Is this true? I just read an article from tomshardware.com link that says AMD will launch the 940pin socket M2 dual processors in the 2nd quarter of 2006. Damn and I was just about to build me a 939 based computer. Should I wait?
You know novicebb, we are in the same boat it seems. I have been researching for a new system and I was settling on the 939 socket set-up like you. And like you I read the same article. Did you catch the article about nVidia's brand new second generation chipset as well? The thing is as everyone tells me to jump into the game now because there will always be something new right around the corner.
You know there are some people who thought of buying a computer back in 1988 but were put off by the fact that Microsoft was going to put out a new operating system (something called Windows) and the hardware was just getting faster and cheaper all of the time, Compaq had just introduced their 16MHz 386 which ran rings around the 12MHz IBM AT with a 286 processor. It's now 2005 and they still haven't bought anything. And you know if you guys buy that new motherboard next year, in a year or two after that, AMD will move to a new slot to support their AMD64 X8 with 8 cpus on one chip and DDR3 memory. The big switch to the M2 socket is for DDR2 memory, since it looks like DDR has reached its speed limit. http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2476 anandtech has a good write up on the AMD roadmap. Although I do see a typo in the article, as I'm sure the [bold]Revision "E" San Diego Athlon 64 utilizes 80 amps with a maximum TDP around 90W. The new Revision "F" CPUs will use 95 amps instead.[/bold] is meant to be watts not amps. Now Intel's next generation might use 95 AMPS if "current" trends continue. 95amps is more than my oven and all four burners going at the same time uses.
DemonDog, I agree with you 100%. Perhaps my reply to novicebb wasn't clear enough in that I am going to take the plung. If I wait, I'll be waiting forever. By the way DemonDog, where do I look or what do I look for under a motherboard's specs to find if it built for overclocking?
Overclocking is in board design and bios options which allow you to increase the voltage to the cpu, the memory, to change memory timings, etc. The best way is to read reviews. DFI boards are one of, if not the, current leaders in overclocking, both in number of boards and options and gains. ASUS which was king back a few years ago when everyone was overclocking Intel chips has been way behind on their boards overclocking abilities on the AMD socket 939 mobos. But ASUS just released a new board that anandtech.com (which has been critical of ASUS' lack of overclocking abilities in the past) has just raved about. Here's rave review, if you want the latest and greatest (and most expensive). http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2589 DFI has a great forum dedicated to helping folks with their boards and give primers on all the ins and outs of overclocking, what power supplies, heat sinks, etc. to use. Many of the parts in my sig. I purchased because of recommendations that were "stickied" on that forum. And I'm real happy with the results. http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/index.php You can get a real good solid OC DFI board for about a $100 less than that ASUS board and the DFI boards been out for a while so most of the bugs have been worked out. It's always dangerous being on the "bleeding edge" of technology. Also while on anandtech.com check out their motherboard article list they have LOTS of reviews and comparisions. And the anandtech reviews and comparisions always include overclocking abilities. Something to remember when thinking about OC'ing is that AMD64 chips overclock by the RAM, so stay AWAY from VALUE RAM. I bought DDR600 (can handle 300MHz bus speed) RAM even though the bus is stock at 200MHz, that way I don't have to worry about what my RAM can handle, it just comes down to what my cpu can take without getting too hot and/or failing prime. Also these high end chips and high end graphics cards use LOTS of watts, so make sure that you get a PSU that's on the recommended list by whatever motherboard you get. DFI REQUIRES the new 24 pin power connector and the 12v plug, and a molex and a floppy connector just to the system board (four power connectors just for system board). An overloaded power supply will inhibit your ability to OC. So 500 watts is a minimum on a high end board.
You just answered a slew of questions I didn't know how to form. For one the Value Ram thing; I wasn't sure if it OCed or not. Your information is MUCH appreciated; very clear and concise. Now here is the thing. I have never OCed before and I haven't built a PC in over 5 years (yeah, I know, waaaayyyy behind the times), but I wanted to be prepared so that I could learn in the future. Looking at your rig specs it is obvious you have much experience because that is one serious machine you have. I can neither afford some of the hardware you have nor do I need it. So here is what I have narrowed my compenents so far that seem to fit my needs, and tell me what you think... Motherboard: MSI K8N NEO 4-F. I did research, read reviews, sought advice and 98% of feedback, etc., from several online sites, was highly positive. It is a good solid board that doesn't have all the bells and whistles but it can OC. I was trying to determine the pin connection I needed. I looked at the specs but couldn't find what I was looking for. I can tell you though that I have seriously looked into DFI and for someone like myself can you recommend a good solid board from them that won't overwhelm me? Trust me, I won't be doing all that much tweaking but I would like to learn sometime. CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice Core. The online praise on this one is astounding. Memory: OCZ Gold 1 GB (PC 3200). I know this is great RAM, but is it too good for my needs, i.e. motherboard? Am I getting a Rolls Royce when all I need is a Cadallac? PSU: Antec 2.0 True Power 550 Watts Harddrive: I have always had Western Digital but when I went over to NewEgg I was astonished at the number of very recent reviews of all the problems people have been experiencing lately with WD. What harddrives would you recommend? Thanks for reading this.
