cpu upgrade help

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Robert

currently have a 2100xp looking to put in a 3200*400barton would i see any
performance gains or would i be better putting the money towards a 64bit
upgrade later on.
thanks
 
Robert said:
currently have a 2100xp looking to put in a 3200*400barton would i see any
performance gains or would i be better putting the money towards a 64bit
upgrade later on.
thanks
Click to expand...

The 3200 with the 400Mhz FSB is much faster, you will notice the
difference...
Wy not just buy a 64bit now instead of later, if you only have a 2100, didnt
even know they had that model... i'm sure you'd have to buy a new
motherboard to support the 3200+ so it wont cost you a terrible amount more.
 
currently have a 2100xp looking to put in a 3200*400barton would i see any
performance gains or would i be better putting the money towards a 64bit
upgrade later on.
thanks
Click to expand...


Yes there'll be gains but it depends on the (most demanding)
uses how much you'd benefit. Same goes for the Athlon 64
instead of the XP3200 Barton too, though.

I'd not buy an XP3200 Barton today, either:

- XP2500 Barton, then overclock it.

- Athlon 64 plus new motherboard

- Wait for more nForce4 motherboard options for Athlon 64
 
Robert said:
currently have a 2100xp looking to put in a 3200*400barton would i see any
performance gains or would i be better putting the money towards a 64bit
upgrade later on.
Click to expand...

Does your motherboard even support the 3200+? Can it do the 400 MHz FSB? It
might by overclocking, but can it handle the multiplier too?

If the answers are all yes, then consider this: The 3200+ costs $200,
roughly, online. Using the Drystone benchmark for Sandra, the 2100+ gets a
score of about 7063. The 3200+, a score of 9250. Now, using math, the
Barton core processor is about 30% faster (9250/7063).

http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20041221/cpu_charts-22.html

Now, assuming that most other benchmarks are in the ballpark, is it worth
$200 to you to get a 30% speed increase?

It's interesting to note, that in this particular test, a 2800+ T'bred core
beat the pants off the Barton core 3200+, scoring a 9325 on the same nForce
2 chipset. However, good luck finding one.

Now, let's look at the other side of the issue. The Athlon 64 3200+ based on
the 130nm Newcastle core (about $200 as well), scored a 10177 on the same
test with an nForce 3 based board with the Socket 939. Doing some math, we
find that you'll achieve about a 45% increase in speed. However, for that
extra 15% in speed, you'll have to change motherboards. Also, that test was
done using dual channel memory, so unless you upgrade it too, your results
will be something less.

So, is it worth all the extra money spent to get an additional 15% speed
increase?

These are decisions you have to make for yourself. Also, this is in no way
scientific. I chose that benchmark because it was the first Sandra
benchmark given in that test of CPUs. Other tests may show different
results. Some tests may show the Athlon 64 getting a much better
performance gain, others not as good. Look over the tests and determine for
yourself.
 
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