Main > Main Forum

64bit Dual-Core or 32bit single??

Pages: << < (6/6)

Matt Berry:

Pretty much every CPU available now is 64 bit. An AMD on 939 would be your best bet 3700+ or a 4000+, both have 1mb L2 cache vs 512kb on most other processors. The upgradability factor is not very big for 939 as it is going to be replaced by M2 by this summer.

I also have to address Soapboy who probably believes that his P4 @ 2.8 can outperform the AMD 939 clocked at 2.8 or higher. The AMD 64 will blow your processor away, hands down. It also does run a lot cooler. Under full load my processor averages 32-34c. This is on a 4000+ @ 2.7. Prime95 tested for 120 hours. Even my old 3200+ barton wouldn't break 35c. All of these are air cooled, using upgraded heatsinks and artic silver 5.

If heat wasn't an issue intel wouldn't be dropping the P4 architecture and pushing performance per watt, instead of overall speed. The nice thing is my CPU will be a top performer for at least another year as neither Intel or AMD will be really pushing speed increases untill the end of the year.

krick:

My current MAME computer is pretty much the end of the line.
MAME doesn't like dual cores, ArcadeVGA needs an AGP slot, and I'm partial to Windows98SE / DOS...


Motherboard: ASUS A8V Deluxe rev2.0 (VIA K8T800Pro + VT8237 chipset)

The VIA K8T800Pro is the last modern AGP chipset to fully support Windows 98SE.

This board has two serial ports, one onboard, one you need a bracket (sold separately).  Dual serial ports are nice if I decide to run DOS with dual trackballs on my Opti-PAC.  Most modern motherboards only have one serial port.

This board supports all socket 939 CPUs currently available.  There probably won't be any more anyway due to Socket AM2 around the corner.

CPU: Opteron 148 (2.2GHz)
This CPU is a single core part, and features 1MB cache.  It overclocks easily to 2.8GHz at the default voltage and is rock stable under Prime95.  I can get it to 2.9GHz but it only lasts about 12 hours under full load before getting an error in Prime95.  I can boot into windows at nearly 3.0GHz but it's not stable.  Bumping up the voltage doesn't seem to have any effect on the stability.  I think my motherboard is the limiting factor.

Memory: Crucial Ballistix PC3200 1GB (512M x 2 sticks)
This memory runs at low 2-2-2 timings though I can't get it to run 1:1 at 2.8GHz due to the high base clock speed.  Luckily, running a memory divider has almost no effect on AMD systems performance so  I leave the memory settings on "Auto" and it just works.

Incidentally, 1GB is plenty for every game currently in MAME and Windows 98SE doesn't really support more than 1GB anyway.




Pages: << < (6/6)

Go to full version