Upgrade path - socket 939

[SlowSpyder]

I currently have a single core socket 939 Athlon 64 running at 2.56ghz. I love the performance, it does fine for what I do (gaming, general useage mostly). A couple of issues though, I'd like to make the jump to dual core, but I'm not sure if it's worth putting money into this aging system.

I have a 6800GS right now at 490/1.1. This video card works great for me, my monitor is currently a 19" widescreen that runs at 1440x900. This card seems to be a perfect match for this resolution. I can play any game with good amounts of eye candy right now. My next upgrade will be a 22" widescreen though. So, I have a few options. I see that 6800GS cards are getting cheap, around $100 shippped. I could buy another one of those and go SLi. Or, I could sell my 6800GS and buy a GeForce 79xx or an ATi Radeon 19xx series card, and that would probably work as well. Any opinions?

Next is right now I run a single core processor. I'd like to jump on the dual core bandwagon, but I'm not sure if I should upgarde this 939 system or not. I'm not the type that jumps to the newest hardware right away just because it's newer and faster. My current system I've had for about a year and am happy with it. If I upgraded my processor I'd like to keep that for atleast a year. I've always used AMD since the 486 days and have been very happy with their products. Would you bother upgrading a 939 system or would you get a Core2/AM2 system? Money is an issue, but I'm also only runnin 1gig of DDR so considering I may need memory and a processor I'm not sure if it's worth buying DDR1 memory and a 939 processor.

Anyway, that's where I am. I'm not sure if I should put a few hundred dollars in my current system or just use it as it is for another year then buy a completely new rig then. Any opinions or suggestions are welcome.

 

[Bobthelost]

Why bother with dual core at all? Bandwagon is the right term for the most part.

I say leave it and buy a new one when you need it or when you get the new monitor.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I've waited on dual core because I don't think there is much benefit for the things I do. I don't NEED dual core by any means. The only reason I wanted to make the switch sometime in the future is that from what I understand we should start to see games that take advantage of the second core. I know that right now there is a very small number of games that really take advantage. If nothing else I can get more folding done while I game.

 

[amdwilliam1985]

I think I'm in the same situation just like you. My old venice 3200 at 2.5ghz has done me very well. Then I jump on with opteron 165, because I heard it's going to dry up soon. I made the decision to keep 939 with opteron 165 and then adding 2x512. I think it's much cheaper this way. Maybe in the middle of next year, we could add 8600gt into our system, then it'll be "super high performance" again. I have made my choice. now it's your turn, I think there are so many people in the same boat as we are now.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I really haven't made a decision, but I really, really like my system now. This is the best system I have ever had. Keeping this motherboard a little longer (I love this board, this sytem is just so stable and quiet) and plugging in one of those $160 dual core Opterons is really enticing.

 

[amdwilliam1985]

yes it is very exciting. Seeing it do 2.5ghz with stock voltage is just cool. I'm going to overclock more when we get more into the winter.

 

[wanderer27]

I'm kinda in the same boat, but for different reasons.

I recently had to replace my MB (died), and since it was still under warranty I'm now going to have two of the same MB's (repaired one will be back this week). With the Memory and CPU I have, I really couldn't see a good reason to just "junk" them and build a whole new System - either AM2 or C2D, and entailing the cost of new RAM, CPU, MB, etc.

Now I'm considering maybe grabbing an FX55/FX57 if the price is right and putting it in my main System, and putting this CPU/MB in one of my older Systems (kids XP 1800). I generally recycle my Systems through the kids and eventually sell or scrap the lowest end parts, so this would fit that cycly nicely

I'm just really not impressed with AM2 at this point, and I haven't used Intel since my 400MHz BX System (nothing but trouble). I've really been put off by Intel's power/heat the past few years and I haven't looked into C2D enough to see if that's changed. I know it's the hottest thing going these days, but I've been really pleased with the 939 platform. As for the AM2 platform, I'm really hoping to skip it completely in the hopes that the next Socket change will be more impressive.

