?s about going to dual core

[lokni]

I am finally jumping on the dual core bandwagon but have some questions as I have not kept up with hardware in a long time. I am cutting out Directv and planning to use this machine for accessing sites such as Hulu and Joost, as well as for watching stuff found through bittorrent. I possibly may even get an HD antenna and would connect that to my computer for watching live HD broadcasts.

Currently I have a socket 939 mobo running an Opteron single core cpu and 2 gigs of ram. I am wondering if I should keep my current hardware and go with a dual core 939 opteron such as the 175, or if I should upgrade to a Core2Duo or X2 system. Ideally, I would like to be able to display hi-def video and so far have not been able to stutter free. My graphics card is a 8600GS.

The opteron cpu can be had for under $100 if I look hard, and going the new mobo and cpu route I am looking at closer to $200 and probably a bit over as I have to buy new ram as well. Any reccomendations you guys can make?

 

[Blain]

You'd also need to budget for a good TV card and DDR2.

 

[aclim]

I wouldn't really call dual core a bandwagon

 

[0roo0roo]

its not a bandwagon at all. its so much better you can't go back to single core.
even low end core 2's have been able to playback hd material for quite some time now,even running with just integrated graphics.
and multitasking is much nicer. old 939 stuff is obsolete.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
its not a bandwagon at all. its so much better you can't go back to single core.
even low end core 2's have been able to playback hd material for quite some time now,even running with just integrated graphics.
and multitasking is much nicer. old 939 stuff is obsolete.

100% agree."Dual core" used to be "called" Dual CPU or Duallie back in the day. 5 years ago only servers or high-end workstations had more than 1 CPU. People tend to forget/overlook the technology behind today's multi-core CPUs. 4 actual CPUs on one physical die? Wow! Soon to be 8/12/16 but I digress.

A dual-core CPU will net you such an increase in capability that I think the OP will be stunned. Additionally, a new DDR2 system will also add a considerable boost in speed/power too.

OP will need to upgrade that videocard though. It would definitely lag a dual-core system when playing back HD.

 

[0roo0roo]

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2238289&enterthread=y
$100
just an example.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2238289&enterthread=y
$100
just an example.

That is a smokin' hot deal right there. :gift: The MB won't be any good for overclocking, but it will run at normal settings just fine.

That $100 combo+decent PS $80+1GB DDR2 PC6400 $50 or so after MIR+newer HD-capable videocard $125 or so = a really nice system for about $355 or so. And it will blow away your old rig, OP. :thumbsup:

 

[Denithor]

Wow, Mike, I don't know where you're buying but those prices are seriously high.

Good PSU - $50-60
4GB DDR2 - $50AR
Radeon 4670 - $80AR