Which processor at DVinfo.net

Ryan Mellish · May 21st, 2006, 02:14 PM

I'm planning on upgrading my AMD processor. Which performs better for video editing?

Opteron 185 (dual core)

Athlon 64 3800 (dual core)

Lawrence Spurgeon · May 21st, 2006, 10:03 PM

The 185. It is the same speed as either the 4800 or the fx60 (sorry, don't remember). Opteron 185 is probably the best single-processor CPU option available right now. Now, if I had $5k I'd be looking at 2 285s.

Ryan Mellish · May 22nd, 2006, 05:31 AM

I meant opty 165. Sorry, cant afford the 185, and I want dual core.

Dale Mellinger · May 23rd, 2006, 07:29 AM

That is a tough question . . .

I have a feeling that the extra cache of the Opteron would offset the clockspeed advantage of the Athlon 64 x2. The Opteron would require a server motherboard (more expensive, but probably better quality).

I'd purchased an Athlon 64 x2 3800 half a year ago, and I've been happy with it.

I never even considered the Opteron. If I had to do it again, I'd give the Opteron a much closer look - especially if a dual processor dual core setup was available. I'm afraid that would be cost prohibitive. :-(

Ryan Mellish · May 23rd, 2006, 01:41 PM

Not so, the Opty 165 is a socket 939 dual core which is clocked at 1.8ghz per core. The X2 3800 is also a dual core socket 939. I will be upgrading from a s939
3500. (single core) While the 3800 is clocked higher, the opteron is $30-$40 more expensive. The 3800 is clocked at 2.2ghz (i think), with a smaller L2 cache.

Another facet of the question, does overclocking work well with video editing? I know the 1.8ghz opty can make 2.2 easily.

Carlos E. Martinez · May 24th, 2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan Mellish

Another facet of the question, does overclocking work well with video editing? I know the 1.8ghz opty can make 2.2 easily.

That's an interesting question I would like to know an answer to too.

Many people have told me and I also read in several places that overclocking can be dangerous to the files you are working on. But I also read that there are well-made and badly-made overclockings. And good overclocking is taking the blame for all.

A final answer on this matter should be interesting.

Glenn Chan · May 26th, 2006, 12:24 PM

If you overclock your processor too much, the chance of miscalculations goes up significantly. When you have these miscalculations happening, it will usually cause your programs to crash. There might be a small chance of these miscalculations corrupting your data.

If you do overclock, just make sure you test your system.

Prime95's torture test is good, although you want to do something so both cores are being used.
You could run prime95 and Folding@home or something like that. Or two instances of Prime95 (you need to configure prime95 to do that).
Overclock your computer until it's unstable, then back off. Read up on how to clock your RAM slower, this will let you push your CPU clock speed higher.

2- Making your processor cooler will help. Using thermal paste like Artic Silver 5 will drop temperatures a few to several degrees, and its like $10. Do read the AS5 instructions on the website... less paste is better!

3- Even if prime95 passes overnight, it may not necessarily detect all instability. RAM will sometimes get unstable if the CPU + video card is working hard and putting out heat. Prime95 is better than the RAM diagnostics programs (memtest86, and microsoft's version) for catching that... although you have to run prime95 overnight.

Prime95 also didn't catch random rebooting for me... overclocking increases the frequency at which my computer will freeze/reboot.

Richard Zlamany · May 26th, 2006, 11:54 PM

I've OC my 4800 x2 from 2.4 ghz to 2.9 ghz. I've had it higher but it is unstable.

It was fun to find the a stable setting for the OCing while keeping and eye on temps.

Anyhow, originally a 10 minute render now happens in 8 minutes.

I think OC is well worth it and fun. Todays Mobos and Cpus have to be OC in my opinion. They are designed for it.

Carlos E. Martinez · May 27th, 2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Zlam

Anyhow, originally a 10 minute render now happens in 8 minutes.

I think OC is well worth it and fun. Todays Mobos and Cpus have to be OC in my opinion. They are designed for it.

OK. Render time goes down by (estimated) 20%.

What else can we get from OC?

What program did you get that lower render from?

May 21st, 2006, 02:14 PM	#1
Ryan Mellish New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana Posts: 22	Which processor I'm planning on upgrading my AMD processor. Which performs better for video editing? Opteron 185 (dual core) Athlon 64 3800 (dual core)

May 22nd, 2006, 05:31 AM	#3
Ryan Mellish New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana Posts: 22	Edit I meant opty 165. Sorry, cant afford the 185, and I want dual core.

May 21st, 2006, 10:03 PM	#2
Lawrence Spurgeon Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 31	The 185. It is the same speed as either the 4800 or the fx60 (sorry, don't remember). Opteron 185 is probably the best single-processor CPU option available right now. Now, if I had $5k I'd be looking at 2 285s.

May 23rd, 2006, 07:29 AM	#4
Dale Mellinger New Boot Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver, PA Posts: 12	That is a tough question . . . I have a feeling that the extra cache of the Opteron would offset the clockspeed advantage of the Athlon 64 x2. The Opteron would require a server motherboard (more expensive, but probably better quality). I'd purchased an Athlon 64 x2 3800 half a year ago, and I've been happy with it. I never even considered the Opteron. If I had to do it again, I'd give the Opteron a much closer look - especially if a dual processor dual core setup was available. I'm afraid that would be cost prohibitive. :-(

May 23rd, 2006, 01:41 PM	#5
Ryan Mellish New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Crawfordsville, Indiana Posts: 22	Not so, the Opty 165 is a socket 939 dual core which is clocked at 1.8ghz per core. The X2 3800 is also a dual core socket 939. I will be upgrading from a s939 3500. (single core) While the 3800 is clocked higher, the opteron is $30-$40 more expensive. The 3800 is clocked at 2.2ghz (i think), with a smaller L2 cache. Another facet of the question, does overclocking work well with video editing? I know the 1.8ghz opty can make 2.2 easily.

May 26th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#7
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	If you overclock your processor too much, the chance of miscalculations goes up significantly. When you have these miscalculations happening, it will usually cause your programs to crash. There might be a small chance of these miscalculations corrupting your data. If you do overclock, just make sure you test your system. Prime95's torture test is good, although you want to do something so both cores are being used. You could run prime95 and Folding@home or something like that. Or two instances of Prime95 (you need to configure prime95 to do that). Overclock your computer until it's unstable, then back off. Read up on how to clock your RAM slower, this will let you push your CPU clock speed higher. 2- Making your processor cooler will help. Using thermal paste like Artic Silver 5 will drop temperatures a few to several degrees, and its like $10. Do read the AS5 instructions on the website... less paste is better! 3- Even if prime95 passes overnight, it may not necessarily detect all instability. RAM will sometimes get unstable if the CPU + video card is working hard and putting out heat. Prime95 is better than the RAM diagnostics programs (memtest86, and microsoft's version) for catching that... although you have to run prime95 overnight. Prime95 also didn't catch random rebooting for me... overclocking increases the frequency at which my computer will freeze/reboot.

May 26th, 2006, 11:54 PM	#8
Richard Zlamany Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hamden CT Posts: 470	I've OC my 4800 x2 from 2.4 ghz to 2.9 ghz. I've had it higher but it is unstable. It was fun to find the a stable setting for the OCing while keeping and eye on temps. Anyhow, originally a 10 minute render now happens in 8 minutes. I think OC is well worth it and fun. Todays Mobos and Cpus have to be OC in my opinion. They are designed for it.