What processor?
 

I'm going to be getting a new processor in about 4 weeks time, and I was wondering what YOU think I should get.

The main things I want is:

High speed in distributed projects, such as ClimatePredicion.net
Overall system performance

I was going to get the Athlon XP 3200+, but loads of places have ran out of stock and are removing it from there lists since AMD arn't making them any more. So I was thinking of getting the Sempron 3000+, which has a 512KB L2 cache.

What do you think? (may not be able to get the Athlon XP in the 4 weeks if loads of sites keep running out, such as Ebuyer no longer have the 3200+ retail package, only the 3000+ retail package).

Thanks again.

Re: What processor?
 

Sounds like you don't have much choice ... I'd go for the new one.

Re: What processor?
 

the xp2500+ mobile barton is the best buy.
http://www.cpucitystore.co.uk/catalo...roducts_id=392

its totally unlocked and will over clock to 2.2ghz -2.7ghz on air.

Re: What processor?
 

Sorry but I'm not an overclocker. If I overclock my system, the work units on climateprediction are more prone to fail.

Re: What processor?
 

Not on an Athlon Mobile they won't, they run no hotter and fail no more than equivalent processors running at stock, you should probably do some research before writing it off. Failing that, get the XP 3200, I wouldn't bother with the Sempron.

Re: What processor?
 

Err, it's actually said by the ClimatePrediction team, any one who overclocks any processor who runs the project, the WU's will more than likely fail more than one that isn't overclocked.

Re: What processor?
 

Would the Athlon XP 3200 run at 400FSB though? As I'm getting 2X 512MB Kingston PC2700 memory next week off a friend of mine, and I thought 400/333 isn't really good for performance.

Re: What processor?
 

You'll barely notice the difference in performance from 333 to 400mhz.

Re: What processor?
 

People can run SuperPI for day's on end with overclocked Mobile processors and that is far more processor intensive than any other app. I've come across. Unless BOINC has some kind of anti-cheat bits in it.

Re: What processor?
 

As in monkeys that over clock to high and make thier systems unstable...

Re: What processor?
 

http://www.envizage.com/env/

Look here XP3200 ....6 retail in stock :D

Re: What processor?
 

I can't see any 3200's (other than Athlon 64's) on there.

Plenty here though

http://www.pcnextday.co.uk/product_d...ef_site=kelkoo

Re: What processor?
 

About the same prices as the ones on Ebuyer.

Don't know why Ebuyer stopped selling the retail versions.

Re: What processor?
 

Hmm, the Sempron is only just slightly slower than the Athlon, and is about £30 cheaper (and it's retail aswell).

http://www.hardcoreware.net/reviews/review-239-1.htm

Athlon XP 2500, and Sempron 2500 (with 256KB Cache) benchmark. The Sempron is only just slightly slower because of the smaller cache size, but the Sempron 3000+ Retail on Ebuyer has a 512KB L2 cache, so basically will be the same speed just £30 cheaper.

Re: What processor?
 

Don't know if this will influence you, but Athlon XP is officially going now : http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11...lls_athlon_xp/

HTH

Re: What processor?
 

Yea, I had read that. That's why I was thinking of getting the Sempron, because at least it will still be available if it is needed to be replaced.

Re: What processor?
 

why would it need to be replaced?

Re: What processor?
 

Incase it packs up on me. I always leave my PC on running climateprediction, meaning it puts stress on my CPU 24/7, so it is more prone to fail early.

Re: What processor?
 

Looks like it's going to be this:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=77152

Can a mod remove the poll if possible please? :)

Re: What processor?
 

Well some info for ya all.

I am running a locked Athlon XP 2800 with 768mb of ddr 3200 333mhz ram, on a ATI Radeon 9200SE, and 80gb 7200rpm Maxtor drive.

After some tuning with better cfm more noise fans and no overclocking I am now able to run doom3 1024 by 768 with a few toys in graphics on at about 35fps I see.

