XP 2500

[dogsplus2]

Chaps,

I'm upgrading my MB/CPU again. I had it all chosen, MSI K7N2 delta-L and the 333mhz version of the 2600XP.

But I've recently been tempted by the 2500XP with the new Barton core.

They both cost around the same, but I'm blowed if I can find a review of the 2500 or a comparison.

I know the Barton is 1800, and the T'bred is about 200mhz more, and I'm also awae of the difference in cache sizes, but I can't work out what balances out better.

I've read your various comments, and it all seems subjective, dependant on whether you plan overclocking or not.

So here's my question. I do not overclock, I mainly play games/edit photo's, so in your opinion (which I tend to trust)which is better for me - 2500 barton or 2600 T'bred.

I plan buying this week so...

It's a learning curve dontchaknow....

AMD 1800XP
1024mb Crucial PC2700 RAM
MSI KT3 MB
128mb RADEON 9700 Pro

 

[Mephistopheles]

THG´s review of the 800Mhz FSB P4s includes benchmarks for the 2500 Barton. It can be found <A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030414/index.html" target="_new">here</A>.

If I were you, I think I´d probably try to go with the 2600+... but the most popular choice - by a reason that is beyond my comprehension - is the 2500+. Actually, the difference is probably small enough for you not to notice anyway...

 

[smitbret]

The reason to go with the 2500+ Barton is the overclockabilty. Mine's running at 2.08GHz, same as the 2800+ at a cost of about 1 degree celsius. I agree, you'll probably not notice the difference. I can't really tell the difference between this and my 1800+ Palomino.
-Brett

 

[endyen]

Some progs benefit more from the L2 cache some benefit more from the cpu speed. Amd has done extensive testing and concluded that the xp2500 is on average 5% slower than the 2600. So where you are, which one gives you more bang for your buck. Not much diference? Go with the 2600 cause it is a higher number.

 

[Spitfire_x86]

If you don't overclock, then go for 2600+ (333 MHz FSB)

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