Upgrading within a month

[Rhezuss]

Hi all!
After some consideration, instead of replacing my video card (9600GT 512mb) i'll upgrade de CPU/momo/mem trio with something, let's say, more up to date and "future proof".

Now after a week and a half searching the infamous internet, I have some unanswered questions about my near future upgrade.

Current prehistocomp: ASRock 939Dual-SATA2, A64 X2 4600+ (s939), 3gb DDR400, 9600GT 512mb, SB X-Fi XtremeGamer, OCZ Modstream 450W, Viewsonic VX922 19" (1280*1024) LCD...

First off, i'm looking at an AM3 system, if possible. But everytime I search for mobos, I stumble upon the AM3/DDR3 models and the AM3/AM2+/DDR2 ones. In keeping my "future proof" theme, the obvious choice would be the AM3/DDR3 way.

Is it true? Or the AM3/DDR2 can do the job for at least a year?

Secondly, the chipset. There's the 740G, 770, 780G, 785G, 790X, 790GX, 790FX and I probably miss another 37 more! I'm a little lost when entering this kind of tech.

So for the mobo, which chipset, memory and socket would serve me good for at least a full year if not more?

And in another near future, I plan to replace my 9600GT with a 48xx series video card or a 57xx if it's worth it.

Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[Kenmitch]

I'm thinking it would help others to help you if you stated the following things

Your budget
Your intended uses for the system
Are you a gamer?
Need sli or crossfire support?
Is the thought of overclocking your new system anything of interest or strickly stock speeds?

How many years are you looking to keep your new system? You stated a year but also futureproof so it's kinda up in the air

Any reasons why you would not want to give Intel a shot this go around?

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Rhezuss]

Well good points Kenmitch.

My budget is around 200CAD + shipping + taxes (I live in Canada) for CPU, mobo and memory. So if I could find a triple or quad-core (maybe i'll wait and consider the soon to be released Athlon II X3 in october, since the Athlon II X4 goes for about 100USD), ATX mobo and 4gb DDR3, i'd go for it right now, but that's not gonna happen seeing prices from numerous sites.

This system is my only PC and it is used 95% for gaming and 5% for AutoCAD, PS and the like, so yes i'm a gamer.
I don't need nor want SLI or crossfire support.
I'm not an overclocker, except sometimes I OC my video cards but never touched the CPU and memory.

Normally, I keep a system for about 2 years after that, I replace it for something less archaïc.

And i'm AMD since my second computer...and this one is my fifth.
And for less money, you get same performances from AMD. I just love AMD, that's why my next video card is gonna be my first Radeon.

Other things, i'd like to keep my OCZ 450W PSU until I buy a new video card. If you pros think it's not a good idea, than i'll consider replacing it.

thanks to you,
R

 

[Kenmitch]

Thats a very tight budget for future proof system

Hmmm....If it was me I'd do the following.

Find a cheap temp socket 939 cpu to keep me online at least.

Sell off your current socket 939 chip as it seems to be the king of S939 and still goes for some good money on the bay....Check into it as it looks like it may pay for a x4

If you did the above you would most likely free up enough funds to get the motherboard and the 4 gigs of memmory you want.

Thats if I wanted to go AMD anyways....Otherwise I'd go for the bang for buck intel chip

Thanks,
Ken

 

[Rhezuss]

Originally posted by: Kenmitch
Thats a very tight budget for future proof system

Hmmm....If it was me I'd do the following.

Find a cheap temp socket 939 cpu to keep me online at least.

Sell off your current socket 939 chip as it seems to be the king of S939 and still goes for some good money on the bay....Check into it as it looks like it may pay for a x4

If you did the above you would most likely free up enough funds to get the motherboard and the 4 gigs of memmory you want.

Thats if I wanted to go AMD anyways....Otherwise I'd go for the bang for buck intel chip

Thanks,
Ken

If I upgrade, i'll manage to sell my current gear for good money.

I'm mostly looking at the Phenom II X3 series, if everything goes well and a nice mobo with the 785G chipset since it looks like good stuff. Eventually, when the chipset 8xx comes out, replacing the mobo won't be too much a problem, if replacing needs to be done.

Thanks again for the tips!
I'll continue roaming the webs to find more infos.

