2008 Upgrade
#1
Posted 19 November 2007 - 05:44 PM
AMD Athlon 4000+ @ 2.4GHz
1GB of PC3200 DDR RAM
ATi Radeon x1800GTO (256mb, PCI-e)
Well, I think it's time for an upgrade. While it does fine in games right now (great fps, max settings in CS:S, TF2, etc...) it is a little slow sometimes when closing intense games/applications and really, I am in desperate need for two things:
1. Multi-core processor
2. Moar RAM
So I've decided to take the high road and completely swap out the motherboard for a different processor socket and faster ram.
The reason I'm doing this is because Socket 939 is pretty much dead, there are only around 10 or so of them on NewEgg and almost all of them are slower than my current proc/single-core...
And more expensive.
So basically, I'm looking at an AM2 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a new mobo to tie it up.
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
ASUS M2N-E SLI
It'll be around $300 for all of it. I don't know what my budget will exactly be, but being that getting a comparable processor and the same amount of RAM would be slightly over $400, I think this is better. I'm getting quality RAM, a better processor which is dual-core, and a new motherboard for cheaper than getting new components for my 939 board.
I'm not getting an Intel, I'm keeping my case, hard drive, video card, PSU, etc...for now...
Another thing, this monitor is getting...old. As much as I love using a 5-year-old 17'' CRT as a monitor, I'm getting this TV to use as both an HDTV for my 360 and I'll probably end up using it as a monitor.
Thoughts, suggestions, etc...
#2
Posted 19 November 2007 - 06:50 PM
But otherwise, if you stick with AMD, it looks good...
#3
Posted 19 November 2007 - 09:17 PM
Screw that TV on newegg and wait until black friday.
Thougths:
As I understand you might be getting that itch to upgrade, just consider what'll be out in the next six months. I have a closely identical setup to you and its almost 2 and a half years old. Theres obviously differences between needs and wants; if I were you I'd rather just spend some money on a sweet monitor/tv instead right now.
#4
Posted 19 November 2007 - 09:27 PM
Processor
Motherboard
Get the same ram that you are looking at with the AM2 system, and you are golden. Overclock that baby to 3.0ghz no problem, and you have one sweet ass rig right there. If you are looking at spending around $140, get the E4400 or E4500.
Whats so bad about the intel processors? That AM2 system really isnt going to help you all that much. BTW, with that monitor, It isnt really 720p, it will scale 720p signals(like from your 360 and HDTV box) up to 1440x900, which could make it not look so hot. That is really dependent on your situation, like how far you sit from it and how good the scaling chip is on the inside.
#5
Posted 19 November 2007 - 10:22 PM
Suggestion:
Screw that TV on newegg and wait until black friday.
Obviously I'm not going to buy that TV on NewEgg, I mean something similar to that in-store, fuck paying $20 for shipping.
#6
Posted 19 November 2007 - 10:32 PM
Do as Sniprwulf said.
#7
Posted 19 November 2007 - 10:40 PM
As for the RAM your choice is good but here is another option...this G Skill RAM has good reviews and a friend of mine has this series and he has no problems...however always check mobo compatibility first...
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231098
As for the LCD TV/Monitor...I would stay away from these, default 720p/1080i is a res of 1366x768. So if they say the Monitor does more than that then its doing a hardware upscale which is probably not so bad if its a few feet away but if your using on within 3 feet it will probably be noticeable.
#8
Posted 19 November 2007 - 10:58 PM
About the computer, I feel the need for 2GB of RAM and a dual-core processor to eliminate slowdown. Episode Two was probably the first game I really had some slowdown with at max settings (haven't tried Crysis lol) but seriously, BF2, TF2, etc...when I exit those games and sometimes in-game, I stutter like a bitch and notice major slowdown. Dual-core/2GB will fix that for me. At this point, I really don't care if it's an Intel or AMD, as long as it's the cheapest with the best performance. Hence the question in my last post.
#9
Posted 20 November 2007 - 12:02 AM
#10
Posted 20 November 2007 - 11:42 AM
OK i just found what i am getting click for teh monitor porn
#11
Posted 20 November 2007 - 11:47 AM
#12
Posted 20 November 2007 - 11:57 AM
then we can compare e-penises
#13
Posted 20 November 2007 - 04:26 PM
I'm probably going to get this processor it looks shecksy.
#14
Posted 20 November 2007 - 06:01 PM
#15
Posted 20 November 2007 - 06:30 PM
Hmm...ok, so will this give me better performance than this? (Not including overclocking)
Obviously I'm not going to buy that TV on NewEgg, I mean something similar to that in-store, f*ck paying $20 for shipping.
The diffrence would be very minimal at stock speed. Those things are born to overclock, stock speed is 2.2ghz, but should hit 3.0 or 3.2 no problem, even with crappy ddr2-800 ram(using memory dividers). Since the E4500 has a 800mhz fsb(200) and a 11x multi, you would get it to 275fsb(1500) for 3.0ghz. The P35 boards, like the abit i showed above, have to run 333 for the new 1333fsb processors, so you have plenty of headroom. Read up here, good article from xbit labs. They use the E4400, which has a 10x multi, but they are the same thing essentially.
#16
Posted 20 November 2007 - 06:34 PM
#17
Posted 20 November 2007 - 10:20 PM
Chris whatever you do, Ignore wondergod, buying cheap ram = bad.
his RAM selection $68 with mail in rebate $38
My RAM choice $54 dollars
Yes his RAM is Corsair but it is in their lower set with 5-5-5-12 @ 1.8V rating
My choice is also 5-5-5-15 but its rated from 1.8-2.0V and after a quick google search people have been getting 4-4-4-12 on the same mobo Chris suggested by overvolting from stock mobo reading, 1.8, to 1.9~ which is still within Manufacturer's approved voltage ratings.
I'm not stating the RAM I choose is the best ram in the world but in that price range it is another viable choice.
However yes if you can spend 200+ I could choose some sick RAM, however its clear from his selection he is not looking to spend 200+.
Good luck Chris.
#18
Posted 20 November 2007 - 11:42 PM
f*ck you for suggesting a c2d.
its surprising that drizzle didn't see this coming. These arguments always end the same way, AMD is better than Intel because Intel is the evil.
#19
Posted 21 November 2007 - 07:51 AM
#20
Posted 05 December 2007 - 07:02 AM
Like those fucking pentium-D kids crying because when they upgraded to a C2D their board didn't support the new memory, etc, etc. Just look at the 680I chipset for example, their like *some will work, Some will not*, What the fuck is that, Seriously, if you spend 240ish for a board, The fucking thing should work without question.
oh and Intel's resistance with nForce chips, Seriously, thats the biggest drawback for me is the lack of nForce support, I'm sorry, but anybody who thinks VIA is even close to on par with the newer nForce chips is a downright fucking idiot, those are the stupidest BIOS sets I've ever seen in my life, how the fuck is it hard to read the memory timings automatically? Seriously, you should Never have to manually set the timings manually unless your overclocking.
thats one thing that the major chipmakers and AMD have worked out properly, the ability to not suck dick when making a Motherboard.
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