Lower TDP Processor or Better Hestsink - help me decide! : )

jeekub · Post by **jeekub** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:44 am

Hi,

I've just upgraded my mobo to Asus M2N32 Deluxe/WiFi and I'm considering what to replace next.

The choice I have is
EITHER
replacing my AMD Athlon X2 4200+ cpu with AMD 4850e

OR
changing my hestsink from Arctic Cooling Alpine64 to Xigmatek HDT-S1283

First option gives me additional 400Mhz/core and lower TDP, so I can keep the fan on lower RPMs while the second will definitely keep the cpu I currently have cool and quiet.

Thanks in advance for your help!

bgiddins · Post by **bgiddins** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:05 am

...I would only consider replacing the CPU if it no longer meets your needs.

Mats · Post by **Mats** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:36 am

Yeah, a new CPU is a good idea, however, I don't think you'll notice much difference preformance wise with the one you're thinking of.

I'd wait for next months new models if your motherboard supports them, maybe a 45 nm Phenom II X3 710.
It will cost more than a 4850e though. There will be cheaper CPU's available later in june, and the good thing about these new CPU's, besides being faster and cooler, is that they supports both DDR2 and DDR3.

lm · Post by lm » Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:57 am

Ask yourself, what do you actually need, that your system does not provide, and then the answer to your original question should be easy.

Mats · Post by **Mats** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:11 am

Have you undervolted it?

jeekub · Post by **jeekub** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:38 am

Actually, it's my first decent mobo so any tweaking is still before me ;)

I would appreciate if you could share any comprehensive FAQ about undervolting!

Thanks for the info about the new CPUs. I'm not sure though if putting Ph2 in a AM2 socket makes much sense though, because of the lower HyperTransport speeds. What do you think?

Ah, and out of sheer curiosity-what would be more efficient (performance and silencewise) with a passive GeForce 9600? Asus M3A78 with the highly regarded 780 chipset or M3N78 with GeForce8300 chippset and Hybrid Sli?

Redzo · Post by **Redzo** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 6:46 am

Go with 9600GS och Hybrid SLI. Silencewise it's the same since Hybrid SLI shuts down 9600GS when not in use.

BUT 9600GS is not listed as either "GeForce Boost" or "Hybrid Power" enabled card.

Read more here
http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli_desktop.html

jeekub · Post by **jeekub** » Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:04 pm

Redzo: True. Thanks for pointing that out!

Mats: thanks for your post about new Phenoms! I decided to return the M2N32 and get M3N-HT/HDMI instead, so I can upgrade to Phenom II later on : )

Care to give your opinion in a poll?

viewtopic.php?t=52149

joelmusicman · Post by **joelmusicman** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:49 am

Did you notice any power reduction with Hybrid Power enabled?

The SPCR review found only marginal power savings with the dedicated card switched off...

jeekub · Post by **jeekub** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:57 am

Unfortunately, my Gigabyte GF9600GT is not supported by Hybrid Sli :/ Hopefully it changes with future bios updates...

ntavlas · Post by **ntavlas** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 7:21 am

It would be great if we could get more hybrid sli products but unfortunately nvidia seems to be abandoning it on the desktop.
Only motherboards from the 750/780 series were proven to be supporting hybrid sli properly, they were not the most power efficient boards though.

As for the cpu, you could wait a little. There should be some nice, lower power phenoms coming, there are already such chips branded as opterons.

A better heatsink will help no matter what the cpu. If you stick to the am2/3 socket family it will probably last quite a few years too.

jeekub · Post by **jeekub** » Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:18 am

That kind of policy is hard to explain, especially with energy saving being so important lately...

I've already decided to wait for Phenom II, I wonder how will it do temperaturewise compared to my current CPU.

And Xigmatek's HDT-S963 w/Nexus fan is the HSF of choice, I'll probably get it by the next month. Shame that the bigger one won't fit in my case ; )