[cheezhead18]

It seems I have hit a wall in my PC upgrading, I don't know where to go from here!

I feel that my single core processor is holding back my system quite a bit (budget systems are starting with better CPU's than mine), but the problem is my socket is seemingly being phased out (My mobo supports 939).

My question is: should I get a new motherboard supporting a new(er) socket, like AM2 (I'd like to stay with AMD) along with a new processor, or should I just get a new socket 939 processor and use my old mobo?

And specific products would be nice, because I have no idea what to look for in a mobo. I also have no clue how the different AMD dual cores stack up against each other, so some info on that would be nice.

Thanks in advance:smile:

 

[emosun]

Well im not an amd fan or know much about them, but i do know for a fact that single core 939 cpus are slower then there dual core am2's. Heres what you can do, you can get another 939 mobo and another 939 cpu and itll work just fine. But if you want more speed and performance get a am2 board and and a new amd cpu. The thing is , the 939 is equivilent to intels 478. Yes they both work fine but are just flat out outa date. Anyway we gotta know more bout your system if you want a new motherboard. Like the memory type you have , the types of hdd's you use weather there ide or sata, the type of video card you use weather it be agp or pci or pci-e, And what power supply you have.

 

[cheezhead18]

Here are my specs...
AMD Athalon 64 3400+
ATI x1950 XT (PCI-e)
1.5 GB DDR 400 RAM
MSI MS-7184 AmethystM mobo
XP Home

 

[emosun]

ok , need to know your power supply still. and need to know your budget.
do you want to upgrade your memory? ddr400 will probly be just fine but let me know if you do. then we can start shopping which is the funest part.:laugh:

 

[linderman]

I would not advise more than a cpu upgrade and maybe a PSU upgrade if yours is the original HP power supply ????


I would look to getting a socket 939 pin like the 4400 X2 or the 4800 X2

or the Opteron 185


these will give your system plenty of kick

 

[cheezhead18]

upgraded PSU... updated specs below

im looking to spend at most $300 on the mobo proc combo

ive been loooking at mobo's and it looks like i'll need to buy DDR2 RAM as well, is this true?

 

[linderman]

depends what you want to do



here is the scoop


if you compare a socket 939 motherboard and cpu with matching speed cpu's >>>>> then they are even in performance / the AM2 is NOT better than the socket 939 cpu's until you get into a zone which is not available to the socket 939 / the speed of the socket 939's end at 2.8 ghz or 4800 X2 and opteron 185 is also 2.8 ghz

the AM2 motherboards need DDR2 memory / the AM2 socket has 5200 / 5600 and 6000 speed options for it which are not available to socket 939


I personally in yoru shoes would be content to stay with your motherboard and get the opteron 185 or 4800 X2 cpu / the extra 200/300 mhz offered by AM2 is not worth spending all the money on a new motherboard and different memory !

I would get the coolermaster Real Power Pro 600 watt (they are FREE right now after rebate at tiger direct !!!!!!!!) and ditch that boat ancor named APEVIA they are nasty / low quality and will risk burning up parts from unstable voltage


you total investment = about $200.00 before rebate on the CPU


dont drag your feet / those coolermasters will go VERY fast

 

[cheezhead18]

wow, thanks for all the input! more help than i could have ever asked for

i think that deal might have already closed, i dont see it anywhere on tigerdirect!

one more question.. why am I only seeing prices in the $300's for the 4800? it doesnt seem to compare with almost equivalent products

 

[linderman]

BTW: this is as good if not better than the 4800X2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103002


I was a wee-bit incorrect at stock settings the socket 939 platform is limited at 2.4ghz with the 4800 or opteron 185 is @ 2.6GHZ


but that would still be my plan of action in your case (opteron 185 :wink


also: i just checked on that coolermaster PSU >>>>> its not the model I thought it was >>>>>> the good collermaster is the Real Power pro the sale is for the Extreme Power which is a DUD

keep an eye on mwave.com / refurbished / power supplies and cases


often times there are antec trio power 650's and Thermaltake tough power 750's for sale at awesome prices >>>>>> 50% savings and more !!

 

[linderman]

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80728-R

 

[emosun]

I think just updateing your cpu is just a quick fix, he wanted better performance in games and single core cpu's are not a good for a gameing pc. Even if it has 1000mhz fsb , it still gonna be slow compared to something with two cores. Should change the board to am2 and ddr2 if you want it to last in the long run and want to contiune to upgrade it. But if your on a budget and want somthing right now then i guess this is the best solution.