AMD 64 (Winchester) 3000 skt 939

rchddap1

Hi,

I'm looking for people's suggestions on where I can buy this processor. Ebuyer seems to be waiting for stock. I have come across www.microdirect.co.uk, but wanted to know people's opinions on this website. Alternatively, any other suggestions on where I can buy this processor would be greatly appreciated (have checked dabs)

wolfman

Micordirect is very good. Just make sure you order the correct item. They're great for price, shipping etc... but can be troubesome when trying to return something.

Also, why are you getting a Winchester core? Why not just get the newer Venice core? It's probably only around £5-8 more expensive.

rchddap1

I've heard that the Winchester is better than the Venice. That's why I picked that particular one.

wolfman

Oh, not something I'm aware of. From what I know the Venice is the newer of the two, and is the same as the Winchester, but has a few extra inbuilt instructions (can't remember what regarding).

I'd go for the Venice if I were you, or google around to check.

Actually here's a discussion:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13799688

Just type "Winchester vs Venice" in google.

boogiemaster

The Winchester runs cooler because of the 90nm core; the Venice is just the new Cpu at the moment and seems to be slightly better.
The Venice has the 90mn core and is very cool, most people want to over clock the Venice and get more performance out of it.

I don’t over clock my Athlon 64 939 3800+ because your putting more voltage into the CPU and you need better memory to over clock.
You’re also putting the CPU under a lot more strain and voiding the warranty!

You can blow your CPU and your memory just for a little more performance?
If you want more performance buy a better Cpu.


My brother has the Winchester 3500 and its fast, the Venice is a newer CPU and it’s improved.
Some say it’s just a Winchester modded up and given a different name that’s all.
The choice is yours.

blinky

boogiemaster wrote:

The Winchester runs cooler because of the 90nm core.

Cooler than what?

Venice runs cooler than Winchester, it is also 90mm die. I think AMD might have used SOI or strained silicon. A 3000+ Venice will run sub 30C.

Venice adds SSE3 (questionable addition) and an improved memory controller that can run 4x PC3200 Single sided DIMMS. It also has support for memory faster than the HTT bus but not all BIOSes support for these.

I would go for Venice / San Diego (1Mb cache versions) over Winchester, although I would prefer Toledo / Manchester (X2 chips).

With regards overclocking.

i) There's no way AMD can tell it's been overclocked, so difficult to prove you killed it by overclocking, unless you are putting silly voltages through it. Also, AMD know they appeal to the enthusiast / overclocker market, hence why the FX chips are completely multiplier unlocked (can move the multiplier up).

I've been overclocking for years and never killed a chip.

ii) You don't need fantastic memory. Running memory at a divider has a very little effect on the performance, due to the way the processor is designed (unlike Intel P4's).

iii) £20 For an XP90 cooler and about £10-20 quid more for a decent board (e.g. DFI Ultra-D) versus several hundred pounds for a faster processor model, I know which I'd take. Even if I wasn't clocking I would probably use those components anyway.

iv) The most significant part to spend money on for a decent AMD64 rig is a top notch PSU.

My rig

AMD 3000+ Winnie ADA3000DIK4B1 CBBID0502APMW
Thermalright XP-90 w/ Panaflo FBL 92L1A
270.1 MHz HTT (CPU = 2431MHz)
DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D
2x512Mb Crucial PC3200 CL3 (CT6464Z40B)
@ 202.5/405 2.5-3-3-6-12
Gigabyte NX66T128VP (6600GT VIVO -500/1120 default clock)
Creative Audigy 2 Platinum
WD 1200JD 120Gb SATA HD (8Mb cache)
2x 160Gb Seagate 7200.7 SATA HD (8Mb cache)
Liteon 166S DVD (Pri Slave)
NEC 2500A DVDRW (Sec Master)
Liteon 52246S CDRW (Sec Slave)
WD 800JB (8Mb cache in USB2.0 external box)
Hiper Type-R 480W True PSU (24 Pin)
LianLi Case
Dell 1901FP TFT
Trust 5.1 Headphones
MS Intellmouse + Internet Keyboard

ribenagirl

I've used a 3000+ Winchester in my new media centre pc which is way more than I actually needed and it's great

My view is that I wouldn't worry about getting a Venice unless you're planning to overclock - save your pennies (they're *marginally* more expensive) and get a Winchester - it's a perfectly good cpu.

If you have a look here:

http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2767

there's a comprehensive list of computer components retailers

Personally speaking, I've bought components from Scan, Ebuyer and Microdirect and all have been absolutely fine and without problems. I think when I got mine a few weeks ago though, Ebuyer were doing a Free Shipping offer on CPUs which is probably why they're out of stock.

You could get from elsewhere, but you may end up paying more in postage costs - depends how quickly you want it!

T4i

£4 cheaper here, not sure how that compairs with MD shipping though.

http://www.cclonline.com/product-categories.asp?category_id=248