Stop-Gap Mini Upgrade

Hash_Immutable_1337x

Hash_Immutable_1337x

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May 22, 2005
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Wow... over 4 years since my last build :)

Still sporting an original Intel 975 Bad Axe , running a Cedar Mill 651 (3.4 Ghz, single core, HT cpu) Got this back in early 2006 and its performed well, up until this year.

Main reason now is I've started venturing into converting my DVD collection and am now finding this really pushes my old single core CPU to its limits. Makes me realize I'm due for some sort of upgrade, until I can convince the significant other for a full all-out build.

Looking to reuse my DDR2 and this is really only a "stop-gap" upgrade to make my current computing tasks more efficient, so I'm leaning toward the following combos:

Intel Combo:
Intel DG43GT / E6500 2.93 Ghz - $164.98

AMD Combo 1:
MSI 785GT-E63 / Phenom II 555 3.2 Ghz - $178.99

AMD Combo 2:
ASUS M4A785-M / Phenom II 555 3.2 Ghz - $168.99


Not really a gamer and what gaming I do is on an xbox360 so the onboard video should be plenty, I'm assuming. I currently use a Geforce 6800 GS, so I'm going to assume even the onboard video on the above mentioned motherboards should be sufficient enough.
All of the boards listed above show they support DDR2 667 / 800, which is what I have as I'm really looking to keep the budget under $200 and reuse my current memory.
I do not overclock also, so keep the memory that I have in mind and the CPU's stock FSB's.

I've had excellent luck with the stability of Intel, which is the reason I am considering the Intel option (and I'm fully aware that Socket 775 is about dead).

I reallly like the capabilities though of being able to unlock the cores on the Phenom II's and this makes me think the AMD solution might be the most cost effective / performance solution.

What is the stock memory FSB on the AMD platform? It appears the Intel E6500 has a 1066 mhz FSB, so even if running this at stock speeds.. this CPU "only needs" DDR2 533 to run appropriately. How are the AMD's spec'd out, in reference to how the memory is clocked at and is the memory bus running at a different speed compared to the hypertransport speed, etc.. etc?? Last AMD I had was a Winchester 3000+ chip..

Which combo and why?
I have a feeling AMD, as the CPU can potentially transfer over to a newer, more modern motherboard / new build..
 
Go for the Phenom II 555 and hope it unlocks into a quad core.
 
Go with the AMD Combo 2. ASUS makes solid boards and it is a little cheaper than the msi one above it (both are solid boards though).

You may also want to consider stepping down to an athlon II x2/x4. If you don't game then the Phenom II won't show much difference, and keep in mind, unlocking is still not a sure thing.

As for the memory, definitely check to make sure the board you get supports DDR2-667 or even DDR2-800. I think the 800 would be ok for most AM2+ boards but the 667 may not be supported. Check on the vendors website and you should get a full listing of the memory supported.
 
What kind of performance differences would I be looking at when comparing the Athlon II's versus the Phenom II's (x2/x4) ?

Main applications I run that are killing my single core CPU are Handbrake, CloneDVD and Windows Expression Encoder.
 
jlbenedict said:
What kind of performance differences would I be looking at when comparing the Athlon II's versus the Phenom II's (x2/x4) ?

Main applications I run that are killing my single core CPU are Handbrake, CloneDVD and Windows Expression Encoder.
Click to expand...

Well, the Athlon II X4 CPUs will overtake the Phenom X2 CPUs in just about any media encoding app. We're talking about a 25% to 40% performance difference between a Athlon X4 and a Phenom X2 in media encoding apps. However a Phenom X4 CPU will typically be about 20% faster than an Athlon X4 CPU in media encoding apps.

Oh yeah, AMD route hands down, The supposed higher stability of Intel chipsets do not make up for the piss-poor price to performance ratio and the dead-end socket.
 