Really right now if I were looking to upgrade anything major I would probably grab a 8800GTX, preferrably a 8900GTX (lower power/heat @ 80nm).

Dual Core? Yes, it's been out what, close to two years now? I'm not seeing a real pressing need really myself for it at this point. Maybe it's just not "mainstream" enough yet for the Apps to take full advantage of it yet. My thinking is it's still going to be another year or two before this really starts to have an impact, so at present I'll wait on this.

 

[Tambora]

We are in the same boat. Abit AN8 Ultra here with an XP4000+ and 1 gig of Mushkin Redline PC3500 ram. Built it in August of last year and really had a tough decision between the 4000+ and a 4400+ which was over $540 at the time. The system has been great and a cheap upgrade to an Opteron is enticing. Since the ram I have is no longer in production it is a tough choice. Would like to go to 2 gigs of ram but it would cost much more than the cpu. Decision, decisions!

I've tested the AN8 Ultra up to 350mhz front side bus so clocking an Opteron 165 up close to 3ghz could work with a lot of luck. What to do?

 

[amdwilliam1985]

I think dual core and multicores will have it's biggest impact due to Vista. Hopefully Vista 64bit version will put all the dual core cpu in good use. I remember trying out Vista's Beta 2 version, back then I was with venice 3200+ @ 2.5ghz. My system came down to a crawl as soon as I boot up into desktop. Hopefully when the retail full version comes out things will be more optimized. I'm sure dual core will be more useful then comparing to now. Just a reminder, I heard AMD is going to stop production for 939 socket all together before the end of this year, so that's why I grab a opteron 165, I sure don't want to miss it.

 

[wanderer27]

Vista is another issue entirely.

For one thing, I've heard the demands just for the OS are quite a bit higher.

For another, I plan on putting off that (Vista) upgrade as long as possible due to higher requirements and massive DRM BS.

If it were possible I'd never upgrade to Vista, so for me this is a LONG way down the road.

 

[SlowSpyder]

I've tested the AN8 Ultra up to 350mhz front side bus

Yea, I run at a 320mhz Hypertransport. I haven't tested higher, but I'm sure it'll do more. I think we got a deal on the Abit A8N's, a lot of people spent a lot more money to have a DFI or Asus board that can overclock as well or almost as well. I bought this board for about $100 and it's been the best motheboard I've ever used.

I have no intention of going to Vista right away, with Microsoft OS'es I usually wait a bit before making the jump. Infact, I'd probaby stay with XP for years yet if it wasn't for Direct X10. Who knows, I might still skip it, I hate feeling like I'm being forced to upgrade. As I mentioned earlier, I don't jump on new technology just because it's new... I like to wait a while until any bugs are worked out. Another reason I like the maturity of the socket 939 system. But, finding a balance between keeping up with the times and having a stable, secure, bug free platfom can be difficult these days.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Well, the local BestBuy here has Pny 7900GS'es on sale for $150... I think that answers the videocard question. I think I'll pick up one of those, that should carry me through until I take the Direct X10 plunge, if I ever do that is.

 

[SparkyJJO]

I fell into the same "problem" - I wanted more, but wasn't sure if I should upgrade a s939 system. My 3700+ was doing well at 2.86GHz... But then I found an opty 165 with a really good stepping for not too much on ebay. Bit the bullet and now am running the opty 165 CCBBE 0617FPMW @ 2.8GHz with stock voltage Chip can do more but heat becomes an issue but I'm happy where it is, almost the same speed as my 3700+ was clocked at and double the cores, woot!

 

[Rockhound1]

I am sticking with the 939 platform for now. It is stable and fast with my FX-55. I do not do a lot of multi-tasking, so I haven't had a need for dual core. I also have an A64 3000+ that is not being used at the moment. I may go ahead and buy a motherboard for it before manufacturers stop production for this socket. I am hoping to use my present system until AMD's next generation processors come out.

