Any good?

[Cookeh]

Hi guys,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-261-AM&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=803

Any good for a budget gaming rig?
Cheaper than the AthlonII with the added benefit of L3 cache and an unlocked multi.

Do they run particularly hot?

Regards,
Cookeh

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Actually the Athlon II is clock for clock better than the older Athlon processors:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/114?vs=90

The X2 7850+ is based on the first Phenom and is a 95W TDP processor too whereas the Athlon II X2 is a 65W TDP processor. The earlier Phenom consumed quite a bit of power when overclocked and had more limited overclocking potential too.

The X2 7850+ also only has a DDR2 memory controller so you are limited to AM2 and AM2+ motherboards.

OTH,if you are looking for a stop gap processor for the time being it maybe worth getting especially since you have a Pentium 4 ATM.

 

[Cookeh]

Actually the Athlon II is clock for clock better than the older Athlon processors:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/114?vs=90

The X2 7850+ is based on the first Phenom and is a 95W TDP processor too whereas the Athlon II X2 is a 65W TDP processor. The earlier Phenom consumed quite a bit of power when overclocked and had more limited overclocking potential too.

The X2 7850+ also only has a DDR2 memory controller so you are limited to AM2 and AM2+ motherboards.

OTH,if you are looking for a stop gap processor for the time being it maybe worth getting especially since you have a Pentium 4 ATM.

Ah, k.
Not really worth it then as Im aiming for DDR3

So you'd recommend a Athlon II 240 for the time being then?

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would get an X2 240 if it was well under £50. The Athlon II X3 435 can be had for £60 and this is what I would look at getting!

The X3 435 tends to be faster than a E6500 or an X2 250 in many games:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/athlon-ii-x3-435_5.html#sect0

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-ii-x3,2452-10.html

http://hothardware.com/Articles/AMD-Athlon-II-X2-240e-and-X3-435-Mainstream-CPUs/?page=7

In many games it can actually compete with the X2 550BE:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_athlon_2_x3_435_x2_240e/page5.asp

 

[Cookeh]

I would get an X2 240 if it was well under £50. The Athlon II X3 435 can be had for £60 and this is what I would look at getting!

The X3 435 tends to be faster than a E6500 or an X2 250 in many games:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/athlon-ii-x3-435_5.html#sect0

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/athlon-ii-x3,2452-10.html

http://hothardware.com/Articles/AMD-Athlon-II-X2-240e-and-X3-435-Mainstream-CPUs/?page=7

In many games it can actually compete with the X2 550BE:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_athlon_2_x3_435_x2_240e/page5.asp

Yes, I do recall reading an article that an 435 oc'd to 3.6 is actually much better than an Athlon X4 and rivals the Phenom II X3/4's in some games as well.

The third core would also be beneficial for the small amount of editing I indulge in.

Thanks CAT, Id forgotten about the X3's - possibly because OcUK doesn't stock them