FX vs. Opteron

Vertigo · 6 Jun 2006 at 11:25

Sorry for the n00b question but things are so complicated these days and my aging brain can't keep up.

What exactly is the difference between a dual-core Athlon FX processor and a dual-core Opteron. From what I can see they're pretty much identical. What am I missing?

Calum · 6 Jun 2006 at 11:34

fx = unlocked multiplier, opteron = doesn't

I hope that answers your question

Vertigo · 6 Jun 2006 at 11:38

Is that really the only difference? If you had a dual-core Opty overclocked to 2.8Ghz would this effectively be identical to an FX-62?

What's all this 1000/2000Mhz bus stuff I keep seeing? Hypertransport hurts my head

PureAppleJuice · 6 Jun 2006 at 11:43

Yeah, overclocked Opteron = FX

... Well basically anyway.

Calum · 6 Jun 2006 at 12:09

Well yes and no - cpu speed you wouldn't notice the difference, however this is where the am2 fx 62's ddr2 ram comes into play, which i confess to knowing next to nothing about, but should boost the overall system performance above that of the overclocked opty.

easyrider · 6 Jun 2006 at 12:11

Vertigo1 said:
Is that really the only difference? If you had a dual-core Opty overclocked to 2.8Ghz would this effectively be identical to an FX-62?

yep, my opty is at fx 62 speeds now!

easyrider · 6 Jun 2006 at 12:12

Calum said:
Well yes and no - cpu speed you wouldn't notice the difference, however this is where the am2 fx 62's ddr2 ram comes into play, which i confess to knowing next to nothing about, but should boost the overall system performance above that of the overclocked opty.

Not really a real world boost though...
And certainly not worth the price tag! :eek:

Kyo · 6 Jun 2006 at 13:54

Think someone told me once that ddr2 give you something like 5%+ boost over your conventional ddr. So in other words it not to be a significant boost if there is any.

Minstadave · 6 Jun 2006 at 18:10

:I doubt its even 5% to be honest, AM2 is very much

at the moment.

Calum · 6 Jun 2006 at 20:19

There is the added benefit of the warranty and or more overclocking potential - the divder on the ram i think would hamper performance on the opty

Minstadave · 6 Jun 2006 at 23:11

Calum said:
There is the added benefit of the warranty and or more overclocking potential - the divder on the ram i think would hamper performance on the opty

RAM dividers really don't harm performance in any meaningful way, the Opteron is a fantastic chip and apart from the locked multi rivals the FX in everyway.

easyrider · 6 Jun 2006 at 23:12

Minstadave said:
RAM dividers really don't harm performance in any meaningful way, the Opteron is a fantastic chip and apart from the locked multi rivals the FX in everyway.

Agreed mine is as fast as a FX62 but yet it only cost me 299 quid!

PureAppleJuice · 6 Jun 2006 at 23:22

Exactly, mine only cost me £160 new

And it runs like an FX-62.

easyrider · 6 Jun 2006 at 23:26

jidh007 said:
Exactly, mine only cost me £160 new And it runs like an FX-62.

yours is single core yes?

Calum · 7 Jun 2006 at 10:35

good job if not!

Scoobie Dave · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:05

easyrider said:
yep, my opty is at fx 62 speeds now!

Is that all? You want to join the 3GHz Club!

easyrider · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:10

Scoobie Dave said:
Is that all? You want to join the 3GHz Club!

unfortuantly I am not under water.

but silent air instead

Scoobie Dave · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:30

easyrider said:
unfortuantly I am not under water.

but silent air instead

Still a very good overclock though m8

easyrider · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:32

Scoobie Dave said:
Still a very good overclock though m8

Indeed its a great chip.

I haven't tried going higher than 2.8ghz on these volts.
I will be doing but somehow I think I will need more than 1.36v to gain 200 mhz @3ghz and the increased temp noise etc...just might not be worth it.

Scoobie Dave · 7 Jun 2006 at 12:37

easyrider said:
Indeed its a great chip.

I haven't tried going higher than 2.8ghz on these volts.
I will be doing but somehow I think I will need more than 1.36v to gain 200 mhz @3ghz and the increased temp noise etc...just might not be worth it.

Yeah, that's when watercooling comes into it's own. Silence and cooling power! My Opty tops out around 42-43c when dual priming