Socket 939 system worth upgrading?

[scathefire]

Hello,

I've been tossing the idea around of building a new machine, versus just putting some newer components in my current system.

This machine would be mainly for gaming and also some video editing using fraps footage.

The main game is World of Warcraft, but I would also enjoy the ability to play newer games like Unreal Tournament and Crysis without bumping the graphics down to horrible levels. The kicker though, is that I play on a Dell 2405FPW @ 1920x1200 resolution, and do not wish to change from the monitors native resolution when playing a game.

Originally, I was going to buy an nvidia 8800GTS but now I am having doubts that I will be able to utilize the card to its fullest potential without getting a new CPU. Also, recording fraps video at full resolution is much more acceptable when using a dual core CPU, so that is also an appealing component to upgrade.

Key parts of the current system are:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+, socket 939
ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe Motherboard
x2 1gb DDR PC3200, OCZ
nvidia 7800gtx 256mb bfg

I don't believe I wish to spend more than $500 on this older system. All parts would be purchased from newegg.com

So, if you were in my position... what would you do?

 

[MarcVenice]

Tough, you DO want a dualcore CPU, and at least overclock it to 2.6ghz or higher. 2 options really, you could try grabbing a cheap x2 3800+ toledo, used perhaps, and overclock it as high as possible. Then buy a 8800gt/8800gts. That card is always a good investment, because it can always carry over to a new PC. That'll cost you a 8800gts + 50$ ?

Option # 2 would be a abit ip35-e or gigabyte ds3l, for 60-90$. 2x2gb of ram for 60-85$, like this, and a e2180 for 80$ + 8800gts. That's 200-255$ + 8800gts = 420-475$. The e2180 pretty much has to be overclocked to 2.4ghz or higher though, or you should spend a little more and at least get a e4500 if you are NOT into overclocking.

8800gts to get imo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127325

 

[letired]

I just went through a similar upgrade from a 3500+ socket 939. I paid a little more than $500 for the new system in my sig and I couldn't be happier.

 

[MarcVenice]

Oh I forgot, you 'might' need a new PSU ?

 

[scathefire]

Ah yes, forgot to mention the PSU.

It is a 470w from enermax.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817103446

 

[happy medium]

Overclock the 4000+ to 2.5/2.6 and buy a 9600gt for 150.00$
That should double your framerates and maximize your details in all games but Crysis.

You might want to go duel core soon though. 939 x2 @ 2.6 would be great.

 

[JackMDS]

scathefire. Welcome to AnandTech's Networking Forum.

Originally posted by: letired
I just went through a similar upgrade from a 3500+ socket 939. I paid a little more than $500 for the new system in my sig and I couldn't be happier.

:thumbsup: - :thumbsup:

Any Penny spent om 939 is a lost penny.

To clarify I still have 2 functional 939 system with x2 4400.

I also have an IP35-E + E2180 and it runs circle around the 939.

939 was terrific in its time, but it became a dead platform more than a year ago.

 

[chinaman1472]

My old system was 1GB DDR-400 RAM, 7900GT, and a 3500+ stock. My new system is 2GB DDR2-800, 8800GT, E2160 OCed to 2.7GHz. The performance increase was insane, and I dropped about $450 before selling off my old parts waiting for sales and shopping around. Since you play on such a high resolution, I'd definitely suggest doing a revamp on the whole system, and definitely invest in an 8800GTS.

 

[MarcVenice]

I disagree Jack. If he can get a x2 3800+ for 50$ or less and overclocks it, he could prolong the life of his rig for at least another year if you ask me. At his resolution he isn't going to be bottlenecked by the CPU, unless the only games he plays are Crysis and SupCom. That's all I would spend btw, he has to purchase a new videocard anyways, wether he stays with his s939 rig or gets a new platform.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=x2+3800

Guys is selling mobo + ram + x2 3800+ for 85$.

 

[Rottie]

scathefire

Is your CPU a dual core or single core? If it is a dual core then you can overclock it and start saving money for a year you can upgrade everything if you can afford Quad core cpu.

 

[happy medium]

They have new 3600x2's @ 2.0ghz on ebay for 74.00 shipped. They easily overclock to 2.6.

They also have 9600gt's at newegg for 150$.

A system like this for 225.00$ will easily last you till the new intel socket and cpu's come out at the end of the year which will make the core 2 obsolete.

