AMD 3600 X2 vs. regular 3700

skiltrip wrote on 1/28/2008, 8:16 AM
I currently am running a 939 style motherboard with an Athlon 64 3700+ cpu. I was wondering if I would see an increase in performance switching to an Athlon 64 X2 3600+. I know the actual speed rating is lower, but it's dual-core of course.

I know there are faster X2s, but the 3600 X2 is the only one I'm considering right now (price constraints), so I'd like to only pit once against the other.

Would the dual-core-ness of the 3600 outperform my regular 3700 when using Sony Vegas Pro 8? Or would it be a performance decrease or actually about even? Thanks.

Kip

Comments

riredale wrote on 1/28/2008, 8:54 AM
The single-core runs at 2.4GHz while the dual-core runs at 1.9GHz.

Even so, I would recommend the dual-core, because for many functions including Vegas processing the two cores will operate mostly in parallel, making things seem much faster. Plus, it's likely you will be able to significantly overclock the processors if you like to tweak. My 3800x2 has been boosted from 2GHz to 2.6 with no complaints.

Another alternative is to look elsewhere for cheap processors. Right now Intel holds the performance crown, so it should be very easy to find x2 chips on eBay for a very low price. Go with a seller that has an excellent feedback history and an assurance that the chip can be returned if defective. The x2 family for 939 sockets runs up to, I think, a 4800x2.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/28/2008, 9:01 AM
for the price of a 46/4800 X2 939 you could get an AM2 X2 & a new AM2+ MB that supports the phenon.

it's really hard to find sub-$150 4xxxx X2's any more. you're better off going to AM2 or Intel.
skiltrip wrote on 1/28/2008, 9:57 AM
Yeah, any 939 X2 i'd get now is purely to hold me over till i'm ready to upgrade my mainboard. If I could jack up my performance a little for $50 or so I'd do it, but if it's getting close to or over $100 I'll most likely just wait a little bit to go AM2.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 1/28/2008, 10:31 AM
i'd wait then. the am3's come out in a few months. right now the 939's are just to much $$ to be worth it.