64-bit computing...

[Cobra]

Hi guys,

I am looking at building a 64-bit rig for video encoding and other stuff. It will be centred around an AMD Athlon XP3000+ 64 CPU. I have a few questions though, mainly due to what people have said. I have heard:

- It will not accept standard PC3200 RAM - it needs special RAM. The motherboard is an Asus K8V/SE Deluxe.
- It has problems running certain games. No specifics were mentioned.
- It will not run any virus scanning programs.

I don't believe any of the above is true. Can anyone shed some light on the matter?

Many thanks,

Cobra

[adam]

Is that the SK8V? That's what I have and it does say it requires ECC ram but I disabled ECC on mine and it runs fine. I've heard of people using non-ECC ram and having no problems. Just make sure you buy ECC ram, its only a little more expensive and the speed difference is pretty nominal if you use any amount of ram.

As far as problems with games or virus scanning programs, sounds like rumors from Intel junkies. Lots of people have these chips and I doubt there'd be any widespread software compatibility problems like that. I love my new Opteron chip. Encoding is lightning fast and all software runs fine.

[Cobra]

http://uk.asus.com/products/mb/socket754/k8vse-d/overview.htm

This is the motherboard.

Opteron, eh? Lucky....

Cobra

[Reaper88]

I have a AMD 64bit-2800 and it runs everthing i thorw at it. My virus softwear runs just fine too. As for ram i bought some new DDR ram to put in mine when i built it.

[adam]

That's the socket754 equivalent to my socket940, and they look identical to me and have the same specs. I'm sure its a great board. This line has been rated one of the best out all 64-bit AMD mobo's.

[flaninacupboard]

- It will not run any virus scanning programs.

I could perhaps understand one paticular scanner not working, but a blanket "no virus scanners" screams of bullshit to me.

I'm hoping to build a 64bit machine soon, should be fun

[dosun]

1) It does not require special ram. It is more sensative to el-cheapo ram though. As long as you don't use good ram, you are fine.

2) Rumors, A64 are reowned for its gaming abilities. As you said "none were specific" and unless there are proof I suggest you take it as a rumor.

3) More rumors.

[makntraks]

1) It does not require special ram. It is more sensative to el-cheapo ram though. As long as you do use good ram, you are fine.

2) Rumors, A64 are reowned for its gaming abilities. As you said "none were specific" and unless there are proof I suggest you take it as a rumor.

3) More rumors.

Fixed that for ya'

makntraks

[adam]

Why are Athlon 64 boards/chips more sensitive to cheap ram? I don't think I believe this either. Also, most of these boards do at least say they require ECC ram, even though it seems you can often get around this. This isn't exactly special RAM but its definitely not the kind that most people buy.

I think its a pretty insignificant thing to have to use ECC ram, but you do have to take care that you buy this specific kind with these boards otherwise you run the risk of it not working at all.

[makntraks]

Why are Athlon 64 boards/chips more sensitive to cheap ram? I don't think I believe this either. Also, most of these boards do at least say they require ECC ram, even though it seems you can often get around this. This isn't exactly special RAM but its definitely not the kind that most people buy.

I think its a pretty insignificant thing to have to use ECC ram, but you do have to take care that you buy this specific kind with these boards otherwise you run the risk of it not working at all.

It's all about the Benjamins..... $$$$$$

makntraks

[Cobra]

Thank you all for your helpful responses!

[xxgriff]

i would recomend you look to a socket 939 over 754 and unless you have the "extra" for ECC/REG RAM even the 940.

the socket 939 utilizes dual channel, and the bandwidth is important especially for video, and some other applications where bandwidth has a controlling influence on performance. the socket 754 is single channel. losing one pin opens a great option for RAM, and no speed hit for ECC so i like the 939.

as far as software not running, i have only had problems (when building) using one of the RC Windows XP 64 bit. i would have to attribute most of the problems to the OS, and the fact it is beta at best. runing Windows XP Pro- i have yet to find a game or app i could not run, AV included. the problems seem to mostly come when using 64 bit OS, and the early stages they are now in. with 64 bit Linux, i am more irritated with lack of 64 bit apps, and not so much with the 64 bit Linux kernel.

i have a feeling the socket 754 will be replacing socket A, and fill the budget niche while socket 940 and 939 will stay workstation/server, and the choice for most enthusiasts.

[Madz]

I'm curious: Is there any real benefit to a 64-bit AMD system at this time? I mean the 64-bit XP is still in prerelease phase. It would seem to me that one would need a stable 64-bit OS & 64-bit apps to take advantage of its full power capability. Think I may wait a few years.

[vitualis]

The benefit is that the Athlon 64 runs 32-bit code really well... That is, it runs faster than the equivalent Prescott CPU for most benchmarks (but not all). That and it supports NX and will support 64-bit code sometime in the future.

Regards.