Worth changing to AMD X2 3800 (939)

[Firegod]

I'm tempted to get one over my 3700 @ 2.8. Will it drop into my DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D (Socket 939)?

Aye should work fine.

Just remember to load default settings, switch off the PC and put in the new CPU. I then cleared the CMOS (just incase) and then booted her back up. No problems.

Then in Windows you need to install the AMD Dual Core Optimiser.

Job done.

 

[SkeeterUK]

Is it worth me getting this as i have a 3500+ venice at 2.5ghz at the mo. Just woundering if its worth 30-40 quid (after sale of cpu). Also will i be able to overclock it to 2.5 at least with artic freezer 64 pro?

Oh my motherboard is asus a8v deluxe. Would i need to update the bios from 1014? its just i prefere to keep it at this bios as its the best bios for overclockin on this board.

 

[mattyprice4004]

Definitely! I did the same from a 3000 Winny and noticed immediately!

They are also good overclockers IMO.

 

[squiffy]

Just replaced 3700+ with 4200X2, seems nippier, although boot drive is a 2.5" so bottleneck is the drive. But at least for HD video won't be a problem. Windows Vista superfetch could help, with keeping MCE in the memory so when it opens up it's already in (since the HD is slower it takes a few seconds to load up MCE/Media Portal)

CPU temp is 22/24 degrees C, running at stock, with CAQ enabled. Ninja fan at 800rpm. Fairly cool ambiant temp- 19 degrees.

Just done the lace method for mounting HD's in the TJ-08, seems much quieter as the Samsung was just plonked on the bottom of the case, so bit of vibration. Done the same for the 2.5" HD too.

 

[SpKM3]

I have a 3200 venice for about 1year now clockd at 2.4. Some of the top games are becomming slowish now so ive been thinking of putting in a x2 3800. No idea what games benefit from dual core tho

Is WOW dual core?

Had a game of CSS last night with the new chip, certainly seemed more responsive and ran quicker than the 3200. I have a 6600 GT, and get about 90fps on 1280 res

 

[Camalot]

Had a game of CSS last night with the new chip, certainly seemed more responsive and ran quicker than the 3200. I have a 6600 GT, and get about 90fps on 1280 res

Did you get 90fps before?

 

[squiffy]

Did you get 90fps before?

More to "responsiveness" than framerate. Less juddering, faster loading.

My 4200X2 939 is Manchester Core E4, is this ok? Was there a E6 on the same type?

 

[El Jimben]

More to "responsiveness" than framerate. Less juddering, faster loading.

My 4200X2 939 is Manchester Core E4, is this ok? Was there a E6 on the same type?

I think the E6 revision is for the 1MB parts i.e. 4400, 4800 and the dual core Optys although I guess you might get a chip that was intended to be one of these but didn't make the grade and ended up as lower model.

@Skeeter: Most x2 3800 should do 2.4-2.6GHz on stock volts, mine did 2.5Ghz and I was using the Frezer Pro 64.

 

[V4NT0M]

I just want to upgrade for reassurance that HD playback will be smooth, 3700+ is borderline.

HD playback? Hmmm, I get ok HD playback on my 1.8 barton, only gets choppy every now and then. Would have thought your current setup would be more than adequate. I'll have to give my brother's new pc a testing when i get home, he's on a 3800.

 

[squiffy]

HD playback? Hmmm, I get ok HD playback on my 1.8 barton, only gets choppy every now and then. Would have thought your current setup would be more than adequate. I'll have to give my brother's new pc a testing when i get home, he's on a 3800.

1080P H264 is 95-99% and it very very occasionally stutters on the 3700+. WMV HD and .TS 1080P files play fine though, and that's with onboard 6150, sending 1920x1080 to TV LCD. SD playback is around 45-65% (scaling in FFDSHOW)

Still should be ok now, and eventually if I decide to go HD/BR PC drive have enough power, and the new 85xx series off-load processing from the CPU. Apparently HD drives CPU overhead is 80% on a C2D 6600.

 

[V4NT0M]

Woot, only had ~720p on mine, dont get anything higher because my TV is 720p, point taken

 

[SpKM3]

Did you get 90fps before?

Around the 70-80 area.

 

[SpKM3]

On thing i have noticed is that 1 core is about 5degs more than the other. Is this normal?

 

[squiffy]

Usually won't be the same, my 4400x2 core 1 runs slightly hotter, as does the 4200x2

 

[Camalot]

What is each core on a x2 3800 equal to? Single core wise.

 

[Digital Punk]

What is each core on a x2 3800 equal to? Single core wise.

Each core is effectively a 3200+ (2.0Ghz, 512k L2 cache)

 

[ghgh]

I went from a 3500+ Venice @ 2907MHz to an X2 3800+ @ 2750MHz and I was amazed with the difference it made to multi tasking, and running firewall + AV in background of games without noticing anything else was taking place on the PC whilst gaming.