Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition vs Q9400

[karl_eller]

I was looking at some cheap quads, and had a look-see to compare some Intel vs AMD rigs, especially at the lower end. I dunno about US prices, but over here in Aust, you can pick up an X4 940 BE for a little less than a Q9400, and I can get a Gigabyte 790FX UD4P board for about the same price as low-to-mid range P45's, or a 780G board for the same price as low-level G31 boards.

So given this, and assuming the same other components (4 Gb RAM, cheap PSU, USB or diskless OS), which would be a better buy? X4 940 BE + 790FX-UD4P for ~$475, AMD + ASRock 780G (or 790GX) for $315 (or $350), or a Q9400 + MSI P45 Neo3-F for ~$550?

Eller

[emuexport]

Hey mate,

Thought it was about time you added another cruncher!;):p::up:

If you check out DA's list you can see that it looks like you get about the same number of points per day but have a look might be good if its cheaper and less heat/power.

[jcool]

Q9400 will probably OC higher, the 940 BE I got totally sucks for OC, it needs 1,45V to run 3,5Ghz stable while being a total power hog.
But of course the Phenom will be "smoother" during gameplay.

:p:

[haschioz]

i guess you should look into the 945 as well, not much more expensive but oc is better. i think if you take the 945 the amd will be better (amd has made a good job with k10.5 so give it a try)

regards

[MikeB12]

But of course the Phenom will be "smoother" during gameplay.

:p:

:rofl::ROTF::clap:

[karl_eller]

Hey mate,

Thought it was about time you added another cruncher!;):p::up:

If you check out DA's list you can see that it looks like you get about the same number of points per day but have a look might be good if its cheaper and less heat/power.
Just brainstorming at the moment, don't have enough cash to pull the trigger on even a $600 rig :(


Q9400 will probably OC higher, the 940 BE I got totally sucks for OC, it needs 1,45V to run 3,5Ghz stable while being a total power hog.
But of course the Phenom will be "smoother" during gameplay.

:p:
Gameplay matters not, these will be barebones dedicated crunchers (won't even have HDDs, using either USB or diskless), so I'm only interested in output and power consumption.


i guess you should look into the 945 as well, not much more expensive but oc is better. i think if you take the 945 the amd will be better (amd has made a good job with k10.5 so give it a try)

regards
Hmm, about $45 more for the 945, but it's not a black edition, where as the 940 is? Does the unlocked multiplier/whatever-the-hell-AMD-calls-it make much of a difference? Or is the 945 a better overclocker? They've both got the same apparent specs, so is the only difference unlocked multiplier? This would be my first AMD rig, and I've never really looked at them that closely.

And what about motherboards? Would a 780G or 790GX be enough for a good overclock? Or would I be better off paying the extra $50 for 790FX?

Eller

[GeorgeStorm]

I would look at the 790X
The Gigabyte UD4P is a good board. Im not sure if you have picked that in your first post, as you quote 790FX....

[Oc-Ghost]

A critical note in your planning 940 is DDR2 only, 945 is DDR2/3.

Both 920 & 940BE are AM2+/DDR2 versions, the xx5 means AM3/DDR3 support.

Overclocking wise, a 790GX is enough... might even do with a 780G as long you check cpu support.

[Jaco]

What about a core i7 920? :)
I've got a decent chip for sale (180€ or ~320AUD shipping included)
Does 3.8Ghz ~ 1.3vcore 24/7 here.

[karl_eller]

A critical note in your planning 940 is DDR2 only, 945 is DDR2/3.

Both 920 & 940BE are AM2+/DDR2 versions, the xx5 means AM3/DDR3 support.

Overclocking wise, a 790GX is enough... might even do with a 780G as long you check cpu support.
Are all AM3 sockets/boards DDR3? Or are there some DDR2 and some DDR3 boards with AM3 sockets? Or perhaps I should be asking can AM3-socket CPUs run DDR2 RAM (since it's an integrated memory controller)? And is there actually any difference between AM2, AM2+ and AM3 sockets, aside from BIOS support for the different chips? Hence some boards (eg Gigabyte 790XF UD4P) being AM2/AM2+/AM3? I've always been an Intel boy, so there's so much stuff I don't know about the AMD line-ups :p


What about a core i7 920? :)
I've got a decent chip for sale (180€ or ~320AUD shipping included)
Does 3.8Ghz ~ 1.3vcore 24/7 here.
I am unfortunately not in a position to buy anything right now (still need to get a job sorted :down:), otherwise I'd be tempted... But then again, if I was going i7, I'd be hunting for a D0 :p:

Eller

[perkam]

The UD4P should keep that 940 stable at 3.6Ghz 24/7 with slight increase in voltage.

Pekram

[Oc-Ghost]

Are all AM3 sockets/boards DDR3? Or are there some DDR2 and some DDR3 boards with AM3 sockets? Or perhaps I should be asking can AM3-socket CPUs run DDR2 RAM (since it's an integrated memory controller)? And is there actually any difference between AM2, AM2+ and AM3 sockets, aside from BIOS support for the different chips? Hence some boards (eg Gigabyte 790XF UD4P) being AM2/AM2+/AM3? I've always been an Intel boy, so there's so much stuff I don't know about the AMD line-ups :p


I am unfortunately not in a position to buy anything right now (still need to get a job sorted :down:), otherwise I'd be tempted... But then again, if I was going i7, I'd be hunting for a D0 :p:

Eller

Yes, but No -> 920&940 are AM2+ cpus and AFAIK only have DDR2 IMC (hax and u got ddr3, unconfirmed :cool:)

All xx5 (945/955/805/...), have both DDR2 AND DDR3 IMC.

And on to the MB´s:
For example Asus have 2 primary models, M4xxxx boards which are... AM3 with DDR2 socket (Technically AM2+ boards but marketing... you know).
And Asus M4xxxx-T which are "true" AM3 with DDR3 sockets, AFAIK all -T are DDR3 atm.

check the mb info before you buy...


The UD4P should keep that 940 stable at 3.6Ghz 24/7 with slight increase in voltage.

Pekram

In ur base correcting infos :D
cpu 920&940 DDR2 socket AM2+ 940pin
mobo UD4P DDR 3 socket AM 3 938pin
--------------------------------------------------------
do the math :ROTF:

I apologize if that came out too rude for your ears, perkam :)

[Sparky]

The 940 is a BE, unlocked multi. 945 is not and is locked. The 955 is a BE and unlocked but costs more...

I just wish someone who knows what the heck they are doing would come over here and get my 955 up to its full potential :lol2:

[perkam]

In ur base correcting infos :D
cpu 920&940 DDR2 socket AM2+ 940pin
mobo UD4P DDR 3 socket AM 3 938pin
--------------------------------------------------------
do the math :ROTF:

I apologize if that came out too rude for your ears, perkam :)There are two UD4Ps from Gigabyte. One AM2+ version and one AM3 version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gigabyte+ud4p&x=0&y=0

No offense taken :)

Perkam

[haschioz]

45 aud is quite a bit. i still get that one. just looked the difference for germany. its a whopping 45€ which is nearly twice as much as you pay.
945 runs cooler and ocs higher with lower voltage. your choice

[[XC] gomeler]

Honestly.. Core i7 920. I love Phenom II but I don't think it makes sense to buy for crunching unless you can't step up to a Core i7. Core i5 will be an even better option for crunchers I believe but it could be a while before you see that retail.

[Oc-Ghost]

There are two UD4Ps from Gigabyte. One AM2+ version and one AM3 version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=gigabyte+ud4p&x=0&y=0

No offense taken :)

Perkam

Woops, missed it.. Gigabyte stands out of the crowd, and didnt go the AM3 marketing route. :)


gomeler;3829266']Honestly.. Core i7 920. I love Phenom II but I don't think it makes sense to buy for crunching unless you can't step up to a Core i7. Core i5 will be an even better option for crunchers I believe but it could be a while before you see that retail.

QFT, atm new cruncher i7>PHII. Upgrading wise the PHII is nice piece of tech.

and yeah, I´ll stop multi-quoting now... :D