 

[heyheybooboo]

My Cut 'n Paste Deal of the Day:

Phenom 720BE / Gigabyte 770T AM3: $170'ish

Enzotech Copper MOSFET Cooler: $15

Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333: $73


The XFX 4870 1Gb is around $145 --- some 4890s are in the $180 range after rebate. You could go DDR3 1600 with the G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) Kit for $85 --- don't think you will see a great leap in performance but IIRC it is on the Gigabyte QVL list.

The Phenom 720BE will see its biggest memory performance gains from upping the IMC/NB speed.

 

[tomt4535]

You can always look into the Athlon II X4 processors. They are $100 USD and a pretty good bang for the buck. The 785G chipset is a good choice too.

 

[larslake]

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor = $102 USD

ECS Black Series A785GM-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard = $67.00 USD after MIR.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT - = $71.00 USB

Newegg.com

 

[Rhezuss]

Originally posted by: larslake
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor = $102 USD

ECS Black Series A785GM-M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard = $67.00 USD after MIR.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT - = $71.00 USB

Newegg.com

First I look at newegg.ca for CAD prices.
Second, I don't want a micro ATX board since I have a 9600GT which takes 2 slots, a sound card ans a wireless net card.

But thanks for the tips, I think my budget's gonna have to go up a bit...

 

[DominionSeraph]

If you replace the system every two years, what do you mean by 'future proof'? The choice of socket/memory is irrelevant if you replace the whole unit rather than upgrade.

 

[Rhezuss]

Finally I decided to do a little upgrade, nothing big and since I have bought the AM2CPU board from ASRock, might as well use it...

I just replaced my 4600+ s939 with a 5200+ sAM2 and my 3gb DDR400 with a 4gb DDR2-800.

Nothing big but, I think, just enough to help me for the next year and then go with the big upgrade.

Thanks again all for you thoughts and help!

 

[Spikesoldier]

i would have sprang for the x3. it is a tremendous value especially if you overclock.

 

[Rhezuss]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
i would have sprang for the x3. it is a tremendous value especially if you overclock.

That was my initial plan but I decided to go the cheap way since I already had everything for the AM2/DDR2 setup.

It's not big of an upgrade but I think it'll give me a little boost and at under 150CAD (compared to 275CAD to go AM3/DDR3), it's well worth it.

I'll sold my old CPU and DDR400 for like 80-100CAD and i'll be happy for a the next year!

 

[CU]

I have almost the same setup. How much was the AM2CPU board? I can only find it for around $50. Don't really think it is work that plus cpu and ram.

 

[Rhezuss]

Originally posted by: CU
I have almost the same setup. How much was the AM2CPU board? I can only find it for around $50. Don't really think it is work that plus cpu and ram.

I bought it almost 6 months ago for 35CAD from NCIX.

 

[CU]

Was it a noticeable speed increase in games? Can you give frame rate examples?

 

[Rhezuss]

Originally posted by: CU
Was it a noticeable speed increase in games? Can you give frame rate examples?

Well, to be honest, I bought the AM2 board in hopes of upgrading my comp soon. But I just received today the Athlon64 X2 5200+ and 4gb DDR2-800...so i'm gonna try and test this monday and post you some results...

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: Rhezuss
Other things, i'd like to keep my OCZ 450W PSU until I buy a new video card. If you pros think it's not a good idea, than i'll consider replacing it.

I have been running my AMD system (see sig #2) on a 450W. I think your PSU will be fine unless it's got some ancient spec. (e.g. 200W on 5V rail)

 

[Qbah]

Originally posted by: Rhezuss
Finally I decided to do a little upgrade, nothing big and since I have bought the AM2CPU board from ASRock, might as well use it...

I just replaced my 4600+ s939 with a 5200+ sAM2 and my 3gb DDR400 with a 4gb DDR2-800.

Nothing big but, I think, just enough to help me for the next year and then go with the big upgrade.

Thanks again all for you thoughts and help!

I'm sorry but going from a 4600+ to a 5200+ and adding 1GB of RAM for a whooping 150$ isn't something I'd consider well spent money. I'm pretty sure you won't notice any difference at all.

You should've sold all your parts and gotten that X3 Phenom II at least - it will totally obliterate an Athlon X2 in any games and wouldn't be a hindrance to getting a new Radeon.