Wanting to upgrade a s939 3500+

djBon2112

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I've got a 3500+ (single core) right now, and I'm looking to upgrade it.

I do mainly gaming (Obivion is the major one) and audio recording/processing/rendering, etc. Bottom line, what s939 processor will get me the best bang for the buck. OR should I just go for more RAM and leave my processor?

I was looking at the Opteron 165s, but another friend is telling me to go with the newer Athlons. Any opinions?

Budget: < $300 CAD
 
If you are thinking about Overclocking the CPU,
a good stepping opteron 165 would be good choice.
However, mind that opteron 165 at stock is only
1.8GHz, so if you have no intentions of Overclocking
and just want to run a good stock cpu system, go
for a dual core X2 cpu.
I would recommend a 4400+ from the X2s
if you could find one and have the money for it.
BTW, YGPM ;)

PS
Which part of Canada do you reside?
 
I'd sell your RAM and your current processor and pick up an Opty 165 and a 2GB dual channel kit. If you just added to the memory you already have, you'd have a hard time keeping that 240 FSB.
 
I overclock like mad (every MHz counts! :p)

As to selling everything, I'm afraid though when I'm actually in the market for this stuff hard core (January or February probably), DDR1 prices will increase again and I'll be completely fucked. I just bought a new mobo, AFTER just buying another mobo 2 months previous, I definatly don't want to have to buy a THIRD one! 3 in 6th months is not good!
Any advice?

P.S. I make threads like this for planning purposes, not because I'm actually looking for the stuff. Those requests would be in the FS/FT forum.
 
Well cpu wise, if you wanna OC like mad, opteron 165 is a good option.

But you'll have to be lucky to get one of the good steppings :rolleyes:
or
You'll have to pay as much for a used, good stepping opteron 165 on
ebay, as you would pay for a new retail or oem one.

Do you already know which steppings are good, or would you like a
little list :D
 
As nice as this stuff is, no one has answered my question: which gives me the best bang for my buck: Opty or High end Athlon?
 
Opty 165 here in the US at Newegg is $155. Considering that many of them will do 2.7-3.0 that's pretty hard to beat. If you can get a good deal CAD you'd be hard pressed to match the price/performance ratio with an X2 IMO.
 
Yes, tis is true, but people, who haven't purchased an opteron keep
forgetting to mention that there are some opteron 165 out there that
hits the wall on around 2.6 GHz.

My buddies got three of these, one 165 @ 2.65, one 165 @ 2.69, one 175 @ 2.8.
Maybe they were on a unlucky streak :rolleyes:

In addition, as a note, additional voltage will be required for the overclock,
so these numbers* aren't managed with stock cooling; just remember that. ;)
(for 24/7 everyday use that is)
* meaning 2.8GHz or more.

I've seen some people think they can achieve 2.8GHz overclock by just
using apps to OC. Stock 165 is only 1.8GHz, why do you think you need
more powah to crank up da clockz :D

Anyways, on a lighter note, good stepping and good cooling such as water will
definitely get you 2.8 or more :D
 
The Opteron 4 heatpipe cooler is a very good one and I have heard many people getting 2.8 on it. Of course, on must take all claims with a grain of salt ;) And yes, a good stepping is a must.
 
BigMacAttack said:
The Opteron 4 heatpipe cooler is a very good one and I have heard many people getting 2.8 on it. Of course, on must take all claims with a grain of salt ;) And yes, a good stepping is a must.

LOLs, just what I think :p
 
my bro's machine has the same 3500+ manchester or whatever. would going to a opty 165 make a big difference? I was thinking maybe because of the dual core. ghz really doesn't mean much anymore anyway. No OC'ing will be done.
 
If no OCing is done, opty 165 is your standard 1.6ghz Dual core processor.

I think you'll see a different when running multiple programs / multitasking
but gaming wise, or just one application utilization wise, I don't think there
will be a significant noticeable difference.
 
Is there any easy way to tell before buying what the steppings are? I don't want to run into that problem when my proc arives!

