Which CPU?

[dangel]

Would I be better off with an Opteron 165 or a 4200 X2 cpu bearing in mind:

1. I have an A8N32-SLI motherboard

2. My RAM is known stable at 440mhz but i've not tested it above that

3. I will be overclocking, I want a min of 2.4ghz (this is required to get games to run well at the res I use)

4. The Opteron runs at 1.8ghz by default, with a X9 multiplier

5. The 4200 runs at 2.2ghz by default, with a X11 multiplier

6. The Opty has 2 x 1mb of cache, versus 2 x 512 for the 4200.


I've been doing my math and lots of reading but it looks to me, in general, i'm going to need faster memory to take advantage of the Opty than I would the 4200, due to the FSB speed/ram divider result.

For example, a 4200:

240mhz x 10 = 2400mhz = memory @ 440mhz (1:1). Dead easy.

The Opty looks like more work. Prices are around about the same money..

[kempez]

Ye the opty will be more work and you would probably be better off with a higher Multi CPU.

Have a 4400+ going if ya want it

[dangel]

Ye the opty will be more work and you would probably be better off with a higher Multi CPU.

Have a 4400+ going if ya want it

lol. Don't think i can stretch to that sort of cash right now (have wife ).
The Opty becomes much easier with some GSkill 500mhz RAM - for example:

2.5ghz = 280fsb x 9, ram div .83 gives 465mhz
2.6ghz = 290fsb x 9, ram div .83 gives 481mhz
2.7ghz = 300fsb x 9, ram div .83 gives 498mhz

Dropping the divider to 0.62 results in:
347mhz
360mhz
372mhz
..in respect to the above fsb speeds. All too low... What i need is a divider somewhere between..

No sure if i can be bothered to swap out the RAM as well..


Edit: mmm so more fun calcs based on a 0.83 mem divider:

Can do 2390mhz (fsb = 239), with multi 10, giving mem at 396
Can do 2400mhz (fsb = 240), with multi 10, giving mem at 398
Can do 2410mhz (fsb = 241), with multi 10, giving mem at 400
Can do 2385mhz (fsb = 265), with multi 9, giving mem at 439
Can do 2394mhz (fsb = 266), with multi 9, giving mem at 441
Can do 2403mhz (fsb = 267), with multi 9, giving mem at 443
Can do 2412mhz (fsb = 268), with multi 9, giving mem at 444
Can do 2384mhz (fsb = 298), with multi 8, giving mem at 494
Can do 2392mhz (fsb = 299), with multi 8, giving mem at 496
Can do 2400mhz (fsb = 300), with multi 8, giving mem at 498
Can do 2408mhz (fsb = 301), with multi 8, giving mem at 499
Can do 2416mhz (fsb = 302), with multi 8, giving mem at 501
Can do 2387mhz (fsb = 341), with multi 7, giving mem at 566
Can do 2394mhz (fsb = 342), with multi 7, giving mem at 567
Can do 2401mhz (fsb = 343), with multi 7, giving mem at 569
Can do 2408mhz (fsb = 344), with multi 7, giving mem at 571
Can do 2415mhz (fsb = 345), with multi 7, giving mem at 572

So looks like @ 265fsb i can keep the memory in check and get 2385mhz with the opty..

[kalniel]

Both good, but I'd go with the 4200 with the higher multi.

[dangel]

I think until i'm ready to change RAM, i'll go with the 4200 - as you say the higher multi makes sense (I think i would of been happier with the 165 if it had a x10 multi).
Ok, ordered. BTW does anyone else find overclockulator a bit lacking? I generated the above calcs with my own program, which i might well polish up and release (for free of course) as i find it much more useful for my mb..

[kempez]

Try This

[dangel]

Try This

Mmm nice Shame it's web based tho..