My upgrade woes

[CAD4466HK]

I'm not one to upgrade my proc every time a new tech hits the streets, as you can tell by my specs.
But lately, I've been bitten by the bug, again
The only reason why I'm not running a C2D, is because I don't want to upgrade my mobo and RAM in the process

Which brings me to the solution that called my house today.
One of my really good friends just upgraded his rig to C2D 6600 spec.

I have the chance to buy his proc for cheap{he owes me money}
The proc in question is an Opty 154 Venus{I know it's a single core} for $145
Being as I was the one who OC his rig, I'm well aware of what this bitch is
capable ofI know for a fact it would slap a FX-57 around I've had it running at 250x14@3500Mhz stock voltage with a
Zalman 9500 on a Abit AN8 32X, 2Gb OCZ Gold 3500 , SLI XFX 7800GTX 512mb, Antec NeoHE 550{not my doing }CM Stacker, for about 9 months now
Tried to get 275x14@3850Mhz stable, no dice with that memory


I should be able to do it with my memory and mobo once I yank the spreader off
Then I'll go out and find me a nice non-eVGA 8800GTS, and see if a bottleneck exists
Or should I just break down and start from scratch
I "almost" have my mind made up

What's your 2 cents on it?

[Bbq]

DO IT!!! I have the AN8 32x in a box, it's a beast. Got to 301 on stock volts. It has problems for me between 301 and 310, but my cpu isn't capable of past 310. Even with a ton of volts.

DFI for me limited me at under 280.

[Fireside]

I suggest saving your cash. I've got a 3700+ too and have almost pulled the trigger for those sales on 939s FX processors. But I think it's much better to save the cash for a good C2D setup or better now.

My opinion is that it's not just for the raw speed that I like it, it's for the options and little features that my system lacks. More expansion slots and ports, better tweaking, DDR2, and those new 680i boards that look so nice! mmmmmm

Of course, I've always been the type that loves more add-ons over straight power. So, I suggest saving cash now, getting an 8800, and go from there. But we all know that 8800 won't do near as well with a 939 setup over a C2D.

More features means more things to play with, but you already know what that hardware is capable of, which might take the fun out it.

[CAD4466HK]

Originally Posted by Fireside

More features means more things to play with, but you already know what that hardware is capable of, which might take the fun out it.

I beg to differ, Being as I "know" what that Opty is capable of, makes me
"want' to buy it

Thanks for your 2 cents worth
At least you didn't say,"Its not a dual core, don't get it"

[madmat]

I hope you've put ramsinks or something on the PWM on that board. I've heard that with no 'sinks on the PWM MOSfets it won't do past 290'ish.

[you2]

Isn't it cheaper these days to buy a retail single cpu new than to buy this used processor for $145 ?

[Sphere]

I guess it would all depend on what you will gain from what you have now. It's probably just me, but I won't touch a single core with a ten foot pole at this point.

[CAD4466HK]

Originally Posted by you2

Isn't it cheaper these days to buy a retail single cpu new than to buy this used processor for $145 ?

Right now an Opty 154 goes for about $265-$275 retail
The Opty 154 Venus was the last single cored Opty made, running at
2.8@1.35v, same thing as the FX-57 Sandy, without the unlocked multi
But I can throw more voltage at the Opty vs. the FX-57

As for a dual core Opty or X2, = 1. I don't really care for them that much
2.= It's easier to OC the fraking frell out of a single core and not have to worry about one of the cores not being able to cope with the voltage or having a
thermal crisis, as with alot of the dual core Optys and X2's I've played with.
3.= When 5x the muti-threaded apps and games come out, vs. the support
for them today, I'll jump all over them
I'll admit their great at running shit in the background while your gaming, but
I could give a frak less about that
My gaming rig has NOTHING on it but games and some select utilitys and XP.
Now for my server{media center, not file} and my downloader, they would be great
for all the apps and soforth
5.= I'm a lazy bastard, and I don't feel much like tearing my shit down again
to replace the mobo and frell around with new timeings on the DDR2{C2D}, not to
mention it would cost me more then I'm willing to spend

6.= Last but not least, I just got off the phone with him and for $20 more,
he'll throw in the mobo too
That means I'll have a basis for another rig to sell to a client and make triple
my money back, plus Christmas is almost here, and I never know what my wife might leave under the tree for me

Thanks for all the input.
I should have it in my grubby mitts tommrow

[CAD4466HK]

Sorry for the bump, but I've made up my mind
As you can tell by the previous post.

[Bbq]

Hook me up with the mobo.