Opteron and FX chips

[geeza]

Is the Opteron 146 basically the same as an underclocked FX57 thats down from 2.6ghz to 2ghz?

If so what so good about the FX57 that makes it £476 more expensive? (apart from the name of course)

 

[geeza]

All the Opteron UPs, and all 1MB cache A64s are basically the same as the FX57. They all use the same San Diego core.

The main difference of the FX series is that they have unlocked multipliers, which makes them great for overclocking.

AMD justify the high price because:
- they are hand picked for stable high-speed operation
- a relatively low part of the yield makes the grade

Opterons are also hand picked, but in their case hand picked for low voltage operation (which means low heat, which means easier passive cooling; important in the server / workstation market).

The FX range are premium processors, which always carry a higher price tag. If you graphed the price against the performance right across the A64 range, you'd see an exponential curve. That's just the way things are.

Finally, to get the most out of an Opteron you need a board capable of stable high HTT (290+), which is not a requirement with an FX processor due to easy o/c'ing by increasing the multi.

Hav

doesnt a divider sort of work in the same way as an unlocked multiplier. Otherwise my opteron will be stuck at 10x which would mean if my memory didnt go about 200mhz it wouldnt overclock at all?

 

[geeza]

That only if your running on 1:1 basis

What that allows is the CPU to run at higher speeds while keeping your memory clocked at base or less if needed.

so is that like a multiplier that does not effect the memory. i.e a CPU only multiplier?

how does the devider work basically

i know that

multi = 10
fsb = 200
=200*10 so 2000mhz
where does the divider play a part as i never used one on my NF7 board

 

[geeza]

thanks. If I wanted to keep my ram from dieing/slowly dieing on me what sort of settings would I be looking for?

ram is 2gb geil value, processor 146, motherboard DFI ultra-D

why dont amd just make it so all processors are multiplier unlocked? it would make it far easier for everyone else. (but their pockets would be lighter im suspecting)

 

[geeza]

doesnt the pencil trick work like it did with the thunderbirds or are they slightly mroe advanced now?