I've been following all the hype about the CABYE/CABNE steppings of
these processors. Like many others, I'm desperate top get an Opteron
146 gor GBP115, and OC it to 3.0GHz, but I've missed the boat here in
the UK-all are sold out. If I get an Opteron 144 (and I'll be using an
Asrock Dual-Sata2) and CAN'T get much of an overclock (TBH, I'd be
happy with 2.6 or so), will thise 1.8GHz 1Mb chip be a lot faster than
my current 2.1GHz Athlon XP.

I'm aware that 64 bit CPUs do more work per clock than Athlon XPs, but
just don't know how much! I don't want to spend GBP150 and get a couple
of extra fps- I'd rather save more. Thanks in advance for your time,

Bossk

Please excuse my naff typing! Don't know what the hell I was doing....

Bossk

I have 'upgraded' from a Socket A based rig which was...

DFI Lanparty Ultra B
AMD mobile 2600
Corsair 2x512mb Sticks XMS 3200
Enermax 435w PSU
ATI 9800pro

....to a

DFI Lanparty Ultra 4
AMD Opteron 146
Crucial Balistix 2x512mb Sicks DDR500
Enermax Liberty 500w PSU
ATI GTO2800 - flashed to enable all 16 pipes and ran at XTPE speed.


If I hadn't have needed to build another rig, with the Socket A parts, I
would NOT have gone to the expense or bother as the difference, in some
instances, has been so little.

Sure it is 'nice' now Civ 4 runs faster in-between turns, or my other
games are a tad smoother, but as I am not a benchmark freak I can't
honestly say that there has been a huge difference.

Unless you have got a lot of 'spare' cash or a specific need that you
KNOW is going to be met then I would really think long and hard about
your 'upgrade'.

I bought my 146 from www.cpucity.co.uk. I too was going to go for the
Asrock motherboard but in the end I decided to get the DFI board and the
CPU is stable up to 10x300 with no problem. I might have been able to
get that with the Asrock board but I'm not sure, as it limits the vCore
voltage whether it would have done it.




--
Best wishes


Morgan

Noisy hard drive...?
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/morgan.tate/

Hi there Morgan,
Thanks for the reply. Have you attempted to OC your 146 (just out of
interest). If I get a 144 (can't find 146s for love nor money, well,
silly Ebay prices) I would plan on OCing it- stock is a worst case
scenario!
I too will probably make another machine out of my spares, but
unfortunatly as it's earmarked for a relative, there will be no
redirected funds to the new kit. Maybe I'll just wait til January and
compare any available Optys with the A64 3700+. Jeez, I'll need til
then to save up!

Bossk

bossk128 (AT) gmail (DOT) com wrote:
As I mentioned in my last post the Opteron 146 will run fine at 3000mhz
but I run it at 2700mhz with 1.35v. I am not sure where you would find
either the 144 or 146 in the UK - I just talked to a guy at CPU City
today and he doesn't expect either of them in until next year, and then
the chances of the getting them seems to be very slim, he offered a
thought that AMD seem to restricting them to system builders.

--
Best wishes


Morgan

Noisy hard drive...?
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/morgan.tate/

try a 165, even from the states as the exchange rate is so good at the
moment. If you get lucky with a good seller he could mark it as a gift with
a value less than $20 and there's nothing to pay C&E (duty).

HTH

Robin.

BTW i agree, i upgraded from an XP2500 (205 FSB) and my new system is only
as quick as my old one. either that or turn to the dark side and buy a dual
core intel D