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amd 4600 where a 4400 should have been
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jessica6
Newbie
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28. July 2006 @ 02:30 |
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Hey, just got another computer from bestbuy after a problem with tigerdirect. I bought a brand new HP M7580n and found that it was really an amd 4600 i think m7660e is the model. so should i keep the 4600 with 512 L2 or return it for the 4400 and get the 1mb L2. I have not overclocked before but am willing to try. So i guess this means the 4400 would be the better choice? what say you in the know. It seems the systems are close in performance, no?
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AfterDawn Addict
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28. July 2006 @ 02:54 |
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Quote:
I have not overclocked before but am willing to try. So i guess this means the 4400 would be the better choice?
if you are planning on overclocking, the added L2 cache will come in handy~ :) i guess i am biased towards the toledo 4400 core only because i currently own one, at least MY particular stepping of the 4400+ gives me decent headroom to overclock (2.7ghz stable at this point) :P
you will more than likely get a whole slew of different responses as to which of the two is "better" (higher clock speed & smaller cache of the 4600+ @2.4ghz vs lower clock speed & bigger cache of the 4400+ @2.2ghz) i PERSONALLY prefer the 2x1mb cache of the toledo core compared against the manchester 2x512kb cache, but in REAL WORLD terms, you more than likely will NOT notice a big difference between the two~ :)
i have a close friend who has an ALMOST exact "clone" of my own setup (same components-ie. mobo, psu, video card, memory), but he opted for the 4600+ compared to my own 4400+, at STOCK default settings, you honestly can't tell the difference in performance side by side; but after overclocking, the gap in between performance became much more noticeable (i managed to get my 4400+ to 2.7ghz stable while he could only get it up to 2.67ghz stable on his particular 4600+) i know that doesn't mean much because our results could be based on the actual binning/stepping of our individual cpus, but it's simple to see for this basic comparison that the 4400+ has more "headroom" to overclock higher than the 4600+...and i would say that POSSIBLY a 4200+ and even a 3800+ would have even MORE headroom to overclock than a 4400+) :)
bottom line, the added L2 cache of the toledo cores FOR ME and ME ALONE was worth it on my setup, my system performs "better" on identical applications compared to my buddies (i clocked mine back down to his speed of 2.67ghz for an "even" comparison, i feel that the larger cache i have on my chip was what accounts for the slight performance "perk" on mine) :)
either way, as you mentioned, the systems are close in performance...as to you possibly overclocking in the future, i don't know what specific mobo is used in your HP system, but i would imagine that it's somewhat limited as to how high you could take ur chip...many other factors involved with cooling too as a stock heatsink/fan will also limit your OC'in potential~ :)
docTY
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"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
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jessica6
Newbie
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28. July 2006 @ 09:36 |
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thanks for the thoughtful answer, to be honest I am a bit squirmish about trying to overclock although the idea is interesting to me. Issues like stock heat sinks being a potential deal breaker makes me lean toward not doing it. of course I could return it for another computer altogether. I saw some benchmark tests that showed the 4600 was a little better at things like photo editing and encoding, but not games. I am not a huge gamer but might play more now that I will have a system that can handle them. I have 14 days no 13 now to return and I would have a 1049.00 credit to work with. I have had some strange stuff happening with trying to buy a new computer of late. Is it a sign? do the computer gods want me to get something else? Anyway that was very informative food for thought
j
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Member
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28. July 2006 @ 09:49 |
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Well I don't think you will be able to overclock anyways since it is a pre built system. HP locks their motherboards so you can't overclock it. For that much money, my bet would be to return the computer and build one. Then you will be able to overclock. Also, you can just change the motherboard on the one you have then overclock.
Note: The recovery disk that you make from the Hp computer will not load Windows with a new motherboard so that means you will have to but Windows Xp too.
