Author Topic: Need advise on AMD cpu/mobo (Read 776 times)

Rompa · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 11:46:59 AM »

I am going to replace my current comp now and i got some options from my local dealer, I am loking for a AMD setup CPU/Mobo.

I was thinking about AMD Barton XP 3000+ with a Abit NF7-S v2.0 or Asus A7N8X-E Delux.
But I can get the AMD Athlon 64 3000+ CPU for 50 EUR more than the XP, maybe that is a better choice, what mobo should i go for with the 64?
Is the memory more expensive for the 64 mobo/CPU? (what memory is it)
I am looking for onboard sound and SATA support for the mobo.

And while im at it any advise on Gf card? I found a FX5950 Ultra 256mb for 380 EUR or maybe a FX5700 Ultra 256mb 300 EUR
(why is the FX5900 Ultra more expensive than the FX5950 and is the -Ultra cards the one to choose,they are expensyier than the non Ultras)

Thanks in advance, I know u experts in here must be really tierd with answering this upgrades q over and over now with AH2 release.

MOIL · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2004, 12:13:55 PM »

If you go with the XP3000 chip I would recomn'd the Asus MB and not the Abit, there was some issues with the Abit MB's.
Also checkout the Epox & MSI MB's, superb quality & performance especially the Epox 8RDA3+ great!!! onboard sound and SATA.
I can't really recomn'd jumping into the socket 754 {Athlon64}just yet, you might want to wait a bit. If you have to get one, Asus, Epox & MSI all have decent boards for that platform.

Both platforms use same DDR memory, from PC2700 to PC3700, depends on what chip you get and thier FSB speed.

The "ULTRA" versions of the cards are a little faster card, but sometimes not worth the extra dollars.
Both the cards you listed are great cards and perform well in just about any game on the planet.

Hope this helps

zmeg · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2004, 12:33:55 PM »

The ultra cards have an improved gpu and are a lot faster and more stable, but for the price of a 5950 ultra you can get a 6800gt whitch is twice as fast and has shader 3.0 support.

Kev367th · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2004, 01:03:11 PM »

Memory for Athlon 64 is standard DDR400 on socket 754 and 939.
Only socket 940 requires registered DDR.
As for your choice on the cpu -
Socket 754 - Single channel memory, 1Mb cache
Socket 939 - Dual channel memory, 1/2Mb cache.

The dual channel memory more than makes up for only having half the cache on the socket 939 CPU. I currently run a socket 939 Athlon 64 3500. Try finding a non-overclocked P4 that can come close to over 6Gb/s memory transfer rates.

Whichever you decide on ensure the mobo and cpu are same socket type. As stated they both use standard DDR400 memory.
Unless you want to try overclocking, then use DDR533. Just ensure you get CAS 2 memory!!!!!!

P.S. Anyone who tells you P4's make the best gaming rigs are living in some wierd alternative universe.

MOIL · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:26:42 PM »

P4's make the bEstESt komputer sistums:rolleyes:

blackfalcon4 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:30:17 PM »

Socket 939 will run 1mb cache..
Have Abit AV8, FX-53 w/1mb cache

If ya gonna go w/AMD64 make sure its a 939 Socket, 940 being dropped, and 754 being phased out.

Right now the Socket 939 w/FX-53 beats out even the P4EE w/1mb cache in 3d gaming.

MOIL · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:32:53 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by blackfalcon4
Socket 939 will run 1mb cache..
Have Abit AV8, FX-53 w/1mb cache

If ya gonna go w/AMD64 make sure its a 939 Socket, 940 being dropped, and 754 being phased out.

Right now the Socket 939 w/FX-53 beats out even the P4EE w/1mb cache in 3d gaming.

Hey!!!!
Someone else that has seen the light:cool:

Rompa · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:47:47 PM »

Thanks for the input,guys but the socket 940/939 series are a bit to pricey for me now...

The (socket A) XP´s do they go any faster than the 3200+ ? or is that the top of that ladder (no uppgrade pos. later?)

Schutt · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:52:35 PM »

To have advantage of the dual channel memory on 939 boards, do i need to have 2 memory modules?
Or will one 1gb module be as fast too?

Kev367th · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:59:37 PM »

To take advantage of dual channel you will need 2. Preferably DDR400 or better and CAS2. Do NOT get CAS2.5 or 3 it cripples an Athlon 64.
You can run 1 stick but will only run single channel. Make sure you put the single stick in the correct slot or it won't boot. Mobo manual should tell you which one.

Blackfalcon - Socket 940 is not being dropped. It will still be for Opterons and the upcoming (next year) dual core CPUs will only be for s940.

Rompa - I believe the 3200 is going to be the fastest XP produced. If you decide on one of them, get one with a 400fsb, DDR400 memory and a mobo (eg Asus A7N8X rev 2) that supports 400fsb.

Moil - Athlon 64's don't have a fsb!!! The mem controller is on the CPU.

Yup the FX53 kills the pants off any P4 that Intel have out there. Just wish they'd drop price to around $600, I'd get one tommorrow.

Saying that I have my old system for sale
AMD 3000XP (400fsb)
ASUS A7N8x Deluxe (rev 2.0) board 400fsb
2x512 DDR 400

blackfalcon4 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2004, 10:19:34 PM »

Kev-read in maxpc, dualcore going to be 939 , read it in some tech pages i read too.

And fsb from cpu to ram started @800mhz, then 1000mhz and now stands @ 2000mhz

I run mine @ 2432mhz as reported by sandra-pro

OC'd proc to just above 2.6

only paid 760 for oem fx-53

p.s. The FX-55 out soon and dieing to see what it can do

Schutt · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2004, 03:59:09 AM »

Thank you, now i know that ill get two 512 modules when with 939.

Before i thought of getting a 1gig module to be able to expand to more mem.

Kev367th · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2004, 10:54:34 PM »

Black falcon - the 800 - > 1000 etc is NOt the fsb, its the hypertransport (HT) bus.

Your right about them being available for 939s though, "Toledo" is the name. Will also be available for socket 940.
The $1m question is - will they be able to access two different banks of memory or will they share whats available.

Didn't realise the 2000mhz HT was available.

Can just imagine the cost of FX55 lol. Time to hock a kidney or two lol. Watch the Intel P4 guys go green with envy.

Shutt the Asus A8V has 4 dimm slots so you can always add another 2x512mbs once your bank manager has calmed down.

Rompa · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2004, 10:48:19 AM »

I have decided to go with a Athlon 64 3000+, 512 mb mem and a FX5700 256mb video card (getting another 512 mem stick in a moth or two when I can afford it) , they want to mount it on a Shuttle AN50R mobo, anyone have any experience in that mobo
(I wanted a Asus K8N-E Delux but it was hard to get and not worth the extra money they thougt....im a getting screwed? )

Ohh BTW the CPU is a Newcastle core they say, is that good?

Kev367th · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2004, 11:13:14 AM »

The CPU is socket 754 - no dual channel memory support, so ensure it has 1mb cache.

Mobo I would think again about.
Go for one that is either nForce 3 250, or Via KT8T800 chipset based. The one you are looking at is only nForce 3 150.
Plenty mobos eg Chaintech, ASUS around the price of the Shuttle board but with better/faster chipset.