Most impressed and am planning on building a more dedicated system for a budget soon, may house the replacement 90mn core but to be honest a Socket A 3200 would sound a nice option to me. Luckily me knows a shop where I just walk in buy and walk out.

Will get his permission and the Admins to post his website banner here.

Edit: just spotted last post with the linky. Nice buy at only 70quid :Yikes:

Re: What processor?
 

Well if you saw the post of the benchmark I looked at with the Sempron 2500+, and Athlon XP 2500+, the Sempron was only just slightly slower than the Athlon XP due to it's 256KB L2 cache. But, the one in that link on Ebuyer has a 512KB L2 cache, so basically, it's an Athlon XP 3000+ just at a budget price and a nice 3 year warranty :)

Re: What processor?
 

Well it's the Sempron 3000+ all the way, just looking at the list of what it supports, it supports:

3D Now! Professional technology
SSE2 (SSE2 is why all the Intel based CPU systems on CPDN are in the lead, so the Sempron will perform EXTREMELY well under CPDN, which is what I need the most)
120 nanometer technology

Thanks to all that posted!

Re: What processor?
 

Let us know how you get on, I am close to building a gaming rig for myself just something to play doom3 and some moderate games.

Curious as I know the Athlon XP chip obh, and moving to the Sempron is weird, because I wonder if the current Socket A mobo's will work okay with this processor? I know its a Socket A and Socket A been working for yonks now, but my worry is being a new core is it stable enough yet?

As for price well I am impressed but have a linky now to something interesting for you all to read.

Source

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/AMD_Sempron.html

right at bottom of the page. :D

Re: What processor?
 

AMD already have my motherboard in the Sempron's "Recommended Motherboards" list, and I also checked if mine support the 3000+ and it does, so that's good news for me :)

I think the 3000+ is the only Sempron with a 512KB L2 cache :erm:

Re: What processor?
 

yeah but they're both socket A so if you get an XP now that doesnt stop you replacing it with a sempron if your XP blows up.


looks like you only get SSE2 with the 3100

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu...sempron_3.html

Re: What processor?
 

I found a socket 754 Sempron processor at overclockers.co.uk which could show that the higher speed processors in the new range are going 754 in there socket.

linky

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/AMD_Sempron.html

Right at the bottom of the above link.

Edit: is the size of the cache that important??? should I be more looking into 512 cache size over 256?

Re: What processor?
 

that's right the high end ones are cut down athlon 64's so use the 754 socket.

Re: What processor?
 

Think that will be a nice processor given 2gb of ram and a high end visual card?

Re: What processor?
 

I dont like the idea of these semprons - I think it's a gimick cutting stuff out of the processor and then calling it a sempron - it's just a ploy to compete with Celeron.

personally, I'd pay the extra few quid and get the real thing - an athlon 64 but that would mean replacing the motherboard for anyone who has a socket A motherboard!

Re: What processor?
 

here's some reviews:-

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=253

http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/processors/sempron

http://www17.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040728

Re: What processor?
 

Have looked into the socket 754 low end 64cpu's over the high end 939 socket processors who on other forums are having a few issues.

Low end 64cpu's in 754 mobo's aint badly priced top end of what I am willing to pay for this system.

The Sempron is needed the Athlon Chip is sounding past it now, and people are game for anything new and special.

I will belieive the performance pages on these proceesors and reviews from owners who will use them for gaming with there stock performance. :)

Re: What processor?
 

if you're replacing your motherboard (I assume you are) then that's what I'd go for as your 754 MB will (hopefully) give you more future upgradability:


current top end 754 is "AMD Athlon 64 3700 Clawhammer 130nm (Socket 754) - Retail (CP-087-AM)" - around £300 but in 2 years will be £100ish .


current top end socket A is the Athlon XP 3200 which is where AMD have stopped Athlons at and note that Semprons 3100 and above are socket 754!!!

so on a socket A MB you have almost no upgrade path.


http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...ilterKeywords=

Re: What processor?
 

I am wondering wether or not to build into the newer 939 mobo's on a AGP platform and use the system then upgrade into the pci-e systems once they have been made reliable.

Re: What processor?
 

