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View Full Version : another 'computer help'...(not really but kind of)

bluestreak
02-25-2004, 04:34 AM
hi all,

i've been doing A LOT of research about buying a new computer,
and thanks to a number of people here, i've learned a lot.
and have been able to make a more informed decision on what
parts to get.

a few months ago i finally decided on the following system:

cpu - P4 2.6c
mb - asus P4P800 deluxe
hd - Western Digital wd800jb
mem - 2*512 of pc3200 (either corsair, kingston or ocz)
case - with 400w

i've changed the P4 2.6c to a 3.0c since prices have changed.

(i was happy, that after so much research, i finally decided on
a system)

then along the way, i learned that the PSU was an integral part
and i should not consider just any generic case and PSU combo.

so, research began again, and after A LOT more searching
decided that i should spend more on a better PSU.

(+3.3v, +5v, +12v.... i never would have known!)

so i've decided on an Antec combo.
(thanks Greg Hess for the suggestion)

it'll either be the SX1040B II with 400w of Smartpower.
or
Plus 1080AMG with 430w of Truepower.


along the way, i learned some new things. and here's where
things get complicated again for me.

for the price range, i could get an Athlon64 3000 which, according
to many here, is considered better for Maya than the P4 3.0c

also the MB i'd have to get(Asus K8V) would be around the same
price as a P4P800.

i understand that both of the above MB are at the end of their
cycle, and i'm ok with that.
i need a new computer now and i just can't keep waiting to get
the newest and best.


so i started leaning towards the Athlon64 3000, which made
sense, since for Maya it's faster than the P4 3.0c and is also 64 bit

then i found out that an Opteron 240 is in the same price range
as the Athlon64 3000.

but the MB that i'd need for the Opteron 240 is considerably more.
i'd probably choose the Asus SK8N or Gigabyte K8NNXP-940.

i know what i said before about accepting a MB at the end of it's
cycle....

but i'm willing to pay more for the MB if it allows for future
upgrading as long as the performance is there.

for the time being, i'm guessing the maximum i'd be able to
upgrade to is an Opteron 248 right?
(i realize that the 940 pin is supposed to change to 939)


so here are my new questions:

1.) for Maya which is better the Athlon64 3000 or Opteron 240?

2.) here in Canada, why is the Opteron 240 cheaper than the 146
or 144?

3.) what type of memory goes with the Athlon64 3000?
i remember reading on one of the threads that it is not dual
channel ddr. is that right?
(the socket 754 motherboards only have 3 memory slots)

and if it's not dual channel, wouldn't that make it slower?

4.) what type of memory goes with the Opteron 240?
is it dual channel?
i'm assuming so because the socket 940 motherboards have
4 memory slots.


please excuse if anything i wrote is incorrect,
i'm just flooded with new info and haven't sorted it out thoroughly.

i've done the required "search before you ask"

so i'm hoping i can cheat now....i'm just tired of hopping from
site to site and reading through pages and pages of threads.


hope you guys can help and thanks in advance
(sorry for the long thread)
GregHess
02-25-2004, 12:33 PM
for Maya which is better the Athlon64 3000 or Opteron 240?

The Athlon64 3000. Its a 2.0 ghz processor, while the Opteron 240 is a 1.4 ghz processor. Gotta love nomenclature.

here in Canada, why is the Opteron 240 cheaper than the 146 or 144?

Because the Opteron 240 is slower then the other two processors. The naming system works like this.

246 (xyz) x=2, 4=y, z=6

X is the number of processors the cpu supports. In this case, 2.
Y is the major performance indicator.
Z is the minor performance indicator.

Y and Z actually make little sense, and only exist to frustrate IT professionals. Just know that when these numbers are larger then another, then that particular chip is either running at a higher megahertz, or has more cache. (To be even more confusing amd sometimes increases numbers without changing megahertz)

In this case, the only advantage of the 240 Opteron is that it can run in a dual cpu system.

Speedwise the 146 is the fastest (2.0 ghz), followed by the 144 (1.8 ghz) , followed by the 240 at (1.4 ghz).

what type of memory goes with the Athlon64 3000?

First off, the opteron/athlon's don't follow a normal "FSB" type system. Unlike traditional processors, the memory controller on the Athlon64 and Opterons are integrated into the cpu's themselves. On the Athlon64 its a single DDR controller integrated on die, on an Opteron or Athlon FX, its a DC-DDR controller.

So yes an Athlon 64 with its DDR controller would have less bandwidth then an Opteron with its ondie DC-DDR controller. (DC= dual channel)
bluestreak
02-25-2004, 07:36 PM
hey Greg, thanks again for responding
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