It's a little late to do a full system upgrade now in my opinion.
Save for a real upgrade at Christamas.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
I disagree Jack. If he can get a x2 3800+ for 50$ or less and overclocks it, he could prolong the life of his rig for at least another year if you ask me. At his resolution he isn't going to be bottlenecked by the CPU, unless the only games he plays are Crysis and SupCom. That's all I would spend btw, he has to purchase a new videocard anyways, wether he stays with his s939 rig or gets a new platform.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...key=y&keyword1=x2+3800

Guys is selling mobo + ram + x2 3800+ for 85$.

I think it is a matter of phrasing.

Pro long life sound verbally nice, however in reality the man has AMD Athlon 64 4000+. None of the few CPUs that are available as an upgrade for 939 would really add any noticeable Power. I actually have 939 with 4000+, and x2 4400 and I can compare.

Therefore, either the OP can live longer with his current computer, or if the OP needs more Functional Power he is better putting the money toward a platform switch.

 

[MarcVenice]

I think a dualcore at 2.6ghz will give some much needed extra CPU power in plenty of games ? If you think both give the same performance, a single core @ 2.6ghz vs a dualcore @ 2.6ghz, then I think you are wrong, but that's besides the point, I also think that if it were true, he 'should' probably just buy a new videocard. My x2 3800+ @ 2.6ghz and 8800gts 320mb are still serving me fine in 90% of the games out there, and in the other 10% like SupCom I can deal with it.

 

[happy medium]

A Core 2 2160@ 3.0 will perform the same as a Amd @ 2.6/2.7 in most games at his 1900x1200 resolution with a 9600gt.

I still say upgrade your cpu and video card now. A duel core 939 @ 2.6/2.7 and a 9600gt/8800gt will easily play most games this year with good detail.

By the end of this year we will have....

1. A new intel cpu with a different intel motherboard socket that will crush a core 2.

2. Amd will have there AM3 boards out with the a different socket also which support ddr3.

3. ddr3 memory prices are predicted to fall in Oct.

4. Ati will have there 4000 series cards out which should double performance of there current cards.

5. nvidia will have there g200 cards out with double the perfomance also.

For someone like me with a single core cpu and no way to go duel core without a motherboard, ram,video card (agp) swap a 2160 ddr2 upgrade is feasable for 500.00$.

P35 board 80 bucks
2gigs ddr2 85 bucks
2160 cpu 70 bucks
9600gt video 150 bucks
decent psu 100 bucks
windows vista for my upgrade mabe also?

500$/600 dollars

But if you allready have a board that can use a duel core cpu and your existing ram, a full system upgrade is too late at this point.

 

[Waylay00]

I'm in almost the exact same predicament...I'm curious for responses too. The question is whether or not it is advisable to upgrade the current rig (new CPU and GPU), build a new one now, or hold out until the fall (seeing how our systems could possibly hold out for that long).

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Waylay00
I'm in almost the exact same predicament...I'm curious for responses too. The question is whether or not it is advisable to upgrade the current rig (new CPU and GPU), build a new one now, or hold out until the fall (seeing how our systems could possibly hold out for that long).

A simple duel core cpu (with overclock @ 2.6 ) and a 9600gt will triple your performance in games for 225.00$

I see no need for a full system upgrade.

Edit sell your 7800gt and 3700 and get back at least 50 bucks on ebay.
175.00$ for 2 to 3 times the performance is super!.

 

[JackMDS]

Upgrade or change of platform is a different thing then upgrading the video. If you do not have enough money for both upgrade the video since it can be used on a other plarfom too. See how it works for you and then decide on the second step.

Scathefire in a situation like this upgrading or changing the platform is a different thing than upgrading the Video.

Spelling was awfull, so I cleaned it up a bit
MarcVenice -- General Hardware Moderator

 

[WildHorse]

I still have 2 S939 rigs.

Just upgraded the video card in the one that has the X2 4200+ to 8800GT XC. That gpu can be used in a new build later on.

The other one has an Opty and a 7900GS.

They still do all the work I need them for. I decided to wait until the next generation of architecture is on the market, and to skip over the Core2 generation altogether, so I'll probably build some newer rigs in early 2009.

Today's Intel's clock higher, but their performance benchmarks aren't all that much higher than my overclocked AMDs.

 

[vanvock]

My 939 rig is still kickin' right along. At this point I would suggest the video card upgrade & just see how that works for you, as mentioned it can migrate to new rig later. I'm not considering a new platform untill sometime next year.

 

[lxskllr]

Just to add another option for gaming... I have a Dell 2407fpw, and when I run into performance issues I drop my resolution to gain fps. I have Nvidia's drivers set to not scale the image, so a lower resolution gets letterboxed on my monitor. This way you get to keep full detail, but the image is a little smaller. 1600*1200 is still a nice resolution, and it takes less horsepower than 1920*1200.