Barton 2500+ vs. Thoroughbred 2600+

Hey All,

I am looking to buy either a Barton 2500+ or Thoroughbred 2600+ CPU for the system that I'm building. Just curious about the pros and cons (2500+ has the 512k cache and 1.83ghz / 2600+ is a little faster at 2.0ghz).

What will perform better for me with stock settings and cooling? What will perform better for me if I do decide to overclock it with retail boxed HSF or possibly a cheaper HSF that I'd have to buy.

Any feedback on the CPU's performance comparisson would be great. And/or the performance comparisson (and what else I'd have to upgrade if necessary) if I want to overclock it.

USAGE:
I will mainly be using the system for regular office/home use (WinXP with OfficeXP / EMail / Web Surfing with lots of windows open at once / Downloading a lot). As well as I am a project manager at a graphic design firm (don't do that much designing myself) but when I do I want my system to perform better in Photoshop (occasionally I use other graphics programs, some video editing (input, editing and output) and an occasional 3D render - mainly just for fun) as well as transfering, storing and moving around large files / folders with a few gigs in them.

EQUIPMENT:
I'm putting the CPU into either a Gigabyte GA-7N400PRO or a PRO2 motherboard (Nvidia GEforce2 Ultra-400 chipset), with two 7200rpm Maxtor 8mb cache 80gb HD's RAID-1, ATi AIW 7500 video card, two 256mb or 512mb DDR400 ram, stock 350watt power supply....prefer not to upgrade it (or atleast not right now).


THANKS!

Cam.
:: fantom design
http://www.fantomdesign.com/

Go with Barton it should overclock further + extra cache is worth 100 MHz some say.

nForce2 is an excellent chipset though Gigabyte may not be the best choice for an overclocking mobo.

Heatsink, no contest:
http://www.svcompucycle.com/thersk7socco.html
Don't forget a fan, nothing too loud, but pretty much any 80x25mm will do with SK-7.
http://www.svc.com/thersmarcasf.html
Look for directions on how to apply thermal paste (it comes with sk-7) but this is a good one:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_alumina_instructions.htm
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

Do not hesitate to overclock the Barton, it's very OC friendly.

Memory: Best is twinmos/ch-5 winbond pc3200
http://www.memoryx.net/gn256pc3200.html
It will allow you to go to 220 FSB which is more important than MHz.

I would rethink playing with cheapo power supply.
This one should do just fine if you don't want to spend $ on PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewprodu...factory=1919&description=&srchFor=FSP350-60BN
(What do you know, I just noticed newegg upped the price from $32)

Do you need a mobo with or without onboard sound?
Without:
http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=181_220&products_id=867
but cheapest nForce2 with great sound used to be 8RDA+ it's $83 here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=8rda+

Abit with sound is also the best overclocker.

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10384
http://www.overclockers.com/tips00427/

From what you posted, I think the Barton would be a better candidate since you do a lot of multi tasking around the desktop area and you also use demanding programs that would utilize the extra cache of the chip that the Barton has and the T-Bred don't.

If you have good system specs, the Barton will be able to overclock pretty good (2.5ghz with good hardware), so you will be able to make up for that speed difference at stock. I haven't seen much 2600+ results so I don't know how well it could overclock.

I have the GA-7N400 Pro (not Pro 2) and it's a GREAT board, It's got most of the overclocking options you'd want (but the menus are a bit confusing). The 7N400 Pro 2 is a "cheaper" board: 4 layer PCB (as opposed to 6 on the original Pro), MCP not MCP-T (so no soundstorm, original has MCP-T) and not EZtune compatible (they supposedly have it working for the original with the F11 bios). Note: It appears that Gigibyte is discontinuing the original 7N400 Pro (for the Pro2 or so I've heard), so get one while you can. I've heard that they came out with the original Pro (better than the Pro 2) to gain market share and win some awards etc.. before they made the switch to the cheaper pro2 (makes sense from a marketing stand point). The 7N400 Pro is a GREAT board, with only a few minor issues; be sure to get the F11 bios, I've heard they fix alot of the issues. As for the CPU I'd go with a Barton, for more overclocking "headroom" and the extra cache. c627627 is right about the HSF, the SK7 is awesome! I've got mine paired with a thermaltake smart case 80mm, and it stays cool! Are you buying right now? After the Sept 22 launch of the Hammer, I'd expect prices to shift down a little, but I understand those Barton's are pretty cheap already ($85 @ newegg). Looks like a great setup, goodluck! If you have ANY questions about the board be sure to visit: http://www.nforcershq.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=48

BMorg003,

Thanks for the advice. I really want the PRO version but it was replaced by the PRO2 a few weeks ago and I can't find a single retailer that still has it (actually that's a lie I found one who wants $30 more than retail prices elsewhere and $20 for shipping despite their shipping cost being $8.50 or less according to FedEx).

I've tried buying the board from the states, but none of the sotres that I have conacted will sell products to canada.

PS. Yes I was planning on buying now...unless the new chips are going to be cheap with 400mhz FSB.

Cam.

Camt, you stole my name.

Anyways, I've got a 2500+, and I love it. Great chip.

another vote for the 2500+

The pro 2 isn't "bad," I just find that it's a little inferior (features) to the original pro. If you look at the two boards side by side, you'll notice they have a little different layout; the original pro is based on the 7NNXP, and the pro 2 is based on the 7N400-L1. At $30 dollars difference, the pro 2 isn't that bad, but I really wanted soundstorm (MCP-T), because I don't have a soundcard and the Soundstorm really makes a difference (less CPU utilization too!). Both are good boards; what ever you decide, good luck. I think everybody is recommending the barton by the way, sorry for talking about the board so much.

I think barton would be the best for general purpose. The extra cache makes me feel comfortable at night, mhz isn't all performance (e.g. intel).

I personally think that if you won't be able to find the board u want just get the Abit NF-7 or was it NF-7S which ever is more feature rich. That's TEH mobo for OC, it has all the settings you can only dream of in the BIOS, supports the five multiplier bits (so you will have all multi range, not just x5-12.5 and x13-24)
And also will prolly yield the highest FSB speed among the NF2 boards out there