Socket 939 upgrade, is the difference between these CPUs worth the price increase?

[essential]

I have a 939 setup with a Athlon 64 3500+ (single core), and can't afford to upgrade multiple parts, but am looking to toss a new CPU into the machine, and def want to go dual core.

I've researched that the Athlon FX-60 (2.6GHz) is the best socket 939 CPU I can buy. They go for around $200-$300 on eBay.

However, on eBay, I can also get an athlon 64 x2 4200+ (2.2GHz) / 4400+ (2.2GHz) / 4800+ (2.4GHz) for around $100-$150.

Pretty simple question, is the FX-60 that much better than a 4200/4400/4800 to be worth about double?

Thanks.

 

[exar333]

With that system, anything more than $50 to go dual-core would be a waste of money. If you want faster, you can get a MB/CPU/PSU combo that will be ~$200 and will be MUCH faster.

 

[Martimus]

No.

The X2 4200+ is the exact same speed as the 3500+, with the same cache, but it is a dual core. I currently use that chip in my machine, and I don't really have issues with it being too slow (I also use a 19" CRT and can run games at whatever resolution I feel like - usually 1280x1024).

 

[CurseTheSky]

AMD Athlon II X4 620 - 2.6GHz Quad Core - $89
ASRock AMD 770 AM3 ATX Motherboard - $60
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 - $37

Comes out to $186 total. Throw in an EVGA GT 240, 512 MB DDR5 for $50 after rebate, and you'll have an all-around far more powerful system for what you're looking to spend on just a processor.

There's no sense wasting your money on an old processor when you can literally have twice the performance (or more), PLUS a newer motherboard and double the RAM for the same price.

 

[StrangerGuy]

$200 can net you a Athlon II, 4GB DDR3 and a mATX mobo, brand new. Add in an nice overclock and it will make the s939 X2s on Ebay look like a total ripoff in comparison.

 

[TemjinGold]

Agreed. Don't get any of that junk you researched. You will see FAR better performance with what these guys are recommending at the same price point.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

yeah just upgrade. i went all out and jumped to i7 from my Opteron 170 (essentially between a 3800 and 4400), and wow... I was impressed. Heh.

But going from single to dual core will help you a lot. It's just not much of an increase considering you could get even more with a newer generation chip.

 

[Spikesoldier]

get a x2 3800 if you can for ~$50.

get another gig of ram.

 

[VirtualLarry]

There's no sense wasting your money on an old processor when you can literally have twice the performance (or more), PLUS a newer motherboard and double the RAM for the same price.

isn't that the truth. i bought an x2 4800 939 off of a forum member here for a bit less than ebay, and for the money I paid, I think he turned around and bought a 45nm C2D, a mobo, and either 2 or 4MB of ram.

in short, you can achive a total platform upgrade for the price of a high-end 939 chip.

 

[richierich1212]

isn't that the truth. i bought an x2 4800 939 off of a forum member here for a bit less than ebay, and for the money I paid, I think he turned around and bought a 45nm C2D, a mobo, and either 2 or 4MB of ram.

Damn that's a downgrade :biggrin:

 

[NoSoup4You]

$125 buys you a 2.5Ghz 45nm dual-core Wolfdale E3300 ($50), 2 x 1 GB of DDR2 800 ($38), and a $33 micro ATX Socket 775 motherboard. All brand new from Newegg. That pc, along with double your current RAM, is LIGHT YEARS ahead of a dinky X2 cpu.

Please don't waste money on a s939 cpu "upgrade"!

 

[Terzo]

I'll echo the general sentiment here and suggest against a new 939 cpu. Do you have a microcenter close by? If so you can get a amd motherboard and processor (athlon II x4 or Phenom II x2) for $100 AR (I think $20). You can get 4 gigs ddr3 ram at mwave for $60 no rebate. A core upgrade is much better value than dropping in a dead socket processor.

By the way, what do you use your computer for?

 

[fffblackmage]

What the... Why are the prices so high for those old CPUs? You could buy an entirely new (and faster) set of cpu+mobo+ram for that much money. Just how are those old s939 CPUs worth $100+?

 

[SolMiester]

AMD Athlon II X4 620 - 2.6GHz Quad Core - $89
ASRock AMD 770 AM3 ATX Motherboard - $60
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333 - $37

Comes out to $186 total. Throw in an EVGA GT 240, 512 MB DDR5 for $50 after rebate, and you'll have an all-around far more powerful system for what you're looking to spend on just a processor.

There's no sense wasting your money on an old processor when you can literally have twice the performance (or more), PLUS a newer motherboard and double the RAM for the same price.

Thats a great post.......!

 

[rickon66]

Keep your eye out on craigslist, I have seen the x2's go for $25 here in the Nashville area

 

[TurtleCrusher]

As a longtime 939 user, I have to suggest going against an upgrade on the platform. Its dead and its time to move on.

I began with a 3500+, 1.5gb pc2100 and a 5500 256mb. I ended with an X2 4200+, 4gb PC3200 and an 8800gts. It was fine while i used it, but the C2Q upgrade was LIGHTYEARS faster. A basic Athlon X4 is over 5x faster than a 3500+ in benchmarks and an unbelieveably better multitasker.

 

[essential]

yea, after all the comments i'm not going to upgrade. i had a plan to build a new super machine in early/mid 2011, and i thought i'd just spend a little money now to get this machine going a bit faster, and just use it as a utility machine later on.

i guess i'll just go for a new cheap build for the time being, and no microcenters around me.

 

[veri745]

yea, after all the comments i'm not going to upgrade. i had a plan to build a new super machine in early/mid 2011, and i thought i'd just spend a little money now to get this machine going a bit faster, and just use it as a utility machine later on.

i guess i'll just go for a new cheap build for the time being, and no microcenters around me.

I agree with all the other posters. Your "cheap new build" is going to be almost an order of magnitude better than a s939 upgrade for the same price.

 

[nerp]

This thread reminds me that I should sell my opteron chip sooner than later.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I'll echo the "Don't waste your time." I tried to keep my old Athlon 64 3500+ system going but upgrading to slightly faster 939 chip, and adding more RAM. I wish I had that money back since it didn't do diddly squat.

Don't put any more money into that system, trust me. You'll wish you had saved the money to use on your new build.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

yea, after all the comments i'm not going to upgrade. i had a plan to build a new super machine in early/mid 2011, and i thought i'd just spend a little money now to get this machine going a bit faster, and just use it as a utility machine later on.

i guess i'll just go for a new cheap build for the time being, and no microcenters around me.

I'd personally go with the best quad (hopefully Phenom X4 of some kind) your money could buy and the cheapest motherboard for your needs, unless you plan to OC a bit. You obviously keep your build for a long time so getting the best stock CPU you can buy now will pay dividends later when you wont have to upgrade for a new game or application. Load up of 4GB of ram and you'll be set.

Do you game? If so, what is your video card?