The RAM is good, and you can never go wrong with good RAM. I'm assuming this is what you're talking about. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227211 The only thing about your RAM choice is that it looks like it is Winbond UTT BH-5 memory (there are only a few manufacturers, but many sellers of memory). This memory overclocks well and you can maintain low timings but your MOTHERBOARD must be able to provide higher voltage to this memory. You need to find out your mobo's capabilities in this area, also be aware that this memory runs at higher voltages generates lots of heat, so cooling is a must. Here's a good overview of memory. This thread will tell you who the manufacturer is, and how well it overclocks. http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24719 Also OCZ has its own moderated support forum. A good read if you're going to get their memory. http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=6b9567eda5f7a8e49eed0e87dcb53a2d&f=54 All hard drive manufacturers will have a bad product every once in a while, I can't think of any major disk manufacturer that hasn't had a couple of bad products now and then, the trick is to know which ones are bad and avoid them. I've got WD's, Seagate's, Samsung's, Maxtor's and Hitachi's in my various office, home and laptop computers, but no "problem" ones. As you can see from my signature, in my newest rig, I put SATA Hitachi drives, they're quiet and fast. And cheap, like $107 for 250gb is what I paid. One thing I do when deciding to build a system is start and SAVE a newegg "wish list", then I read reviews and forums and try to eliminate problems. Havings the wish list lets me add other power supplies for example that I read about, and then I can compare and contrast, then remove what I don't want from the wish list and then make my order.
DemonDog, I took your advice and read those links as well as going back to the mobo I have been looking at (MSI K8N NEO 4-F) and the RAM I might purchase. The OCZ gold PC 3200 is 2-2-2-5, but my choice of mobo won't clock the RAM to those numbers. Then again I may be reading it wrong because this is absolutely new territory for me. So, as I said in an earlier post, I don't want to spend the money on a Rolls Royce of RAM when a Cadillac brand is all I need because the Rolls is overkill and a waste of money. Any suggestions? If you don't mind I have a few more questions: 1. If I choose a SATA drive, do I need to load different drivers or is that only for a RAID set-up? 2. Can you recommend a DFI board for me? Thanks again.
First on the MSI board, go to this forum, it's ONLY MSI mobos and check it out or ask your question about the RAM and bios supported voltages. http://www.ocforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46 If you get a DFI board the only ones that I recommend are the LANPARTY NF4 boards, like this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152 The LanParty nF4 boards are the only DFI boards that are worth the $$$, imho. XP Service Pack 2 is all you need for SATA, raid drivers are specific for the chipset used on either the motherboard or controller. If the motherboard supports raid then a disk with the drivers on it will come with the motherboard or can be downloaded from the manufacturer's site.
Also you might want to check out this link. Folks are buying the new [bold]socket 939, Opteron 146[/bold] for $200 and overclocking it to faster than a $1,000 FX-57. Its fits with normal unbuffered memory on a socket 939 board. http://forums.pimprig.com/showthread.php?p=446310 Its THE HOT OC chip right now, as people are getting 50% OC on air cooling alone. If I had time to play games I might get me one of these. Not recommending this, just putting it out as an option. The best way to have a good experience building a new computer is to spend some time doing research. And even then there are things you'll find that you know you'll do different next time, but it increases your odds of having a good experience tremendously.
I appreciate the option and it sure is tempting. I am now reading that some out there are foregoing the Athon 64 32000+ Venice core, a popular CPU in itself, to take advantage of this Opteron. Someone told me that in order to make your RAM work properly, especially in OCing, the mobo must have the ability to supply the power that the RAM requires. Is this correct? When I went to MSI's site they had a great link to OCZ and it appears that there are several versions of their RAM that will work in the board I have listed in an earlier post. Anyway, I think I read it correctly. If I give you a list of my components sometime in the future would you be willing to comment and continue to lend advice? I haven't even given much thought about cooling devices for the CPU and video card except for the fans already in place. Thanks again.
To Demondog: I know that getting a bit bent out of shape due to newly arriving technology is nonsense. But my concern is do I really get a 939 based motherboard now when it is obvious that dual-multicore is the future. Not only did I read that the 940 will make it ddr2 compatiable but also will make it where the new cpu can have it's own independent bus speed channels and and each core has its on memory controllers. As of now the dual cores share those duties. So it is safe to say that if I do get the 939, within in a year my system will be non upgradeable where as If I get a 940 based computer I may have 2 or 3 years before I have to upgrade. My concern is do I spend more than a $1000 on a computer that within 3 or 4 months I could have just waited and gotten a newly emerged system in the mid-level range and upgrade from there?
