Barton or Thoroughbred

[KBC]

Hi people...

Was wondering what you guys would recommend me getting, I'm considering an upgrade from my AthlonXP 1700+...

There's 2 processors I have in mind, the AthlonXP 2500+ Barton or the AthlonXP 2600+ Thoroughbred... both at almost identical prices.

Can anyone recommend? also if anyone can find some nice side by side comparison charts, that'd be great.

[dawizman]

Well, not sure about any Side by Side graphs, but I would say to get the 2500+ because it has 512k of L2 cache vs the 256k of the 2600+.

[is0lized]

Ditto ^^ More bandwidth :P

But you will have to spend more on new ram to keep up with the bartons fsb :D

[trenzterra]

ThoroughBred, if its a TB-B

[KBC]

I'm trying to get the new NForce motherboards along with 512MB of DDR400 RAM. Just not quite sure which type of processor to get, some people say with AMD, clock speed is more significant than its 512K L2 cache according to performance and speed.

[dawizman]

Originally posted by is0lized
Ditto ^^ More bandwidth :P

But you will have to spend more on new ram to keep up with the bartons fsb :D


Well actually, wou are wrong there man. The 2600 T'bred has the same 333Mhz FSB as the 2500.

[dawizman]

Originally posted by KBC
I'm trying to get the new NForce motherboards along with 512MB of DDR400 RAM. Just not quite sure which type of processor to get, some people say with AMD, clock speed is more significant than its 512K L2 cache according to performance and speed.

First, unless you are overclocking, dont bother with DDR 400, b/c only the 3200 requires DDR 400 to run at it's full potential.

Second, clock speed and cache are both significant performance wise. But i would reccomend getting the extra 256k of cache. Just look at the 2600+ and the 1800+, they both run at 2.083Ghz, but the 2800+ has a rating of 200+ more because of it's 512k of L2 cache.

[Bruce]

Originally posted by KBC
I'm trying to get the new NForce motherboards along with 512MB of DDR400 RAM. Just not quite sure which type of processor to get, some people say with AMD, clock speed is more significant than its 512K L2 cache according to performance and speed. Barton 2500+
Abit NF7-s
512MB PC-3200

Get a good heatsink/fan and overclock it to at least 2GHz.

[KBC]

hmm... thanks for your advice, regarding the RAM... both the PC2700 and the PC3200 have similar prices from where I'm getting them from. So most of you are recommending the Barton chip?

[trenzterra]

I thought Bartons were overated?

[Daniel]

Originally posted by trenzterra
I thought Bartons were overated?

:confused:

KBC, PC3200 would be best if you plan to overclock or get the new 3200+ Barton with 400mhz FSB.

[KBC]

The 3000+ models seem to be a bit over my budget. I know about the 400 FSB, the 2600+ TB and the 2500+ Barton both have 333 FSB. Which do you recommend?

[Daniel]

Well if you don't plan on overclocking or using the 3200+ models, go with PC2700(non-generic) RAM. Aslong as the FSB and the RAM are synchronous.

[KBC]

Yup, you're right. I'm thinking of a 2600+ with 512MB PC2700 RAM. :smile2: But I'm still considering.

[trenzterra]

Originally posted by Daniel
:confused:

KBC, PC3200 would be best if you plan to overclock or get the new 3200+ Barton with 400mhz FSB. I heard that Barton 3000+s are in fact lousier than 2800+ TBBs?

[Daniel]

Originally posted by trenzterra
I heard that Barton 3000+s are in fact lousier than 2800+ TBBs?

The 3000+ is essentially a 2800+ with slightly faster clock speed. Not much noticable difference however it still outperforms it by about 5-10% if even.

Btw, the 2500+, 2800+, 3000+, and the 3200(333mhz FSB version)+ are Barton cores now with 333mhz and 512kb L2 cache.

[KBC]

On a side note, would you say a Pentium 4 2.4GHz (533FSB) out-perform a AMD AthlonXP 2600+ TB (333FSB) ?

Now I'm not sure whether to get a P4 or an Athlon. :smile2:

[Daniel]

If your gonna get a P4, might aswell get one with 800mhz and HT. Although HT is pretty much useless and you hardly notice the 800mhz FSB, they both cost the same.

To answer your question, the AMD XP 2600+ outperforms the P4B(533mhz) 2.4ghz in nearly all benchmarks..

[KBC]

Thanks Daniel for your advice. :smile2: I did manage to find some benchmarks in the end located here (http://www.microze.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=1190&st=0&#entry13301). Seems like I might stick to the AthlonXP 2600+, although I would much prefer the new Barton 400FSB chips. :smile2:

[Daniel]

You can always overclock that mother.

[KBC]

I'm not sure actually, I think I might not go for the NForce one and save some cash...instead, I may opt for the AMD AthlonXP 2700+ Thoroughbred as opposed to the AthlonXP2600+ whilst settling for the same motherboard you're getting - the Asus A7V8X-X. I'll sacrifice the NForce for clock speed. :smile2:

[Bruce]

Originally posted by KBC
the Asus A7V8X-X. I'll sacrifice the NForce for clock speed. :smile2: You'll regret it...

[Daniel]

The A7V8X-X is not my first choice... My choice would have been Soltek NV400-L64.

[KBC]

Originally posted by Bruce
You'll regret it...

Hmm OK then... I may stick with the NForce. :smile2: I'm just wondering whether it is worth getting the NForce as I am thinking of getting this with the AMD AthlonXP 2600+ TB with 512MB DDR RAM (PC2700).

[Daniel]

There is only like a 100mhz difference between the 2600+ and the 2700+. You might aswell just get the 2600+ and overclock it.