Which one is which???

[jtelep]

OK so I need to upgrade my entire rig because I want to use a piece of software that requires SSE2. I've been thinking about doing this for awhile anyway also because all of the new video cards are now PCI-E and I am still using AGP. I am mainly an AMD guy and I am currently running an Athlon XP 3200+ with 1GB of Kingston Hyper X PC3200 and a GeForce 6600GT. I see there are 3 ways to go with AMD: the Athlon 64, 64 X2 and the 64 FX. If I am right the 64 is just the 64-bit processor, the X2 is the dual core 64-bit processor but I have no idea where that puts the FX (similar to the Intel Core 2 Duo?). I also would like to know about the sockets. Which one is better? The AM2 or the 939? Oh and one more question? My memory. When I bought it it was supposed to be the best for gaming but I am relatively sure that it is not DDR2, will that make a big difference? Will it slow down the FSB by running PC3200 instead of something higher like PC2 DDR2?

Any help would be great as I am completely lost on this.

Thanks.

 

[w00t]

FX series is there like extreme series considering special
AM2 is the newer socket and it supports DDR-2 no performance increase over Socket 939 really but I'd get it for future proof if was going to get AMD which I wouldn't right now
Socket 939 is there older socket uses DDR

the regular Athlon 64 is single core which you wouldn't want
X2 is dual core which you would want
FX may be single or dual I think

you will have to get DDR-2 for AM2
you can use that stick of ram for the Socket 939 and that ram is at the supported speed so it will work perfect.

although, I answered all those questions I would say get Intel
It would be stupid for you to get AMD right now considering Intel Core Duo 2's are significantly better at the moment.

Take a look at the benchmarks I am sure you will be pretty amazed at the performance increase over AMD
There also priced well and overclock very well

 

[regnez]

FX > X2 > XP
FX is top-end AMD stuff. X2 is main stream performance, and XP is budget single core.

AM2 > 939
939 is on its way out. If you are building a new AMD system, get an AM2 socket.

DDR2 > DDR
Neither will affect your FSB speed, though. DDR2 is better for overall system performance and overclocking. DDR is a dying breed and will be completely replaced with DDR2 in the future.

C2D > AMD
None of the above information matters, because if you are building a new system right now, it should have a C2D processor.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

It really depends on how much $$$ you want to spend. You could probably find an Athlon 64 single core cpu & socket 939 agp mobo for ~$120, and then just drop your ram & video card into it. Upgrading to a Core 2 Duo would require you to buy not only a new cpu & mobo, but also new ram.

You could likely sell your Athlon XP 3200+ & your existing mobo for close to $100, meaning the net cost of the upgrade to an Athlon 64 single core & socket 939 mobo would be very little (less than $50).

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: regnez
FX > X2 > XP
FX is top-end AMD stuff. X2 is main stream performance, and XP is budget single core.

The Athlon XP has been out of production for a while now. Athlon 64 is the mainstream part below the Athlon 64 X2, and Sempron is the budget part.

AM2 > 939
939 is on its way out. If you are building a new AMD system, get an AM2 socket.

Performance between Socket 939 and AM2 processors is fairly similar, and if the OP wants to reuse his memory he would have to go with Socket 939. Regular DDR is not compatible with Socket AM2 motherboards.

C2D > AMD
None of the above information matters, because if you are building a new system right now, it should have a C2D processor.

Budget permitting, and barring any unusual requirements, yes.