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Eric, the only reason that XP needs the dual core optimizer is because it doesn't "see" a dual core CPU on it's own. And that is the only driver for any dual core AMD CPU I have ever used. None of my "dually's" were buggy at all. Never had issues with them they ran Folding at 100% on both cores, 24/7. (there is also a quad core AMD driver for XP because XP really doesnt' know what the hell one of those CPU's is!)

There is no difference really between a "regular" X2 AMD CPU and the Opterons except that the Opterons were built for server usage, so they are more bullet proof than a consumer chip. They can take higher temps and voltages and clock speeds for extended lengths of time. So an Opteron is an X2. Same dual core optimizer for both chips.

If the BIOS is the newest, it will see the CPU and name it by itself, it will call the CPU an Opteron because the CPUID built into the chip tells the BIOS what the chip is. That is how all BIOS' on all mainboards work, they read the CPUID. And that tells the BIOS what frequency the chip runs at and the core voltage and some other crap I can't remember right now. So all that you need to do is put the chip in the board and power it up.

Even today, with more quad cores in gaming rigs, most of the games today still utilize only one core! So gaming is not where a dual or quad core makes a big difference. It's in other applications, like DVD ripping/ decoding/ burning, video editing and things like that where a multi core CPU really kicks ass over a single core. Sooner or later, you will finally take the chance and see what a dual core will do for your recording in games. One core plays the game and the other does the recording. No more low frame rates with high screen rez and trying to record.

And, yeah, there is a ton of good/ bad/ ugly on the Net about dual/ quad cores. A lot of it is self serving fanboi bull. But I speak from my own experience, which I hope you trust.

Anyways, I got a bunch of more Internet crap to do then it's off to ET:QW for 3 or 4 hours! OH, BTW, with my new quad core Phenom II I can play any game and still run Folding on the other 3 cores with no performance hit at all. That's what the dual core optimizer does in XP and what Vista and Win 7 do automatically. Chris.

ya i say buggy.. the cpu in my fatality is dual core.. guru dont like it and some other programs that run fine on my other systems dont like it either.. and i think the optimizer or ms hotfix locks the or both cpu's as 1 cpu.. they dont multi thread. if i understand right and is why amd's was having so many problems in lots of games.. and to check task man at any time both cpu's run the same or very close to the same.. maybe intel cpu's are better at multi threading.. and or hyper threading is better and they brought back hyper threading to its last or new intel cpu's for the x58 mobos. i know hyper threading tricks the system to think it has more cores than it really has.. but it works great for intel . i dont think intel multi core cpu's ever had the same type problems that amd did not in gaming or other programs.. but i dont own a intel multi core cpu. so i dont read much on them.. but ive never heard of them having as many problems as amd's. but amd had had troubles from the beginning.. all and all my fatality runs fine and is powerful.. but it is glitchy or buggy with different programs.. the most important being guru to monitor my system.. it plays all of my games fine tho..

i know amd. was real secretive about optys.. they did not want to sell them to common folks.. for 1 they do not make as many as desktop cpu's.. they did not want to run low and server folks not be able to get them if needed.. but gamers started buying and using them.. later amd did better with info about optys.. but they still act funny if you post at their site and need help or info.. i read this info- some from amd forums them selves.. but ya.. i think folks set up the optys just like it was a x2 chip.. i think drivers that confuse me was for sever set ups.. amd was always funny about the optys and info for desk top users.. and ya.. i know the opty is the best chip or silicon etc.

id like to keep the opty for my self and not use it unless i really have to use it.. i hope dans 3700+ works ok and is less general problems over all.. i can use guru all of it on his system.. and its a good lil chip and plenty for his needs..

i really dont think amd systems muli thread at all. i think it locks cpu's together as 1 larger cpu. say 2 cores at 2.4 gigs each. is just 1 large 4.8 gig etc etc etc. they dont multi thread they act as 1 cpu.. maybe more new amd cpu's are better at multi threading.. i dont know.. but these old systems multi cores was just really starting to come up.. some of these mobos when they first came out it was no such thing as multi core cpu's.. later bios fixes helped that tho..

i would use the opty in my kn8.. but my px tv402 plextor dont like multi cores.. it likes single core cpu's and my 4000+ with oc is not a bad cpu at all.. its pretty powerful..