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jessica6
Newbie
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28. July 2006 @ 12:57 |
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I thought this might me interesting to you all - I just called bestbuy and it turns out that other m7580n hp models that are supposed to be 4400 x2 processors are also saying that they are 4600 x2 processors. I downloaded cpuz and it also says that i have a 4600 x2 on an am2. I wonder how many units they made this mistake on very strange, don't like it- and the model also has a built in external hard drive interface, which displaces the seconed hard drive bay, this is very lame, its going back. i really need to be less impulsive.
thanks all
j
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AfterDawn Addict
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29. July 2006 @ 02:59 |
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jessica,
that IS interesting, so a few of the bestbuy models are NOW utilizing the 4600+ chip? when the specs (on the box i'm assuming) state that it's a 4400+? that is kinda weird...and it's an AM2 chipset as well? not the regular socket 939...seems like they are giving consumers a bit of an "upgrade" of sorts on their machines~ :)
my current AMD setup, as well as my buddies, is on the socket 939 platform, i was considering another build on the newer AM2 platform, but since the socket 939 is more widely "universal" at this point, i decided to stick w/ that over the newer/more energy efficient AM2s :)
if the high-end line of the AM2 chips fall within MY "price-range" i will eventually build one and go with the DDR2 memory that is now becoming more widely used (newer Intel chips and AM2 are now jumping on the DDR2 bandwagon compared to the DDR that i am using now for my socket 939) :)
anyways, before i go off on a rant, i think you should be pleased with the performance of the 4600+ (if you decide to keep it of course), don't worry too much about the whole overclocking aspect of things now...as mentioned earlier, it would really be too much trouble to unlock the mobo in a prebuilt system (so you could overclock) you would have to go about finding a good compatible BIOS revision and flash it over and if that don't go accordingly, you would have yourself a "dead" motherboard at that point and obviously a non-working computer...
have a good one, no matter what you decide for your computer buying future~ it will all work out in the end...
docTY
Recommended Media:
Taiyo Yuden 4x dvd-r TYGO1/ 8x dvd-r TYGO2/ 8x dvd+r YUDEN000T02/ 16x dvd+r YUDEN000T03
Verbatim 8x dvd+r MCC003
Verbatim dvd+r DL (MKM001)= flawless no compression backups
"Do Yourself A Favor, Use The Good Stuff
TY & Verbs 4 Life~ :)" ~docTY~
"Its better to be quiet and appear stupid, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
I am always prepared to recognize that there can be two points of view - mine and one that is probably wrong - John Gorton
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stormy7
Inactive
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30. July 2006 @ 10:59 |
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I also bought an HP Media Center Computer m7580n on 7/29/06 at Best Buy and it's an "AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4600+". The guys at Best Buy said all of them have the 4600+ processors and they were mislabeled.
The computer stickers, packaging box and HP website says: "AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4400+".
I called HP technical support on 7/30/06 and the 4600+ is correct, the website and packaging will be corrected shortly to say 4600+.
The m7580n computer is blazing fast and I added an additional 1 GB stick of DDR2 4200 memory I took out of my Dell Dual Core 2.8. I?m getting ready to sell my Dell; I just felt it wasn?t fast enough. I was very happy with my last Athlon and only bought the Dell over cost early this year. I feel like I am driving a racing car with this new computer.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 30. July 2006 @ 11:03
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jessica6
Newbie
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30. July 2006 @ 11:19 |
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There was another thing strange about the H.P. and yes everything on the box and stickers on computer says it is a 4400 x2. One thing I noticed but did not know what to think - because I am new to dual cores - is that the core speed was reading about 996mhz in the system properties and on the Cpuz it was reading a 1000.1 or there abouts and at a 5 x multiplier. When I saw a cpuz capture of the same 4600 on a benchmark review it showed 2.4 core speed or 2400.0 -however it reads exactly I don't recall - the point is that it was double what mine was reading actually less then double. At first I thought this might be normal as it seems that the dual cores read as two processors in the device manager - so I thought therefore the core speed would read as being divided, in the system properties and in the cpuz scan. Any thoughts on this continuing strangeness, what could be the cause? is this normal?
