Should I Wait For M2? Opinions Please

Its the eternal dilemma...

Major milestones over the next 8 months:

M2 chipset - will support faster ram. Also, you will likely be able to upgrade the processor over the following 2 years, if you desire (the 939 socket ends with the new FX)

Vista - it's unclear whether it will be worth it or not. It will be one serious resource hog (not just HD space and RAM, but also GPU power).

GPUs - will increase in power (signifigantly) every 6 to 8 months.

My suggestion is as follows:

Build yourself a nice system now using a dual core processor. I like the X2 4400+ b/c it easily overclocks and has a 2 MB cache. As more and more programs get written for dual core (and patched), you will see the X2s pull away from the single core processors.

You can't wait until all the latest and greatest technology is out because you'd be waiting forever. However, any system you build, considering your current rig, will be mindblowing for you.

My personal suggestion on some parts:

A 600 or 650W Enermax PSU (reliable and quite) = $160
Full size case (allows for better cooling) = $150
Fast Raptor 74 GB drive = $140
Seagate SATA or SATAII HDs for storage = $120
RAM: OCZ or Cosair - 2GB (two 1 GB sitcks) = $200
Asus 32X (not the full name) MB - one of the only MBs to allow SLI to operate at 16x. All others only allow 8x. = $230
X2 4400 = $500
DVD RW Drive = $50

That's about $1350

Graphics cards:

For door blowing experience, get two 7800 GTXs - will run you about $1000. It will take the paint off the walls.

Get a good aftermarket cooler for the CPU.

well on 1 way it may be better to wait. A lot of DDR2 memory is becoming far cheaper than standard DDR memory. (as went the way with SDRAM when DDR got big). So since most pieces of the project will be the same price whether you wait or not, then I would wait. You'll likely spend a little more for the M2 chip, but a whole lot less on memory.

here's one example taken from www.ncix.com
Corsair XMS Twinx PC4400 1GB 2X512MB DDR550 CL3-4-4-8 184PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit (TWINX1024-4400PT) $296.12

--compared to:

Corsair XMS2 PC2-5400 1GB 2X512MB DDR2-675 CL4-4-4-12 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory Kit (TWIN2X1024-5400C4) $166.75

Those prices are in Cdn $, but still, its a big difference. And I see it becoming an even bigger difference when M2 comes to market.

Everybody that want to get a new computer now SHOULD wait for AM2.

See, everybody that want a new computer will have to wait 6 month or so. that will make them in a rush to lget one.. which in turn, will result in bigger volume of sales and the price will be lowered faster. So, those who are not in such a rush and got socket 939 now will have enjoyed 6 more month of happy computing, and will be able to sell their computer to get a newer one at lower price.. And probably that the bug from the first released motherboard will be fixed too by the time, so we won't play the role of beta tester for motherboard... and have a perfectly stable computer from day one.

Thanks for the info everyone, much appreciated!

I'm going to start putting a system together........ Realistically, Vista is going to cause another major stir when it is eventually released. I don't really want to wait another 6 months before I can experience HL2, FEAR, BF2.....

I wish things were as simple as they once were in the Commodore Amiga days!

I'll post my build once I put something together, I'd appreciate everyone's input before I buy. Thanks!

dude your system right now is so outdated it's not even funny.. apparently if your running that system with no real problems.. then there's no need to wait for m2..

an xp2800+ would probley do you justice. But anyway, i'd honestly wait for m2 to release so like someone said before the 939 will drop.. go with maybe an x2 4400+ or maybe 4800+ is the $$ drops nicely.

i went from a 533mhz celeron setup to a xp2800+ 4 yrs ago and my system is still rocking out.

i am personally looking to build during this coming december.. possibley a tad later. plan on saving around 4K for the next build. but anyway look around.