Dual core Atom processor

[Xpirate]

I am looking to upgrade the PC I have in the garage. Right now it has an AMD K6 300 MHz with 224 megabytes of RAM. I purchased a PCI wireless card that works quite well with. So, now I can get internet out in the garage, but it is still a really slow dog.

I was going to spend about $300 and completely upgrade the insides before I noticed these little ITX machines. They use 20 pin power, so I can just use one of the existing power supplies that I have. I would also just use the same IDE CD and hard drive as well. It would only take an extra $20 to score a stick of 2 GB RAM to bring my garage box to a better performance level. These also have a DB9 serial port that I need for an embedded programmer.

Single core Atom:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153122
Cost about $80.

Dual core Atom:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153131
Cost about $130.

Here is the question: Do you guys think that the dual core Atom processor is worth the extra $50?

[XcOM]

yes, the single atom is good in its own rite, but the advantage of a second core is well worth the money, and will give you more head room, and less likly to see the peformance hits using newer software

[nevermind1534]

If it has all of the features you need, get the dual core intel board instead; it's only $80. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000200446%2050001157&name=Intel

[mtekk]

If it has all of the features you need, get the dual core intel board instead; it's only $80. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000200446%2050001157&name=Intel

I agree, with the atom boards, they're pretty much all the same. That Jetway looks to have just about the same specs as the intel spec board, which is much cheaper (the only difference I saw was the intel one has a 10/100/1000 NIC while the Jetway has a 10/100 NIC). I'd go with the intel built board, both due to price and since intel has very solid boards (no OC ability, but very stable).

[Xpirate]

If it has all of the features you need, get the dual core intel board instead; it's only $80.

My mind was clouded with the "free shipping" deals, which the Jetways had. That is a good find. The Intel board requires a 24 pin power supply, which I would need to buy. Newegg has a PS for $30 and free shipping.

I may just try to find an inexpensive dual core processor, heat sink, memory, power supply, and mini-ATX board for this project. Or I may just put my current desktop hardware out there and bring my main PC up to 2009 standards.

[nevermind1534]

My mind was clouded with the "free shipping" deals, which the Jetways had. That is a good find. The Intel board requires a 24 pin power supply, which I would need to buy. Newegg has a PS for $30 and free shipping.

I may just try to find an inexpensive dual core processor, heat sink, memory, power supply, and mini-ATX board for this project. Or I may just put my current desktop hardware out there and bring my main PC up to 2009 standards.

I'm pretty surethat board will work with a 20 pin supply (even though it's 24 pins), but I could be mistaken.

[mtekk]

There is no reason for it to have a 24 pin connector other than to be compatible with newer PSUs that are configured as 24 pin not 20+4 pin. It should work just fine with a 20 pin connector on the PSU.

[Xpirate]

There is no reason for it to have a 24 pin connector other than to be compatible with newer PSUs

You are correct. I found this out with Google.
http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d945gclf2/sb/e4080402_en.pdf

The extra 4 pins on these new motherboards and power supplies are just redundant wires to provide some extra power for the PCI-e bus. This board does not have PCI-e. This board will work just fine with a 20 pin PSU.

[billygoat333]

*drools* I want this for a car pc! lol

[progbuddy]

A couple of the single-core Atoms support HyperThreading. I think it would be cooler to get a Via C7-Nano though. They are pretty quick, and have a hardware encryption protocol.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153093

It might be a little more, but it would go pretty far. Fanless too.

[nevermind1534]

Both of the desktop atoms have hyper threading. So if you get the dual-core one, the computer will see 8 CPUs.

[TheGreatSatan]

Is Jetway any good?

[nevermind1534]

Some of their boards are good, some of them are crap.

[NightrainSrt4]

Both of the desktop atoms have hyper threading. So if you get the dual-core one, the computer will see 8 CPUs.

Wouldn't that be 4 cpu's? 2 physical, 2 logical?

[nevermind1534]

Wouldn't that be 4 cpu's? 2 physical, 2 logical?
:think:

Forget what I said, you're right. I was thinking hyper threading on the i7.

[NightrainSrt4]

Hehe, no problem. I was just starting to think I was missing something. Thought I missed the jump to 1 phys/ 3 logical somewhere lol.