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Sharky Extreme : Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
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Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
August 2003 Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2By Vince Freeman August 22, 2003ProcessorsAMD CPU: Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83 GHz) Barton OEM
Current Cost: $88 Current AMD pricing would allow us an "upgrade" to a higher model number, but the Athlon XP 2500+ Barton remains the best overall deal. It includes the upgraded 512K of L2 cache featured in all Barton models, and even though its 1.83 GHz core speed is lower than competitive Athlon XP Thoroughbred models, overall performance is comparable to the 2500+ model number. This lower clock speed and Barton core open the barn door wide for potential overclocking, and some online results have been quite impressive. Many have achieved Athlon XP 2800+ speeds or higher, and with a relatively low 1.83 GHz default speed, there is a lot of overclocking headroom for AMD's newest value CPU. The Athlon XP 2500+ has it all, and high performance, 512K of L2 cache, and serious overclocking potential makes the Athlon XP 2500+ a super value bet. An interesting footnote is that because the Athlon XP 2500+ features the Barton core and a 1.83 GHz clock speed, it has an advantage over the higher-clocked Athlon XP 2600+ or 2700+ (which use the standard 256K Thoroughbred core), especially when you overclock it. There are both OEM and retail versions available, but we recommend the OEM model, not only to save a few dollars but also to choose a more powerful, 3rd-party cooling solution.
Current Cost: $157
Intel has maintained prices over the past month, so the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz is once again our CPU of choice. This model supports the 533 MHz front-side bus, and although we'd love to nab it, the Pentium 4-2.4C (800 MHz) is still a bit out of our budget. Overall performance at only 2.4 GHz is not that different between the 533 and 800 MHz processors, and our budget and overall system configuration is more tuned towards a 533 MHz processor anyway. The Intel Pentium 4-2.4 GHz offers a lot of value at the mid-range level, and the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz is potentially the best Intel value right now. It also includes all the Northwood enhancements (upgraded 512K cache) and not only gives super performance at 2.4 GHz, but can easily overclock higher. We will be crossing our fingers that the Pentium 4-2.4C will receive some price cuts over the next 30 days, and evaluating the upcoming Intel 848P (800 MHz, single-channel DDR) motherboard crop to see how their price-performance relates to the current selection. One way or another, we're expecting at least one change on the Intel CPU/motherboard side of things for next month.
In terms of the Retail vs. OEM argument, we're sticking with the Retail version, as not only do you get a nearly-free heatsink-fan and full 3-year Intel warranty, but also means receiving a sealed, totally untested CPU. These entry-level Pentium 4 models are priced a bit higher than corresponding AMD CPUs, so it's going to be a tight squeeze. Even so, fitting the powerful and overclockable Pentium 4-2.4 GHz into our value system configuration is more than worth the effort.
Current Cost: $20
The Athlon XP 2500+ actually runs cooler than comparable 2400+ or 2600+ models, and at 1.83 GHz, the default retail cooling would more than suffice. Due to AMD's low prices, we've got the extra cash and will be looking at a heftier, 3rd-party solution. The ThermalTake Volcano 9 is an upgraded version of the popular Volcano 7, with much the same features, but in a more streamlined and user-friendly design. The heatsink portion is an aluminum-copper core hybrid, and allows for maximum heat exchange between the CPU and the copper core, while making use of the excellent heat dissipation properties of aluminum. This also allows the Volcano 9 to fit our budget, as high-end copper models are a bit out of our league. According to the ThermalTake website, this model is rated up to the (as yet unannounced) Athlon XP 3400+, thus giving us additional overclocking headroom in case it's needed. The ThermalTake Volcano 9 features an upgraded SmartFan II cooling system, which includes an external temperature sensor (mounted to the CPU core) & fan speed control. The sensor monitors core temperatures and controls fan speeds, which run as low as 1300 RPM (20.55 CFM) at 20 degrees C or as high as 4800 RPM (75.7 CFM) at 55 degrees C. This helps keep core temperatures down, but also minimizes fan noise, especially in well-cooled systems where ambient temperatures are low. These CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) ratings are much higher than the old Volcano 7, and provide a more robust CPU cooling solution. It also looks great, and includes a 3-prong clip for added stability.
Current Cost: $0 The retail Pentium 4 processors are a great option for the value buyers, as these include a heatsink-fan, and in most cases, are priced only a few dollars higher than the basic OEM models. We recommend sticking with the bundled, retail cooler for the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz processor, not only because it provides excellent cooling, but also to help fit it into our $1K budget. At 2.4 GHz, the Northwood core doesn't put a huge strain on the CPU cooling system, and the exact same retail heatsink-fan unit is actually hefty enough to handle even their higher-end 3.06 GHz models. This translates into stable operation at standard clock speeds, and safe overclocking to higher core speed levels.
Overall value is another great reason to spend a bit more for the retail processor, as it nets you a stock cooler and the package price is lower than buying an OEM Pentium 4 and then purchasing a retail heatsink-fan. A nice side-benefit to the Intel retail cooler is its incredibly quiet operation, and inside a sealed case, the ambient noise levels of the Intel cooling fan can be close to unnoticeable.
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