Need help from upgrading from 3500+ system to AM2 or C2D

[def4106]

Reposted from the Mobo board, I realized I put it in the wrong place:

Ok I had a AMD 3500+ on a MSI K8n Platinum, but it looks like one or the other kicked the bucket so its upgrade time...

I only want to go with a new mobo and processor as money is a bit tight right now.

I can afford 300-500 probably I'd rather keep it close to 300-350..

The memory I have is DDr 400 (2 gig OCZ)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as?Item=N82E16820227210

I also have a 7800 GT as my vid card.

I was lookiung at a e6400 but all mobos seem to only use DDR2 800. I don't plan on OC'ing anytime soon so should I go with a e6600 over the 6400?

Or becasue of the memory I have should I go with another one of the AMD chips.

Looking forward to figuring out what mobo/processor is best for me since I can't blow more money on more memory.

 

[Boyo]

if you upgrade to AM2 or C2D, you are going to have to get a new mobo and new memory. Right now memory prices are sky high. I would suggest if you want an upgrade, you stay with a 939 upgrade, such as an X2 4600. You can keep your mobo and memory with that.

 

[def4106]

What would be the performace difference in the X2 4600 vs the C2D and AM2 setups?

Since I will not be ocing, I'm curious how huge a difference it would be.

 

[midnilux]

All things considered an e6400 is a little bit better than a 4600+, probably more equivalent to a 5000+.

But not OCing a C2D is a crime, its too easy to get an extra 1-1.5ghz out of it just with stock HSF and default voltages, and when you do that it will blow away anything you can get from AMD as far as price/performance goes.

You're gonna need a PCI Express card if you go AM2 or CD2 though, the only C2D/AM2 motherboards I've seen that have AGP are extremely cheap trash that I would never buy. And lastly if you go C2D most motherboards that support it will also support quad core CPU's so you'll be future proof.

 

[def4106]

My card is PCI-E, my main worry is my DDR400 Memory the extra money for memory is where the problem lies with going with C2D, I don't have 200 to blow on memory

 

[modestninja]

You could always go with a ASRock 775Dual-VSTA for now. It will let you use your DDR memory and the PCI-Express GPU. It's not the world's best board, but it's cheap and will allow you to use a better processor.

Another option would be to sell you DDR memory on E-bay and buy some DDR2. DDR is getting more expensive so you might come pretty close to breaking even.

 

[def4106]

Actually I just may try to sell my memory for 150-170 or so, and jsut go with the DDR800..

I have never overclocked so I'm not sure what I want to do with the e6400, but could ou suggest a good mobo (I wont be doing SLI ANYTIME soon).. also what memory would be good.. I plan on doing very mild overclocking if any.

Only considering doing some OC after an earlier poster said how you could OC safely with stock heatsinks etc.

What would be a good two gig memory set.. I'd like to stay around 200 for memory. Also looking at getting a power supply now..what wattage would go well? I'm not running anything other thn a SB xFI, 1 ATA100, and 1 SATA HDD and my vid card in this machien.

 

[Boyo]

I would go with a Seasonic 500W PSU. That's a safe bet right there.

As for the RAM, check out the XMS or Dominatior series from Corsair for some good overclocking memory.

 

[modestninja]

You could get away with a good 300-350W PSU with that setup, but I'd go 400W to be safe.

A good OCing and fairly inexpensive mobo would be the Gigabyte S3. With C2D it really is so easy, and safe that it's a waste not to OC them.