Athlon XP: Barton vs. Thoroughbred - Tech Support Forums

radio1_mike · May 12th, 2003, 07:53 AM

Looking to upgrade my system sometime soon (this week perhaps). And Newegg has:

1. XP 2600+ Athlon (Thoroughbred) 333MHz for $146

2. XP 2800+ Athlon (Barton) 333MHz for $222

I can afford either. But the $70 difference could go towards more memory, mobo or just stay in my bank account; you know waiting to be used for something important...

Does anybody have any particular insights about the actual ("real") peformance of these chips. Some reviews at Newegg don't see much of a difference between them, some do. I will say I like the idea of having a larger L2 cache, though... I may overclock, but not by too much.

Right now I got a 1.4GHz Athlon, so I am sure I won't notice the difference between either (from my perspective).

Thanks!

Wizzard~Of~Ozz · May 12th, 2003, 08:12 AM

I would go with the Tbred, only because on a clock for clock they are too close, and if the program doesn't need L2 (like FaD) then the t-bred will beat the barton

I'ld say T-Bred (btw a 2100 will hit 2700 speed with little to no trouble in most cases)

I think 2100 is the best spot to be now, and the chips overclock with no problems that I can see.

Ultima · May 12th, 2003, 02:00 PM

If ya can find one, get the XP2500 barton core, they seem to be pretty nifty overclockers, reaching 2.5Ghz and that is pretty nice.

That wouyld make it something like an XP3400 or som,ething.

PresterJohn · May 12th, 2003, 02:04 PM

either chip is good...the bottom line is what will the machine be used for?

if you're going to run very cpu-intensive apps (graphic/video/etc) and you really need the extra speed, then the barton would probably get the nod. personally, i'd get the Tbred and pocket the savings (or spend it on other system upgrades).

May 12th, 2003, 04:18 PM

Be sure your mobo supports 333FSB.

The 2800XP Barton is the better of the two chips, always buy the best you can afford.

The differences between the 2600XP and the 2800XP are minimal if you read the specs with the only major difference being the added cache memory.

However, AMD rates this chip as peforming similiar to a 2.8Ghz as noted by the name 2800XP and it will definitly always out-perform the 2600XP even if you don't notice it, so buy it if you can afford it, as it will always overclock higher and have better performance.

The 2800XP Barton will also cool better due to it's increased surface area.

Shucks&Ahh · May 12th, 2003, 04:48 PM

What mobo are u using? Chance are it won't support the newest chips.

Omardeth · May 12th, 2003, 05:18 PM

newegg has the 2500 barton retail for like 128 right now . i would go that way if u want a barton . like ultima said they seem to be able to oc to about 2.5gig with ease from what i have read . i don't think at stock you can SEE any difference between them and a 2800xp with the eye . only in benchmarks will you see the difference

either that or just wait for the 400fsp xp's to really start coming out . i bet they will be many out in about a month or so . thats not a long time to wait

radio1_mike · May 12th, 2003, 08:19 PM

My mobo can support 333MHz (Biostar M7VIP). But it is Via KT333, and I will probably be moving to an NForce2 mobo with some 333MHz memory to boot, because this mobo is not all that-- I bought it in an emergency.

The rig will be used mostly for gaming.

The miser in me is thinking Barton 2500+/2600TB. My spendthrift side is thinking the 2800+ Barton. I'd really like to get the 3000+ Barton, but I really really don't want to pay over $300 for a CPU.

(I did that when AMD first hit a Gig...)

Now with OCing, how are they able to get 2500+ Barton (1.83GHz) up to 2.5GHz??? Does that need serious cooling? Is it just multiplier adjustments or what?

EndobioticChaos · May 12th, 2003, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Now with OCing, how are they able to get 2500+ Barton (1.83GHz) up to 2.5GHz??? Does that need serious cooling? Is it just multiplier adjustments or what?

Maybe, or maybe not. It might just be another super overclocker, like the 1700+ TBred B with JIUHB stepping. Those have a default speed of 1.463GHz, but can be overclocked to anywhere from 2.2 to 2.5 GHz. Most of them can easily do 2.0GHz without even increasing the voltage.

May 12th, 2003, 10:58 PM

Overclocking a Barton is no different than the T'bred, but it will go a little farther - due to its increased surface area cooling better.

Go with the 2800XP Barton you will be happier with it while gaming and after you change to your new mobo. You won't be wondering what it would have been like.

Just use at least good PC2700 or better with any 333FSB chip.