Wait for Core i3 and G300? (or AM3 + PH II now?)

[KatanaBob]

Hi!

I've been toying with the idea of upgrading to a new budget rig (new MB, GPU, CPU and RAM), since my Athlon 64 3500+ and 7800gs is starting to show their age (though I must say, they've aged gracefully).

So in essence, should I go AM3 with Phenom II and 4670/4770/4850

OR

wait for core i3 and G300?

Even if I don't want to go intel and nvidia, the prices should drop on AMD's offerings, right? Is it clever to wait?

Also... I'm really excited to see what the 5670 can do.

 

[Fayd]

on the budget end, you're not gonna be saving all that much between acting now or later.

go with AM3 and the best video card you can afford. be done with it.

 

[mmntech]

I would a Radeon HD 5000 series card now rather than waiting for nVidia.

What is your budget? You could get an i5 now, which is better than what AMD is currently offering.

 

[KatanaBob]

I suppose 300-400 USD is my budget, though I guess I could go over that if core i5 really is worth it.

There's just one thing bugging me. I'm a student, and as much as I'd love to play games as much as I did when I was younger, I find myself steadily losing interest in games in general. It's kinda sad really :/

I suppose I'm demoted to a "casual" gamer, haha!

Anyway, do you think core i5 justifiable to a casual gamer? I was thinking yes, because I'd probably never have to upgrade the CPU in like 3-4 or years, but then I would feel guilty for spending so much money (even though it's my own, but still).

I guess what I want basically is an upgrade that's NOTICEABLY better than my 3500+ and 7800gs, that plays really well at 1280x1024 (that's my native), that is as cheap as possible, ON A SOCKET THAT'S NOT DYING (like 775). An upgrade I wouldn't have to feel "guilty" about spending money on.

I brought an example. Is this good value?

AM3 - Budget
* 488304 AMD Athlon II X2 240 2,8Ghz, AM3, 2MB, 65W, Boxed
* 487823 ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO, Socket-AM3 AMD 785G+SB710, DDR3, Firewire, GbLAN, m-ATX, HDMI, DVI, PCI-Ex(2.0)x16
* 363358 Crucial DDR3 1333MHz 2GB, CL9, Non-ECC, 1.5V, 256Meg x 64, 240pin
* 449923 PowerColor Radeon HD 4670 "PCS" 512MB GDDR3, PCI-Express 2.0, DVI, HDMI, HDCP

It costs about 460 USD in my country, I'm guessing it would cost around 350 USD in USA.

Edit: It's actually 4gb ram. The multiplier didn't make it. Same price.

 

[UKcharlie]

I have similar issues to KatanaBob

I have all but decided on an AMD phenom x4, however, i would like advice/ thoughts on how long the AMD3 socket will be compatible. Does anyone know at this stage?

I have heard that the new 6 cores should be compatible...?

If that is the case, i am going for a cheap x4 Phenom (lower that 965/955) and a good gfx card ATI 4870 and will upgrade in the next couple of years (should run most games on 1200x800). Just have to make sure the mobo is a really decent one.

 

[wwswimming]

I suppose 300-400 USD is my budget, though I guess I could go over that if core i5 really is worth it.

AM3 - Budget
* 488304 AMD Athlon II X2 240 2,8Ghz, AM3, 2MB, 65W, Boxed
* 487823 ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO, Socket-AM3 AMD 785G+SB710, DDR3, Firewire, GbLAN, m-ATX, HDMI, DVI, PCI-Ex(2.0)x16
* 363358 Crucial DDR3 1333MHz 2GB, CL9, Non-ECC, 1.5V, 256Meg x 64, 240pin
* 449923 PowerColor Radeon HD 4670 "PCS" 512MB GDDR3, PCI-Express 2.0, DVI, HDMI, HDCP

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=BA61098
AMD Athlon II X2 dual-core 240 (ADX240OCGQBOX) 2.8ghz processor w/2mb cache 65w 64-bit socket am3 retail boxed w/cooling fan (3 years warranty)
$63

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=BA61046
ASUS M2A74-AM AM3 AMD 740G micro ATX motherboard 1xPCI-E(x16)/1xPCI-E(x1)/2xPCI/2xDDR2/integrated VGA/SATA2 Raid/Lan(gb)
$58

for a fast budget system, is the DDR2 less expensive ? i could have sworn the Corsair DDR3 i was drooling over went up in price.

just for the hell of it -
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch...iteria=AA76457
AMD Athlon II X4 quad-core 620 (ADX620WFGIBOX) 2.6ghz processor w/2mb cache 95w 64-bit socket am3 retail boxed w/cooling fan (3 years warranty)
$99 for a quad core ... TFA

 

[james 1]

I have similar issues to KatanaBob

I have all but decided on an AMD phenom x4, however, i would like advice/ thoughts on how long the AMD3 socket will be compatible. Does anyone know at this stage?

I have heard that the new 6 cores should be compatible...?

If that is the case, i am going for a cheap x4 Phenom (lower that 965/955) and a good gfx card ATI 4870 and will upgrade in the next couple of years (should run most games on 1200x800). Just have to make sure the mobo is a really decent one.

Well AMD just released their new roadmap and it’s not too clear on if the 6 core thuban will be backward compatible it just says DDR3 under the LEO platform here take a look.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2023051