Dual vs Single channel - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

aa1037 · 07-28-2004, 02:57 PM

Ok here's the deal, I got a sick system for basically a steal - Athlon 3200+, gigabyte mobo, 1gb ram in dual channel

I happen to work at Best Buy and became eligable to buy an Asus K8V SE Deluxe mobo and Athlon 64 3200+ for $179 through a retail training program. Unfortunately, I don't think it supports dual channel, just single channel DDR400. Of course, I got it, but I'm wondering if I should just sell it off? Is losing the dual channel worth using the Athlon 64? Please note I could potentially sell the mobo and CPU and make like $400 and get a sick video card or something.

Hmm...

Lasereth · 07-28-2004, 03:33 PM

I can't stand it when people use the term "sick," but I'll just pretend that the computer components have cancer!

If it's choosing between an Athlon XP 3200+ and a damn good videocard or an Athlon 64 and an "ok" videocard, I'd choose option A. Sell the Athlon 64 setup and get a better videocard. Videocards are what powers today's games. Processors are definitely a contender, but a nice videocard is where it's at.

What videocard do you have now? If you already have a good one, I'd upgrade your processor. If you have a crappy videocard, I'd go for the Athlon XP + new videocard combo.

-Lasereth

aa1037 · 07-28-2004, 04:25 PM

well im on a cheapo 128mb radeon 9200 right now, but my main concern was dual vs single channel on the memory? I think my best bet is to sell the package and get a better vid card

Lasereth · 07-28-2004, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aa1037
well im on a cheapo 128mb radeon 9200 right now, but my main concern was dual vs single channel on the memory? I think my best bet is to sell the package and get a better vid card

Single vs dual channel doesn't matter much at all. That's the reason I said it's all down to the videocard. With a Radeon 9200, I'd sell the Athlon 64 setup and get a better videocard. The 9200 with an Athlon XP is like driving around an 18-wheeler with a Honda Civic 4-cylinder engine. Bottlenecked!! Ditch the Athlon 64 and buy a Radeon 9800 Pro for $200.

-Lasereth

Hercules · 07-28-2004, 04:31 PM

Thanks Lasereth... I was wondering the same thing.
I just got an AMD 64 3400+ and the ASUS K8V SE Deluxe mobo and 1 gb memory and I was concerned about that dual channel thing also.
And I just ordered a Sapphire x800 Pro

aa1037 · 07-28-2004, 04:55 PM

yea I posted it up for auction...if anyone wants to buy it

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT

what do you guys of 256mb vs 128mb vid cards?

Lasereth · 07-28-2004, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aa1037
what do you guys of 256mb vs 128mb vid cards?

The amount of memory on videocards means precisely dick. A 64 MB GeForce 4 TI4200 will rip a new asshole in a 256 MB GeForce FX 5200. It's the clock speed, memory speed, and memory bandwidth that counts, not the megabytes of memory. If you're looking for a new videocard, give us a price range and I'll tell ya the best bet. I can say with full confidence that the best videocard deal on the market right now is the ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 MB 256-bit for $200. If you want to spend more or less on a card than $200, just state your price range!

-Lasereth

07-28-2004, 07:11 PM

herc.. whyd you get a pro. it only has 12 pipelines. i think the 6800 ultra has 16 pipelines for around the same price. lasereth correct me if im wrong. i know you know your stuff.

Hercules · 07-28-2004, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Xepidemic
herc.. whyd you get a pro. it only has 12 pipelines. i think the 6800 ultra has 16 pipelines for around the same price. lasereth correct me if im wrong. i know you know your stuff.

Because the pro has 16 pipelines, but 4 of them are disabled.
With some minor modding you can make them usable.
Sure beats spending $100 more on an XT

A few of my friends just got 6800 GT's and overclocked them to Ultra's, so that saved them money also.
Another friend is pulling 12,000+ 3dmarks with his O/C'ed x800 Pro

aa1037 · 07-28-2004, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hercules
Because the pro has 16 pipelines, but 4 of them are disabled.
With some minor modding you can make them usable.

