Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

[Umi.Ryuuzaki]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

I have no problem spending extra on cooling. Granted, i'll probably have to grab another set of OCZ gold ram or find one that is just 2x of 256mb or something, cause i'm really tight on money. I think once I get the acutal money, i'll grab a 939 venice 3000+, a damn good heatsink (min overclock over time, i say 2.2ghz min, i'll try to 2.4-2.5ish), and a good motherboard, then I play the OC game.

OC question: I've done OCing in the past (yay go celeron 700->892hz on stock cooling and P4 1.6-1.8), but i heard OCing a AMD 64 is different. True or false? Also, i've heard stories where people have used DDR400 ram and used it fine during OCing. Wouldnt it make sense to buy higher rated ram, if one would maintain 1:1 (or hell, 5:4) ratio with FSB/memory speed?

Edit: Recommend a mobo? Gotta support AGP though and I don't feel like selling @_@.

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

I have no problem spending extra on cooling. Granted, i'll probably have to grab another set of OCZ gold ram or find one that is just 2x of 256mb or something, cause i'm really tight on money. I think once I get the acutal money, i'll grab a 939 venice 3000+, a damn good heatsink (min overclock over time, i say 2.2ghz min, i'll try to 2.4-2.5ish), and a good motherboard, then I play the OC game.

OC question: I've done OCing in the past (yay go celeron 700->892hz on stock cooling and P4 1.6-1.8), but i heard OCing a AMD 64 is different. True or false? Also, i've heard stories where people have used DDR400 ram and used it fine during OCing. Wouldnt it make sense to buy higher rated ram, if one would maintain 1:1 (or hell, 5:4) ratio with FSB/memory speed?

Edit: Recommend a mobo? Gotta support AGP though and I don't feel like selling @_@.

You can buy my MOBO, it's considered the best AGP overclocking mobo by most.

A64 overclocking guide

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?t=151373

[Noni]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

https://www.overclock.net

[Sniper_13]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

id get the 64 cause itl last u years before u have to upgrade. since the regular athalons only process 32 bits a time the 64 does 64 bits a time so i would upgrade.

[imported_Wasp]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

Overclocking AMD64 is definetly more tricky than the old Athlon XP. You have two bus speeds to think about (the hypertransport and the FSB between CPU and memory). There is also the issue of some SATA connectors not being locked, so that when you overclock they stop functioning. You also have a lot of extra memory timings to worry about. You have voltage settings that are a bit different because AMD64 has protection against overvolting. Several motherboards have voltage for northbridge/hypertransport/ddr/CPU vid.

There are good guides out there though that will get you started and if you go async on CPU FSB/mem like 200/166 you should be able to acheive a good overclock on the 3000+.

[Espion]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

I'm upgrading from an AthlonXP 1700+(1.4Ghz) to a 64 3500+(2.2GHz). I'd say it's worth it.

[lil_jimmy_norton]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

ESPION~IMO I'd just go with a 3000+ or 3200+ and o/c it. There's no reason either of those won't hit well above 2.2Ghz.

[Dethred]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

I'm upgrading from an AthlonXP 1700+(1.4Ghz) to a 64 3500+(2.2GHz). I'd say it's worth it.

Have you installed it yet? If so did you notice a good bit of difference?

[bisley]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

AMD64 = the most stable computer I ever pwned

[Umi.Ryuuzaki]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

Thanks guys. Once I grab enough money (like, 400 USD ish total for 3000+ venice, mobo, heat sink, then the stupid CA tax =/ ), i'll do it. Once I understand and get a good grip of how the AMD 64 OC works, time for some fun, until M2 =)

[Espion]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

Have you installed it yet? If so did you notice a good bit of difference?

No, but just about anything is better than what I'm running now. I'm in the middle of a major rehauling on our computer. New CPU, mobo, video card, PSU, case, etc.

Even though this CPU is old(XP 1700+), it's done pretty good. I've been able to play any new game out there with it, even if it was on low. That's why I stuck with AMD and I don't think I'll be disappointed.

[Dethred]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

Thanks guys. Once I grab enough money (like, 400 USD ish total for 3000+ venice, mobo, heat sink, then the stupid CA tax =/ ), i'll do it. Once I understand and get a good grip of how the AMD 64 OC works, time for some fun, until M2 =)

I just got a 3500+ and mobo for $307 shipped, you should be able to get what you're looking at for USD $300 :)

[Cicchetti]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

yes it is

[Dethred]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

I just put in my 3500 last night. It freaking flies. BF2 is a lot more stable, and for those who say there will be no difference with CPU, it seems like a better upgrade than my GFX card.

On a side note I seem to be getting 1/2 the 3dmark05 score (~2300) I had prior to the AMD installation (4131). Don't have any idea whats up with that, but the game rocks now!

[DrunkenPirate]

Re: Athlon XP -> Athlon 64: worth the price?

Faster CPU's do seem to benefit this game a lot yes.