Socket 939 Mobo/CPU

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:15

Hiya Everyone

I have a second rig currently, used for work, lans and testing really and its becoming too slow so I'm on the look out for a new system. Okay, I dont have much of a budget (Around £100) but I'm looking for a AMD 64 Socket 939 mobo/cpu that has the best overclocking ability. After reading various reviews on the Internet I believe the 3000 (1.8ghz) has been oc'ed if your lucky to 2.8ghz.

Anywho, I dont want to spend too much as its not my main rig and this will be my first overclock (my Super LANBOY is getting cold

)

Edit: What do you think of the "DFI LanParty UT RDX200CF-DR Crossfire (Socket 939) Motherboard" ? Very cheap

Many Thanks

marcus_667 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:28

id consider saving some more money as 939 parts are becoming scarce

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:30

marcus_667 said:
id consider saving some more money as 939 parts are becoming scarce

Very true, I noticed some prices are starting to creep backup, I believe now would be the optimal time to buy them

The option did cross my mind on going on a more futureproof upgrade but I really dont have the money.

Just edited my top post with the DFI motherboard, looks quite good and so do the reviews.

vincent1989 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:32

this is the best OcUK sell (that i could find reviews for) for overclocking, but dont quote me on that

also it's extremely cheap

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-017-DF

edit: oh, damn, forgot about the user reviews :rolleyes:

they all seem to say its a good Oc'er

marcus_667 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:32

ive been looking at that mobo apperently ive heard it dont support ncq on sata hard drives but ive yet to see someone confirm it but its a nice mobo for price

but cpu its either going to be a 3500 venice or a 3700+ sandiego oem for u, i reckon the 3700+ will clock better so thats what id go for

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:33

bringerofdecay said:
this is the best OcUK sell (that i could find reviews for) for overclocking, but dont quote me on that also it's extremely cheap

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-017-DF

SNAP

Thanks Marcus, I'm still using 2 IDE Drives (Hides :eek:

) so SATA is not a problem, if I do purchase that motherboard I think getting a 3500 or better would be affordable!

marcus_667 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:36

no problem for u then i have a wd raptor and and its mentioned on review on ocuk site and dfi street but i need to see if they have a work around or something otherwise im forced to get the more expensive ultra d

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:38

marcus_667 said:
no problem for u then i have a wd raptor and and its mentioned on review on ocuk site and dfi street but i need to see if they have a work around or something otherwise im forced to get the more expensive ultra d

My last experiance with a SATA drive is me breaking it.

Only looked for a few minutes, it seems the 3700 Deigo (OEM) is £4 cheaper than the 3500, and the 3700 (Retail) is over £26 more exspensive!, what seems fine, as I will be using my own CPU Cooler. Being an under-convident novice, what will the OEM version be missing apart from the retail fan?

vincent1989 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:38

Larnica said:
SNAP

ahh, a crocodile...lol.

@ OP you could also buy an AMD venice 3500+ and the mobo for well under £100

original mobo(i suggested):
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-017-DF&tool=3

nvm, OcUK have cheaper 3700+, but more expensive 3500+, i'd go 3700+, however the Venice cores are supposedly good for overclocking

marcus_667 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:43

Larnica said:
what will the OEM version be missing apart from the retail fan?

well oem has 1yr warranty compared to retails 3 year warranty,also no fancy box or an athlon 64 sticker or cooler , youll just get the oem in like a little box with foam in it or a plastic bubble

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:44

marcus_667 said:
well oem has 1yr warranty and no fancy box or an athlon 64 sticker or cooler , youll just get the oem in like a little box with foam in it or a plastic bubble

Tooshay.

I'm still a little confused why the "AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice (Socket 939) - OEM" is £30 more than the "AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego (Socket 939) - OEM". Rare? Miss priced?

marcus_667 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:45

3700 is a 1 meg cached part and will clock rather well and 1 meg cache cpus have always been a little bit more

but i never seen a 3500 cost more then a 3700 :eek:

@ prices i just noticed that i mean that must be what they are ive looked some other places they seem similar prices but the 3700 oem is the cpu to go for

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:47

marcus_667 said:
3700 is a 1 meg cached part and will clock rather well and 1 meg cache cpus have always been a little bit more but i never seen a 3500 cost more then a venice

@ prices i just noticed that i mean that must be what they are ive looked some other places they seem similar prices but the 3700 oem is the cpu to go for

Seems good, I will leave try leave the thread open until tonight / tomorrow before I make the purchase

Thanks for your help, all

vincent1989 · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:50

if you want to keep the cost of an OEM less than buying retail then you need a cheaper cooler, the freezer 64 pro fits 939 boards, and is VERY cheap:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-AR

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 09:55

bringerofdecay said:
if you want to keep the cost of an OEM less than buying retail then you need a cheaper cooler, the freezer 64 pro fits 939 boards, and is VERY cheap:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-000-AR

Aye, I will be purchasing that cooler from what I've read and heard, its not the best but its a cheap alternative for some good overclocking!

Just been checking other websites for reviews and that motherboard looks extremely "Flakey" and unstable. :eek:

mcwildcard · 21 Nov 2006 at 10:34

Any reason why it has to be So939?
An AM2 setup will probably cost you a similar amount and will give far more option for upgrading in the future.

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 17:12

mcwildcard said:
Any reason why it has to be So939?
An AM2 setup will probably cost you a similar amount and will give far more option for upgrading in the future.

Mainly due to the money aspect, all though if the right prices come along I may have a good look.

Managed to get some time to look at the DFI motherboard during the day. From what one person has said and the many many reviews on other popular websites, the reviews seem extremely bad. a lot of them unstable, not working, crashing operating systems etc.

So, can you reccomend anything else or maybe even a good AM2 Oc'ing board?

Thanks!

ReeceKB · 21 Nov 2006 at 18:37

939 is great am the moment for a second hand buy.

I'd say 3000+ / 3200+ / Opteron 144 With a DFI Lanparty nF4 Ultra-D mobo

I have an Opteron 144 and have overclocked it to 2.95Ghz. but I have lost a bit of money on it. Allthough now 939 is a great deal if your buying second hand.

Hope that helps

Jonny L · 21 Nov 2006 at 19:10

If it were me, I would save a bit more and go skt 775, that way if you ever want to upgrade it, the core2duos would be pretty cheap by then.

Jonny

Larnica · 21 Nov 2006 at 19:17

rkb442 said:
939 is great am the moment for a second hand buy.

I'd say 3000+ / 3200+ / Opteron 144 With a DFI Lanparty nF4 Ultra-D mobo

I have an Opteron 144 and have overclocked it to 2.95Ghz. but I have lost a bit of money on it. Allthough now 939 is a great deal if your buying second hand.

Hope that helps

how's your experiance with the DFI range?

Being a novice, I've seen you can get specific Gigabtye overclocking software (looks simple enough), maybe thats something worth considering?