Oh, and my 3500+ only does 2.4 GHz on air so anything higher than that is good! :p
 
Dallows said:

oops, my mistake ;) 1.8 ghz

djBon2112 said:
Is there any easy way to tell before buying what the steppings are? I don't want to run into that problem when my proc arives! :p

Only way to tell is to have the processor in your hand, and look at the
set of numbers and letters on the second column, on the CPU.

If you can go get it in a retail store, that would be better, since you can look
into the CPU through the box and see if it is a good stepping.

If your shipping it, well, it depends on your luck than.
And I don't think there is a kind enough reseller who would
take back the cpu just because you didn't get a good stepping...
Maybe if you tried a smaller reseller, just maybe :rolleyes:
 
Actually, I do :p Friend works at Compusmart, so I'm holding out the hope he can get one or two :p
 
Very easy thing you could do is print out the list
I gave ya, and give it to your friend and ask him to
find one with the according steppings :D
 
i recommend the x2 4400. I went from a 3500 to an x2 4400 and it's night and day difference. Mine runs stable at 2.7ghz at 58c at full load (sometimes lower..depends on how high i have the heat up in the house). That's all at stock cooling though...and a crappy case with crappy fans. With 2 7900 GTOs too...so the case is a little cramped. Better case you should be fine at 2.7ghz running around 45c at 2.7 with stock cooling. I got a zalman 9700 coming in the mail tomorrow so I'll hook that up..hopefully it'll help things out a bit.
 
Dallows said:
where are you getting your prices?
I just checked a couple places and, all I can say is... somewhere who's prices are FUCKED up! (Looking at you, NCIX!)

Wow seriously... They list it as $600 CAD.
 
supply and demand at the finest.

Low supply of X2s, especially the discontinued ones,
and there is still demand for em.

And NCIX is the only supplier that stocks em,
so they hike up the prices as much as they want :rolleyes:
 
I'd find a used one in the FS/FT threads and ask them nicely if they'll ship to Canada. I've done it before. I even know the drill...call it a gift or say the value is $10, so they don't have to pay a lot of tariffs.
 
Well, people in Canada, don't have much options :rolleyes:

It is either a local store at amped up prices or ebay.

Best online reseller in Canada right now is Directcanada,
but they are pretty efficient at getting rid of old or discontinued
items, so they don't stock much s939 cpus.
 
I currently have a S939 3500+ running at 2.58 gHz (can't run higher than 2.6). I just bought another 7900 GT for SLI, and I'm wondering now if my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU's (I voltmodded both of my 7900 GT's, GPU's running @ 650, memory @ 800).

Would getting an Opteron 165 and overclocking noticeably increase my gaming performance? Currently I'm playing Oblivion, F.E.A.R., NFS: Most Wanted, assorted older games.
 
MrToilet said:
I currently have a S939 3500+ running at 2.58 gHz (can't run higher than 2.6). I just bought another 7900 GT for SLI, and I'm wondering now if my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU's (I voltmodded both of my 7900 GT's, GPU's running @ 650, memory @ 800).

Would getting an Opteron 165 and overclocking noticeably increase my gaming performance? Currently I'm playing Oblivion, F.E.A.R., NFS: Most Wanted, assorted older games.

Probably not a noticable increase in gaming performance until you see games that use dual core efficiently. The Opty 165 is a good upgrade for a great Windows experience though.
 
Depends on how high you overclock it... if you get one that goes really high it'll get you more performance for sure.
 
djBon2112 said:
Depends on how high you overclock it... if you get one that goes really high it'll get you more performance for sure.

So let's say I can get the Opteron 165 to 2.8 or 2.9...(I have the Asus A8N32 mobo)... would there be a noticeable difference in gaming? I'm sure there's a difference for Windows apps, but I game a lot too...
 
djBon2112 said:
I just checked a couple places and, all I can say is... somewhere who's prices are FUCKED up! (Looking at you, NCIX!)

Wow seriously... They list it as $600 CAD.


Well..I'd look at MORE places...cuz ...well I dunno CAD currency exchange rates, but in the US, the x2 4400s should sell for around 210 US. I got mine for 200 about a month ago. Keep an eye on these forums in the buy/sell/trade because thats' where I got mine from and it's a great proc.....
 
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