please advise on cpu choice(I know its...yawn!)

[footman]

Im looking to do a complete upgrade from XP 3200 to something with more oomph. I play mostly FPS games... COD2 BF2 etc. Im torn between FX57 or dual core 4600. Im too old to overclock anymore, just want fast, pretty and stable.
Im concerned about problems with x2 and certain games and vid cards.

thanks for looking

 

[sablabra]

Hi. I personally got an x2 3800+, and I'm very pleased with it. Only a few older games got a few problems, but that can be solved by only using one of the cores. No big deal...
However, it must be the easiest overclock I've done ever. All I did was increasing the fsb speed to 250, and wolla, I had an x2 4800+ . I did no other changes what so ever, but I believe I was quite lucky with my specify. Good luck on your buy

 

[smids]

FX60 - you seem willing to spend on the FX57, so why not go the whole hog. If not, Opteron 175/180, X2 4400+/4800+. Really not much point spending so much on a single core IMO.

The problems caused are mainly experienced by those with E4 chips (i.e. X2 3800+, 4200+. 4600+) and not the E6 stepping (the rest). So as long as you get the 1MB PER CORE version, there should be no problems. I have no problems whatsoever (I've only just purchased CoD2 and will let you know about this as soon as.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

I'm considering upgrading to dual core, would I be better off getting an Opteron 165 and overclocking it (they can hit fx60 speeds right?) or just get an x2 4400?

 

[smids]

I'm considering upgrading to dual core, would I be better off getting an Opteron 165 and overclocking it (they can hit fx60 speeds right?) or just get an x2 4400?

I'd say so. Nothing is guaranteed, but certainly most of them hit FX60 speeds. Perhaps the 170 is easier to clock with the 10x multi. It can be had for cheaper than the 4400+ too, looking around. 4400+ is by no means a bad choice either and should hit FX60 too.

 

[Agent WD40]

I'd advise you go for dual core to start with.

My Opteron 170, dual-core, clocked at 2.6ghz (FX-60 speeds ) is way faster than my 3700 San Diego, single-core, clocked to 2.8 ghz (FX-57).

If you are willing to pay a fair wedge for a CPU, then go for the FX-60, you wont be dissapointed!

If you dont want to spend as much, go for either a X4800 or X4400.

Then again, if you can be swayed into a bit of OCing, go for the opty 170, they clock so well its kerazy!

 

[Agent WD40]

I'm considering upgrading to dual core, would I be better off getting an Opteron 165 and overclocking it (they can hit fx60 speeds right?) or just get an x2 4400?

Go for an opty 170, they are a lil pricey but i've cranked mine upto 2.8~2.9ghz and had it stable, so exceeds the speeds of a FX-60 easily!

But the X4400s are good, so I heard.

*Subliminal message* Go for the Opty 170 *End of Subliminal message*

 

[loltim]

Hi. I personally got an x2 3800+, and I'm very pleased with it. Only a few older games got a few problems, but that can be solved by only using one of the cores. No big deal...
However, it must be the easiest overclock I've done ever. All I did was increasing the fsb speed to 250, and wolla, I had an x2 4800+ . I did no other changes what so ever, but I believe I was quite lucky with my specify. Good luck on your buy

Cool, upping your FSB also increased the L2 cache did it? heh just kidding with ya, I also have my X2 3800+ overclocked past 4800+ speeds

 

[sablabra]

Cool, upping your FSB also increased the L2 cache did it? heh just kidding with ya, I also have my X2 3800+ overclocked past 4800+ speeds

Yeah I know it got twice the amount of L2 cache(2x512kb vs 2x1mb), but an x2 4800+ runs at 2.4ghz, and my runs at 2.5 ghz . It sort of evens out, doesn't it?

 

[loltim]

Well they say the extra cache is equivalent to 200MHz but yeah, I know I'd rather have the 3800+ and some spare £££