Cheapo Solution AMD AM2 X2 or Intel 805 OC?

[Mango1970]

Hi all,
I have to build a second system for work/play. Essentailly I need this second system to get things off the main system and not plug it up. My issue is that I currently have parts for 2 systems if I need but if I insist on using these parts to save some coin, I have some decsions to make. I have 2 X 512 DDR RAM decent but no name. I also have both an AGP video card (older Nvidia Ti500) and a newer PCI-X 7900GT. I have a case, HD sound, wireless nic, case and a 2 500 Watt PS. Now my issue is the Mobo and CPU. I noted that if I were to get a new AMD AM2 X2 3800+ with the latest drops in price man it's really cheap. My issue is that there are loads of mobos for this and they are cheap as hell (Asus M2V TVP for instance) but all of them to the best of my knolwedge require DDR2 RAM which i don't have. Then I could just get an Intel 805 CPU and I would not know what board to get for this that is cheap but allows OC as some of them don't. As far as I know maybe you can use DDR ram on this? am I right or must I use DDR2 period so at this point I might as well go for the AMD? I was hoping to use my 7900GT so it would have to be a PCI Exress board. What would give me the best bang for the buck... an 805 or an AM2 X2 3800+ if I have all else and if everything else is equal? Any way around the DDR2 RAM issue? Any other suggestions? i just can't get away from the dual core thing.. ever since I first tried it I simply don't want to go back to single core... it just makes my life, work and gaming so much easier plus when I have to give it to say my dad or nephew they will be able to use it for newer games.

Sooooo... no big ticket item question here... just trying to justify either the 805 Intel, as that just seems to be insane at oc'ing and CHEAP (if I can figure out what board is cheap and can oc well) but also the newer AMD AM2 X2's are also quite cheap and I have heard the OC well... again depending on what mobo would allow it. Plus it runs cool. Arg.. was gona build this system this week -- seems both CPU's are easily found locally and most and lost of different boad options.

Thanks :

 

[Markfw]

The 805 is cheap, and OC's well, but only with an exspensive motherboard, memory, and exotic cooling. With the X2 3800, even stock cooling, and a cheap motherboard you can blow the 805 out of the water.

Example: you need watercooling, and a $200 mobo or better the get 4.2 ghz out of an 805. With a X2 3800 and a cheap motherboard and stock cooling, you can hit 2.5-2.6 and beat an 805@4.2.

There is a third option (to be fair) and that is a cheap motherboard that supports a C2D and a 6300, but it will be a little more (maybe a fair amount more).

The 805 sould be out of the picture. Budget ?????

 

[Mango1970]

Great info thanks! yeah budget?? Well since I have the video, case HD etc.. RAM was a consideration. I might just scrap the whole AM2 thing (since for some reason those cpus are cheaper but not by much) and just stick to a 939 chipset version. That way I can use my DDR ram and PCI-X video card. I was thinking of not spending more than $200 for the CPU (here in Canada the X2 3800+ 939 is going for around $210 CAD) and maybe I was thinking of no more than say $100 CAD for a board like in this case the ASUS A8N-E. There with say $310-$350. I don't think I could muster a Core2 e6300 with a new board and DDR2 ram for anywhere close to that. Ugh.. yeah you are right I was just reading on what it actually takes to get the 805 to these insane speeds and it does indeed require massive coolong, expensive mobo and would still run HOT, and use loads of power and would require quite the expensive HS/FAN like maybe a big Typhoon which would still add like $50-$60. Yeah scratch that whole Intel 805 ideal LOL> Guess it's AMD X2 for the win for now.
Stick to what I know....

EDIT: You know on a side note... the AM2 version of the X2 3800+ is readily available here and maybe I can simply find CHEAP DDR2 RAM. IF I run the divider so it does not go over it's rated speed for the RAM who cares what type I get as long as it runs it's slated speed... I just noted DDR2 RAM is not that expensive as long as I stay away from the exotic versions.

 

[Markfw]

Good choice ! 939 is not dead yet, unless you have $$$$$

 

[alex123]

Hey Mango1970,

if you are in Toronto you should be able to get 939 x2 for about $175 CAD and AM2 x2 for about $170 CAD. Not sure what kind of $210 CAD "deals" you have mentioned.

At the end of August, I got AM2 X2 for $159 CAD each. Now they have upped a price a little bit for "back to school" days.

Here is my fav shops that I am buying from:

http://www.cty.ca/index.asp?dir=cpu&category=AMD%20AM2

http://www.filtechcomputer.com/#

they both are a bit cheaper than www.canadacomputers.com, but sometimes I also go to CC because they have more selection in stock.


HOWEVER, If I were you I would take your DDR RAM and AGP card and buy C2D E6300 + Asrok Mobo (the one based on 865 chipset that runs DDR and AGP). It is cheap (like 70-80 USD for C2D mobo!) and you could even OC it for about 13% as per Anandtech article, and you could use your DDR and AGP Nvidia card that you already have.