CPU/Mobo E6 Core Sempron 3400+ review

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It would be a stretch of the term “low-end” to apply it to the AMD Sempron 3400+ processor this article has been about. First, its price is rather high for a low-end solution, being $134. Second, this processor is not low-end in terms of performance, challenging junior models from the mainstream sector. As our tests have shown, the price of the Sempron 3400+ accurately matches its speed which is similar to Athlon 64 3000+ for Socket 754 and Socket 939 systems.

As for functionality, the Sempron 3400+ only differs from Athlon 64 processors in having a smaller L2 cache (256 kilobytes). The rest of the features and technologies implemented in Athlon 64 series CPUs are all available in the new Sempron 3400+, too. On our part, we are pleased the most with the introduction of AMD64 technology in the value CPU family.

Our comparative tests of the Sempron 3400+ and Intel’s Celeron 351 show that AMD’s value processor delivers more performance in a majority of applications, especially in games where the Sempron 3400+ is nearly 50% faster than the competing solution. Thus, we can state that the Sempron 3400+ is currently the best choice in its price category.

Another nice thing about this product is its good overclockability. We managed to increase the clock rate of our sample to 2.6GHz. Working at this frequency, the Sempron 3400+ is just a little slower than the Athlon 64 3800+ which costs as much as $329.

Considering the support of SSE3 and 64-bit extensions in the new processor, it has only one downside, namely its design for Socket 754. The Socket 939 platform looks a more appealing solution today since it offers more upgrade opportunities. On the other hand, the Socket 939 platform is approaching the end of its lifecycle, too, and processors for the M2 socket are going to become AMD’s flagship products in the next year.
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Conclusion of the article... It leaves even the A64 3800+ in the dust in games when overclocked to 2.6GHz. Supports CnQ, 64bit and SSE3. If you are on a budget and on socket 754, this is the cpu to get. Also a this one was a mediocre overclocker so wonder how the good ones would be :P

Here's the link

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/sempron-3400.html
 
64 bit E core, 754 pin , semprons cpu's are good for those users who already have a socket 754 m/b. and who do not want to spend more for a new m/b, especially those cheap 2500+ and 2600+ ones.(They can be overclocked quite a bit too)

but for users planning to buy a "NEW" system they would be well advised to go in for a 939 socket platform.

M2 socket , due next year, will overcome many shortcomings of the existing socket 939 with respect to dual core cpu's. for e.g. the ability to utilize the full amount of "L2" cache for any core as per the application requirement which the current dual core cpu's lack due to the restriction of socket 939 architecture. and offcourse there is the integrated ddr2 /(3) support for the newer m2 socket cpu's .....
 
Just as interesting was the Socket 754 Sempron (non 64-bit) 2600+ released quite a few months back, and reviewed by Xbit labs at that time as well:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/sempron-2600.html

The OC'ed results are mind blowing compared to its stock speeds! Factor in that these things are dirt cheap, and you have absolute VFM! The current Sempron 64 2600+s are to these older Palermo cores what the Venice is to the older Winchesters, so you should see similar or better results.
 
So, is the Sempron available in both Skt. A and 754 platforms ???? If, it's Skt. A which is the best board for it ?
 
^^ The Semprons being talked about here are only the Socket 754 versions.

The Socket A version Semprons have no future and are being treated that way - Thoroughbred cores are the last you'll ever see on them .

Ironically the best board to wring out the maximum from these el cheapo Socket 754 sempy's would be a nice top of the line DFI nForce3 :P
 
There are supposedly Socket 939 Semprons available in the OEM market - would be very very hard to get your hands on one. Some of the HP Desktops are selling with these Socket 939 Semprons (with 64-bit support, SSE3, etc)

Basically the only difference between a Sempron64 and an Athlon64 is the reduced L2 cache. As we know, differences in L2 cache make a very minimal impact in general on A64 performance. I guess thats why the delay to bring it to the market - A Sempron on the Socket 939 platform might affect A64 sales.
 
Crazy_Eddy said:
There are supposedly Socket 939 Semprons available in the OEM market - would be very very hard to get your hands on one. Some of the HP Desktops are selling with these Socket 939 Semprons (with 64-bit support, SSE3, etc)

Basically the only difference between a Sempron64 and an Athlon64 is the reduced L2 cache. As we know, differences in L2 cache make a very minimal impact in general on A64 performance. I guess thats why the delay to bring it to the market - A Sempron on the Socket 939 platform might affect A64 sales.
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Brother Crazy_eddy i would not "entirely" agree with that line in bold.

Difference / performance Gain between 256kb L2 cache and 512 kb L2 cache is quite substantial.

performance gain from 512 kb L2 cache w.r.t 1mb L2 is not as great as in the former case. as the laws of diminishing returns sets in.
 
Quite true, which is why I was careful to word it as "in general". There are some apps that are sensitive to the amount of L2 cache, and others that show no impact. AFAIK, games like Doom3 & HL2 benefit from the L2 cache while SuperPI does not (correct me if i'm wrong).

In general, what I was trying to convey was, the L2 cache does not show as much of an impact as it does on the P4 platform, on account of the A64's on-die mem controller - and thats the A64s strong selling point.

The additional PR points in AMD's rating table on account of the additional cache for some of the models is misleading in that aspect as additional L2 cache does not show a uniform boost unlike clock speed.
 
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Also please note that the Socket A Semprons have been discontinued and are no more available.

If there is any piece available,it is from the existing lot.After discontinuation of these chips,AMD India has literally dumped the E6 core Semprons in the market.
 
Do you think this chip will come to India soon?

I got a friend who needs to upgrade cheap, but needs some power (our project involves running win 2k3 debugging in a virtual machine..)... looking at a december timeframe probably...
 
KingKrool said:
Do you think this chip will come to India soon?
I got a friend who needs to upgrade cheap, but needs some power (our project involves running win 2k3 debugging in a virtual machine..)... looking at a december timeframe probably...
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If he's buying new, then skt 939 is anyday a better bet! No point goin in for a cheap a$$ sempron.
 
200MHz difference in clock speed. Thats the reason. Dual Channel memory cant compensate for that much of clock speed difference.
 
Yep. A Socket 754 A64 2800+ is 1.8Ghz. A Socket 939 A64 3000+ is 1.8Ghz as well.

AMD gives an additional 200PR points to the Socket 939 for dual channel memory.
 
well he has a total budget of 12-15k max for CPU+mobo + RAM. Possibly needs a small hdd too.

By december the cheap semprons wud be really good for him.
 
A64 2800+ fits well in his budget, no real need to go into Semprons which in most cases wont make it here. After the production of Semprons A is stopped India will become a dumping ground for those.
 
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