3800x2 to a Opteron 165

[Dusnoetos]

OK
I have a slightly convoluted question(s) here so please read carefully with a open mind.

I am planing to replace the 3800x2 in the system in my Sig with a Opteron 165. (witch is in the mail to me as I type...) My reasoning is multi-faceted.

1) From what I understand I should be able to get a higher and more stable overclock with the 165 than I have gotten with my 3800x2 (on my A8N5X) - of witch I have not pushed all that hard due to my growing level of understanding of how to overclock. Now that I feel confused more confident with my knowledge of overclocking; I wanted to move to a statistically better OCing CPU with out a complete system upgrade (without breaking my budget also).
If my thinking is flawed, PLEASE let me know ASAP before I make the actual swap.

2)I am starting to save for a completely new system. If my budget holds true, I should be able to buy in 6-8 months (minimum 4 months). At that time I plan to turn my current system - with the OC'd 165 - into a large file server. I am looking to use 6-10 terabyte (or larger) drives in a Raid 6 array with a Linux based OS. If my understanding is correct the 165's larger 2 x 1MB L2 Cache (over the 2 x 512KB L2 cache of the x2) will give me better performance dealing with the Raid array -even with a hardware based raid controller.
The reason for this is: one of my hobby's is taking videos (nature, school functions, weddings, the occasional funereal, etc. -some of witch I do get payed for). Now that I have stepped up to a digital HD video camera, I have realized how quickly the video files can eat up HDD space. And since i want to Archive the videos in a easy to retrieve format. I am getting tired of having to burn a DVD to save the videos...

Any feed back would be awesome!

 

[CGR]

In answer to your questions:

1. You would probably get a higher OC, but it depends on your memory and the stepping you get on the 165.

2. For a file server, chances are you wouldnt see much if any difference between the X2 and the 165 as far as raid performance.


Edit: One thing I noticed is you have 4 dimms. More times than not, its harder to OC 4 dimms than 2.

 

[squads]

It doesnt depend on your memory...you can just run your memory on a divider. It depends on how high your motherboard's HTT can clock.

I don't know anything about the Asus board you have. You will need to be able to push 300mHz to be able to see 2.7 on that Opty with its 9x divider.

 

[CGR]

It doesnt depend on your memory...you can just run your memory on a divider. It depends on how high your motherboard's HTT can clock.

I don't know anything about the Asus board you have. You will need to be able to push 300mHz to be able to see 2.7 on that Opty with its 9x divider.

Thats not true.. If he has cheap value memory, he wont get a decent OC, no matter what divider he uses.

 

[squads]

Thats not true.. If he has cheap value memory, he wont get a decent OC, no matter what divider he uses.

If you run a divider to have that pc3200 ram at 200mHz or less, please explain how that would limit your overclock? I am looking for some sort of logical explanation here.

EDIT: It is possible the 4 dimms could lead to problems if it prevents proper divider usage.

Just a note for the OP...the Opty 165 is not an easy CPU to overclock. It has a low multiplier, so you will need to tweak a lot of settings to get it to run at its peak.

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

more dimms usually means more stress on the SB? and such which can cause for a lower OC.

 

[shaolin95]

Some CPUs do not like some dividers thats why you cant always count on getting cheap ram and compensating with a divider.
My opty165 does 3Ghz but it took a while to fine tune. Its for sale btw. LOL
Regards

 

[ChanceCoats123]

@ gov, do you mean the nb? Because the nb has to deal with memory interface and the south bridge is more pci, pcie. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Dusnoetos]

now you got me all concered.....

would I just be better off to stick with the 3800x2 ???

 

[Dusnoetos]

and I don't have high performance ram

 

[jonspd]

I really liked the 2x1mb cpu's over the 2x512 ones but that was just me.

IMO I would also try to trade in that 4x512mb ram for 2x1gb of for pc4000 if possible then the memory issue goes out the window.

 

[Dusnoetos]

Well I will give it a go with the memory I have. If I can get the 165 to push a solid 2400MHz I will be just content...Since my 3800x2 is currently at 2365MHz
But if some one is willing to do a memory swap I wont argue..

 

[rseven]

DUSNOETOS, I suggest you test your mobo and see how high an HTT (FSB) it will clock. Set the CPU multi down to 7, set your HT multi down to 3x, and set your memory divider at 100Mhz. Then slowly crank up the HTT and see what happens.

Lastly, I really don't think a few hundred MHz is worth the money in an old system. I suggest you save it for your new rig unless you run across a very, very cheap 165.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do with it!

R7

 

[QuietIce]

I really liked the 2x1mb cpu's over the 2x512 ones but that was just me.

IMO I would also try to trade in that 4x512mb ram for 2x1gb of for pc4000 if possible then the memory issue goes out the window.

I agree with this completely but understand your decision on the RAM issue. If the RAM sticks are all the same (timings, manufacturer, etc.) you will have better luck OC'ing it. The larger L2 cache does make for better computing power, at least according to SETI and Folding@Home apps.

When you get your chip write down the characters on the second and third lines of text. That will tell you your "stepping" and can give you a hint as to how good of an OC you can expect from your CPU ...

 

[Dusnoetos]

When you get your chip write down the characters on the second and third lines of text. That will tell you your "stepping" and can give you a hint as to how good of an OC you can expect from your CPU ...

I understand what you are advisiong....but I don't understand where I find the "Text" you refer to...

 

[jonspd]

it will be the 5 letters on the cpu before the date code which will be like 0615 or something.


just post up the cpu information off the chip except the last line (SN)

 

[Dusnoetos]

just post up the cpu information off the chip except the last line (SN)

When I get it I will do so....

 

[QuietIce]

Here's a couple of examples from my Opty 165s so you'll know what to look for ...

LCBQE 0711SPAW

CCBBE 0610DPMW

 

[Outback_Jon]

I've got an Opty 165 running at 2.5 GHz. I used GSkill PC4000 memory (it's actually underclocked to allow my FSB to get cranked up.) FSB is 278 MHz, HT is at 4x (1112 MHz), Memory at CPU/11 (228 MHz x2)

That's at stock voltages. (Maybe the CPU is up from stock, it's been a while since I've played with it - CPUZ shows it at 1.488v~1.504v)

With a case temp of 38, my CPU is at 55 under full load (Folding @ Home SMP)

 

[Dusnoetos]

Picture!

Here's a couple of examples from my Opty 165s so you'll know what to look for ...

LCBQE 0711SPAW

CCBBE 0610DPMW

Here are is a nice Picture of the subject in question... Please help me to decipher the code.