What shall I do about a new CPU?

publiusdiamond · 04-02-2007, 03:13 PM

I currently have an AMD Athlon 64 3200. I'd like to upgrade in about a month or so, what would be the wisest option? Is an AMD 64 Dual Core processor a wise choice or should I go the whole hog andget an AM2 X2, with a new motherboard (I'll need one, won't I?) and will I be able to use my existing RAM on a new board (It's DDR) or will I have to buy DDR2 RAM (What's the difference anyway?)

Thanks in advance.

PohTayToez · 04-02-2007, 03:21 PM

I would just buy a better processor to fit your current socket (939?), and then save so you can get a brand new build later down the road.

**jimmymac** · 04-02-2007, 03:36 PM

its really up to you how much you want o spend and such. Personally i just upgraded my A64 3200 to an A64 4000, its an extra 0.4ghz and gives me a noticeable difference. Happily able to play most game on medium to high settings. Currently running command and conquer 3 lovely.

The A64 4000 only cost be £20 from a friend but i think they retail at about £60 ($100 ish)

otherwise go for a dual core if you think you might need it, stump up to an x2 4600 or so and you should be happy but you will be looking at a higher cost. The socket 939 X2's are more expensive than the newer AM2 X2's at the moment.

publiusdiamond · 04-02-2007, 03:49 PM

The problem is, if I kept my mobo and got another CPU (either a 939 X2 or another single core like you did) I'd still be stuck with my old RAM sockets (DDR, not DDR 2) so I'm probably going to go for a new AM2 mobo and processor which takes DDR2 RAM, and get some brand new RAM for it.

Thanks!

**jimmymac** · 04-02-2007, 04:06 PM

fair do fella, i've stayed with my old mobo and DDR ram, all running fine here.

if your going to change the mobo, processor and ram then it might be worth looking at the core 2 duo options too though, might be able to get a similar deal but a faster processor that way

taylormsj · 04-02-2007, 04:17 PM

Thatsw what i did - got a socket 939 X2 rocesor o i didnt have to buy new DDR 2 ram and stick with my DDR - i regret it now as i couold have got an AM2 4600 X2 for less than i got my 3800X2 for

Lazarus · 04-02-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by publiusdiamond

The problem is, if I kept my mobo and got another CPU (either a 939 X2 or another single core like you did) I'd still be stuck with my old RAM sockets (DDR, not DDR 2) so I'm probably going to go for a new AM2 mobo and processor which takes DDR2 RAM, and get some brand new RAM for it.

Thanks!

I'm in the same situation as you....I got my PC almost 2 years ago with a s.939 board and i would like to upgrade to a dual core processor now.Thing is if you don't want to spend too much money just go for an Athlon X2 now....cause if you're planning on changing the mobo,RAM,CPU(that's practicly a new rig) i think you should consider going the Core 2 Duo route cause you'll get better performance for the money.

publiusdiamond · 04-02-2007, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the help guys; I think I'm gonna consider an Intel Core 2 Duo.

Just to clarify, I will have to completely install Windows afresh won't I? In which case, I've got a 160gb hard drive which isn't the bootable drive, but just used to install games and stuff on it. I can leave that alone without having the data wiped, can't I?

thealmightyone · 04-02-2007, 06:27 PM

Yeah. Only the drive/partition you want the OS to be installed on needs to be formatted.

cryption · 04-02-2007, 07:37 PM

i would get another AMD in your shoes, the new dual cored on the AM2 socket are sick

04-02-2007, 03:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
publiusdiamond Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 67	What shall I do about a new CPU? I currently have an AMD Athlon 64 3200. I'd like to upgrade in about a month or so, what would be the wisest option? Is an AMD 64 Dual Core processor a wise choice or should I go the whole hog andget an AM2 X2, with a new motherboard (I'll need one, won't I?) and will I be able to use my existing RAM on a new board (It's DDR) or will I have to buy DDR2 RAM (What's the difference anyway?) Thanks in advance. __________________ Current Rig: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Gigabyte K8NMF-9 Maxtor 80Gb IDE HDD Stock 160Gb SATA HDD 1024mb RAM Ati X1600 Pro w00t

