939 to AM2 or Just Wait?

[jae]

Im questioning whether I should upgrade to AM2? My S939 motherboard died and I've been wanting to move from my 3000+ to a dual-core. So would it be wise to go to the AM2 platform? Im on a budget, so perhaps; X2 3600+, NF4/NF5 motherboard, and 512MB DDR2-800 RAM (Ill get another stick next time I get paid). trying to stay under $150.

I know a user has the X2 on hold for me for $52.
WINTEC AMPO 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 $29.
MSI K9N4 Ultra-F Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 550 Ultra ATX $60.

Total should be about $150 incl. S/H.

I would be interested in buying RAM and AM2 Motherboard from F/S section but havent seen much.

 

[Skitzer]

"Need a quick budget dual-core fix"

I think you answered your own question. If you're strapped for money those components should work well for you.

If it were me though I'd try to find a way to get into a Core 2 Duo system.

 

[jae]

Originally posted by: Skitzer
"Need a quick budget dual-core fix"

I think you answered your own question. If you're strapped for money those components should work well for you.

If it were me though I'd try to find a way to get into a Core 2 Duo system.

C2D would be nice but I just dont have the funds for one right now. And I cant go another 2 weeks without a system, so waiting is out of the question cuz I may just die from boredom.

 

[Jiggz]

The "Egg" has an open box Biostar for less than $65.00 incl S&H and a X2 3600+ Brisbane for less than $60.00. You can easily oc this system to run like an X2 4400+! for less than $130.00!

 

[math20]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220088

512 is just not enough, even 1gb is pushing it if you are gaming.

 

[AVP]

I think you can get 1gb Wintec Ampo's for $39 at ddr2 667 if I am not mistaken, too lazy to link.

 

[Smitty308]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134045

 

[AVP]

Hey nice, thanks for bailing me out, too many browser windows open as it was. Anyways, why is everyone so hard on AM2? You can get good performance for little money, and as it seems to me, greater upgradibility (not a word) in the future. I am in the same boat as the OP. A8n-sli with 3000+ broke so now I am waiting to get a new mobo. I could go with an e4300, but I think I might get an x2 4200 because the next AMD lineup will be am2 compatible. Seems to make more sense to me.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Is there a warranty on your mobo? Is rmaing out of the question?

I would save until you have more money to do a platform upgrade.

 

[Promethply]

I'm wondering about the same thing too, but i'll probably wait for the upcoming AMD quad core. Does anyone know if the quad core will be compatible with the current AM2?

 

[jkresh]

yes barcelona should would with am2 (though am2+ will give some beneficial features in terms of hypertransport and power states).

 

[BOLt]

I upgraded on a budget. My AM2 system suits my needs and has plenty of OC headroom. I just don't see a need for the insane power of C2D right now. I multitask a lot, but the step up from single core to ANY sort of dual core really did it for me. Don't really see how a 50% performance bonus above what I have now (if C2D even gives 50%) is really needed. Maybe I'm being short-sighted, but there's always new tech around the next bend, and with DDR3 coming out soonish...

I guess my dual core budget system does the job just fine. I game a lot too. Works like a charm. I really stress 2GB of RAM for gaming though. 1GB at the bare minimum...

 

[13Gigatons]

Get one now and then add one later:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820161675

or

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=T6UB1GC5

 

[jae]

Originally posted by: math20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220088

512 is just not enough, even 1gb is pushing it if you are gaming.

Im not a serious gamer, If I am bored i might pop a game in (Swat4, Sims2, jade empire, etc).

I was going to get this ram (G.Skill DDR2-800 1GB $51) and buy another one later? Will I see i performance increase vs DDR2-667?

Also, i am really stuck picking a board? Everything seems to be freekin MicroATX, and no one really selling AM2 ATX on the board im trying to keep it ~$120 for board and memory. I was looking this biostar board but that chipset heatsink makin me worry my gfx card wont fit in the pcie x16 slot, or will get to hot.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I have no experience with it or anything like it personally, but this may be worth a look:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130063

Get some other opinions first though.

 

[f4phantom2500]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138026

^bingo, great for overclocking.

 

[jae]

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138026

^bingo, great for overclocking.

I was just looking at that one (and gigabyte SLI) as i seen the recommended motherboard thread. I am curious why the chipset heatsink is so close to the x16 card slot?

so what about ram should i get 667 or 800?

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: jae

Originally posted by: f4phantom2500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138026

^bingo, great for overclocking.

I was just looking at that one (and gigabyte SLI) as i seen the recommended motherboard thread. I am curious why the chipset heatsink is so close to the x16 card slot?

so what about ram should i get 667 or 800?

because the chipset is by the x16 slot, so they put the heatsink on it . it's not a clearance issue, the heatsink's too short to get in the way. as far as ram it doesn't matter too much since a64's are more dependent on processor speed and timings than on the RAM speed; you wouldn't notice a real difference going with 800, and you can get 2gb of xms 667 for like $75 at zipzoomfly, but it's really up to you as it doesn't make any tangible difference.

 

[jae]

Is this Wintec RAM anygood? WINTEC AMPX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model 3AXT6400SE5-1024 - Retail

Brand WINTEC
Series AMPX
Model 3AXT6400SE5-1024
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 1GB
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 5
Voltage 1.9V
Heat Spreader Yes
Features RoHS

i take it its the same as the dual kit 2x1GB, which has 6 reviews all 5 ratings

 

[krotchy]

I personally am growing a liking to wintec ram. I used it in a few builds lately and havent had issues

One of them took 4x2GB sticks of Wintec FB-DIMMs and they ran flawlessly in my server board.

The rest were just 2x2GB DDR2-800 sticks in Asus P5B Deluxes and Pluses

 

[jae]

Its coming down to

Super Talent DDR2-800 & Biostar AM2 at eWiz 125.77 (shipped UPS Ground)
or
Wintec DDR2-800 & Biostar AM2 at Newegg for 131.41 (shipped UPS 3Day)

 

[elcamino74ss]

This is my current combo

2gb of this. Bought 1 @ first then added 2nd later

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231126

AMD X2 3600+

EVGA 7900GS KO

on this board (no sli right now, but I liked having the option)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128321