AMD X2 4200+(AM2) to 5200+... Worth it?

LouieV3

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Im gonna majorly upgrade my system later in the year im getting a 8600GT and MAYBE a 5200+. I say the 5200+ b/c the 4200+ has a 1mb L2 cache and the 5200+ has a 2mb L2 cache! Would I get any better performance? And I have a 300w +12v = 19a psu will that power a 8600GT and 5200+? I have DDR2-533 ram as well that wont kill the cpu right? I know it would for a Intel.

:p Thanks for the Help! :p
 

Slobogob

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I´m almost convinced that the move from DDR2 533 to DDR2 800 with tight timings would almost be as good as a processor upgrade since AMDs platform lives and dies with it´s memory performance.
 

jrnyfan

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keep im mind that the caches on these are 512K per core on the 4200+ and 1MB on the 5200+ and since these aren't intel chips they can't use the entire cache if they need it...so in reality its essentially just 512K and 1MB on the cache just like a single core chip...you can't think of them as combined, you will end up cheating yourself.

my opinion is its not worth the upgrade, i have my 4200+ OC to 2.5GHz (the 5200+ is @ 2.6GHz) and my opinion is that DDR v DDR2 makes no difference whatsoever with AMD chips...but with proper benchies im sure i could probably be proven wrong...but i doubt it, AM2 was a sidestep in the ol' AMD roadmap...did nothing but provide a new platform for future technology (phenom) but do nothing to improve the current performance of s939...again, just my opinion, please don't take offense :D


 

rodney_ws

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You will definitely be stretching the limits of your PSU. The 8600 series of cards is nothing like the 8800 series of cards when it comes to sucking down the power... but 300W is still on the slim side once you start throwing in new processors like the 5200+. Perhaps you should consult an online PSU calculator?
 

LouieV3

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I just did a eXtream psu calcualter and a 5200+ 1 7200 hdd 8600GT one CD/DVD drive is just 240w (Whats EE tho when I choose EE 5200+ I get 219w) and I still get 240w with a 4200+ and if I put a 7600GS(what I have now) and a 4200+ I get 225w so is it safe to get a 5200+ and a 8600GT or just get the 86GT
 

turboflame

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EE is the energy efficient version that uses less power and runs a little cooler
 

bren_1a

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Don't forget, you need to take power efficiency into account with the 300W PSU. Even at 80% efficiency the PSU can only give about 240W. That is the whole 240W not including any fans.
With the latest AMD price drops it may be worth your while to look at the 6000+.
 

LouieV3

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I put everything in the PSU calc and it says with the EE and the 8600GT it only used 219w. And where do I find the eficancy?
 
Throwing out a number I would say you would see a 15 - 20% increase in speed, and you def need a new PS. 300w dont cut it these days. Prices just dropped on X2 Cpus, shop around. Maybe go with a 5600+ or 6000+ ($169 on NewEgg now) But you will need a better bigger Ps for those Cpus!

What brand PSU are we talking about here? an Acbell TruePower 300 easily powers an E6600 and 8600GT ;)
 

LouieV3

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I posted a link to it above. Its pretty decent and it says I will use 219w with the EE5200+ and a 8600GTS lol im just gonna get a 8600GT tho and OC
 

nachowarrior

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k, there are charts that show the different frequencies that'll work best with ddr2 800 on the x2 procs... so mem, may or may not be a good choice, look it up on the articles on toms.... and an 8600? may or may not be a bad choice... depending... stream procs are good... on the 8 series... performance vs. price on 7900gs is awesome now... hd 2600's just released for dirt cheap... keep an eye on prices and what not.

1. proc speed on an amd x2 (due to integrated mem controller (intell will switch to as well) cirtain proc speeds will run your ram at full speed... so watch that and see what your best results will be... eg. if your current proc will run ddr2 800 at full speed... upgrade your memory... if it won't and the new proc will... upgrade the proc, then upgrade the ram later.

2. as for the 8600... depends on gt or gts. gt is not worth what it costs as far as i'm concerned and as far as most (legitimate) reviews are as well. the gts is a better buy. waiting a few weeks/months? wait to see what ati hits with the 2600's... the price is hot and the ACTUAL performance has yet to be seen. :p

3. PSU... I don't think the new hd 2600's require an external power connector (look it up i'm not sure) but i know that most video cards these days are going to suck down a butt load of power... 12 amps isn't enough... i'm running 16 amps on my +12v and i'm very limited... so the new ati's may be a good choice... just make sure you check the amp requirements on any video card you may or may not buy... especially if you like pretty psu's (cuz you can get cheap 36amp psu's but they're ugly and loud :p )

errr... no other thoughts now.... pm me with questions or whatever. I'll give ya an honest answer to the best of my knowledge ... just do like santa... check your list twice before you buy. :p
 

LouieV3

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I have 19a on my psu not 12.... where did you get that lol and I really want to play oblivion and the 8600GT looks like it maxes oblivion at 1024x768(my moniters res) and I dont care about DX10 I just want the power of the 8600GT it looks really good ive seen alot of benches for it and I really want it. Im thinking of not getting the cpu now instead im just getting a 8600GT... the HD2600XT uses ALOT OF POWER I will run the HD2600PRO but the 8600GT is better.
 

f61

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@ LouieV3:

A 7900GS will run circles around that 8600, and Vista has no prob's with it. Really, dude, consider at least a 400W PSU.

And if your cheap, then buy a Brisbane 3600 and o/c it to hell. Its cheaper than the Windsor 5200. Both Windsors 4200 and 5200 sux at o/c.

f61