AMD Athlon XP 3000+ and 3200+ difference

[wesa]

How much faster is the 3200+ than the 3000+, like .04 GHz or something? The price difference is like $30, so am i better off getting the 3000+ for some gaming, music downloading and just fast web surfing?

 

[Praetor]

About 100Mhz if i recall correctly. Realistically you shouldnt have to buy past XP2800 because all the Bartons will OC to pretty much the same threshold.

 

[wesa]

So i can buy a compaq w/a 2800+ and overclock it to 3200+? Will i have to flash the bios since its a compaq in order to overclock? How much will cooling cost?

 

[Joefox]

Processors' performance are not solely based on clock speed which is a common misconception about CPUs. AMD in particular has a slower "clock speed" as opposed to Intel chips, around the same price level, but their actual efficiency is based on the architecture of the cpu, not just the clock speed. So in effect, AMD tries to combat this misconception (to no avail commonly) by giving you a rough estimation of it's overall performance. The actual way they quantify such numbers is beyond me. I will say however that the difference between the 3000 and 3200 is going to be slight, but noticeable if you are not overclocking them. I would not recommend overclocking a CPU from a factory bought PC without investing in proper ventilation such as fans, and perhaps a controller with a temperature gauge. Also keep in mind, that mid towers which is usually what they stick you with, are not going to be as air friendly as the larger full form cases. If you have are planning on not overclocking and it's not too much of a reach, utilizing the fastest processor available would not be such a bad idea.

 

[Praetor]

So I can buy a compaq w/a 2800+ and overclock it to 3200+?

XP2800 can OC that far no problem

Will I have to flash the bios since its a compaq in order to overclock?

Since it's a compaq there probably isnt a hope in the world since OEMs use custom BIOSes specifically to prevent that kinda stuff

How much will cooling cost?

$30USD

 

[wesa]

When building your own computer and you're looking at motherboards, can you find ones that are easily overclocked?

 

[tristan]

Yes, ABit's are built for overclocking. Primarily the NF7-S is the best so far as BIOS clocking goes for the Socket A AMD's. Then ASUS are GIGAbyte are also overclockable.

 

[Joefox]

I prefer ASUS, although they are sometimes more expensive.

 

[tristan]

Yeah, everyone has their preferences. Im a heavy clocker so I prefer ABit for their utilites, like being able to flash bios safely from windows. And a great BIOS for overclocking. If I had to pick a board for my friends I would go with ASUS unless they planned on doing some heavy clocking.

 

[Praetor]

Yeah, everyone has their preferences. Im a heavy clocker so I prefer ABit for their utilites, like being able to flash bios safely from windows. And a great BIOS for overclocking. If I had to pick a board for my friends I would go with ASUS unless they planned on doing some heavy clocking.

Why do you keep suggesting ASUS boards cant overclock?

 

[tristan]

umm..

Then ASUS are GIGAbyte are also overclockable.

BUT, the difference being ABit are BUILT for clocking.

 

[Praetor]

BUT, the difference being ABit are BUILT for clocking.

So are ASUS boards ... now unless you've got technical specs proving that:
1. ASUS boards are NOT built for OCing
2. Abit boards ARE built for OCing
Then you're making some very broad, (yet to be) unjustified statements

Feel free to get as technical as you want; I took microprocessor design last term.

 

[tristan]

I thought you were knowledgable on this..
On ASUS's website I cant find any HINT about clocking. I cant even find the word "clock" on one of their pages. I see NO utilities that they support and back up that invite people to clock their boards.
alllllright.. lets look at ABit
http://www.abit-usa.com/technology/uguru.php

µGuru features ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking, advanced audio features, auto FAN speed control, self-diagnostic H/W monitoring, one click BIOS updating, and 24 hours e-service. µGuru combines ABIT EQ, OC Guru, FlashMenu and BlackBox applications with a user-friendly interface, providing users perfect environment for performance and stability. Furthermore, ABIT's new Guru Clock brings users prompt overclocking and monitoring hardware status without the need to enter Windows-based utilities. Users no longer have to worry about being interrupted while they're playing games or applications in full screen when they want to increase the system speed.

µGuru reinforces ABIT's leading position in the motherboard industry.

They also support OCGuru (OC.. as in OverClock), ABit EQ, and Flash Menu. There is also Technical Support to help you with any OverClocking problems you may encounter and a FREE Bios exchange that allows you to trade your BIOS in if you mess it up overclocking.

Edit: And, Tweak Guard http://www.abit-usa.com/technology/tweak_guard.php
MAXFID
http://www.abit-usa.com/technology/maxfid.php
And a FULLY adjustable Softmenu
http://www.abit-usa.com/technology/softmenu.php

I dont need technical specs, the sites say it all.

 

[Nephilim]

Hi tristan,

I'm very intrigued as to why you believe Abits are superior to Asus for OC'ing.

Yes, Abit does have neat little programs for those who don't know how to OC, so does my Gigabyte. I'd really like for you to explain to me in technical terms why Abit is better. Technical terms prove facts, neat marketing doesn't.

Do they use higher quality components? Can you provide a link if they do?

Are there well founded technical reports available that prove Abit boards are structurally able to handle OC'ing better than Asus? Again, I would appreciate a link.


The fact that Abit is offering all this "support" for OC'ing doesn't mean their boards are intrinsically better than Asus, it means that Abit has the marketing sense to cater to all the people out there who hear about OC'ing, think it's cool but don't know the first thing about it. Looks like they got you hook, line and sinker


Asus is confident in the fact that the people who know how to OC already know their boards are great for it so I'll say this again,

To say that Abits are better for OC'ing flies directly in the face of the thousands of people who've OC'ed the piss out their Asus boards.

