Difference between socket 754 and 939 CPU's

[ArthurDent]

Almost 2 years ago I built a Xp64 3200 system which was a S754 CPU, now the S939 CPU of the same type (3200+) is not all that much cheaper than I payed back then.

Assuming the only other change in the system is the motherboard, would a socket 939 3200+ noticably outperform my old socket 754 3200+ system?

 

[donnagual]

No, the 939 won't necessarily outperform the 754 cpu. The main difference is your upgradability. As you probably already know, the 939 socket CPUs go all the way up to the FX and X2 series.

 

[fishmahn]

Nope. Other way around actually, unless you have the clawhammer not newcastle core (1mb L2 vs 512).

The 939 3200+ is a 2.0ghz part, has dual channel memory controller and OCs well.

The 754 3200+ is a 2.2ghz part (newcastle) or 2.0ghz part (clawhammer) with single channel memory controller and OCs well.

Dual channel gives about a 5% boost to performance to AMD, but the clock speed is 10% faster (in the case of the newcastle). In clawhammer's case, the xtra cache gives about as much as dual channel, maybe a little less but not noticeable.

Mike.

 

[ArthurDent]

It's amazing how much CPU's have held their value over the last 2 years.

I was thinking of upgrading my gfx card, however I'm reluctant to buy an AGP card as soon I'd like to go for a dual core CPU but not right away. However to upgrade to PCI express that obviously needs a new motherboard and as my CPU is S754 I'd need a new CPU also which seems a waste as my CPU is fine and I don't want to upgrade right now.

I've heard of lots of problems with AGP/PCIe motherboards so I will avoid that route too.

 

[Rugger]

There are s754 boards that have PCIe slots.

 

[pat]

Epox even has a SLI motherboard for socket 754.

 

[Rugger]

Yep-Yep