What Processor Should I Go With?

[Serpentz]

Hey guys, as many might know I had a problem with an old mainboard, so I bought an ASRock M3A770DE to replace it. Now I've got to buy a processor. Being out of the game and doing all this research online, I'm stumped to as what I should try and get.

First of all, here is the mainboard:
Newegg.com - ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

I bought 6GB's of matched OCZ 1600mhz RAM, which means I also had to buy 64bit Windows 7 in order to utilize this amount of RAM. Now I just need some advice and some help on what kind of processor to get. My budget is $100-$120

I'd like to hear what you guys think, who's using what, and what you're happy with.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dwarf]

Here is the CPU support list for that board: ASRock > Products > M3A770DE > CPU Support List

One of these should be suitable (all are boxed processors and come complete with a heatsink and fan):

Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 635 Propus 2.9GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX635WFGIBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 640 Propus 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX640WFGMBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon II X4 645 Propus 3.1GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor ADX645WFGMBOX
The following processor is just over your budget by $5, but is certainly worth considering:
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 925 Deneb 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor HDX925WFGMBOX

 

[nekov4ego]

Unfortunately, your motherboard doesn't seem to have the Core Unlock Utility, otherwise I would have recommended buying a Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition and trying to unlock it to X4 B55 so that it becomes even better than the X4 925 which is more expensive.

However, if you think you are all right with a Dual Core Processor, you could still consider buying it because it is good for overclocking -- and Phenom II processors support only up to DDR3-1333mhz, which means if you want to have your RAM @ 1600mhz, you will have to overlcock ... although you wouldn't probably notice the difference between 1333mhz and 1600mhz.

 

[GeneO]

Personally I would go with Intel. They have fewer problems.

 

[Mashed1316]

Um, GeneO, the OP was asking about what processor could go with his AMD board. He said he already bought the motherboard, so i guess suggesting an Intel processor is not helpful.

OP, i think between the Athlon II X4 640 and the Phenom II 925 the main difference is that the Phenom II has L3 cache, whilst the Athlon II doesn't. in real world scenario you could only see the performance hit in heavy applications and situations like that.

But given the fact that it's just 20$ difference, i'd go with the Phenom II 925

 

[GeneO]

Um, GeneO, the OP was asking about what processor could go with his AMD board. He said he already bought the motherboard, so i guess suggesting an Intel processor is not helpful.

OP, i think between the Athlon II X4 640 and the Phenom II 925 the main difference is that the Phenom II has L3 cache, whilst the Athlon II doesn't. in real world scenario you could only see the performance hit in heavy applications and situations like that.

But given the fact that it's just 20$ difference, i'd go with the Phenom II 925

Lighten up, it was just a joke

 

[Mashed1316]

Nah, i took it as a joke haha xD but the OP would have though "WTH?"

Check my specs, Intel.. never tried an AMD before xD

 

[nekov4ego]

Here is more info about Level 3 Cache. If you want higher FPS in games, get a Phenom II.

 

[Mashed1316]

Yeah it has its benefits, but it's only (again) on heavy applications and similar situations.

Basically, the performance difference is about 10% (on average) so, the question the OP should ask is:

Do i really need that extra 10% of performance for 25 extra Bucks?

If the answer is YES, then the OP should go with the Phenom II 925, if the answer is NO, then the best choice is the Athlon II X4 640

 

[Serpentz]

Unfortunately, your motherboard doesn't seem to have the Core Unlock Utility, otherwise I would have recommended buying a Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition and trying to unlock it to X4 B55 so that it becomes even better than the X4 925 which is more expensive.

However, if you think you are all right with a Dual Core Processor, you could still consider buying it because it is good for overclocking -- and Phenom II processors support only up to DDR3-1333mhz, which means if you want to have your RAM @ 1600mhz, you will have to overlcock ... although you wouldn't probably notice the difference between 1333mhz and 1600mhz.

Actually a few people mentioned that they were able to unlock cores using this MB in the feedback section on Newegg. Something about...ACC. So with that in mind, what do you think I should go for?

Thanks!

 

[Krispy1]

how about this Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 920 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Processor HDX920XCGIBOX

 

[stormy13]

No can do Krispy. The AM2+ are all DDR2 only, and that 920 is AM2+. The board that Serpentz has takes DDR3. For that he would need to look at the 925 that Dwarf linked too.

