Dual Core or Single?

[Liquid3D]

I'm in the market for an Opteron, based on my budget I have to stay under $300. This processor will be used for testing memory, overclocking and everyday use.

Th 165 Opetron Dual Core is within price range, however, it's only 1.8Ghz meaning it's using the lowest default multplier? now excuse my ignorance but I thought only FX models allowed multipler changes in the upward direction? Since there would be nowhere to go, the only overclocking could be done with HTT.

Ok now the retail 148 Opteron is rapidaly increasing in price, what was $233 last week is now $256 and climbing. This is a 2.2GHz processor so like my 3500 at least has a few decent multipleir options, like 10 and 9 if you see what I mean.

So what I'm asking is for input. Dual or Single? Do Dual Core AMD's show a greater propensity for failure when there's an imbalance between VTT and Vcore? Is the performance difference as substantial between the two CPUs mentioned?

[CrashOv3r1De]

Well depends on what you plan to do with your computer and how often you upgrade..

If you want a pure gaming machine go with the 148 you can prolly have itup to 2.9ghz w/ some decent cooling..

However if you want to do some multi-tasking, video encoding, and do not upgrade very often go for the 165 very future proof and games are becomming dc optimized.

I dropped my single core FX57 for a dual core FX60 since i do video encoding and game as well. There is a significant performance increase

[STEvil]

another vote for a 165 if its only $50 more.

that alone is worth it.

[softpain]

yes go for the 165...DC is the way to go if you don't upgrade often...

[Liquid3D]

Wait I forgot to say that I have an A64 3800 X2 on the way which is a gauranteed to do 2.8GHz all day, 3.0GHz with decent cooling.

Is there a marked difference in the two? And what about the issue of the multipleirs? If I'm testing memory wouldn't a 1.8GHz processor be a risk (even though their all a risk).

The 165 is just $285 at the Big M (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=120339&Category_Code=amddc)

OMG it went up to $335 in the time I edited this post. DAM, But anyway that's what is WAS at Newegg, now retAil 165 went up $20 TO $355 and the OEM is now $335 At Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103587)

[kemist]

stick with the x2 at 3000, most opties wont hit that high; 2.8-2.9 if lucky with water and relatively high volts.

[Plywood99]

If price is good that X2 is definitely the way to go. Differences in L2 cache will not be noticeable.

Check other places too. Got my 165 for $280 from monarch.

www.pricewatch.com

[Plywood99]

Just checked on pricewatch. Man the prices have gone up!!!

[STEvil]

Keep the 3800+

Since testing memory is all about testing how far it goes the multiplier isnt an issue. 1:1 at the highest frequency the mem can reach will be at issue, not the clock speed of the cpu (but dont do any memory bandwidth benching with your CPU speeds varying more than ~20mhz as cpu speed impacts memory scores big!).