I'd be abit skeptical about the sempron 3000+ from ebuyer, as ebuyer are reknowned for poor listing descriptions. Seeing as i cant find any other retailer with a sempron 3000+ for comparison and even amd dont directly specify that exits on there main pages it just appears under processer prices. (http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...l?redir=CPT301)

As i was to believe all desktop semprons so far have 256l2 cache, and only the 3100+ (skt754) has sse2. The rest DO NOT have it. Btw they're built on a 130nm process, which is inferior these days, intel have been on the 90nm for a while now, amd are just making in roads to 90nm, and ati & nvidia are begining to use 110nm (the smaller the better)

K

Re: What processor?
 

If you can afford it, then go for a low end Athlon64 socket 939 because the upgrade possibilities are so much better.

Re: What processor?
 

I had a look at the CPU's that are supported by my motherboard, and the 3000+ was down on the list.

http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusu...pusupport.aspx - Search for A7V600-X

Model 8 and Model 10 are supported, but I have no clue in what the difference is between them :erm:

Re: What processor?
 

Thanks all for the wicked advice was just in time also pay day on wednesday.

Will prob go for a Athlon64 3000 939 and the Asus Rev2 Wireless Mobo.

Re: What processor?
 

Model 8 and model 10 will most likely refer to cpu core type, with 8 being tbred, and 10 being barton (could be tred b not sure)
I notice if you go via cpu selection mode they all have a model listed apart from the 3000+
Looking at the cpu supported list, 8 is tbred and 10 is either barton or thorton (latter is barton with half the cache) the lower cache could explain the price difference between it and an xp3000+ As i said earlier i wouldnt trust ebuyers description to be precise.
Though i have just found this, http://www.amdboard.com/sempron_3000.html

Re: What processor?
 

I am thinking now of more waiting till Xmas is over and have moved in and then working on a new gaming rig.

As it stands now I have got my comet pc ( yes i know i know moment of stupidity ) and been in and given it

2 case fans where slots was one front one back ( not fitted)

Replugged in 2leads

And stopped a power lead chaffin on the visual GPU which was cauising issues when the GPU was in demand.

Hoping it will last me into early 2005.

Looks like I'm going AMD64
 

Well, after the discussion in the "What processor" thread, (merged with this one, seeing as they are almost identical ;) - Russ ) I've decided to go 64.

My budget is about £200, and I only need the motherboard and CPU (since I'm getting 2X 512MB Kingston PC2700 memory next week).

I was thinking of getting the following:

Asus A8V Deluxe motherboard:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=72725

AMD (Winchester) Athlon 64bit 3000+ 939pin/512kb L2cache 90nm Retail Boxed
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=79190

What does every one else think?

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

Good value but my personal advice would be to buy from www.overclockers.co.uk they have a better return policy and are swift in reply to any questions I may have.

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

Looked at the same hardware on OcUK, comes £30 cheaper. Will buy from there :)

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

OcUK are absolute CRAP! It takes on average half an hour for them to answer calls (on their 0870 number), they take up to 48 hours to respond to simple emails, they rarely ever ship the same day, they have a habit of shipping out items that were already RMA'd and most of their staff are completely ignorant, I'd rather buy from Ebuyer than OcUK and Ebuyer are the absolute pits.

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

Totally agree :tu:


For my OCUK nightmare, see - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=10185


For Bifta's, see - http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...ad.php?t=19694


Stay clear of them :disturbd:

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

I forgot to add, if you don't get caught in a huge queue, you end up getting a recorded anouncement telling you to phone back later ... useless.

http://www.overclock.co.uk or http://www.gladiatorcomputers.com are far better.

Re: MERGED - What Processor
 

Well I'll be glad to get the motherboard and CPU just after christmas, this PC will run extremely fast on ClimatePrediction (almost all the AMD 64's have an s/TS of 1-2, lower is better).

Also, the climateprediction software is only 32-bit at the moment, but a 64-bit version is being worked on, which then the 64's will fly over the Xeon's and Pentiums 4's then :p: