Well, I started researching an upgrade for my CPU today and it turns out none of the AMD manufacturers are making Socket 939 CPU's anymore!

 

What does that mean?

 

It means if you have a Socket 939 motherboard, if you want to upgrade you'll need to upgrade your motherboard.

 

And what does upgrading your motherboard mean?

 

Well, upgrading your motherboard means that you have to make sure you have compatible RAM, sound card and video card. Thankfully my dual 7900GT/GTX 512's are fairly new so I don't need to worry about them, and I don't need to worry about a sound card, so all I need to worry about is getting a motherboard that can run SLI!

 

So what started out this morning as a quest to get a new CPU has ended in the following revelations:

 

To get a new CPU I will need a new motherboard. To get a new motherboard, I will need to upgrade to DDR2 RAM. New top-of-the-"market" (not top-of-the-line) CPU = $350. +Motherboard = $240. +2x 1Gb DDR2 RAM = $340.

 

$930 just to upgrade my CPU ><

 

Stabby = pwnt by the computer industry

And the whole reason I made this post was: Do your research before you go out and buy stuff.

 

And if you're looking for a new CPU, make sure you have a compatable motherboard.

 

The good news is, if I do go through with the upgrade, I'll just chuck all of the old stuff into my girlfriends computer and then use her stuff to create a media server!

What do you have at the moment?

 

Netplus have a special $130~ for an X2 4200+ w/motherboard. It's socket 939 too, trying to clear out heaps of stock. Cheap enough to just bin the motherboard and keep your current one.

I'm currently running an AMD Athlon 64 4000+.

 

I'll mosey on over to Netplus - never heard of 'em before! My usuals (5 computer stores in Canberra, plus AusPCMarket) all laughed at me when I asked if they had Socket939's

 

I've been out of the loop for so long!

Is that a dual core? If so its not really that much of a step up for the price you're paying.

 

How old is the PC? You weren't to really know AMD were going to cut the 939's (alot of people are in your boat, myself included).

 

It's pretty crappy considering its one of their better performers, just a lack of DDR2 support killed it

 

If I was to upgrade I'd be steering clear of AMD at the moment anyway.

 

Also if that isn't listed on the netplus website let me know and I'll give you some login details so it does appear.

If I was to upgrade I'd be steering clear of AMD at the moment anyway.

 

Why's that?

 

I'm still of the old-school "AMD is the only way" stream, but I've been so out of the loop lately I'd be willing to be swayed

 

I was rather peeved that the day after I bought my box, the prices for all CPU's dropped by about %30 as Intel released their newer CPU >< Can't remember what it was.

 

I think I've had this box for a little over a year now. She's not running horribly, just time for an upgrade.

Is that a dual core?

 

Nah it's not.

Because the new C2D's overclock like buggery. And when you do overclock them they pretty much flatten AMD CPU's.

 

They run very hot though.

 

And yeah I've had my box for just over a year now and its starting to struggle at some tasks

I don't overclock though

 

I believe that if I buy a computer who's baseline spec's are sufficient for the task, I don't need to overclock

 

I think I'll just upgrade the mobo/CPU/RAM. It's more expensive, but at least I won't have to upgrade those things down the track ... for a little while longer at least.

 

Hopefully I'll be able to buy a board that'll fit a soundcard. The 2 video cards running SLI take up 2 slots each and I've only got 5 slots, so it can be tough trying to fit everything in.

 

Onboard sound = the lose

 

EDIT: Knowing my luck, quantom CPU's will be out in a month!

They have quad cores out atm iirc

 

 

lol

 

I'm still of the old-school "AMD is the only way" stream, but I've been so out of the loop lately I'd be willing to be swayed .

 

To give you an idea mate the Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 which can be had for $242 will easily outperform and AMD chip of twice the price.

 

 

Intel have it all over AMD atm but I'm sure that will change in the next year or so. May even take a while longer.

 

Do some research mate. Try http://www.atomicmpc.com.au for all the current issues.

 

Places to shop for price are

http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

http://www.fluidtek.com.au/

http://www.ccpu.com.au/

 

or just search them all by using

http://www.staticice.com.au

 

DDR2 RAM is cheap as chips atm because DDR3 is just around the corner.

So 2 gig RAM should only be $100..

