should I get an opteron 146

[eUphoria]

only in cpu intensive applications.....i've not been off the desktop yet to try anything out!

your task, should you choose to accept it.... Go play!!

[sawyen]

It really beats the purpose when u only game with ur system.. they give at most maybe 5-10% at the most CPU intensive games..

But if u run CADs or other scientific softwares, clockspeed does help-out alot.. tho getting dual core is even more beneficial.

Running from 2.0Ghz to 2.4Ghz cut down my calc time from 1:50min to 1:33min.. while running 2x2.0Ghz using windows load distributor gives 1:15min. Getting ur hands dirty with manual CPU load sharing gives around 1:05min.. Running 2.4Ghz gives 49min..

[eUphoria]

It really beats the purpose when u only game with ur system.. they give at most maybe 5-10% at the most CPU intensive games..

But if u run CADs or other scientific softwares, clockspeed does help-out alot.. tho getting dual core is even more beneficial.

Running from 2.0Ghz to 2.4Ghz cut down my calc time from 1:50min to 1:33min.. while running 2x2.0Ghz using windows load distributor gives 1:15min. Getting ur hands dirty with manual CPU load sharing gives around 1:05min.. Running 2.4Ghz gives 49min..

So am i right in saying this then (taking my system specs as the example), i use the usual office type applications and play a few games - fear, cod2 and farcry etc. It will make a minimal improvement to the speed of the system for playing games by changing my s754 A64 3200 @2.3 Ghz to a s939 opteron running at 2.6Ghz maybe more if im lucky?

[sawyen]

exactly.. u may experience better improvements overall with an X2 really.. ur desktop work will feel much more responsive..

[user1453]

So 200-400 mhz and the extra cache of the opteron are not worth it if I can oc my a64 3000

[bright_]

If you can overclock your 3000, you might not notice a lot of difference. But, that will be hard to overclock compared to a decent Opteron. Latest batches have been good, one person i've seen screenies off has manged to clock to 2.92GHz on stock volts, which is quite impressive. Just remember, if you get a decent clocking opteron it will exceed FX-57 speeds which is the fastest single core avilable

[eUphoria]

If you can overclock your 3000, you might not notice a lot of difference. But, that will be hard to overclock compared to a decent Opteron. Latest batches have been good, one person i've seen screenies off has manged to clock to 2.92GHz on stock volts, which is quite impressive. Just remember, if you get a decent clocking opteron it will exceed FX-57 speeds which is the fastest single core avilable

This all sounds like what i know - but my question is (and seems to have been answered by sawyen) does this single core increase in mhz (lets say by 300-600mhz) actually translate into a noticable difference (in games) and not just a benchmark difference? Am i wrong in saying the the consensus is that it wont make any difference, and if anything it may be worth looking into dual core chips for a more flexable desktop speed increase?

[sawyen]

Its really just = bragging rights... 2.8Ghz single core will probably win u that 10+fps compared to other 3000+s... PROVIDED ur CPU limited and not GPU limited.. And most of the time the 3000+ fps is already 50-60+, that extra 600MHz is going to get u to 70, maybe 75ish...

Saving that cash for a GPU makes so much mroe sense... Besides, a single core clawhammer should hit 2.2Ghz with a little more juice. Thats should stay as a sweet spot until games begin to utilise more cores...