New AMD Gaming System

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 12:15 PM

Hello,

I am making the switch from Intel to AMD and I am a little confused as to what the best AMD processor is for gaming. I believe the 64 is the "standard", however what is the difference between FX, Opteron and Sempron? Is there an article or comparison charts someone can link me to in order to read up on the best one for gaming? I am also looking to get more info on AMD mobo's for gaming, and I will probably do a little OCing, but mainly looking for performance for gaming. Any links/articles/suggestions would be great!

I can't believe I am switching to AMD!

Thanks!

edit: I will start by reading this thread/link: AMD processor guide

FB · 02-18-2005, 12:22 PM

i recommend the GA-K8NS Ultra mobo if you go with and A64 or FX processor.

currently i am running everything in my sig, and it is a dream to game with (what little i have tried so far)

FB · 02-18-2005, 12:27 PM

you never mentioned if you want SLI or not either, SLI and an FX 55 would be unstopable, if you are looking at spending a about 2K

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the advice FB! How is your mobo for OCing? (if you OC at all), I am just going with regular AGP for now. I have also seen this ClawHammer core CPU, what is this?

FB · 02-18-2005, 12:33 PM

clawhammer is the FX series and the 4000+ (renamed FX53, upward lock multi)

and my system is great for oc'ing, i am currently running 260x10 stable (2.6Ghz, stock is 2.2Ghz) and DDR 520

everyone will recommend the Neo2, but honestly the board i have is extremely stable, both me and Joey are running the GA K8NS Ultra and niether of us have any complaints.

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 12:35 PM

Nice! So what is the big difference between the Neo2 and GA that you have? Are there any hardware reviews for these mobo's I can check out online?

FB · 02-18-2005, 12:39 PM

there was a few links in another thread i started, when i get to work in 20 minutes i will find them for you. there is a more expensive version of my board, that is bad and i would stay away from it, bad Vcore spiking, but mine is really stable at whatever i set it at.

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 12:40 PM

Sounds good, I will look for those links. Right now I really like your board and what it offers. Now just to decide on the processor.

FB · 02-18-2005, 01:15 PM

here is one review of the K8NS Ultra
http://www.legionhardware.com/html/doc.php?id=376

here is some reviews of the more expensive version, the K8NSNXP-939 (it is identical except for the heatsink fan on the DPS and the vcore is unstable on that version)
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2128&p=8
http://www.hothardware.com/viewartic...?articleid=574

good 939 roundup
http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=46730

although like i said before i dont agree with the unstable vcore, it fluctuates +/- 0.2v
but so did my old P4T533-C

FB · 02-18-2005, 01:42 PM

as far as the processor goes, it depends on how much you want to spend up front, and A64 like tight timings for ram, the tighter the better.
no matter which processor you decide on, i recommend one with a 90nm process and not the older 130nm ones

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the links FB! I can't wait to start reading them. I think the FX is a little out of my price range however the 3500+ that you have looks like a winner. And lookign at your OC results, it sounds like you have a great OC with your RAM/Mobo combo. Thanks for the information. I might just copy your entire system!

Also, for the RAM, by tight timings do you mean like the CAS Timings and Latency timings?

FB · 02-18-2005, 01:59 PM

yes, the tighter the better, when i get above 220fsb, i have to loosen mine from 2-2-2-5 to 2.5-3-3-7 because TCCD doesn't like tight timings above 220 i guess

you could always try the ram you have now and see how it works.

my overclock is also on air, but i think the limitation for this chip is about 2.7Ghz, because Gaspar has one and he can't run his over that on water.

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 02:09 PM

Sounds good, what kind of heatsink/fan did you go with?

