Is it worth the extra cash?

[KingB]

I am looking at setting up a new system. From what I've read putting $ into the best Mobo you can afford is the way to go. I am planning on using the Asus A7V266-E. I was wondering about the CPU. I don't have an endless supply of money and wanted to get the best CPU without spending too much. Here in Canada a TB 1.4GHz is about $185 and the XP1600+ is about $205. Is it really worth the $20 extra. I know it doesn't sound like alot of extra $ but when you keep adding on components $20 here and $30 there starts becoming $100's extra.

I would like to hear your comments about the proposed setup. I am pretty new at this and I am basically looking for a gaming/surfing system with ability to get into OCing.

Thanks ;)

[bobt17]

i would go with the xp1600.... oh wait... i did go with the 1600+ lol anyway acording to amd the tbird would have to run at 1600mhz to be at the same level as the 1600+ thats how they made their model number system for the xp i think....(correct me if i am wrong) also with the xp u will have sse and in most cases better overclocks so i would say it is worth it

EDIT: hmmm looks like i have the same motherboard too :)

[KingB]

Thanks for the good advice. I like to see that some one else has had some succes with this setup.

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by bobt17
i would go with the xp1600.... oh wait... i did go with the 1600+ lol anyway acording to amd the tbird would have to run at 1600mhz to be at the same level as the 1600+ thats how they made their model number system for the xp i think....(correct me if i am wrong) also with the xp u will have sse and in most cases better overclocks so i would say it is worth it

EDIT: hmmm looks like i have the same motherboard too :)
your wrong about the pr ratings they are for comparing to intel

[TranceBear]

I would scrap the Asus and get the MSI Pro-2, alot cheaper and the same or better quality. 1600+ is also a good idea.

[KingB]

If the 1600+ rating is to compare to Intel, then how does it compare to TB 1.4GHz. What is the advantage? :eh?:

Like I said before, I am new at this.

[TranceBear]

Originally posted by KingB
If the 1600+ rating is to compare to Intel, then how does it compare to TB 1.4GHz. What is the advantage? :eh?:

Like I said before, I am new at this.

XP's utilize the DDR memory bandwidth much better than the standard Athlons. I would recommend reading the many articles on the XP at www.tomshardware.com. Good Luck!

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by KingB
If the 1600+ rating is to compare to Intel, then how does it compare to TB 1.4GHz. What is the advantage? :eh?:

Like I said before, I am new at this.
xp runs alot cooler for one. it depends on if you can utilize new features of xp. I know fold there pretty close. if I was to get new cpu right now I would get xp 1700+ off the net pricewacth has them for 115

[KingB]

As for scrapping the Asus. It seems that the local shops seem to only sell Asus, Abit or Gigabyte in my area of Canada (Calgary). It could also be that I'm a dumb a*s and just havent noticed MSI products, however I would like the support of a local shop because of my inexperience. Other than price (which I can't compare because I've not seen MSI locally) what would the other advantages be?

My web searches seem to consistently rate the Asus over the MSI.

Thanks

[KingB]

OK OK, I am a dumb a*s. I just checked the website of my local shop. MSI was listed as Micro-Star. They are cheaper, however I go back to above, they are not rated as high as Asus (at least the reviews I've read). They are, however, both still rated top notch boards, are these differences I'm talking about even noticeable. I haven't used Either board before and would like some feedback from current board users. My current board is a Gigabyte that has caused nothing but problems. :)

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by KingB
As for scrapping the Asus. It seems that the local shops seem to only sell Asus, Abit or Gigabyte in my area of Canada (Calgary). It could also be that I'm a dumb a*s and just havent noticed MSI products, however I would like the support of a local shop because of my inexperience. Other than price (which I can't compare because I've not seen MSI locally) what would the other advantages be?

My web searches seem to consistently rate the Asus over the MSI.

Thanks
asus makes great boards but over priced

[TranceBear]

Originally posted by res0r9lm

asus makes great boards but over priced

I agree, Asus make a great board, but is it $40-60 better? NO way!

[Kendan]

Originally posted by res0r9lm

your wrong about the pr ratings they are for comparing to intel

Actually you are wrong. The rating system uses the 1.4 TB as a baseline. And the 1600+ is what a 1.4 Thunderbird would have to be clocked at to compare.

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by kendan


Actually you are wrong. The rating system uses the 1.4 TB as a baseline. And the 1600+ is what a 1.4 Thunderbird would have to be clocked at to compare.
why would amd compare one of theirs chips with another of theirs. Thier competator is intel not there selves. I don't know either way you hear one person say something and some else say something totally different

[stompah]

Originally posted by kendan


Actually you are wrong. The rating system uses the 1.4 TB as a baseline. And the 1600+ is what a 1.4 Thunderbird would have to be clocked at to compare.

Thats the way I heard it too. But why quarrel over such a small issue? We all know that regardless of the Intel/AMD MHz AMD will almost always win.

[res0r9lm]

Originally posted by kendan


Actually you are wrong. The rating system uses the 1.4 TB as a baseline. And the 1600+ is what a 1.4 Thunderbird would have to be clocked at to compare.
Ok just copyed this from amd's site

Q16 What do the 2000+, 1900+, 1800+, 1700+, and 1600+ numbers mean?
A16 These are model numbers. AMD identifies the AMD Athlon XP processor using model numbers, as opposed to megahertz, such as 2000+, 1900+, 1800+, 1700+, and 1600+ versions. Model numbers are designed to communicate the relative application performance among the various AMD Athlon XP processors, as well as communicate the architectural superiority over existing AMD Athlon processors. The AMD Athlon XP processor 2000+ will outperform an Intel Pentium® 4 processor operating at 2.0GHz on a broad array of application categories.

