Which CPU?

[ollyjones]

I am thinking of building my 2nd comp back up and was wondering what amd chip u guys recommend?

Its between a 2500+(333) barton or a 3000/3200+ (400).

Are the 3XXX's worth the extra money or am i better getting a unlocked 2500+ and whacking that up to 3200+ speeds?

Oh the motherboard that it will be going into is a asus a7v600

Cheers for the help

[mike_w]

If you buy a 2500+ like this: http://www.cpucitystore.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=298, although its locked, you can still the change FSB up to 200, effectively making it a 3200+. I would only get a Mobile Barton 2500+ like this: http://www.cpucitystore.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=392 if you're really going to be overclocking.

Don't forget to get a decent heatsink and fan as well if you're overclocking.

[ollyjones]

Oh i never knew the mobile 2500+ were better overclockers. Will look into that.

Thx for the quick reply mike

[Spud1]

or get a 2800+ and clock that @ 200 - i'm running mine @ 11x200 [3200 speeds] atm and it goes to 12x200 [2.4gig] in the cooler weather

[jonathan_phang]

yep, they run at a lower wattage than regular 3200+'s so that helps. I bought one with a good stepping code when they came out, but its still being run at 1800+ speeds, as I cant afford a NF7-S mobo just yet! Or good ram to go with it!

To be honest, I should have waited. I like my games, and by the time the 2 big ones come out, the newer Athlon64 cpus should be a bit cheaper, and the general consencus (imo) seems to be that they are good for gaming.

JP

[ollyjones]

What sort of speed would i be able to get a 3200+ up to? much higher than a overclocked 2800+?

[Howard]

Just save money, buy a 2500+ and up the FSB to 200. 3200+ for half the price

[GreenPiggy]

Forget 3000+ and 3200+ it's a complete waste of money. a 2400+ mobile will absolutely smoke either of those chips and it's unlocked also.
The only reason not to get a mobile is if you're getting a standard Barton 2500+ for £10 less although in my opinion the Mobile is better cos of the decreased power usage which lets you get away with crap cooling if you're leaving it at stock.

[ollyjones]

Right, thx for all your advice. I think I will order a mobile 2500+ then.

Thx all

[nakajima]

get a mobile barton 2400+. Less voltage and lower price compared to the 2500+ but should reach the similar speeds as other XP-M

[LouG]

Isn't there less L2 cache in the 2400+ then the 2500+?

[Howard]

Yeh that's what I was thinking LouG. It wouldn't be a true 3200 unless you had at least a 2500+ with all the bells and whistles

[nakajima]

i think the 2400+ mobile bartons have the same L2 cache as the 2500+. Both 512

[silentphoenix]

cpucity's 2400 XP-M is a barton which would imply it has the 512 cache. It also does run at .1v less. I think whent these were first out at cpucity they were more than the 2500XP-M. If i was getting an AMD XP chip right now, it'd have to be that one.

But before you go get a mobile cpu, make sure it wont have any compatibility issues with ure motherboard.

[nakajima]

overclockers are selling it cheaper as well...i'd get a 2400+ XP-M from there