FB · 02-18-2005, 02:12 PM

i have a Zalman 7000B Cu, i was going to get a 7700, but the place i ordered from didn't have it.
my temps never get above 35C

kswiss · 02-18-2005, 02:32 PM

Is this the memory you have FB?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-896&depa=1

02-18-2005, 12:15 PM	#1
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	New AMD Gaming System Hello, I am making the switch from Intel to AMD and I am a little confused as to what the best AMD processor is for gaming. I believe the 64 is the "standard", however what is the difference between FX, Opteron and Sempron? Is there an article or comparison charts someone can link me to in order to read up on the best one for gaming? I am also looking to get more info on AMD mobo's for gaming, and I will probably do a little OCing, but mainly looking for performance for gaming. Any links/articles/suggestions would be great! I can't believe I am switching to AMD! Thanks! edit: I will start by reading this thread/link: AMD processor guide __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:22 PM	#2
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	i recommend the GA-K8NS Ultra mobo if you go with and A64 or FX processor. currently i am running everything in my sig, and it is a dream to game with (what little i have tried so far) __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:27 PM	#3
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	you never mentioned if you want SLI or not either, SLI and an FX 55 would be unstopable, if you are looking at spending a about 2K __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:30 PM	#4
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Thanks for the advice FB! How is your mobo for OCing? (if you OC at all), I am just going with regular AGP for now. I have also seen this ClawHammer core CPU, what is this? __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:33 PM	#5
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	clawhammer is the FX series and the 4000+ (renamed FX53, upward lock multi) and my system is great for oc'ing, i am currently running 260x10 stable (2.6Ghz, stock is 2.2Ghz) and DDR 520 everyone will recommend the Neo2, but honestly the board i have is extremely stable, both me and Joey are running the GA K8NS Ultra and niether of us have any complaints. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:35 PM	#6
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Nice! So what is the big difference between the Neo2 and GA that you have? Are there any hardware reviews for these mobo's I can check out online? __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:39 PM	#7
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	there was a few links in another thread i started, when i get to work in 20 minutes i will find them for you. there is a more expensive version of my board, that is bad and i would stay away from it, bad Vcore spiking, but mine is really stable at whatever i set it at. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 12:40 PM	#8
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Sounds good, I will look for those links. Right now I really like your board and what it offers. Now just to decide on the processor. __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 01:15 PM	#9
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	here is one review of the K8NS Ultra http://www.legionhardware.com/html/doc.php?id=376 here is some reviews of the more expensive version, the K8NSNXP-939 (it is identical except for the heatsink fan on the DPS and the vcore is unstable on that version) http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2128&p=8 http://www.hothardware.com/viewartic...?articleid=574 good 939 roundup http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=46730 although like i said before i dont agree with the unstable vcore, it fluctuates +/- 0.2v but so did my old P4T533-C __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 01:42 PM	#10
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	as far as the processor goes, it depends on how much you want to spend up front, and A64 like tight timings for ram, the tighter the better. no matter which processor you decide on, i recommend one with a 90nm process and not the older 130nm ones __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 01:56 PM	#11
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Thanks for the links FB! I can't wait to start reading them. I think the FX is a little out of my price range however the 3500+ that you have looks like a winner. And lookign at your OC results, it sounds like you have a great OC with your RAM/Mobo combo. Thanks for the information. I might just copy your entire system! Also, for the RAM, by tight timings do you mean like the CAS Timings and Latency timings? __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 01:59 PM	#12
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	yes, the tighter the better, when i get above 220fsb, i have to loosen mine from 2-2-2-5 to 2.5-3-3-7 because TCCD doesn't like tight timings above 220 i guess you could always try the ram you have now and see how it works. my overclock is also on air, but i think the limitation for this chip is about 2.7Ghz, because Gaspar has one and he can't run his over that on water. __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 02:09 PM	#13
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Sounds good, what kind of heatsink/fan did you go with? __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 02:12 PM	#14
FB Re-Retiring Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 24,834	i have a Zalman 7000B Cu, i was going to get a 7700, but the place i ordered from didn't have it. my temps never get above 35C __________________ Bye Bye ABXZone.....Rest In Peace.
(Offline)

02-18-2005, 02:32 PM	#15
kswiss the moon Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 885	Is this the memory you have FB? http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...146-896&depa=1 __________________ DFI nF4 SLI-D, 3500+ Winchester, OCZ Plat. 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC3200, eVGA 7800GT, 2 x WD 36GB Raptor Raid0, Hitachi 80GB SATAII, Audigy 2, Zalman 7700-CU, OCZ Modstream 520W
(Offline)

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