AMD Athlon XP processor 2000+ operates at a frequency of 1.67GHz.
AMD Athlon XP processor 1900+ operates at a frequency of 1.60GHz.
AMD Athlon XP processor 1800+ operates at a frequency of 1.533GHz.
AMD Athlon XP processor 1700+ operates at a frequency of 1.47GHz.
AMD Athlon XP processor 1600+ operates at a frequency of 1.40GHz.

[Kendan]

Check this out. http://athlonxp.amd.com/technicalInformation/benchmarkingModelNumbering.jsp

Of course it will outperform an Intel at that clock it will outperform an Intel at a greater clock.

Desktop processors based on the "Palomino" core will be marketed as the AMD Athlon™ XP processor. As a way of communicating the performance improvements of the new AMD Athlon™ XP processor relative to the performance of the currently available AMD Athlon™ processor, AMD has developed a model numbering convention

[Silver]

The 1.4 t-bird is used as the baseline and the xp1500 holds about 4% advantage over the t-bird. 3% of this is software derived. Each consecutive has approximately 3% over the prior. Again a portion of this is due to software enhancements that take better advantage of the core.

Were I you, knowing that I was going to play with the system, I would get the xp as this allows you to be better prepared for upgrades. The heat issue is still there however not as bad as the t-bird. It makes good use of new programming. It uses less voltage (or can). It is just all around a better move in regards to any future upgrades. BTW I hear that some of the new AGOGA processors are overclocking rather well. Take a look over at Icrontic.com at some of Oppainters results.

[res0r9lm]

ok you are right but still don't make sence to compare xp to t bird.
xp should be compared to p4

[KingB]

Just wanted to say thank to Trancebear for the Asus/MSI advice. I went down to my local shop and spoke with staff about my options. I ended up purchasing the MSI K7T266 Pro 2. I feel confident I've made the right decision. I was also able to upgrade the CPU from the XP1600+ to thr XP1700+ as well as upgrade the graphics card with the $$ save from the difference of the Asus. Let me get going on the building process and I'll update with some stats later. For now I just want to get it running.

KingB ;)

[Silver]

The pr rating has to be intel related. I.E. my t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a pr of 2300 plus. Now common sense tells one that the t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a t-bird at 1.72. Think about it. It is nice however to think that my t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a t-bird at 2300. Cool!!!

[bobt17]

Originally posted by Silver
The pr rating has to be intel related. I.E. my t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a pr of 2300 plus. Now common sense tells one that the t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a t-bird at 1.72. Think about it. It is nice however to think that my t-bird at 1.72 is equal to a t-bird at 2300. Cool!!!

of corse a tbird at 1.72 is equal to a tbird at 1.72 but a palamino dosent need to run at 1.72 to get that same performance

[Silver]

Here is a quick shot of an Athlon (noted in results) 1.4 at 1.6. If the pr represents what an Athlon would have to run at then this is one smoking t-bird.

[Silver]

And that is represented when my xp is tested in as much as the prrating is much higher.

[Kendan]

That is sandra not the amd rating system.

[bobt17]

look at the model number that sandra gave your tbird an xp with that model number runs at 1.4ghz THAT is what i thought we were talking about not the pr that sandra sets because i think that is what a pentium would have to run at to get the same performance

[bobt17]

ok look at the model number here and the mhz it is at then look at the model number and mhz of the tbird posted above judging by that i would say that amds model number for the xp is based on what mhz the tbird would have to run at to get the same performance

[res0r9lm]

running folding@home xp would be a little faster at same mhz but xp 1600+ would be smoked by t-bird@1600. don't think progam is optomized for xp.

[IcarusFalling]

Originally posted by KingB
Just wanted to say thank to Trancebear for the Asus/MSI advice. I went down to my local shop and spoke with staff about my options. I ended up purchasing the MSI K7T266 Pro 2. I feel confident I've made the right decision. I was also able to upgrade the CPU from the XP1600+ to thr XP1700+ as well as upgrade the graphics card with the $$ save from the difference of the Asus. Let me get going on the building process and I'll update with some stats later. For now I just want to get it running.

KingB ;)

LOL well look at that another person from calgary!!!

What shop did you go to???

I've been looking at doing a similar upgade and was curious about how that MSI is working out for you.

EDIT: woohoo my 50th post!

[KingB]

Originally posted by IcarusFalling


LOL well look at that another person from calgary!!!

What shop did you go to???

I've been looking at doing a similar upgade and was curious about how that MSI is working out for you.

EDIT: woohoo my 50th post!

I picked most everything at Memory Express on MacLeod (near 48th). They are a really helpful and knowlegeable bunch. I think its family run.

As for the system, I am running a MSI KT266 Pro 2 RU, with an Athlon XP1700+, I also installed an MSI GF2 Ti 64Mb Pro. The system booted up first try. Been running for several days now, without even a hint of problems. I am very pleased.

KingB

[IcarusFalling]

Originally posted by KingB


I picked most everything at Memory Express on MacLeod (near 48th). They are a really helpful and knowlegeable bunch. I think its family run.

As for the system, I am running a MSI KT266 Pro 2 RU, with an Athlon XP1700+, I also installed an MSI GF2 Ti 64Mb Pro. The system booted up first try. Been running for several days now, without even a hint of problems. I am very pleased.

KingB

Memory Express is great.
www.memoryexpress.com <--check out the online quote page, the rest of it is out of date.

Just checked out the MSI mobo. RED pcb NICE!!! USB 2.0 RAID
Sounds like I may have a new mobo to buy.

Thanks for the heads up KingB