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Opinions on my upgrade

I

iwantanewcomputer

Diamond Member
Update: ok, the conroe system is basically the pieces from the mid range buyers guide on the front page, but i could use some help specing a cheaper 939 X2 system, basically what is the best processor and mobo for 4x512 of ddr 400 and a pci express gfx card to compare to
core 2 duo 6300 1.86GHz($180), Gigabyte GA 965P($116), Mushkin 2x1gb ddr2-667($195)
currently have a socket 754 3000, but need to upgrade cause my mobo is busted. i have 2 gigs of ddr 400 that i would like to keep, and I could only use this with an X2, right?

I am also concerned about the reliablility and ease in setting up of the motherboard, esp cause they are all 1st gen boards out.

any advise?
 
There are mobos for C2D that support DDR.
AsRock to name one - AT did a review on the main page
 
Originally posted by: Regs
Don't we need memory to at least support 266Mhz for optimal performance?
Click to expand...

Obviously yes.

But i suspect a C2D + non-optimal DDR RAM will still beat an X2 with his DDR overall.
 
First, let's see, do you KNOW the motherboard is bad (or could your problem be caused by other components - such as the power supply)? Are you sure your memory is good (have you tested it or could it also be damaged)? Why aren't you re-using the 3000+ processor?

Assuming that your system components are in good working order the cheapest solution would be another socket754 motherboard. Otherwise, you're replacing at least the motherboard AND the processor.

Second, you seem a little confused about what type of processors/motherboards will work your memory. AMD Athlon64 X2 processors come in two 'flavors'; the older style socket939 type should compatible with your memory while the newer socket AM2 processor will require DDR2 memory. BTW - there are a few (VIA chipset) based MB's that can use standard DDR400 memory (like your's) or DDR2 with only a slight performance penalty.

So, what do you want to spend? You can have an AMD processor in a socket 754 or socket 939 motherboard or an Intel Conroe processor in a VIA based motherboard. Your choice (and your performance level) are all a matter of economics. Nuff said.
 
Also:
- what video card do you have now?
- are you planning to buy a PCI-E card to replace it? If so, what?
- is this for gaming?
- do you have any real need for dual-core?

Depending on your answers it might make sense to re-use your 3000+, buy a single-core or dual-core socket 939 A64, or to move up to core 2.

It might even make sense to sell the 2 GB and 3000+ , assuming they are what's broken, and get that core 2 with a better motherboard and 2 GB of DDR2.
 
Further:
-will you be using the same operating system?
-are you planning on re-using an existing OS install?

If you're planning to re-install your OS the only problems are related to registration (for example - if you use XP it's likely that you're going to have to call Microsoft and talk to a real human being to finish the registration process).

If you want to use the same install it gets a lot trickier. I've had a lot of luck getting closely related hardware to use installs from other systems. For example a KT800 SocketA MB w/ a Radeon 9500 Pro AGP video card in one system was sucessfully updated to a KT890 Socket754 MB w/ a Radeon XL800 Pci-e video card and the system worked flawlessly because I had loaded the latest drivers (before the upgrade) AND those drivers are the same for either system. Systems that are less closely related still could still work, but no matter what you use if you're running XP you will be re-registering the product (even if your system doesn't load a single new driver). No problem as long as you own a copy (and shame on you if you don't).
 
Originally posted by: n7
Originally posted by: Regs
Don't we need memory to at least support 266Mhz for optimal performance?
Click to expand...

Obviously yes.

But i suspect a C2D + non-optimal DDR RAM will still beat an X2 with his DDR overall.
Click to expand...

Ok. I am also new to the Intel arena. Just wanted to make sure there's no short cuts out of cutting costs without sacrificing performance.
 
As has been presented your options are many!

The main thing you need to determine is what will you use the machine for and what best suits that need within your budget.

I would guess that if you are like most here a part time gamer with a mix of other tasks, that a S939 mobo and an X2 would be your best bang for the buck upgrade. With that you get 80-90% of the top CPU performance available, compatability with the best video cards and you can reuse your ram. For gaming and general use in most schenarios you will get 98% of the performance of a top Core 2 duo system.

Where the power of the Core 2 duo shines is in CPU intense apps like video encoding.
If you do a lot of encoding, rendering, scientific number crunching,etc.. then you might be better served by spending the extra bucks to upgrade to a Core 2 duo

*edit*
If like many people here, you want the bragging rites of having the fastest system currently available then Core 2 duo is without a doubt the way to go

IMO it's like a car purchase it's all about the percieved value to you! Is the new Charger with the 325hp hemi enough, or should I splurge for the 425hp hemi SRT8?😕 Are the few seconds of extra quarter mile speed that you will likely never use worth an extra $10k? For some the answer is yes, for some its no
 
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