Well since I find myself repeating myself over and over.....

Chipsets, cores, and more


AMD's socket types

940 = Sledgehammer cored CPUs, these are server and FX offerings that have dual channel capibility, but require ECC. FX chips have multis 4-25 available.

754 = Clawhammer core, and also "Newcastle" cores. Multis locked at 10 or 11, but multipliers below are open. But do not have dual channel, but also don't require ECC ram - your Geil DDR400 will work happily. To be replaces this year with "Winchester" cores.

Upcoming is the 939 which will obsolete the 940.

The 754 pin will remain the same even when there is a switch to Winchester cores. Rejected cores like current Newcastles may have their own name. Never seen something directing one way or another. So if you buy a socket 754 now, your mobo will probably support the next gen of Winchester cores.

"Why can't we overclock these things worth crap generally?"

Glad you asked, it's as simple as the chipset manufacturers having very bad communication with motherboard manufacturers. Many of the bios can't seem to regulate the PCI/AGP frequencies worth crap. Often times with NF3 150 chipset boards, your best bet is with software based overclocking that can calculate frequences better, but still not a winning plan all and all.

150 chipsets were originally designed to have SATA Raid support built in, but many motherboard manufacturers wanted to use promise raid controllers as with their other mobos, so it was scrapped before production, but it left a giant flaw, promise raid controllers are ran through the PCI bus interface. Reason 754 systems loaded with SATA raid often have extreme data corruption at mild overclocks. Reason many 754 overclockers use RAID controller cards designed for 33/66mhz PCI bus frequences.

Here comes 250. Interchangable with 150s, but not cleanly. Both NVidia chipsets work for 754s/940s, but the 250 is designed to also support the 939 + some extras. Chaintech produces a series of these boards and a few have been reviewed but they made nearly no changes from the zenith offering prior and aren't commercially available yet. These will allow easier locking of AGP/PCI frequencies, and will include support for 4 SATA devices, and a firmware firewall, more USB connectors, and a few more extras..

So basicly - unless you want to buy a SATA raid controller, continue using PATA drives, and have headaches. It pains me to say... folks, hold off for the 250s or new VIA/SiS chipset based mobos. These chips have a lot of headroom, but there are a lot of issues from corners getting cut tryin' to get into the market place first.

As another suprise benefit it appears NVidia's 250's SATA raid support will be far faster than the raid controllers normally found now.

If you see any problems with what I said/additional information. I won't take offense if you call me an idiot and correct/add.

Nice post, stuff like this needs to be cleared up.

I can't give him rep points, wtf? I need to spread more reputation points? I probably give more good rep points than anyone else on PimpRig

great info Bro...That ought to give a guy something to chew on if he is considering an a64 system...right on...

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly I won't take offense if you call me an idiot..

You Idiot!
Thanks for the info, cleared some things up

Quote: Originally Posted by ERAD You Idiot! Thanks for the info, cleared some things up

No problem, also as far as admitting I'm an idiot, it's the first step to recovery correct?

Damn, Damn, Ditzy Damn..

The dude above me called you an Idiot first..now what? he took my line...

Well I suppose I could just compliment you on the fine summary of hours of reviews and endless searching forums for all the latest info...

But, I know you hate it when people compliment you...so "Yer a Jackass!"

Looking forward to your thoughts on the 939 Pin AMD 64..I'm sure we all will appreciate an idiotic opinions you care to sprew our way

Any opinions on the FX-51 through FX-55?

I curious...im like neo, excepting everything he sees, because he expecting to wake up...

The socket 939 has been produced in order to split the opteron and the FX chips apart. 940 will continue to strive in the server area, leaving 939 as the advanced CPU socket for the desktop. 754 is the "slowly but surely" obsoleting socket, its fate sealed with the realease of the 939. I realise that there are at least 3 more models for the socket, but the aim is clear to me that the death knel was rung earlier this year for it.

Quote: Originally Posted by nev_payne I curious...im like neo, excepting everything he sees, because he expecting to wake up... The socket 939 has been produced in order to split the opteron and the FX chips apart. 940 will continue to strive in the server area, leaving 939 as the advanced CPU socket for the desktop. 754 is the "slowly but surely" obsoleting socket, its fate sealed with the realease of the 939. I realise that there are at least 3 more models for the socket, but the aim is clear to me that the death knel was rung earlier this year for it.

754 obsoleting? Then why are there 3 (last time I checked) future cores for it?

"XPs" will be 754's when the Paris core is released, which is a 32 bit only version.

754 is just the "Duron" of the 64 bit family (and future king of AMDs 32). 939 is just more feature rich. 754 is hoping to be the budget chip in their line up. That's all I can see.

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly 754 obsoleting? Then why are there 3 (last time I checked) future cores for it? "XPs" will be 754's when the Paris core is released, which is a 32 bit only version. 754 is just the "Duron" of the 64 bit family (and future king of AMDs 32). 939 is just more feature rich. 754 is hoping to be the budget chip in their line up. That's all I can see.

**** its a duron??!! and i spent all that money on it. DAMN YOU TECHNOLOGY/MURPHY'S LAW!!

Quote: Originally Posted by davidkruta **** its a duron??!! and i spent all that money on it. DAMN YOU TECHNOLOGY/MURPHY'S LAW!!

Well not a Duron really - it's got it's own kick, my 3000 Newcastle is truly the Duron. But yah... 939s will be the AMD64 to have about July.

Lets put it this way, I already am pigeon holing money for it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Iateronmly Well not a Duron really - it's got it's own kick, my 3000 Newcastle is truly the Duron. But yah... 939s will be the AMD64 to have about July. Lets put it this way, I already am pigeon holing money for it.

ahh that would explain the "duron64" kinda news items ive seen dotted around. so thers 3 more cores??? wow thats quite a range improvment for AMD. Im curious tho - as everyhting on 754 boards is worked around 64bit, will the 32bit "duron64" 's still function properly?

i dont know about all this stuff with the 64bit i guess im kinda lost in the mess! i dont know if im going to go 64bit! well maybe in like another year when the price drops down alot way to much right now

Chaintech NForce 3 250's available now - http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...roperty&DEPA=0

Budget Zenith - 79 after instant rebate
Full featured Zenith - 180. Not sure if they implimented all of the NF 250 features because it looks like they dropped the 250 in the place of the 150, but it should allow you to overclock with your SATA drives now and no PCI frequency problems.

EDIT - should add Bio showed me that they were in stock at Newegg. I knew there were available for order from Axiontech prior but took 2 week delivery straight from Chaintech. Now you can have a 250 chipped mobo and get it to arrive soon too.