OCZ System Elite DDR2-800 2GB is $159

A great M/B would be something like a Gigabyte P35-DS3 at $189

and the E6420 @ $242

 

So $530 odd gets you a new kick arse PC or $590 with the OCZ Ram

 

Opps Sorry just saw SLI

 

anyway AMD setup

 

 

Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe is $180

2 gb RAM $100

AM2 x2 6000 $225

 

 

$505 all up

 

all quoting MSY prices

 

You'll probably need a new CPU cooler depending on what you have at the moment.

$20 for a cheap sh!t one $70 for a good one

I don't overclock though

 

I believe that if I buy a computer who's baseline spec's are sufficient for the task, I don't need to overclock

 

EDIT: Knowing my luck, quantom CPU's will be out in a month!

 

Dont bother about O'Clocking mate, If your into that sort of thing, fine, but most people, me included, stuff around with all of that to see how far you can push but end up putting back to std to play games. BSOD in the middle of a map is a bastard.

 

 

Oh and yeah...what Davee said, Quad Cores have been out for a few months now.

ram is way over the top i got 2x1gb sticks for 39$ each at netplus

 

netplus=very good prices.

Yeah Intel/Nvidia FTW at the moment, AMD has been doing buggerall since they aquired ATI, hopefully they start releasing some spec'd up stuff soon. And just so you know I was the biggest AMD/ATI whore before my latest comp build, but they have just fallen so far behind.

I just got a opteron 170 (duel core server grade cpu in 939) on ebay new for $220. Thats about the best you can get for the 939s now as they are getting a bit old in the tooth.

Ive been an amd fanboy for years but my next buy will be a cd2 or there successor.

You do know all these chip results are skewed to which ever side you bounce for.

Facts are AMD actual speed for price is usually cheaper. Intel clocked speed is usually bigger, but prices are also up there. They had to bring out their C2D's to compete with AMD's share.

 

atm though I wouldn't touch AMD for another 6 months to see where their chips are going to fall with their chosen socket, whether it is concreted to AM2 or something else.

Don't forget you can get a dual core 939 4800+ on eBay for about $230 if you want to hang onto your existing gear. A quick check on tomshardware shows the comparitive speed of the 4800+ Toledo core is very good - probably about 50% faster in FPS than your current core.

I'm also one of those AMD 939'ers. My compy's getting old anyway now (nearing 2 years) so I'm almost due for an new system (minus harddrive).

same - 939 for me. Bought my computer just before the AM2 revolution.

 

Wheres the link to the clearance CPUs at netplus?? Cant see any.

 

I have noticed that AM2 AMD CPUS are now quite cheap - a x2 6000+ is now $220 which beats a Intel C2D e6600 ($300) for grunt although chews enough power to run a small village and is hot as.

 

But you'd still need to get DDR2 RAM anyway for the new AM2 boards.

 

Its a bummer living in the sticks as I cant get to MSY.

Its a bummer living in the sticks as I cant get to MSY.

 

No need mate, try http://www.ccpu.com.au they're pretty cheap but will arrange postage as well. If not try finding other internet shops on http://www.staticice.com.au

 

Theres always a few good bulkbuys on http://www.nintek.com.au but its a bit of a pain.

Well I just bought a C2D 1.8ghz with 8600GT and 2gb of ram...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the form of a laptop

 

So i'm gonna give BF2 a go on that compaired with my X2 3800+ and 7800GT

did your missus throw the old one off the balcony afterall lol...

Haha nah, its her new laptop to replace her old PC (Athlon 1000, lol).

 

But I got to pick its specs

Im a old school 939'er. NF3 Ultra + Newcastle 3500+ 8)

 

@ the time i didnt know that if i waited 3 more weeks i could have had NF4 & a Winchester 3500+.

 

whether it is concreted to AM2 or something else.

AM3 is due out . DD3 & a faster HT link

My mobo isa socket 939, its a Asus A8n-E I think and it's a year old. Honestly I need a new mobo for a better CPU and SLI. Also with Direct X 10 it's time to start saving as any upgrades to existing gear really is a waste of money.

 

I love my pc and just got another gig od DDR Ram but that's it. No point flushing money down the drain when I'm drooling for the new gear. Oh and one 8800GT will toast 2 7900's so really, where do you want to spend your cash and again keep in mind that Crysis is coming.