 

[John]

IMHO there's no real need for you to upgrade your cpu. Wait until you get the new 22" before you do anything. Afterwards a new video card should be your first upgrade. However I would skip the 7900GS and go for a 7900 GT/GTO or X1900XT (or better) when running a 22" @ native resolution in games.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

If you're not having CPU issues, leave it be. SLI is never the answer. Pick up a 7950GT when the price dips and you're good to go.

 

[JE78]

I'm in the same boat. I've got a Abit AN8 Ulta with a AMD Vice 3200+ @2.45, 1GB OCZ Performance DDR 3200, and ATI X800XL@stock. Lately my system's been real slugish. Done all sorts of scans and the systems come up clean, I probably need to format and reinstall XP but if i'm going to do that its going to be after an upgrade of some sorts. I built this system last September so i'm not sure if an upgrade is the smart way to go right now. I've been looking at the C2D chips but not sure if I want to spend all that money on a new board/ram/and HDD as well as the CPU. Just trying to get options.

 

[vanvock]

I'm there as well. I will for sure skip AM2. I wonder if a dual core would help games any by dedicating 1 core just for the game & letting everything else run on the other? I thought I might pick up a 170 or so, just in case, when the price gets too good to pass up.

 

[Kinslayer777]

If you want to jump on, at least wait till januaryish because while i am no expert at price flunctuations (so i;m just guessing after christmas) but there are the new X2's coming out in november. Although, :/, I'm not sure if those are strictly am2 or 939.
I'd keep your system though for a bit longer because spending all the money for an upgrade. Afterall it's not neccesary yet is it?

 

[Skitzer]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
Well, the local BestBuy here has Pny 7900GS'es on sale for $150... I think that answers the videocard question. I think I'll pick up one of those, that should carry me through until I take the Direct X10 plunge, if I ever do that is.

You've got the right idea here ...... but I would go with a 7900GT instead. Better performance and higher resale later.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Well, I already bit on the 7900GS... I know it's not as good as a 7900GT, but I think it'll do ok for 1650 x 1050 for a while yet. With the money I get for my 6800GS on Ebay the cost of the upgarde won't be too much, to mention I had a $30 gift card.

I think I will stick with my processor now, it does what I need it to do. I know Core2's are much quicker and dual core may hold advantages in the future, but my A64 @ 2.56ghz seems to still be plenty quick for me.

Now I just need to decide what to do with the memory situation... stick money into the system for a dying technology or leave it at 1gig?

 

[jelifah]

I was in your boat 6 days ago. I had a 3200+ running at 2.4GHz and, after a LOT of investigation and hemmin' & hawin', I finally pulled the trigger on an Opteron 170, OC'd to 2.7GHz, for $185 from NewEgg.

I'm very glad I made the purchase. Things are indeed much smoother.

Example:
1) Once I go into my desktop it's ready immediately, because the processes are balancing the load.
2) When running iTunes and using RedEye in Picasa, music would skip or hang when I performed a RedEye cleanup. I could set priority of processes, iTunes higher Picassa lower, but now it is smooth without that step
3) General usage just flows now

My choice was $185 for the CPU or $600 to move to Core2Duo, you would be amiss to go AM2 when getting a new MoBo/CPU for your sytem.

After I flip my old processor on eBay the whole upgrade will be less than $150 and I won't be upgrading my system for another year, maybe 2. Which my wallet thanks me for tremendously.

 

[Tambora]

Made up my mind. Opteron 165 and 2 gigs of Patriot PC4000 ram ordered today. Can't wait for a little overclocking fun!

 

[Tambora]

I'm back... Opteron 165 CCBBE 0616XPMW at 2812 @1.45volts. Two gigs of Patriot PC4000 is at 255mhz (DDR510) 3-4-4-8, 1T using 333 divider. Cpu is at 9x312. Good investment for a little under $400. I like the Abit AN8 Ultra and this will hopefully last me until DDR3 is mainstream in late 2008 or 2009. $155 for an FX-62 equivalent!