Also, as I just want to get a desktop back in my house and I have a lot of rewards at bestbuy I think I am going to buy a Gateway that has a Athlon 64 4000 in it. it is one of there media centers the gt4022 I think. But it is only 579.00. it comes with a 1g of ram. Seems like an ok deal - I have a sneaking suspicion however that gateways may be problematic as well - overclocking aside - however it would be nice to know if they can be overclocked at all. Are any brand names able to be overclocked or are some easier than others? these are alot of questions feel free to answers anyone or all or none if so inclined. Should I beware of gateway are they generally reliable computers. I have been on the edge of building but don't feel like I am up to it as of yet. Anyone want to sell me on building vs. the gateway option - keep in mind that the gatewayi is only 579.00 and I have 140.00 in rewards. I do go on - anyway I appreciate the enthusiasm for exchanging info here - it is very helpful.
j
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jessica6
Newbie
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30. July 2006 @ 11:28 |
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I just finished this post and saw that you have the same model. does your core speed read 996 or so in the system properties? and what does your cpuz read on this H.P.? is it 2.4 or 1 ghz? It seems that all is working well for you, it has been an odd experience for me. Are you ok with the built in external harddrive bay? are you using it do you care.
j
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Senior Member
3 product reviews
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30. July 2006 @ 12:13 |
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AM2 CPUs only have 512Kb Cache x 2 on all models other than the FX62, so you are better off getting the 4600x2 full stop.
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stormy7
Inactive
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30. July 2006 @ 13:30 |
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I will post some screen shots of my PC -- hope this helps.
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jessica6
Newbie
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30. July 2006 @ 22:17 |
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ok I don't want to belabor this I now understand why the low core speed. It was explained to me and I will explain it here in the off chance it is helpful to someone else. apparently the lower core speed reading is due to a power save mode that can be changed to "always on" in your control panel in the screen saver tab then power settings at the bottom. I am sure that most of you know this. It was explain to me that the mode if set to one of the power saving levels ratchets up or down the core speed as needed. It was thought that it might not always ratchet up however, at times. Does this jive with what others know. In other words the core speed can get stuck and not go to full speed sometimes if set to a power saving mode. True? or no? anyway you live and learn. I just bought an amd 4000 with a ati radeon x1900gt and a 550 watt power supply to help. it is a gateway sadly. but it was cheap. the whole thing with discounts cost me about 1000.00. I am sure you builders shake you head at this kind of thing, I will build one next time. do you think the lack of a sata will hurt speeds much? I have yet to give it a whirl, but I think it will do ok.
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stormy7
Inactive
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31. July 2006 @ 20:25 |
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Hey jessica6,
What did the HP m7580n computer originally cost you? Sounds like you returned it back to Best Buy.
You said: ?just bought an amd 4000 with a ati radeon x1900gt and a 550 watt power supply to help. it is a gateway sadly. but it was cheap. the whole thing with discounts cost me about 1000.00.
I spent $1014.99 for the HP m7580n and I squirmed a bit -- but I have to have a good, fast and reliable computer.
I have no complaints on the HP m7580n. It processes all of my PhotoShop images so fast I can't keep up. I was having problems processing very large image files with my last computer.
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jessica6
Newbie
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1. August 2006 @ 09:14 |
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stormy7
yes that is about what it cost me also. I liked most of the interface features on the HP - the video inputs in front etc. As I mentioned the external, built in hard drive bay is not so good for me but it can most likely be removed. Baring some other strange issues I think you should be happy with your computer, you have the future proofing of the dual core with good power. I felt that that model has to many built in feature for their products, but if you can live with that it look likes a good computer. You may want to look at the "always on" thing I was talking about previous when doing heavy demand task, then again I am not sure if that is true or not. I got the gateway because it was about 579.00 which allowed me to get the extra power and graphics card for the same price as the hp unit with out discounts.
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ngl
Newbie
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18. November 2006 @ 00:31 |
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I bought the same computer in BestBuy (HP m7580n). I replaced the GeForce 7300 LE by an ATI Radeon X1650 PRO. Do I need to upgrade the power supply?
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