i played bioshock for a lil while.. and got dans system all apart and cleaned again.. i need to mod 1 fan.. trim the corners out so the clips on the si128 can hold down the fan.. i have to do it on all of these fans to mount on the coolers.. but folks need to wake up first the drummel is noisy so im on hold.. i got the intake fan mounted and i gave the si128 a bath in alcohol and blew air behind the mobo etc and clean the mobo some more with qtips etc.. oh ya. i tightened down the stock cooler bracket.. it was a lil loose on each side. i could give each side 1 good full turn or a lil more.. but know not tight enough to break anything.. i need to emery cloth the cpu and bottom of cooler some.. but i can do that when im ready to reinstall the cooler.. if it still runs warm.. i might let it go. and think its the sensor.. im not sure but i guess that sensor is built into the cpu its self.. i think its a main sensor on the mobo that feeds info to monitoring programs etc.. i dont know.. im not going to let it worry me to death either.. if its not good this time.. well thats it.. im not taking it all apart again. or just to try out the opty any way.. he can buy a new mobo and cpu and memory ram and psu or use it as is.. i cant work miracles.. so. dag gone it.. it should be good this time..

oh ya.. you really cant compare a folding rig running 1 program 24/7 and thats all it does to say a system like mine that does many things and uses lots of different programs all the time.. i know for a fact my multi core cpu is more buggy using same programs compared to my single cores or even compared to my p4 and hyper threading.. my fatality can freeze up anytime and have to hit the restart button.. if i try to start guru.. it will lock up my system.. if guru starts and boot up it will lock up my system.. only differences is this is a dual core system.. 1+1 =2. i never had any of the problems with any of my other systems.. so. but i like my fatality a lot.. its the most powerful system i have..

any way.. i need a nap.. maybe by then.. i can cut out what i need to on the 1 fan and get it all put back together and maybe xp on it and updated by this eve some time.. gees i hope so.. i want to get it over with and gone from here.. its worked my mind and nerves enough ha ha..

see ya

well

i took it apart re cleaned it. and sanded the cpu and the cooler a lil.. it still runs a lil warm. and same after windows install and drivers etc.. i guess its the sensor..its not uncommon for them [sensor] not to read right or go bad etc.

ive done all i can do fot it.. but will do bench and stress tests

well

it all benched and stressed fine.. running both prime95 and cpu burn in at 100% cpu 14 hours.. temps never went about 114f. at idle the cpu temps run 8-12f more high than system temps.. i do think its the sensor.. when i first built it it ran as cool as the systems i have.. and my kn8 with 4000+ cpu and less cooler my tr xp120 runs 2-4f or more lower than the system temps.. so it has to be the sensor..

but i use the same bench tests for all systems so i can compare.. 3dmark 03 was better than 3x more high than his early scores with the ati 800gto.. its all cleaned up. fresh os install.. its all i can do for it.. i guess it will be ok..

yesterday i ordered him dan and i a copy each w7 hp upgrade.. some time near the end of the year i will pop in his 1gig kit for 3gigs total [same mem and timings etc. just 1 is 1gig the other 2gig kits] install w7 he should be good to go.. well as long as the mobo etc. lasts that is..

see ya

You might have trouble mixing memory like that. A 2x 2Gb kit is very cheap. Chris.

hmm i hope not. best i know they are same mem same voltages and timings. and other folks run 3 gigs all the time even mixed brands and stock timings and with out problems. they find the happy medium its happy with. i might have to bump voltage to 2.80v but it should not be to hard to get it running good. and id run tests.. but if it will not work.. i will pull the 1gig kit..

for the lil he uses his computer for.. his 2 gigs might be fine. he is disabled now too.. he is not trying to break the bank over his old computer.. im gamer and use mine more and need more system. heck he didnt really want to spend the money he has lately on it.. but i push him to upgrade.. he dont understand.. he is just a user.. his office had IT guys work on his office computers.. he cant even run a virus scan.. if it dont work with his 3gigs. 2g is all im going to worry with..

this is what he has.. same silver heat spreaders all of it.. both stock 2-3-3-6 @ 2.75v.

CORSAR TWINX1024-3200C2PT ++ CORSAR TWINX2048-pc3200C2PT

his 2 gig kit when i installed it.. i auto set it at 2.5-3-3-6 2.75v tested it all day and let it go. 2 gig kits dont always run as tight as listed.. so i went straight to relaxed them from the start.. im going to give it 3gigs a try any way.. so. if it dont work im not going to sweat it..

see ya