Conroe, AM2, or s939?

[Techie22]

I really have no idea what do do even after posting similar topics a couple of times...

Heres the current status:

I'm guessing my budget will be around $850 max next sunday. I can't decide whether to go with s939, AM2, or Core 2.

My current setup (that I'm deciding on upgrading) is:

P4 530J
Abit AG8 Mobo
Sapphire x800pro pci-express
2x1 GB Corsair xms DDR400 CL3 or 4 (not sure)

I bought a 7900GT, but due to recent price cuts on the x1900xt I am selling to a friend for what I got it for (buying x1900xt as a replacement for $299).

Now, should I get a high end s939 sys (cpu, mobo) and keep my ram (the cheapest route), get a lower model AM2 (cpu, mobo, ddr2), or cheapest core 2 duo setup (cpu, mobo, ddr2). What performance do I need, and what options would I have in the future for upgrades? I am a student that plays Oblivion, does video editing, and makes DVDs/CDs.

One thing that I noticed that was annoying was that even with a 7900GT and the settings turned down a bit on Oblivion, I only got up to 25 fps!? Also, since I am going to be getting the x1900xt, will I be okay to run my computer with an antec smartpower 2.0 500 watt PSU? Do I need more power? (3 hdds, cpu, mobo, video card, 2 dvd drives, floppy, soundcard, 2x1 GB RAM)

 

[Grimmy]

Well for a C2D system:

ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard
$250

E6400 - 2.13/2MB
$268

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Unbuffered DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit System
$178

Without Shipping added = $696

If AMD, I'd go the AM2 route. I know it might be nice to use up all your existing hardware onto and upgrade system, but you might as well leave the ram off your old system to keep it a working system.

But heh, kept it under $850

 

[martyjs]

Avaliblity might be what it comes down to. In Australia, AM2 is cheap and avalible anyware. Conroe still in short supply, so in our case if you didn't want to wait go for AM2, prices are good, supply is good.
Unless you can't get one really cheap and don't care about upgrading in the future, don't touch 939.
8)

 

[martyjs]

By the way when asking for buing advice your location is an issue, different markets around the world have different prices and delivery times.
Just a thought!

 

[CptCpu]

I would say to go either with Core 2 or AM2. If your building a new system s939 is pretty much worthless. With a limited budget I would say go for AM2 because the parts are pretty cheap right now espically after AMD price cuts. Don't get me wrong Core 2 is a great path as well but due to limited stock of the processors and motherboards it may be more expensive.

 

[DeMonOfElRu]

I would say to go either with Core 2 or AM2. If your building a new system s939 is pretty much worthless.

Please note , that socket 939 is NOT worthless. If you can get yor hands on a 4600+/4800+ X2 , then that will last you a long time .. even with the core 2 duo out.

Unless by worthless you mean not upgradeable at all. Don't forget , its just the cpu that you can't upgrade. I'm pretty sure the PCI express on socket 939 will last for quite a while. And since the 4200+/4600+ is a kick as cpu , it should last you a while , upgrading ONLY the next gen graphics card.

You'd be surprised of how "undead" it actually is.

 

[CptCpu]

I know its not worthless, but it would be a wiser decision to go with AM2 if you are just starting a new build now. I have a 939 system and it is still pretty powerful.

 

[ethel]

Totally agree. With limited budget, AM2 is the choice. C2D is definitely the high-end choice, but since the AMD price cuts AM2 is competitive, there is much more supply and mobos are cheaper.

 

[cyborg_ninja-117]

Totally agree. With limited budget, AM2 is the choice. C2D is definitely the high-end choice, but since the AMD price cuts AM2 is competitive, there is much more supply and mobos are cheaper.

what about p4's... theyre uber cheap now since of core 2... AM2 needs uber expensive ram though

 

[SidVicious]

Given the limited budget and his two GB of PC-3200, S939 would be the best way to go IMHO...

Sure, C2D will earn you bragging rights but that's pretty much it, being able to afford a better GPU will make a bigger difference as far as gaming performance is concerned.

 

[ryder_22]

I'm a student as well and have a decent computer built up for $694Canadian dollars. That would be under $650 US dollars. Conroe is beyond your price range. The ram for AM2 and Conroe will cost you $200 US. That is 1/4 of your budget! You will have the best value with the 939; that is a fact, not opinion. That extra $200 you would spend on ram you could upgrade to a $7900GT and upgrade CPU to 4600+ in relation to the below build.
Here is my build:

$99 Asus A8N5X S939 nForce4 Chipset 1PCI-Ex16/3+2+1PCI/4DDR, w/Sound GB-Lan SATA Raid
$229 Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual Core 1000HT 512Kx2
$199 eVGA E-GEFORCE 7600GT 256M DDR PCI-E (256-P2-N553-AX)
$119 Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320GB 16MB SATAII
$19 400W ATX12V PS w/+12VDC 4pin Connector
$29 17" (2750) Black ATX w/NO PS
=$694

You must factor into the equation that fact that DX10cards will be out in 6+months and I think they will be worth the upgrade. This computer will be $200US dollars below your budget. You can put that money aside and invest in a good DX10 card when they come out. 939 and AM2 4200+ CPU's perform exactly the same except AM2 costs you $200 more. If you didn't have the RAM, I would be more hesitant to recommend 939. The answer is simple in your case: 939.

 

[Techie22]

You will have the best value with the 939; that is a fact, not opinion. That extra $200 you would spend on ram you could upgrade to a $7900GT and upgrade CPU to 4600

In my machine right now I have a 7900GT, and I am replacing that with a x1900xt by selling the 7900 to a friend. It will cost me the same because of ATIs trade in program. The x1900xt is currently going for $350, and if you send them your old card, they will give you $50 off. So, lets say I've basically spent $300. That leaves me with $550 to spend when I upgrade the platform.

