Questions about which CPU etc. to get

[Ethereal]

Hi I'm new here. I wanted to get some info about a purchase I am considering. I know a lot of people probably consider the core 2 duo architecture to be better than AMD 64 X2 but I am trying to build a budget system so AMD is the way to go I guess.

So what I need to know is:

I'm currently running single core, 32 bit Athlon XP 2400+. Will I get a significant performance increase if I go with X2 3800+? The cost for this cpu is 109.99 CAD.

I also have the choice of 4200+ and 4600+ which are $139.99 and $159.99 respectively. I would prefer to go with 3800+ if I would still get a decent performanc increase from my 2400+.

Next I'm looking at getting an Asus M2N4 SLI mobo for around $109.99. Any suggestions or comments on this board for the price?

I currently only running 512 MB DDR ram in my current system. I'm looking at DDR2-533 PC4200 1024MB Azen. I will add more RAM when I get more money. Will this RAM even work on this mobo? Any suggestions?

Would I get a decent performance increase with a rig like this?

Thanks in advance to anyone who posts a reply.

 

[stoma]

You should see a significant difference in an upgrade from a 2400 to an X2 3800. If you want to spend the extra little bit of cash you get even more performance, it's up to you whether it's worth it. The jump from your old to 3800 will be big, but from a 3800 to 4200 not so much...maybe the 4600.

The motherboard at NewEgg...you can read the reviews there.

As long as you are using DDR2 with this board you should be good. I'd go with Corsair or OCZ for RAM. 512mb is not nearly enough...i recommend at least 1gb...2gb is 2x as fun.

What sort of power supply you have?

 

[Ethereal]

I believe I have a 450 W power supply at the moment. Probably will get the EVGA 7600 GT pci-e with the system. Currently running 32 MB ati radeon first gen vid card.

You think 450 W will do until I upgrade case and power supply?

 

[Ethereal]

I checked the newegg link and it was very informative for the mobo. And thanks much for your input.

 

[stoma]

Your PSU should be enough I guess...depending on brand. I like to be around 500w, but you don't have any big juice suckers so I wouldn't worry about it at the moment....but if you get strange problems it would be my first suspect.

...no problem and welcome to the boards

 

[Ethereal]

I think I changed my mind. dam

Now will probably go for core 2 duo E6420 and 2 GB OCZ dual channel ram on this paycheck and get mobo and video card on next paycheck.

I can't have it all now but I think it may be worth the wait.

First I have the option to either go for E6400 or E6420. 6420 is only $3 more because if this sale I found.

The 6420 sports 4 MB L2 and 6400 has 2 MB cache. Can somebody comment on whether the 6420 has been neutered in any way since the price differenct seems too good to be true.

I'm having a tough time finding benchies between 6400 and 6420. Anybody got any links?

 

[Roguestar]

If the 6420 is only $3 more, get it. It simply has double the cache and no drawbacks. There isn't too much difference between them, but:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/core2duo-e6420/charts/3dm06-2.png

http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=1 Check out the graph on page 4.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: Ethereal
I think I changed my mind.

Think about CPU price cuts... Wait 47 minutes... Change it again...
Rinse & Repeat...

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: Ethereal
I think I changed my mind.

Think about CPU price cuts... Wait 47 minutes... Change it again...
Rinse & Repeat...

At least the CPU price cuts JUST came . more time to sit and stew.

the 6420 is not neutered at all, in fact, the 6400 was the neutered one (it had 4MB of Cache but 2 of them where disabled at the factory). The 6420 was intels way of staying competitive and I think was released with the impeding release of AMD's Barcalona.

Either way, its a great deal so enjoy the free boost

 

[yh125d]

when you can get an e4300/4400 for <$120, a 945p board for ~$75, and 2 gigs of ddr2-667 for $90 or less, why go AMD?

 

[Ethereal]

Originally posted by: Roguestar
If the 6420 is only $3 more, get it. It simply has double the cache and no drawbacks. There isn't too much difference between them, but:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/core2duo-e6420/charts/3dm06-2.png

http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=2795&p=1 Check out the graph on page 4.

Thanks for the links. Very helpful.

The 6400 is selling for $232 and 6420 is selling $235 both CAD. I'm going to get 6420 and 2 GB dual channel ocz 667 Mhz ram first.

Then I'm going to get an asus mobo and 8600 GT vid card. After that I'm getting 150 GB Raptor drive for my OS. And then I will purchase a new Lian Li black aluminum case with clear side and 600 W power supply. Then I'm gonna start with 500 GB storage drive.

Also work pays for an MSDN subscription and have 10 licenses per OS so I will be downloading Vista Ultimate. Not sure yet if I'm gonna dual boot 32 and 64 bit or if I should just go 32.

I've already tried Ultimate on my current rig and it chugs very slowly compared to XP so this upgrade might do the trick.

 

[ribbon13]

Get a Western Digital WD5000YS for a 500GB storage drive.
Be sure to at least look at the ThermalTake Armor VA8003BWS for a case.
600W PSUs... Seasonic or Enhance or these

 

[Ethereal]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Get a Western Digital WD5000YS for a 500GB storage drive.
Be sure to at least look at the ThermalTake Armor VA8003BWS for a case.
600W PSUs... Seasonic or Enhance or these

Thanks for those tips. Will definitely consider those options. I was checking that case and it's a full tower. Really nice case too. I will need to find it in my area though and check the price. Thanks.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: stoma
The motherboard at NewEgg...you can read the reviews there.

I don't know the mobo so I can't comment, but I can almost tell you that NewEgg reviews are almost always worthless. I was browsing NewEgg's new "eggxpert" website and I read some horrible horrible drivel being passed out by people like "the only decent DVD burner you can get costs about $150!" Okay buddy, maybe 5 years ago. It's not like the NEC 3550a wasn't considered one of the better DVD burners and it only cost me $35 new about 2 years ago.

But the processor sounds alright. My older system is an A64X2 and it's not bad at all speed-wise. If you're willing to spend the money, try looking for some super deals. I know there was a ZZF $118 (US) 2GB DDR2 800 pack. It's the same RAM I use in my system and it's good stuff.

 

[stoma]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: stoma
The motherboard at NewEgg...you can read the reviews there.

I don't know the mobo so I can't comment, but I can almost tell you that NewEgg reviews are almost always worthless. I was browsing NewEgg's new "eggxpert" website and I read some horrible horrible drivel being passed out by people like "the only decent DVD burner you can get costs about $150!" Okay buddy, maybe 5 years ago. It's not like the NEC 3550a wasn't considered one of the better DVD burners and it only cost me $35 new about 2 years ago.

But the processor sounds alright. My older system is an A64X2 and it's not bad at all speed-wise. If you're willing to spend the money, try looking for some super deals. I know there was a ZZF $118 (US) 2GB DDR2 800 pack. It's the same RAM I use in my system and it's good stuff.

I've never used the board myself either, hence you have to look at what people say about it. And if you pay more than $100 for a DVD burner, it better say "Blu-ray" on it somewhere.

All review boards are biased a bit, especially forums (even this one). You can always find someone who thinks they know more than they do telling others what's best. But if you see a product that has 100 reviews all 5 stars you can bet it's not a dud. You have to throw out the top and bottom 5-10% of reviews and never use just one site for research.