About to buy a A64

I'm thinking of ordering a new A64 3400+ for my first AMD rig, how is everyone's luck with this CPU? I know it isn't the best OC'er, but 200MHz on a WC setup should be possible.

BTW: I'm looking at the Abit KV8-Max3 board, should this run good with the 3400+? I've already got the RAM and HDD, just need to get the board and CPU combo.

I doubt you would need to overclock it much and top of the line chips tend not too overclock too nicely.

yeah, I'm not trying to reach any OC'ing records, but I would like to score in the 25K range in 3DMark01. it should be possible with a good clock on the XT and CPU.

Im currently getting 21598 marks in 3dmark2001se with my 9800 non-pro running at XT speed (413/360) and my A64 3200+ @233fsb = 2330 mhz.
my memory is on limit 333=389mhz at 2,2,2,5

I got around 23000 marks at 450core but thats just way to much for my Card.

a default Radeon XT will overclock more I think.

Why not get 3000+? These chips get ~300MHz OCs and cost like half or less the price of 3400+ (default speed is 2GHz, 512KB L2 cahce, and has no effect on performance, maybe %1-2)

i'm at 22,616 with 2.37ghz A64 3000+ on a 9800pro running 452/374 which should be attainable with a XT.

you are going to need higher video clocks and higher cpu to get to 25k. definately investigate your mobo's ram requirements. they are very very picky. i can't run cas 2.0 over 205fsb but i can run cas 2.0 up to 225 with this same ram in my intel dual channel.

not to step on your post but i have a few questoins as well guys!


1. is the A64 going to stay mutiplier locked or have the mobo maufactures taken care of this with bios?

2.do you have to use ECC memory or can i use my Giel pc4000 NON ECC?

3.are there any new Athlon 64 CPU's & mobo chipsets coming out soon if so what will they consist of?


thanks for any info guys!



and as for me! i am trying to set an overclocking record. with my fx 5700! i aready holds top spot in 3dmark 2003 and aquamark3 with my little KT-600 Barton setup, beating out 3 athlon 64 systems and a couple P4's. i have the clocks on the videocard but need more CPU power and FSB to break 22k in 3dmark 2001!going to take 2001 scores away from Extremesystems.org. than i'll have the top spot across the boards for the FX 5700 !

regards,
Walldow-OC 3DMark Team

1. The A64 is unlocked for all multipliers below stock. It cannot be unlocked for higher multipliers

2. You only need to use ECC for the FX-51. Later Athlon 64 FX's will use socket 939, so then even these won't need ECC.

3. The nForce3 250 is coming out soon, which should have a locked PCI and AGP bus, AFAIK. Socket 939 will replace 940 and eliminate the need for ECC registered memory in the FX's. They're both debuting in early March, as far as I remember.

Gautam said:

3. The nForce3 250 is coming out soon, which should have a locked PCI and AGP bus, AFAIK. Socket 939 will replace 940 and eliminate the need for ECC registered memory in the FX's. They're both debuting in early March, as far as I remember.

Click to expand...

opteron will continue to be 940 and ECC. FX chips will be 939 from then on.

I bought a 3200+ recently and I'm quite happy with it, you can O/C a 3200+ to a 3400+'s speed without any problem. Or at least mine will. Personally I'd wait a little if you don't upgrade often, but if you're like me and upgrade 1 or 2 times a year, then go for it.

Personally I'm very happy with the performance of my 3200+, miss my dullie, but the 3200+ is fast enough.