Chip choice dilemma.

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Pigpen
Posts: 65
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 12:37 am
Location: Denver,CO

Chip choice dilemma.

Post by Pigpen » Sun May 21, 2006 8:18 pm

Two A64's one is a 3500 and the other is a 3700, I can only keep one of the two. My plan is for htpc use. I looked them up at amd's website and found alot of specs but nothing that made any sense to me, so could someone translate the techno jargon into something useable. Please.
The #'s on the chips are
A) ADA3500DAA4BW
B) ADA3700DKA5CF

They are both 2.2Ghz 1000Fsb E6 step and variable temp According to the specs, the differences are the 3500 shows variable voltage and the 3700 shows 1.35v. The 3700 also has 1mb cache as compared to the 512mb on the 3500.

1) Is there going to be a big difference in wattage between the two?
2) Is there going to be a big difference in performance between the two?
3) Am I just overthinking the whole thing............

dragmor
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Location: Oz

Post by dragmor » Sun May 21, 2006 8:47 pm

My advice is to install both processors and run TCaseMax, keep the processor with the lowest TDP. Return the one you don’t want with the unused fan.

1) Maybe, and maybe not in the direction you think. Have a look at the A64 TDP sticky threads.
2) Not really, on average 2%-5%, more if your application(s) can live within the 1mb cache.
3) Yes and No, I'm surprised that your not including the $ in your decision.

Pigpen
Posts: 65
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 12:37 am
Location: Denver,CO

Post by Pigpen » Sun May 21, 2006 9:08 pm

Tcase is not an option at this point, dont have a 939 mobo yet.
TDP threads seem to show different chips all over the place but within a similar window.
The cost is not really a concern as much as the function is. The tasks are to be primarily a tivo type unit along with the other HTPC functions able to display 1080i. So I need enough oomph in the processing power department for the HD but dont want to deal with the presshot type problems

jaganath
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Post by jaganath » Mon May 22, 2006 1:22 am

The #'s on the chips are
A) ADA3500DAA4BW
B) ADA3700DKA5CF
More cache on the 3700 is going to make it run slightly hotter, but still nowhere near Prescott levels. There's not much to choose between them, to be honest. The 3700 maybe has a little more performance, the 3500 may run a little cooler. It's a shame you can't keep them both! :lol:

Pigpen
Posts: 65
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2003 12:37 am
Location: Denver,CO

Post by Pigpen » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:20 pm

UPDATE: I was able to hang on to the chips until my mobo came in.
Lucky for me as I was just going to use the 3700, which would have been a major mistake.
The board came in and I had all of about five minutes to check them with Tcase here are the results.
The 3700 from a newer shipment was a Toledo core and had a TDP of 61.8watts.
The 3500 from an older shipment was a Venice core and had a TDP of 32.4watts.

It will be so much easier keeping the Venice cool as compared to that 62watt monster. Can you imagine that 3700 in a nice slim stylish HTPC case...... melting the top.

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