Seeking opinion on AMD CPU

[satimis]

Hi folks,

I'm planning to build a workstation for testing software particularly database, business intelligence, dw, etc.

On selecting CPU I hesitate whether selecting AMD OPTERON 64 dual core OR AMD Athlon 64 socket AM2 dual core. Referring to price structure the latter is more attractive. However the former has higher L2 cache.

Please shed me some light including their motherboard selection. TIA

B.R.
satimis

[bigtomrodney]

Can you post a little more detail on that, maybe a link? AM2 is the newer socket type so it will be easier to upgrade, but if that's not something you're going to do at any stage I would opt for the extra cache. Post some links if you can, I'd like to see the other factors like FSB etc.

[techieMoe]

Hi folks,

I'm planning to build a workstation for testing software particularly database, business intelligence, dw, etc.

On selecting CPU I hesitate whether selecting AMD OPTERON 64 dual core OR AMD Athlon 64 socket AM2 dual core. Referring to price structure the latter is more attractive. However the former has higher L2 cache.

Please shed me some light including their motherboard selection. TIA

B.R.
satimis

The Opteron (AFAIK) is a server CPU, which means it will require a special motherboard and registered RAM, which are going to cost you significantly more money than regular unbuffered desktop RAM. What do you plan on using this for? If it's a desktop there's no reason not to go with a dual-core AMD64.

[satimis]

Hi folks,

Tks for your advice.

AM2
AMD Athlon™ 64 Processor for Desktop
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...5_9487,00.html

Opteron
AMD Opteron™ Processors for Servers
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...8_8796,00.html

I have no restrict-specific requirement on this workstation for testing software. But speed is required for compilation not "seat and wait" for long time.

Tks.

B.R.
satimis

[techieMoe]

I have no restrict-specific requirement on this workstation for testing software. But speed is required for compilation not "seat and wait" for long time.

Tks.

B.R.
satimis

You won't notice a significant difference in speed between these two processors, and the AMD64 will give you the option for commodity (i.e. cheaper) memory and other components.