I came up with a list of possibilities today...

s939
$90-150 motherboard
$250 x2 4600+
Cost up to $400


AM2
$100-150 motherboard
$150-200 CPU
$150-200 RAM
Cost up to $550

Conroe
$183 or $224 CPU
$110 Intel P965 Express mobo
$150-200 DDR2
cost up to $535

What do you think?

 

[Techie22]

lol nvm this entire post...

I just got a deal with an ebay seller who is selling a e6400 C2D+mobo+ram combo for a bunch less, and I've got the gra[hics card deal from ATI.

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be happy with my C2D build!

 

[martyjs]

Unless you had no choice, why? Isn't that why Intel bought out the Conroe? Cause the P4 used to much power and ran to hot. :?

 

[SidVicious]

lI just got a deal with an ebay seller who is selling a e6400 C2D+mobo+ram combo for a bunch less, and I've got the gra[hics card deal from ATI.

Carefull, smells like a scam...

 

[tehrobzorz]

but am2 can continue onwards with k8l right?

i suppose conroe is the best choice now, but ud have to get a really good mobo eg,asus ones

 

[cyborg_ninja-117]

Unless you had no choice, why? Isn't that why Intel bought out the Conroe? Cause the P4 used to much power and ran to hot. :?

exactly, unless your on uber budget, conroe is better choice.

to tehrobzorz: probably not, DDR2 and DDR3 may have different specs here and there, so i would say dont count on it

 

[tehrobzorz]

fine xP

i guess not point waiting for x2 5000+ then

( omgwtF no stock )

 

[DeMonOfElRu]

Heres the current status:

I'm guessing my budget will be around $850 max next sunday. I can't decide whether to go with s939, AM2, or Core 2.

My current setup (that I'm deciding on upgrading) is:

P4 530J
Abit AG8 Mobo
Sapphire x800pro pci-express
2x1 GB Corsair xms DDR400 CL3 or 4 (not sure)

My advice .... don't upgrade at all.

Seriously , 3GHz P4 is fast as it is. Add that to the fact that you have x1900xt already. (or in the process of getting one). You already have a killer rig right there. Learn to save some of your money. Its a good habit.

Unless you're a video encoding nut like I am, in which case NOTHING is considered "too fast". All I want is to be able to compress five 1-hour-shows at the end of the day in just 5 X 5-mins = 25 mins in total. (put it simply ... without having to leave it overnight to encode. Too much electricity. )

I bought a 7900GT, but due to recent price cuts on the x1900xt I am selling to a friend for what I got it for (buying x1900xt as a replacement for $299).

Well, there you go. That's all the upgrading you really need right now.
Unless of course .... since you ARE a student and all .... you want some really EXTREME "bragging rights".

Come on ... admit it. Its OK.

Also, since I am going to be getting the x1900xt, will I be okay to run my computer with an antec smartpower 2.0 500 watt PSU? Do I need more power? (3 hdds, cpu, mobo, video card, 2 dvd drives, floppy, soundcard, 2x1 GB RAM)

UNLESS you're going SLI/XFire , it should be fine. Espcially with a C2D system. We all know how power efficient that is. Though I wouldn't be doing some serious overclocking with that psu.
With minor overclocking , it should "still" be fine (I think .... feel free to correct me on this ) as the smarpower is a very good psu.

 

[marneus]

Not a scam, US & canada deal only though... (i remember way back when they offered deals like this with Xpert@Work/Play vs matrox)

'my 2cents' if you like AMD & want their K8L or 4x4 S-AM2 or if you want the best current platform Core2Duo... budget system is S939 (i am stepping up to +4200x2 & oc'ing to 4800x2 level hopefully) as you can take your memory with you (if its any good)

 

[martyjs]

5 times in the last 12 years I've gone out to buy the latest and greatest and 5 times I've had to settle for second best.
Sometimes with a family and commitments buget is priority number one.
But I can dream :lol:

 

[DeMonOfElRu]

5 times in the last 12 years I've gone out to buy the latest and greatest and 5 times I've had to settle for second best.

Yes, that's the problem with technology.

Why can't we all be rich like the topic creator ??? No fair. I don't even have a 7900GT , let alone an x1900xt.

.... Not yet. :twisted:

 

[jaguarskx]

Like just about everyone said, Conroe or Core 2 Dou (C2D) offers the the best price performance ratio. But it is not the cheapest solution. If you can wait for the E6400 to be in stock, then that would be the processor to get. A lot of people are gunning for the E6600 so it'll probably be more difficult to buy.

The cheapest solution to get would be the S939 Athlon. Other people have stated that AM2 is the way to go for an Athlon system, but you will need to buy DDR2 RAM. There is hardly any performance difference between AM2 and S939 of the same model. DDR and DDR2 basically provides the same performance, you'll need benchmark tools to see the difference. That difference will be between 0% and 4% at best.

I would only recommend socket AM2 if you were going to build a system using the X2 5000+ and FX-62 CPUs because they are only made for AM2. If your plan is to upgrade to these CPUs or newer CPUs in the near future then sure go with AM2. If you don't see yourself upgrading for about 3 years then stick with a S939 Athlon, by the time you want a ne CPU, you'll probably want a new motherboard anyway.

 

[will14]

I'd say conroe if you can wait a month or so.
I wouldn't buy right away.
Or AM2 if you want to pay a little less and buy now.
Personally I'm waiting for the newer conroe chipsets to come out.

 

[GherkinPekul]

You're current rig is still pretty ok. My advice is to stick with it until Vista and DX10. That'll give you plenty of time to research a new build with whatever the performance leader is by then ( probably still Intel). I do love my 939 rig, and have no regrets there either. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, spend it on lap-dances.