Really? where can I find this tweak? And do you know if it does substantial damage to the card?

ChrisJericho · 07-28-2004, 10:35 PM

Yes there are at least two ways to open the 4 disabled pipes on x800 pro's. They are not always successful though and there are risks in attempting them. Here is the forum with all the info...

http://www.rage3d.com/board/forumdis...?s=&forumid=22

07-28-2004, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hercules
Because the pro has 16 pipelines, but 4 of them are disabled.
With some minor modding you can make them usable.
Sure beats spending $100 more on an XT

A few of my friends just got 6800 GT's and overclocked them to Ultra's, so that saved them money also.
Another friend is pulling 12,000+ 3dmarks with his O/C'ed x800 Pro

ooo i see... ill keep that in mind when i make my next video card purchase. thanks bro

Lotronex · 07-29-2004, 01:58 PM

hmm, I would have sold my old setup to buy a new video card. If your current setup isnt that bad you could probably get $200 dollars for it and get a nice vid-card aswell as keeping the nice 64 bit system.

07-28-2004, 02:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
aa1037 Insane Location: New York	Dual vs Single channel Ok here's the deal, I got a sick system for basically a steal - Athlon 3200+, gigabyte mobo, 1gb ram in dual channel I happen to work at Best Buy and became eligable to buy an Asus K8V SE Deluxe mobo and Athlon 64 3200+ for $179 through a retail training program. Unfortunately, I don't think it supports dual channel, just single channel DDR400. Of course, I got it, but I'm wondering if I should just sell it off? Is losing the dual channel worth using the Athlon 64? Please note I could potentially sell the mobo and CPU and make like $400 and get a sick video card or something. Hmm...

07-28-2004, 03:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I can't stand it when people use the term "sick," but I'll just pretend that the computer components have cancer! If it's choosing between an Athlon XP 3200+ and a damn good videocard or an Athlon 64 and an "ok" videocard, I'd choose option A. Sell the Athlon 64 setup and get a better videocard. Videocards are what powers today's games. Processors are definitely a contender, but a nice videocard is where it's at. What videocard do you have now? If you already have a good one, I'd upgrade your processor. If you have a crappy videocard, I'd go for the Athlon XP + new videocard combo. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

07-28-2004, 10:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
ChrisJericho eat more fruit Location: Seattle	Yes there are at least two ways to open the 4 disabled pipes on x800 pro's. They are not always successful though and there are risks in attempting them. Here is the forum with all the info... http://www.rage3d.com/board/forumdis...?s=&forumid=22 __________________ "A casual stroll through the lunatic asylum shows us that faith proves nothing." - Friedrich Nietzsche

07-28-2004, 04:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
aa1037 Insane Location: New York	well im on a cheapo 128mb radeon 9200 right now, but my main concern was dual vs single channel on the memory? I think my best bet is to sell the package and get a better vid card

07-28-2004, 04:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hercules Insane Location: TX	Thanks Lasereth... I was wondering the same thing. I just got an AMD 64 3400+ and the ASUS K8V SE Deluxe mobo and 1 gb memory and I was concerned about that dual channel thing also. And I just ordered a Sapphire x800 Pro

07-28-2004, 04:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
aa1037 Insane Location: New York	yea I posted it up for auction...if anyone wants to buy it http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MESE:IT what do you guys of 256mb vs 128mb vid cards?

07-28-2004, 07:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Xepidemic Guest	herc.. whyd you get a pro. it only has 12 pipelines. i think the 6800 ultra has 16 pipelines for around the same price. lasereth correct me if im wrong. i know you know your stuff.

07-29-2004, 01:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lotronex Tilted	hmm, I would have sold my old setup to buy a new video card. If your current setup isnt that bad you could probably get $200 dollars for it and get a nice vid-card aswell as keeping the nice 64 bit system.