Just wondering what anyone thought about what processor is best suited if my system is going to be pretty much for gaming and then all the other generic stuff (movies, music...)

Is it worth actually waiting to get the new AM2 system or should i just get one of these processors (at a much lower cost) once the AM2 comes out?

basically i am trying to figure out if i am totaly screwing myself by saving money to by the X2 or the FX rather than the new AM2 style processors

any help is appreciated, thanks

Get an X2 4800+ over the FX-57; it's cheaper, and much better for multitasking etc. Game performance will still be very good, and you'll have an extra core.

Yeah, the performance difference for gaming will be hard to notice. I would reccomend not getting the top end CPU either, maybe something like a X2 4400. As for the dual core, you will probably notice it if you are running background programs and multitasking. HOWEVER, if you are mostly gaming I would say just get like a Athlon 64 3700+ and save yourself lots of money.

Also, If you can wait, I would say wait, but if you really need/want a comp right now, go ahead and build one.

Yea, i dont plan on upgrading until late july to mid aug, that way prices can come down after the AM2 stuff comes out.

p.s. you think i am making a mistake buying a x2-4800 instead of a new AM2 set?

If you are waiting until August I would say get AM2. Simply because you will probably be able to get a better processor for cheaper since S939 will be discontinued. Comprable to getting an AGP card now, instead of a PCI-EX.

A better AM2 processor will be chepaer then a discontinued 939 processor at release time?

Go the dual core route and me personally, I was in the same boat, should I wait or buy now. I went ahead and purchased my system now and I love it.

It is up to you as if you wait or not. S939 is not dead and still viable unlike S754. If you go ahead and get one or get a current gen CPU after AM2 comes out I would look at the Opteron 170/175. Both are very nice processors in the same range in price as the 4800. However they overclock most easily and are highly quality chips.

No, I believe our dear friend Ian is confused. Socket939 has a good bit of life left in it and plus the technology has matured and is reliable and dependable. AM2 will have some bugs when it first gets released, I'm not saying that AM2 is a mistake, but as I'm sure we're all aware of is that when something brand new is released it is never perfect, it will take a bit of time to mature and reach its full potential (and for the prices to drop), so if you want to wait on AM2, personally I would suggest waiting for a while after it is released and keep up to date on reviews and research into how different company's products are handling it.

a1ien wrote:

I am not saying that S939 is dead, far from it. However, since AMD is not developing any new chips for it, I would consider its lifetime drawing to an end. AMD has already released info on the first batch of AM2 cpus, which will range in price similarly to the S939 series.

So, assuming bugs are sorted out of course, which shouldnt take more then a few months (ie the time that wstcoaster07 is buying), why would you not get the current model of motherboard, with upgrade capabilities, then a discontinued line?

Also, take into consideration that AM2 can support DDR2 which will eventually reach speeds of 800 mhz. AND it can support the new CPUs that AMD will make at the 60 nm process

im holding out for conroe personally

otherwise right now get the dual core, its coming up as the new standard, ever concidered the opteron for overclocking?

Yea it seems a lot of people say toi go with the opteron to overclock but i am not sure how much overclocking i will do. Basically I am looking to keep temps and sound and reasonable levels.

Thanks again for all the input

Right now you could get the 975 chipset, and a temp 805 dual core ( I have seen them as low as $130), then when Conroe comes out, $520 will get you a 2.67GHz one... Still cheaper than a Opteron 180 and will give you a few months to learn how to tweak your chip to eak the most performance out of it, so you will know the hardware when you upgrade CPU's. That would be my thoughts.

X2 4800 or the FX60.


Those should be your choices.


The FX60 is the FX57 times 2 with 200 less Mhz that can be easily OCed.


FX57- $800
FX60- $1000 for 2 FX57's.


FX60 is your best value for high end. X2 4800 is the poor mans FX60 and also a very awesome CPU.

Your Opteron 180 is a better value at $700 since it can clock up to FX-60 speeds, usually a little more too, and is identical to the FX-60 minus 200MHz and an unlocked multiplier, which does not really benifit an overclocker anyway...

The FX60 can be clocked at 3.3Mhz at 1.55 volts using my Big Typhoon and temps stay nice and low.


The FX60 can being over clocked 700Mhz when upgrading the CPU fan/sink.

If you install phase change cooling you can get 3.6Mhz at 1.65 volts.


I dont think the Opteron 180 can come close to these clocks but im not sure because I have no experience with it.

The FX60 can be clocked at 3.3Mhz at 1.55 volts using my Big Typhoon and temps stay nice and low.


The FX60 can being over clocked 700Mhz when upgrading the CPU fan/sink.

If you install phase change cooling you can get 3.6Mhz at 1.65 volts.


I dont think the Opteron 180 can come close to these clocks but im not sure because I have no experience with it.

The Opteron 180 will clock beyond FX-60, its also a more stable chip that is built to higher standards. At $300 cheaper, you might lose a couple MHz (100-200) but you will never notice a drop that small in todays enviroment anyway. And you saved $300 +

The FX60 can be clocked at 3.3Mhz at 1.55 volts using my Big Typhoon and temps stay nice and low.


The FX60 can being over clocked 700Mhz when upgrading the CPU fan/sink.

If you install phase change cooling you can get 3.6Mhz at 1.65 volts.


I dont think the Opteron 180 can come close to these clocks but im not sure because I have no experience with it.

The Opteron 180 will clock beyond FX-60, its also a more stable chip that is built to higher standards. At $300 cheaper, you might lose a couple MHz (100-200) but you will never notice a drop that small in todays enviroment anyway. And you saved $300 +

The Opteron 180 will clock beyond 2.6 Mhz? I agree.

I havent seen one come close to an FX60 OCed.

Bang for the buck, The Opteron 180 is probably your best bet. As far as the best CPU the FX60 blows it away.

The Conroe won't work with any current motherboards; a new chipset will be needed.

I think right now i am leaning towards the conroe E6700(? higher end onefor 530$). Only problem is i would like to build it by Aug 15th (when i have to return to school from summer break. So, hopefully they release it by then. any ideas on if they will? I have been reading a lot about it and seems most people think sept?

Also, I BELIEVE as of now I am set on the eVGA7900 GTX superclocked (is it worth paying evga more to get the superclocked?) Also do you think that there will be a big diff (worth the upgrade) from my current x800xt AGP to the nvidia card?

By then the new Nvidia cards will be out.