Opteron 180 vs X2 4800+

[fordaholic72]

I was wondering if someone could explain the fuctional differences between these two processors for the complete idiot. I have an MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum MB with an Athlon 64 3000 and 1gb Corsair VS memory. I want to upgrade the processor to a dual core and add a gig of memory. I can't find any new X2 4800+ processors (btw the Opteron 180 and the X2 4800+ are the largest my MB will support) and the ones I do find are quite pricy. The Opteron 180 at Newegg is like $170 for retail. I know the Opteron is a server/workstation processor but I have a friend that saya that it would work good. What does the 4800+ do better than the Opteron 180 and vice versa. The specs at AMD don't tell me a lot because I don't know what all of the numbers mean. If someone could give me a little bit of an explaination on what the differences are I would appreciate it.

Steve

 

[freestyler105]

They're basically the same, but the Opteron is as you said, a server processor.

The advantage of a server processor is that it's extremely stable. If you overclock, that's great. Other than that though, you'd be better off with it's cheaper Athlon counterpart.

 

[fordaholic72]

Thanks for the reply. One thing I think I forgot to mention before is I need a socket 939. The AM2's are cheaper and more available, but my MB is a socket 939.

I don't plan on overclocking, but the opteron 180 is $170 and all of the 4400+ and 4800+ Athlon 64 X2's are going for over $200 if you can even find one. Is the Opteron 180 just as capeable for the things a 4400+ or 4800+ was designed for?

Steve

 

[freestyler105]

Yeah, I figured. They're trying to phase out socket 939 by jacking up the prices...

Yes, it's a great processor. What exactly are you using it for? No matter what, it should be great for most applications. It's a pretty big upgrade from a 3000+.

The problem is, you could get a great Core 2 Duo that would blow the Opteron 180 out of the water for the same price. One thing you could think about is upgrading your motherboard, processor, and RAM. You could get a Core 2 Duo or just an AM2 setup like this. You could easily do it for about $300, getting a new motherboard, faster processor, and 2 GB of much faster RAM.

Here's an example:
Abit IB9 motherboard - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127018

Core 2 Duo E4300 - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

2 GB DDR2-800 G.Skill RAM - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

The total is $300, and it'll be a huge difference from your current setup.

 

[NEED WOW NOW]

yea but its all the same wit u all
He JUST WANTS TO UPGRADE HIS CPU AND NOTHING ELSE!!
Dont try to convince him to get a c2d
If hes not going to do heavy gaming he dosent need it
fordaholic72 Just chose the CPU thats best fer u

 

[Rudster8161]

my suggestion to all about buying new amds will always be them same.

buy a 3600+ and an arctic cooler pro. OC the crap out of it and you will save loads of money.

as for the ram just buy another gig of corsair VS. use newegg if you can

 

[NEED WOW NOW]

also u could try ewise.com or something like that i saw it in a mag
NVM i dont no wat it is

 

[fordaholic72]

Yeah, I figured. They're trying to phase out socket 939 by jacking up the prices...

Yes, it's a great processor. What exactly are you using it for? No matter what, it should be great for most applications. It's a pretty big upgrade from a 3000+.

The problem is, you could get a great Core 2 Duo that would blow the Opteron 180 out of the water for the same price. One thing you could think about is upgrading your motherboard, processor, and RAM. You could get a Core 2 Duo or just an AM2 setup like this. You could easily do it for about $300, getting a new motherboard, faster processor, and 2 GB of much faster RAM.

Here's an example:
Abit IB9 motherboard - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127018

Core 2 Duo E4300 - $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

2 GB DDR2-800 G.Skill RAM - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

The total is $300, and it'll be a huge difference from your current setup.

I probably will use it mostly for video editing, and some light gaming. On top of the processor and memory I need a bigger HDD and I am looking at a 250gb SATA HDD. With the Opteron 180, the 1gb Corsair VS memory, and the HDD it comes to about $295 at Newegg. I appreciate your recommendation, but I need to do this as cheap as possible. I am very happy with my MB at this time. It has done everything I need it to. If I can get a little more out of it with a processor and more memory I think it will do me for a little while longer.

I appreciate everyones input. Thank you so much.

Steve