04-02-2007, 03:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
PohTayToez Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Illinois Age: 19 Posts: 2,541	I would just buy a better processor to fit your current socket (939?), and then save so you can get a brand new build later down the road. __________________ Desktop / Laptop ASUS A8N-E / Compaq Presario v6420us AMD Athlon 3200+ @ 2.50Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 TK-53 @ 1.70Ghz MSI GeForce 7800GT / GeForce Go 6150 2 x 512MB DDR / 2 x 1GB DDR2 250GB SATA II / 80GB 5400RPM SATA 2 x DVD Burner / 8X DVD±R/RW

04-02-2007, 03:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Age: 28 Posts: 3,692	its really up to you how much you want o spend and such. Personally i just upgraded my A64 3200 to an A64 4000, its an extra 0.4ghz and gives me a noticeable difference. Happily able to play most game on medium to high settings. Currently running command and conquer 3 lovely. The A64 4000 only cost be £20 from a friend but i think they retail at about £60 ($100 ish) otherwise go for a dual core if you think you might need it, stump up to an x2 4600 or so and you should be happy but you will be looking at a higher cost. The socket 939 X2's are more expensive than the newer AM2 X2's at the moment. __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. http://www.peytonmusic.com/ http://forum.peytonmusic.com/ the most uplifting soulful music you will ever hear...

04-02-2007, 03:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
publiusdiamond Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 67	The problem is, if I kept my mobo and got another CPU (either a 939 X2 or another single core like you did) I'd still be stuck with my old RAM sockets (DDR, not DDR 2) so I'm probably going to go for a new AM2 mobo and processor which takes DDR2 RAM, and get some brand new RAM for it. Thanks! __________________ Current Rig: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Gigabyte K8NMF-9 Maxtor 80Gb IDE HDD Stock 160Gb SATA HDD 1024mb RAM Ati X1600 Pro w00t

04-02-2007, 04:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
jimmymac Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chester, UK Age: 28 Posts: 3,692	fair do fella, i've stayed with my old mobo and DDR ram, all running fine here. if your going to change the mobo, processor and ram then it might be worth looking at the core 2 duo options too though, might be able to get a similar deal but a faster processor that way __________________ I tried to put my signature in here but my pen ruined the monitor. http://www.peytonmusic.com/ http://forum.peytonmusic.com/ the most uplifting soulful music you will ever hear...

04-02-2007, 04:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
taylormsj Diamond Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,819	Thatsw what i did - got a socket 939 X2 rocesor o i didnt have to buy new DDR 2 ram and stick with my DDR - i regret it now as i couold have got an AM2 4600 X2 for less than i got my 3800X2 for __________________ E2160 @3.2 (3.618 GHz max) \| 2Gb OCZ 6400 @ 890MHz \| 8800GT (725, 1895, 1970 MHz) \| Coolermaster CM 690 \| Hiper 530 watt \| Maxtor 160 Gb \| D-tek fusion, 5.5mm nozzle / Swiftech MCW60 with enzo's / Swiftech D5 / MCRres / MCR320 radiator / 3 high yate loon / 7/16" tubing / black feser one

04-02-2007, 06:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
publiusdiamond Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England Posts: 67	Thanks for the help guys; I think I'm gonna consider an Intel Core 2 Duo. Just to clarify, I will have to completely install Windows afresh won't I? In which case, I've got a 160gb hard drive which isn't the bootable drive, but just used to install games and stuff on it. I can leave that alone without having the data wiped, can't I? __________________ Current Rig: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Gigabyte K8NMF-9 Maxtor 80Gb IDE HDD Stock 160Gb SATA HDD 1024mb RAM Ati X1600 Pro w00t

04-02-2007, 06:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
thealmightyone Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: York, UK Age: 21 Posts: 1,000	Yeah. Only the drive/partition you want the OS to be installed on needs to be formatted. __________________ E8200 @ 3.576GHz with GA-P35-DS3L 2900 Pro, flashed to XT, oc-ed to 850/1860. Crucial Ballistix Tracers PC2-8500 2GB Enermax Modular 620W Creative Audigy 4 2x Seagate Barracuda 250GB Jeantech Nitro case, XP Pro and 19" LCD

04-02-2007, 07:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
cryption Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 314	i would get another AMD in your shoes, the new dual cored on the AM2 socket are sick __________________ HP a1730n AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600+ 2gb DDR2 300gb HDD nVidia geforce 7900gs Oil Cooled and refrigerated computer not included.

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