Upgrading Computer - CPU, Ram, Vid Card

[metro999]

Hi guys, new guy here I forgot my login so I've had to make a new profile. But anyways,

I'm going to be upgrading my computer in 3 areas - CPU, RAM and Vid card.
I've got $1500 CDN to spend, and I'm looking at buying an FX-60 Processor 939 as my motherboard is a DFI LanParty nF4 SLI-DR (939). I've heard good things about AM2 socket but I'm not interested in upgrading my Mobo (even though I probably need it due to the dual 16 pipes they have out now for SLI). My computer, as it stands is as follows:

DFI LanParty nF4 SLI-DR (939).
AMD Athlon 3800+ winchester
OCZ 1GB PC3200 Gold Edition 2-2-2-5 Dual Channel DDR Kit (2 x 512MB)
eVGA 7900 GT KO PCI-E

thats all you need to know for this i presume.

My questions are, seeing how the FX-60 is the last of the cores for 939, is it worth spending $987 on one?
I am going to be upgrading my vid card by putting another 7900GT KO for SLI and adding another stick of RAM of the same variety. This is a development/gaming system which is why I'm interested in the duel core fx-60. Any advice on RAM, Vid card and CPU would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[metro999]

Oh, I've noticed a lot of people on this website have made the switch to Intel? I've heard great things about the Core, and wouldnt mind making the switch to that as well.

 

[Bill Brasky]

My questions are, seeing how the FX-60 is the last of the cores for 939, is it worth spending $987 on one?

Absolutely not. With that kind of money you should get a Conroe. Are you going to overclock?

 

[metro999]

I usually never buy top of the line, and if you mean the 6700 then yes I'm kind of leaning towards that direction right now. I'm just reading up on the reviews and they are quite outstanding, not to mention will save me $300 compared to the fx-60 and thats with a mobo switch (to this one: http://tinyurl.com/arnqn , any suggestions on an intel board?). I've been out of the CPU game for a while since after i built this system but I'm learning Intel has taken the hearts of the enthusiast
I will most likely be not overclocking, as I don't really have the balls to do it. Although I might start taking scrap parts of this one once I've upgraded and start building one that way but thats moot.

This actually solves my mobo problem of being only 8x for sli. Is the improvement in SLI with 16x SLI board about twice as much compared to the pipe increase?
Boy, I don't know why I stopped keeping up this stuff is exciting

EDIT: I think they are still at 8x for SLI mode, but I'm not sure on that. I've just started researching this tonight so forgive my noobness

 

[AstroGuardian]

You should know that switching the mobo from 2x8 to 2x16 lanes for SLI does not realy contribute to performace gain. Actualy it is only 10% performance gain from such upgrade. So if you plan to take that small performance gain, you should switdch to 2x16 board. Core 2
as a processor will give you a LOT of CPU power but it is only a small fraction of mobos that support SLI with Core2. There are some Intel965 boards that support 2x16 but only in Crossfire configurations that needs an ATI vid card. Buying nForce 590 board with 2x16 and AM2 processor is very expensive and outdated option. Only the board will cost you no less than 200$. Not mentioning the expensive AMD FX-xx CPU.

If i were you i would go for a Core2 with Crossfire but i would alse have to swith the vid card to ATI option (lets say dual X1900GT with 256).

 

[metro999]

What about this one: http://tinyurl.com/y8ug3m
Its socket 775 and has 2x16 (Or so it says? its quite vague on the sli mode). I only have $1500 CDN to spend on this upgrade so I will have to keep the nvidia. I am focusing on a CPU upgrade heavily more than the rest. Currently, with what I'm looking at, the Mobo plus the 6700, memory and vid card im totalling 1300. Crossfire is not an option.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Zaitsev

My questions are, seeing how the FX-60 is the last of the cores for 939, is it worth spending $987 on one?

Absolutely not. With that kind of money you should get a Conroe. Are you going to overclock?

A $200-230 core 2 duo can beat the snot out of a $900 FX60