Opteron Advice?

[Xaneden]

Hey Guys,
I'm looking for a decent (yet cost effective) S939 processor, and whilst browsing the Athlon 64s, I came across these Opterons:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=289426
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=289427

Firstly, I'm assuming these are compatible with a S939 motherboard designed for Athlon 64s. Am I incorrect there? Also, does anyone know how these overclock/compare to Athlon 64s in the same price range (i.e.. Venice 3000+/3200+)? Finally, are these able to run 32 bit applications using the same method the Athlon 64s do?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#EDIT#
Forgot to mention, this is my current motherboard, http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWeb/Product...=Specification, for which I will be using this processor with.

[BUFF]

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...4&page=1&pp=25

http://www.cpucityshop.co.uk/forums/...T&f=18&t=2335&

[Xaneden]

Thanks for the links BUFF, just had a look through the threads. I can now say with a level of certainty that the processors will work in my new PC

The threads didn't pick up on whether the processor could run 32bit programs though, I'm assuming they do, but if someone could confirm, that would be great.

I'm basically down to Athlon 64 3200+ Venice or Opteron 146. Which would you guys suggest, assuming I am mainly using this for gaming and a little bit of CAD?

[Hans Voralberg]

They will definitely run 32-bit application because there's no point bring it to s939 with the ability to do so . And people must have shout it out long ago if they dont.

[Xaneden]

Great stuff, thanks for the quick response Hans Voralberg . One question left now...

I'm basically down to Athlon 64 3200+ Venice or Opteron 146. Which would you guys suggest, assuming I am mainly using this for gaming and a little bit of CAD?

[BUFF]

Big price difference between a 148 & a 3200+ Venice as well as the fact that the 148 is 2.2GHz stock & the 3200+ is 2.0GHZ

if Scan have their prices right how about an Opteron 146 (2.0GHz) for £104?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=289426

[plesuvius]

Great processors, great choices, i'd get one and sell my venice here if i .. could bring myself to part with the venice lol

The earlier revisions used better silicon then the current ones, but you should still be good for 4000+ speeds and the extra cache will bring it to FX55 range. If you are looking to overclock, that is. Highly recommended, do ensure your mobo maker has a bios with support though, and that your cooling is upto spec.

Enjoy your new processors, let us know if you get one!

PS thanks for the scan links, shame about the stock status.

[Dav0s]

X you are in exactly same situation as me. i was just about to buy a venice and saw these optys. i would LOVE to buy from scan (give back the effort they put into hexus).

any idea on when these will be in stock guys?

[Xaneden]

Yep, I'm pretty sure now. I'm going Opteron.

[fredered]

i am thinking about an opteron too, but i have the mobo that i am going to use for a while but with no cpu so i cant update the bios, does anyone know if you need an up to date bios for these to run or will anything that can take a sandiego work

[Rohan]

I'm using a socket 939 opteron in my rig at the moment. Runs very nicely. Overclocks well too.


They're basically identical to a San Diego 3700+ core, or if you're really lucky a rebadged FX-57.

[Xaneden]

So, what would say, a 146 compare to? A 3400+? And do you know if they'd overclock to say 3700+ levels?

[Rohan]

Well the 146 is basically a 3200+ but with 1M cache. I'm not sure how that equates in PR terms, but I guess 3400+ or 3500+ might be accurate. I personally see it as an underclocked 3700+.


And yes, pretty much every 939 opteron I've seen so far have been stable beyond 2.6Ghz+. Some have gone up to 3GHz. This far surpasses even the 4000+ which has a stock clock of 2.4GHz

[Xaneden]

Awesome, thanks for your advice.

[iranu]

I am lead to believe that these chips are under unlocked - i.e. 10x multi on the 146 can be lowered to 9x.

So I've gone for the 146 over the 144 as I think this will give better flexibility. Just gotta choose a mobo now.

These chips are silly money if the oc well - I've seen alot of 2.8 - 3.0ghz on air posted on other forums.

[Xaneden]

In all honesty, aren't AMD moving their enthusiast market away from the CPUs supposedly designed for enthusiasts? If you can get this performance for just 100 pound, everyones going to start buying Opterons?