Hi, I'm not too sure if this belongs here but oh well. I'm looking to build a new PC, and I'm a bit torn between getting a socket 939 mobo or a (more pricey) AM2 mobo. Are there notable differences between the two? I know each type accepts different types of processors, but is it worth forking out for an AM2? 939's are notably cheaper on ebuyer.com, and I have quite a tight budget.

Thanks

If you are looking to build a dual core system, go with Intel. AMD simply has nothing better to offer on that platform.

If you are adamant about going with AMD, then you should go for an AM2 based system.

The only main diff is DDR2 support, other then that there is no preformance diff between the 2. I'm skipping AM2 and waiting for AM3 myself which should be out by next year sometime and that will offer quad-core support along with DDR3.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ OC 2.7ghz
2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200
Nvidia 7900GT
SATA II 2x 200gig 7200rpm 16mb cache RAID-0
Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI

Though theoretically, the DDR2 must offer double the bandwidth of DDR, it does not come even close to that expectation on the AM2 platform. At higher CPU speeds, the difference just about begins to show itself. But for this difference, would I invest in a AM2 ? I would not.

I'd still go the 939 way, considering there is nothing like a day-night difference between 939 and AM2. But, if you are looking at an upgrade a year or so from now, the obvious choice will be AM2. Besides, who knows if DDR will still be commonly available (and not cost a bomb) a year from now?

So, from an upgrade perspective - AM2.
From VFM perspective as things stand right now - 939

Kailas Shastry

Fried PSU => my 2000+ XP, mobo, mouse and 9600XT are also fied. Damn those light-weight high wattage PSUs!

"Though theoretically, the DDR2 must offer double the bandwidth of DDR"

Why do you say that? The "2" in DDR2 doesn't mean the bandwidth is doubled, it means it's the 2nd phase in DDR technology...it basically picked up where DDR1 left off.

Yeah jam is right on the money DDR 500 hangs with DDR2 800 in bandwidth preformance.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ OC 2.7ghz
2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200
Nvidia 7900GT
SATA II 2x 200gig 7200rpm 16mb cache RAID-0
Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI

jam, CobraR,

I guess I must have been more specific.

When I said 'theoretically...', I meant:

Dual DDR 400 --> 6.4GBps
Dual DDR2 800 -> 12.8GBps

Again, theoretical is the keyword.

Had DDR 800 existed,the story would have been been different, of course. But then, am comparing the max DDR that needed to be put on a stock 939 system and that on a AM2 system.

But in practice, given the narrow difference between 939 and AM2 in performance, I'd still buy a 939 CPU and spend that extra money on more RAM instead.
Or just buy a nice wireless k/b and mouse :)

Kailas Shastry

Fried PSU => my 2000+ XP, mobo, mouse and 9600XT are also fied. Damn those light-weight high wattage PSUs!

Your talking cpu memory bandwidth that's a diff story then ram bandwidth.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ OC 2.7ghz
2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200
Nvidia 7900GT
SATA II 2x 300gig 7200rpm 16mb cache RAID-0
Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI

old thread, but still,
'cpu memory bandwidth' ??

I believe am very much talking about memory bandwidth.
(RAM = memory AFAIK)

I dont know what you are referring to by'cpu memory bandwidth'.

I could use some explaination.

cheers,

Kailas Shastry

Fried PSU => my 2000+ XP, mobo, mouse and 9600XT are also fied. Damn those light-weight high wattage PSUs!

Theres not much difference between the price of the 939 and am2 in SA, but am2 is the newer of the two right?

I wanna buy myself a AMD 3800+ AM2 in December with an AM2 mobo.

What is the average price of an AM2 mobo?

google it.

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ OC 2.7ghz
2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200
Nvidia 7900GT
SATA II 2x 300gig 7200rpm 16mb cache RAID-0
Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI