

[will101]

Well, this news item if reliable gives about as much clarity as there seems to be available at the moment:

News item 3

Looks like the wait for AM3 and DDR3 supporting AMD systems could be a longish wait if it's tied to their move to 45nm process cpus.