 

[Serpentz]

OK so I checked this board and it does have AMD Overdrive with Advanced Clock Calibration. I also found this:

Advanced clock calibration (ACC) is a feature originally available for Phenom families of processors, particularly for Black Edition ones, to increase the overclocking potential of the CPU. ACC is supported by the SB710 and the SB750 southbridges, and available through BIOS settings on some motherboards and AMD OverDrive utility.

It was later discovered that this functionality has the possibility of unlocking the supposedly disabled cores of some Phenom II X2/X3 processors.

In normal cases, it is not possible to use or unlock any of those hidden cores because originally those cores were disabled: a technique called "chip harvesting" or "feature binning" used by AMD to sell parts with one or two defective cores which will cause system instability if not disabled.

So with this last comment in mind, are people unlocking defective cores on their motherboards causing instability issues?

Cheers

*Go Packers*

 

[stormy13]

All things considering, if you want/need a quad, buy a quad. Despite the high success rate of unlocking the x2 and x3, it is not guaranteed that they will unlock and have four fully functional cores.

 

[nekov4ego]

No, it means you can't be SURE that you will be able to unlock any cores at all. In my case, I have a perfectly working Deneb X4 @ 3,2GHz with some temperature issues but they are due to a lot of dust. I have even tested it with Prime95. There is no temperature difference between two and four cores. Though my IGP isn't good for gaming so I have locked back the cores and am now using X2.

If you are ready to risk ending up with only two cores and don't mind trying your luck, go for the X2 555. If you want a X4 and can spend up to $130, try the previously suggested Athlon IIs or the Phenom II X4 925.

 

[Dwarf]

I agree. If you need a quad processor, then buy a quad processor. Don't buy a triple/dual core and try to unlock the other core(s). It/they has/have been locked for a reason - it/they has/have not successfully passed quality control and, instead of throwing the chip away, both Intel and AMD disable (lock) the faulty core(s) and sell the processor as triple/dual instead of quad. That said, you may have luck in unlocking the core(s) and have no apparent problems.

That's my advice, but in the end the choice is yours.

 

[Serpentz]

Thank you Dwarf. We should be friends I really appreciate the effort you've taken to help me. I think I'll go for a triple core X3 and just be happy with that for now. The board I have can go all the way to 6 cores if I need to upgrade one day. As it is, I've got an Athlon 64X2 5600+ 2.8 Ghz Windsor. I'm sure that with an X3 I'm going to be happy. Next thing I got to consider is a video card I still have nVidia 8600 GTS OC 256mb. This board is a Crossfire, but thinking I'll opt for the GTX460.

Cheers!

 

[society misfit]

Hey Serpentz,

Glad to hear things are starting to look up for you. From your original post you were having a tough time with a PSU and an old MSI board. However I have to ask this (and surprised no one else picked up). The memory you bought, you mentioned that it’s 6GB? Is that correct or a typo? AMD’s are dual channel memory only, meaning that to get the most out of your fast new RAM you would install the memory sticks in multiple of 2 (2 or 4 sticks). As far as I know, dual channel kits only come in 2, 4 and 8GB sizes. Triple channel kits are for Intel’s socket 1366 boards and CPU’s. To get the most out of a 1366 base system you will install your RAM sticks in multiple of 3 (3 or 6). And again, as far as I know they come in sizes 3, 6 and 12 GB.

 

[Serpentz]

Yeah, I kinda messed up on that deal. This is what I got:

Newegg.com - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK

It's a kit for Intel processors. Wondering if I should sell it and see if I can get the Gskill Ripjaw 4GB kit they have.

Do you think this OCZ would work OK if I bought another matching stick for a total of 8GB's? I know that either 2 slots, or all 4 slots need to be filled on this MB in order to utilize the dual channel and they have to be matching sticks.

On another note...if you recall I bought another power supply and the MSI board seemed to be fine. Turns out it still shuts down without notice. So I'm turning it into "art" lol. Pics soon!

 

[thefabe]

Well then I guess you have to ask yourself how confident are you in the reviews that you can unlock the CPU.
Otherwise without having to take a chance spend the extra $25.00 and go with the other one.
JMO Fabe