alexibm :
Hi !
I just purchased Gateway System with AMD Phenom 9600
(http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8775809&type=product&id=1204331848308)
Have a I made a bad purchase, should I have gone with Intel instead ??
For some reason, OEM's like Gateway, Dell, HP etc. do not care about the errata. It's been virtually impossible to duplicate and if you don't virtualize, then it's no big deal. The issue is the bios fix slows the B2 down; you probably won't notice it in real world situations, but it's noticable in benchmarks when the fix is either on or off in the bios.
It's not a bad PC. It's just that AMD's now released the B3 Phenom's that end in '50'; i.e. a 9650 does not have the TLB errata and does not need the bios fix that slows a B2 stepping CPU down. So, they run something like 7% faster than the equivalent B2.
At that price, I'm not sure you'd get much from an OEM Intel system (i.e. a Gateway with a C2D or Q6600). A 9600 isn't that much slower than a Q6600. If you do video editing, burn DVD's and run multiple programs, then a quad core's a good investment. My general advice is if you already have a good dual core, then wait for Deneb from AMD or Nehalem from Intel, but if you need a new PC right now, then a quad core isn't a bad idea if you expect to keep that PC for 3-5 years.
TechnologyCoordinator :
Shared video memory - yuck.
It has a PCIe x16, so he can get a better GPU, though the power supply probably won't support much. If I were him, I'd get a 3650 as an upgrade as soon as possible.
A relative had a Gateway P4 system from a couple of years ago with Intel video that wouldn't play even relatively non-demanding games, and they didn't want to spend much on upgrading, so they got an 8400 that made a world of difference.
jimmysmitty :
If you ever buy an OEM PC and even if you are a PC pro, you open it the warrantyis gone and thus it is wasted money.
I can't see upgrading a video card or RAM voiding a warranty. Maybe switching out a PSU might, who knows with OEM's? I've never worked on them professionally, just been asked to do a few upgrades here and there.
Most OEM's come with PSU's that can just handle the components, so adding a GPU that needs more amps on the 12 volt rail can be a problem, but most OEM's sold at Best Buy aren't ready for a 9800gx2 or 3870x2 anyways. They can generally take an 8600gt, 8600gtx, 3470, 3650 or thereabouts, but not much more.