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Sharky Extreme : Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
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Monthly Value Gaming System Buyer's Guide |
October 2003 Value Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2By Vince Freeman October 10, 2003ProcessorsAMD CPU: Athlon XP 2500+ (1.83 GHz) Barton OEM
Current Cost: $86 The current AMD price list, coupled with our $1K budget, would allow a move to a higher rated Athlon XP model, but these performance rankings can be deceiving. The Athlon XP 2500+ features the upgraded Barton core, and the 512K of L2 cache, and coupled with the lower-than-usual clock speed, makes this processor a much better deal than the Athlon XP 2600+ or 2700+. The base performance is impressive, and the Athlon XP 2500+ more than lives up to its rating, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. The 1.83 GHz core speed makes it a super overclocker, and many have taken it to impressive speeds, equating to greater than Athlon XP 2700+ performance levels. This lower clock speed and Barton core opens the barn door wide for potential overclocking, and some online results have been quite impressive. At 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. 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: $156
The Intel pricing model remains competitive at the mid-range and high-end, but their entry-level Pentium 4 models still cost significantly more than the same-performance Athlon XP. Our $1K budget makes even the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz (533) a tough squeeze, and although we had wanted to nab the newer 800 MHz model, it's still a bit out of reach. This isn't such a bad thing, as overall performance isn't that much different between the Pentium 4-2.4 GHz 800 and 533 MHz models, and we're really tailoring our Value System to deliver the most bang for the buck anyway. The Intel Pentium 4-2.4 GHz offers a lot of pop at the mid-range level, and is potentially the best entry-level Intel value right now. This CPU also includes all the Northwood enhancements (upgraded 512K cache) and not only gives super performance at 2.4 GHz, but can easily overclock higher. There may be some good news on the horizon, as Intel is rumored to be cutting CPU prices through their entire line, and this may being the 800 MHz models a bit lower on the scale, as well as giving us a shot at a Pentium 4-2.53 GHz upgrade. It may still be a tight squeeze, but for those with time to wait, it may be best to wait until the end of October to fully evaluate the Intel CPU scene. Either way, we'll be back next month with our take on any potential price shifts and to give our opinion on where the best value resides.
In terms of the Retail vs. OEM argument, we're sticking with the Retail version, as not only do you receive a nearly-free heatsink-fan and full 3-year Intel warranty, but also a sealed, totally untested CPU. These entry-level Pentium 4 models are priced a bit higher than corresponding AMD CPUs, so tagging a retail model is going to be a tight squeeze. Even so, the powerful and overclockable Pentium 4-2.4 GHz and the added savings compared to a 3rd-party HSF, makes this as good as we're going to get on the Intel side.
Current Cost: $18
We have a bit of an advantage with the Athlon XP 2500+, as it actually runs cooler than comparable Athlon XP 2400+ or 2600+ models, and at 1.83 GHz, the default AMD retail cooling would more than suffice. The decision to go with a value-priced processor gives us some extra money to spend, so we're looking at a heftier, 3rd-party solution. The ThermalTake Volcano 9 is an upgraded version of the popular Volcano 7, with many of 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 even with the CPU cost-savings, a high-end copper model is really not the best use of funds. 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 still a prime buy for value systems, as the price difference between the OEM and Retail models is nominal, and easily more than a mid-range, 3rd-party heatsink-fan. So for our money, the few extra bucks are worth it, especially with the bundled, retail cooler that Intel offers. This HSF provides two key benefits; it will more than suffice for Pentium 4-2.4 GHz cooling, and it eases nicely into our $1K system 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 a 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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