Thanks for all the input..
Looks like after a little research (thanks to Danny_Bui).. I'm going to lean toward a Athlon II X4 635.
Appears the Athlon II x4 wipes the E6500 all over the place.. and does very well with H.264 encoding..
For the same price.. one more guarantee core.. and based on my needs of NOT needing the L3 cache.. looks like it is a nice lil cheap upgrade over my ancient P4
 
What PSU will you be using?
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
If this is only a stopgap update and you have 4GB of DDR2, then I'd highly suggest simply finding a Q6600 or Q6700 in the FS/T forum for around $130. It won't be as fast as a new Ph2 (it'll be slightly slower if you OC it; and these chips are cake to OC, btw), but it'll be lightyears faster than that Cedar Mill. Also, fast storage helps with encoding. What HDD(s) are you using for OS and storage?
 
enginurd said:
If this is only a stopgap update and you have 4GB of DDR2, then I'd highly suggest simply finding a Q6600 or Q6700 in the FS/T forum for around $130. It won't be as fast as a new Ph2 (it'll be slightly slower if you OC it; and these chips are cake to OC, btw), but it'll be lightyears faster than that Cedar Mill. Also, fast storage helps with encoding. What HDD(s) are you using for OS and storage?
Click to expand...

I have one of the first generation Bad Axe's.
Unfortunately, I have Revision: AA D27094-302

According to this:
http://processormatch.intel.com/COMPDB/SearchResult.aspx?Boardname=d975xbx

Best I can do on this board that is compatible with all revisions are:

E4700
or a Xeon 3070, 3060, 3050 or 3040 (Dual core's)
 
Out of that list I'd try to grab an E6600 for $45-50 and then OC it.
 
Hmm, tough call. While that Enermax does have enough power for your planned upgrade technically, I'm not 100% sure that particular Enermax Liberty PSU was of good enough quality to maintain that power output over the past 4 years.

Gots to do some research.
 
4yrs ago? If you plan on re-using it, that would be the first thing you should probably replace... sooner, rather than later. ;)

jlbenedict said:
I have one of the first generation Bad Axe's. Unfortunately, I have Revision: AA D27094-302. According to this: http://processormatch.intel.com/COMPDB/SearchResult.aspx?Boardname=d975xbx, Best I can do on this board that is compatible with all revisions are: E4700 or a Xeon 3070, 3060, 3050 or 3040 (Dual core's)
Click to expand...
Well that just blows, lol. My apologies for assuming you had a newer revision board that could handle quads. BTW, did you google for people trying quads on your revision?
450 said:
Out of that list I'd try to grab an E6600 for $45-50 and then OC it.
Click to expand...
I agree. If it doesn't perform to your liking, sell it again. ;) ... along with your other parts, hehe. /me wonders if you can afford a nice Core i5 750 after you sell all your old stuff...
 
Hmmmm... Tough Decisions :)

Grab an AM3/AM2+ (that will run my DDR2) motherboard and try taking a chance on the X2 5000+ that will unlock to a quad (one of the 45nm Denab's).

Even if it doesn't unlock, for $40, this CPU should stomp the $hit out of my single core P4. Granted this cpu doesn't have DDR3 support, but given my time between upgrades (over 4 years on current combo), its probably a irrelevant point unless I am performing a total rebuild.
 
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I'm officially Socket 775 retired. :)

Got the Asus M4A785-M and Phenom II 555BE setup.
Works like a champ with 4 sticks of DDR2-667 (1gb, single sided) dimms.

Unlocks to a x4 with default voltage.. but hangs and freezes at the Windows logo during the reboot..
Bumped the voltage up a little more.. and I got into Windows and was able to go into device manager and see 4 cores.. etc.. I logged off to go do something and came back and it apparently had rebooted and was hung again.. so.. looks like this CPU has some promise to it, as I really haven't cranked the voltage up on it much.. Set it on 1.35.. BIOS reports its still slightly under that... so looks like I have quite a bit of headroom.. since it appears from various "unlocking threads" on various forums that 1.4v seems to be the norm
 
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