[mrhandy65]

if you were going to build a computer to encode video, and it was on a budget, what cpu would u get for 100 or less, 2mb L3 cache quad or 6mb L3 dual core? or a tri.. any advice...

 

[jetplane48]

the Athlon II x4 Propus 630 or 620 (they are priced the same on newegg)

its under $100

Newegghttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...n=athlon+ii+x4

 

[smartasien]

go w/ x2 550 or a 555be. they're both <100 and they can unlock (basically) into a 955/965. now thats a deal

 

[fssbzz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartasien go w/ x2 550 or a 555be. they're both <100 and they can unlock (basically) into a 955/965. now thats a deal

100% agree with ^

and make sure your mobo are SB710 or SB750 chipset to be able to unlock to quad core

 

[basenne]

I agree with what has already been said. I have a 550 unlocked into an x4 and overclocked to 3.8. It benches a lot higher than stock 955's and WAYYYY higher than any athlon.

 

[pioneerisloud]

You guys do realize that the unlocking is like a 50/50 chance, right?

Go for the 720 BE

. You can try to unlock it still into a quad, but if not, its a guaranteed trike with full cache.

 

[Tator Tot]

An Athlon II x4 will perform within 15% of a Phenom II x4 in encoding.

And Generally, it out performs the 720BE

 

[A Russian :D]

really get the Athlon II x4 overclock it to 3.2GHz and wow.

 

[basenne]

maybe me and my friends with 550s and 555's got lucky... every one unlocked and ran prime stable for atleast 12 hours.

Sorry if I was misinformed

 

[CravinR1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Russian really get the Athlon II x4 overclock it to 3.2GHz and wow.

This

 

[terence52]

athlon 2 620/630
the end.
unless you can get a sure to unlock batch of 550/555 c3

 

[doritos93]

will an unlocked dual/tri perform as well as a out the box quad?

 

[CravinR1]

IF it unlocks, based on which dual/tri you unlock MAYBE better

 

[smartasien]

I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not but i saw it on a techpower up forum today "All depends of serial number. Ive read somewhere that on 550BE the 3rd letter indicate if you can unlock or not. H indicate you cant and Z you can."
Mine unlocks and the 3rd letter is a Z.

In any case you can exchange/sell if the 550/555 doesn't unlock.

 

[Ben the OCer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartasien I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not but i saw it on a techpower up forum today "All depends of serial number. Ive read somewhere that on 550BE the 3rd letter indicate if you can unlock or not. H indicate you cant and Z you can." Mine unlocks and the 3rd letter is a Z. In any case you can exchange/sell if the 550/555 doesn't unlock.

That is not true at all. AMD isn't that stupid. A "Z" in the model number indicates an unlocked multiplier (AKA Black Edition CPU). A "X" would indicate the multiplier is locked. Below are two examples:

HDX550WFGMBOX
HDZ555WFGMBOX

The first one is a C3 Phenom II X2 550 (locked multiplier non-BE) and the second is a C3 Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition (unlocked multiplier). There is no way to guarantee it will unlock besides buying a used one known to unlock.

 

[smartasien]

I too thought that was too good to be true. Bottom line, if you're ok with exchanging/selling the 550/555 if it doesn't unlock go for it. If not stick with one of those lower lvl quads.

 

[dallashigh]

Stock, the Athlon II X4 620 kicks the pants off a Phenom II X2 550BE when it comes to video encoding. I would get that one.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=3638&p=4