Name: knobknoster Date: January 8, 2007 at 13:38:47 Pacific Subject: shifting to 64bit OS: XP Home CPU/Ram: AthlonXP3000+ 512MB-PC320 Model/Manufacturer: myself/chaintech mobo
Comment:
I'm fed up with my PC's quirks, and things are becoming less expensive, so I feel like it's a good time to upgrade to a 64bit. Yeah, I'm someone who upgrades one generation behind to save money. First, what's the difference between a 939pin and AM2 socket? Are there any benchmarks comparing the different versions of the same CPU? (e.g. AMD64 3000 vs. an AM2 AMD64 3000) 2nd, what single-core 64bit AMD processor is best within a reasonable price? Lastly, as I browse pricewatch.com, I see many "PCChips" motherboards; the name sounds cheapo quality to me, what's your opinion? After Chaintech failed me, I'm leaning towards an ASUS...however they're not especially inexpensive, so would there be a high quality/dependable mobo company that's still reasonably priced?
Alot, I know, but thanks in advance!
My PC's busted. But I have good news: I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.
"Yeah, I'm someone who upgrades one generation behind to save money."
If we take into account the following: Socket 754, Socket 939, Socket 940, Socket AM2, Socket F & the AM3 that's expected to debut sometime later this year or early next year, I'd say your upgrade timetable is off quite a bit. Don't you think?........LOL.
"First, what's the difference between a 939pin and AM2 socket? Are there any benchmarks comparing the different versions of the same CPU? (e.g. AMD64 3000 vs. an AM2 AMD64 3000)"
Fortunately for you, this & the fact that AM3 is within the horizon, should invalidate any thoughts of you considering that platform.
"2nd, what single-core 64bit AMD processor is best within a reasonable price?"
The 3700+ "Sandy" has occupied this spot for a while now. And unless you are interested in an Opteron, you can't go wrong with the 3700+.
"Lastly, as I browse pricewatch.com, I see many "PCChips" motherboards; the name sounds cheapo quality to me, what's your opinion?"
Even though I tend to be frugal myself when it comes to computing & have taken chances on less popular component parts, I can tell you this much - I'll literally eat my underwear before I buy a PCChips branded or affiliated motherboard. Ironically, I shared this same sentiment with ECS, but now that they (ECS) seem to have gotten the enthusiast "makeover", I can see myself pulling the trigger on a sweet motherboard deal, if it is spec'd to my liking.
While a S939 3000+ & a socket AM2 3000+ may essentially be the same CPU, there are other technologies that come with the AM2 platform...such as the switch to DDR2-SDRAM & new/improved motherboard chipsets.
Here's the difference between a S939 & AM2 3200+ CPU:
Like you, I always stay a step or two behind bleeding edge technology...I guess Sabertooth would say 3-4 steps behind...lol. It was only a few months ago that I finally went to a 64-bit CPU/board, but I built a S754 setup so that I could stick with AGP video, not to mention DDR-SDRAM & my 500W PSU w/20-pin main plug.
PCChips board are low-end....stay away! I've only worked with one Chaintech board before & had no probs with it. Other good manufacturer's are Asus, GigaByte, DFI, MSI. ASRock is a part of Asus...basically it's their "value" division. ECS/EliteGroup & Biostar have been around for quite a while...they generally build low-end/value boards but both have been coming on strong in the enthusiast market lately.
If you're gonna build using an AMD system, stick with boards based on nVidia chipsets...nForce2 for the socket A, nForce3 for the S754, nForce4 for the S939, & nForce5 for the AM2.
Several of us have recommended this S939/nForce4 Ultra board lately...it's just the bare board with I/O plate, but it's only $41 (up $2 since xmas):
You will never be ahead. By the time you build a system even if it's the top of the line 8 grand pc, the next thing you know Intel, AMD, ATI, Nvidia introduces a better product a week after you build your top of the line system.
The old rule of thumb is you get what you need, not what you don't. I mean people buy stuff for bragging rights but honeslty if you will hardly take advantage of it in your personal use then you just wasted all the money, just so you can say I got the better system. Who cares, people that are like that normally are losers and don't have a life anyhow.
"I'd say your upgrade timetable is off quite a bit. Don't you think?" I suppose. Oh well, as long as I'm one generation or so behind cutting edge and I'm getting an acceptable deal.
"...should invalidate any thoughts of you considering that platform." Yes, that's what I imagined, that there wasn't much of a performance leap, but the AM2 introduces some newer technology surrounding it, like the NF5. But it's ok, because I'm fine with NF4 and everything that comes with it, it's behind a generation afterall. Thank you for confirming that.
"And unless you are interested in an Opteron, you can't go wrong with the 3700+." Nope, I'll stick with the normal 64 because I don't need dual core and I won't be using the applications Opterons specialize in. However, I found that the 4000+ SanDiego (that's what "Sand" refered to, right?) was a substantial boost above the 3700+, but was 25 bucks more on Newegg. Is 25 worth the increase? Benchmarks: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.h... Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ... --- "I've only worked with one Chaintech board before & had no probs with it." Yes, it could be my mobo is fine and my CPU is bad, because it's my memory controller that's fussy, which is on the CPU. However, the design of my board is odd, the heatsink is pressing down on a capacitor that's right next to the socket, and I can't risk bending it. Nevermind, even if it was working, it's time to upgrade anyways.
Thank you Jam for the mobo suggestions, I'll research them further, however if you have any reviews/benchmarking sites you prefer, I'd love for you to share them.
My PC's busted. But I have good news: I just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.
"Nope, I'll stick with the normal 64 because I don't need dual core and I won't be using the applications Opterons specialize in.
JSYK. With some of these CPUs, all it pretty much boils down to is nomenclature.....hehe. And the Opterons, specifically the single core S939 series share identical architecture with their regular Athlon 64 siblings, with the main difference being they are supposedly more stable & also hold more overclock potential because they were hand-picked as the best from the fab batch.
"I found that the 4000+ SanDiego (that's what "Sand" refered to, right?) was a substantial boost above the 3700+, but was 25 bucks more on Newegg. Is 25 worth the increase?"
The difference is actually more than $25 between those two, it could even cost you twice as much. Don't forget, the ($99) AMD Athlon 64 4000+ 2.4GHz San Diego is OEM, meaning you have to pay extra for a HSF to go with it. The ($75) 3700+ 2.2GHz San Diego on the other hand is a retail package, so no need worrying about a HSF for it. Moreover, it is safe to assume, you would need a retail package since you are upgrading from a Socket A system. But in the event that you already have a compatible HSF and only need a 939 CPU, NewEgg also has a 3700+ OEM listed for $68 & the 144 Venus OEM for $71.
Even though NewEgg seem to be currently sold out of the sub $100 (146) Opty, you can still pull the trigger on a 144 Venus and easily OC or stick with the 3700+ Sandy.
The information on Computing.Net is the opinions of its users. Such
opinions may not be accurate and they are to be used at your own risk.
Computing.Net cannot verify the validity of the statements made on this site. Computing.Net and Computing.Net, LLC hereby disclaim all responsibility and liability for the content of Computing.Net and its accuracy.
PLEASE READ THE FULL DISCLAIMER AND LEGAL TERMS BY CLICKING HERE
