Would 4800 X2 be worth it for me over 4000+?

trancemitr

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I've had my current system (2800+, ATI 9600, 1GB RAM) for close to 3 years now, and it's time to upgrade. I'll likely keep this next system for quite some time as well, so I want to get something that will last for a while. I'll be gaming (HL2, FEAR, eventually Oblivion), but I'll also be doing some video editing and DVD/CD ripping.

I've been looking at the 4800 X2 or the 4000+. I'm not interested in overclocking the processor, and I don't want to wait for AM2. I'm aware there have been problems with X2s and gaming, but those have mostly been fixed, right? Is there anything out there yet or coming down the pipe that takes advantage of the X2? I know I'd be looking at saving around $300, but I'll pay it if it will end up being worth it over maybe the next 2 years.

Please let me know your thoughts on this. I'd be looking to pair this with 2GB of RAM and probably a 7900GTX or x1900xt(x). I'm still looking into that. I recently made the "mistake" of buying a Samsung 204b (I really love the thing), and now I have to make sure I get a video card that will be able to make the thing shine at 1600x1200. Any further insight or recommendations would also be appreciated taking into account what I've mentioned above. Thanks.
 

angry_ducky

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How much are you looking to spend on your system? Cause you could get an x2 3800+ for the same price as the 4000+. If your current RAM is DDR400, you could reuse that in your new system.

About the video card: Save some cash by getting a 7900GT, which is essentially the 7800GTX with higher clocked core and memory. You can get one from newegg.com for about $320.
 

trancemitr

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I'm looking to stay under $1500 for this system. I can use the case, hard drives, and power supply from my current system. The rest of the parts wil eventually make their way into a media PC to work with my dedicated 2-channel stereo setup.
 

angry_ducky

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I'm looking to stay under $1500 for this system. I can use the case, hard drives, and power supply from my current system. The rest of the parts wil eventually make their way into a media PC to work with my dedicated 2-channel stereo setup.


So you need a motherboard, CPU, video card, and RAM. Dual core makes sense to futureproof yourself. Maybe an x2 4200 or 4400. And maybe two 7900GT's in SLI; it's only $100 more than a 7900GTX, and it performs better.
 

gpfear

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I'm looking to stay under $1500 for this system. I can use the case, hard drives, and power supply from my current system. The rest of the parts wil eventually make their way into a media PC to work with my dedicated 2-channel stereo setup.

You could go full out SLI for that amount
 

MG37221

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To answer your question, I would opt for the 4800 over the 4000. You're essentially getting two 4000s with the 4800 and while it won't be twice as fast, you have effectively 1 4000 to take care of all the mundane tasks of the system and the other completely free to do what you want to use it for all by merely setting affinity. As multithreaded applications come about, you'll already be prepared for them.

Dual core, if an option financially speaking, is definitely the way to go.
 

MG37221

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The X2-4400 or the Opteron 175 is way better imo.
The only other option I would consider would be the Opteron 170

Better is relative and wasn't the question. The 4400 is the same as the 175 only a little less expensive. Since the initiator of this thread has stated two things:
1. Looking at 4000 and 4800
2. Doesn't overclock

between those two CPUs, the 4800 is the better and more future-proof choice.
 

MG37221

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It was clarified by imo, then there is also the Opteron 180 to consider.

The 180 is exactly the same as the 4800 except cost. The 4800 is definitely the better deal. The price difference (nearly $100 USD) will help pay for the 2GB of good memory he'll be needing.
 

MG37221

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Coolers are now the same. 4200 up all use the new heatpipe cooler and I agree that they are excellent. That's what came with my Opty175, which I paid too much for considering it's a 4400 and my MSI Neo4 Platinum just won't allow me to overclock due to instability even with 2GB of Corsair TwinX 4000PT.

But at stock speeds, I have to recommend going with the best price since performance will be exactly the same... at 2.4GHz with 1MB L2 cache per core, the 4800 is the winner.

While the Opteron has a greater following among enthusiasts, the X2 is no less CPU for the money. They are both excellent products.
 

trancemitr

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Well, if the prices were reversed (as RichPLS had gotten) I'd definitely go for the Opteron, but as they're not... I suppose I'll probably go with the 4800. Newegg's currently running a combo where you get $50 off a Powercolor x1900xt or an ATI x1900xtx when you get the 4800. I might go for one of those, as long as it will do what I need it to. I'd rather buy just one video card right now as that would leave me the opportunity to buy a mate for it down the road to do (by then cheaper) SLI or CF. Thanks for the info on the cooler. I'm glad to hear I won't have to fork out any extra cash for something decent. Time to hit the motherboard and video card forums.