Remember that article on Tom's Hardware a while back where they OC'ed a P4 up to 5GHz? They used an Asus board.

 

[Praetor]

On ASUS's website I cant find any HINT about clocking. I cant even find the word "clock" on one of their pages. I see NO utilities that they support and back up that invite people to clock their boards.

1. You need to look a bit further. In about three clicks I I found the word overclocking
2. There's a reason companies like Corsair and OCz use ASUS boards for testing beyond spec memory

Now let's look at feature for feature:

ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking - ASUS AI Overclocking
ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking - ASUS AI Audio
ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking - ASUS Q-Fan
ABIT AutoDrive™ overclocking - ASUS AI BIOS & CPU COP

one click BIOS updating, and 24 hours e-service. µGuru combines ABIT EQ, OC Guru, FlashMenu and BlackBox applications with a user-friendly interface, providing users perfect environment for performance and stability

- Since you've made such broad statements about all of ASUS you already probably know ASUS boards have a similar feature for OCing (I cant for the life of me remember what it's called, but i'm not making broad statements).
- How good is e-service if you cant boot?
- How do I overclock my Linux box?

All ASUS motherboards are designed and tested to meet the highest quality standards. Responsive customer support and frequent BIOS and driver updates ensure the fastest, most reliable performance.

All in all seems to be just a different naming convention for essentialy the same deal.

one click BIOS updating, and 24 hours e-service. µGuru combines ABIT EQ, OC Guru, FlashMenu and BlackBox applications with a user-friendly interface, providing users perfect environment for performance and stability

Very kewl! Note that ASUS boards wont need that as they've got Dual BIOSes.

And a FULLY adjustable Softmenu

Note that the ASUS boards tweak the voltages at half the steppage.

MAXFID

A hardcore overclocker like you needs a bunch of presets?

I dont need technical specs, the sites say it all.

You said the boards are made for overclocking. You've quoted features. Not processes, not industrial techniques exclusive to Abit, not anything that can be qualified as a design decision by Abit. Just because a board has some end-features does not mean it was made for a specific task. You seem to be bought by the technical mumbo jumbo (and in no way am I saying it's not good mumbo jumbo at that). Let's look at say.... vehicles. When someone says "That <vehicle> is made for off-roading", do they say it because (1) the salesman/website/brochure said so (2) because its got AWD, custom made suspension, redesigned chasis etc. Now sure that sounds like "features" (and yes, AWD would be a feature), but "custom made suspension" and "redesigned chassis" represent design-decisions that can be found in whitepapers.

Now I dont know jack about vehicles and i've just made a point and backed it up without running to a website and pulling out technical jargon. Note that I'm NOT saying "Abit sucks-ass" or even that "Abit is okay" because both of those are unwarranted fanboy statements and I have no hope in hell of backing up either. Everyone is entitled to their opinion sure, but lets not go around being fanboys and smacking entire company lines because "it doesnt (supposedly) say so on the website". Go to the Abit forums even and ask the Seniors there "I know Abit is better but is ASUS comparable?" and get them to back up their statements even.

If Abit was so much better you know what? ASUS wouldnt be on the radar map -- it would simply die as a casualty of the business world.

 

[tristan]

Whew! Dont take offense when I never bashed anything. ASUS boards are AMAZING boards. I never said anything to deter from that.
Honestly.. do I have to dig up a ton of benchmark results that say ABit are better overclockers. Its common knowledge that overclockers know ABit boards take the cake when it comes to overclocking. ASUS have great overclocking capabilities, and are VERY reliable boards. Are you guys denying the fact that ABit boards will overclock more stable and efficiently? I can get the benchmarks without a problem, id rather you google it yourself though. There is no need to get technical when the answer is so simple.

 

[Praetor]

Are you guys are denying the fact that ABit boards will overclock more stable and efficiently?

Yes for both extreme overclocking and for avg Joe overclocking.

There is no need to get technical when the answer is so simple.

If it was "made" for overclocking then that was made by Engineers and because they are Engineers, everything must be documented ...

 

[tristan]

http://www.abit-usa.com/news/2003/20030805.php
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1247&page=20
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/motherboards/ABIT_IC7_MAX3_1.html
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/motherboards/ABIT_NF7_v2.0_11.html (read the Overclocking Section)
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1410

As it stands, since the days of the BX chipset Abit have built themselves a reputation of openly embracing the overclocking community; mainly by producing some of the best overclocking motherboards ever.

http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/motherboards/1120_1.html
http://www.driverheaven.net/dhinterviews/harryyen/

Todd: As many people know you guys are very focused on the overclocker with your motherboards and graphics cards.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/mainboards/display/abit-nf7s.html

Geez guys, they were the first company to come out with SoftMenu opening the doors for OC'ing. Im sure you dont believe me there either so here..
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/motherboards/article.php/10703_2217921__1

ABIT is a well-known name for enthusiast motherboards, and the SoftMenu setup probably heralded the start of mainstream overclocking.

http://www.liquidninjas.com/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=42

Abit has long been the motherboard of choice among overclockers. Despite stiff competition from ASUS, MSI and Epox, to name but a few,

http://ocworkbench.com/2003/abit/nf7s/nf7s-1.htm

 

[tristan]

I could post links all day proving it.. The bottom line is they are BOTH great boards but ABit are more overclocking friendly. If one is bias towards ASUS thats fine, they are great boards and cant go wrong with them. I couldnt bash someone for recommending a asus board.

 

[Grimulus]

I -think- the FSB is faster on a 3200+ 400 vs 333 with the 3000+. You will probably want to do some checking on that...because honestly i can't remember for sure.