To upgrade or to buy new?

[wilhelmsson]

With the release of the core 2 due processors – and the ensuing fall in AMD processor prices - the time has come for an upgrade of my semi-old system. Or should one rather switch to an Intel platform?

Upgrade:
AMD x2 4600+
BFG 7600GT

New:
CPU: Intel Core 2 duo E6600
Motherboard: ASUS PB5
BFG 7600GT
Kingston HyperX DDR2 PC6400/800MHz CL5 2x512MB

Current
Cpu: AMD Athlon 64 3500+Winchester
Graphics: Club 3d Nvidia 6600GT 128mb ram
Motherboard: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Memory: 2x512MB DDR PC3200 2.5/3/3/8 no-name brand
Harddrives:2x160GB Hitachi Deskstar T7K250 7200rpm
PSU: Antec True Power II 480W

 

[caamsa]

I agree with mpilchfamily that it all depends on what you are using your computer for. I personally would wait about 6 more months or at least until the xmas holiday before you decide to upgrade. Then do a budget for how much you want to spend and take it from there. When I do an upgrade I usually try to recycle some of the parts of my system. So if you go core2 maybe you can find a board that takes both DDR and DDR2 ram so you can atleast get some more use out of the memory. The hard drives of course you can use them.........etc. etc. I am sure that you see where I am going with this. Good luck

 

[wilhelmsson]

Thanks for the feedback.

I use the computer for mainly two things; some cpu intensive work such as matlab monte carlo simulations and numerical optimization and I also use the computer for gaming. Mostly into RPG/RTS games and don't care very much if I can use the highest graphics settings. That's why I was thinking of the 7600 and not the 7900 but maybe the 7900 would still be better if i want to keep it for a few years.

 

[shadowduck]

Thanks for the feedback.

I use the computer for mainly two things; some cpu intensive work such as matlab monte carlo simulations and numerical optimization and I also use the computer for gaming. Mostly into RPG/RTS games and don't care very much if I can use the highest graphics settings. That's why I was thinking of the 7600 and not the 7900 but maybe the 7900 would still be better if i want to keep it for a few years.

Look at the $230 X1900XT on Newegg. IT will smash a 7900GT in most benchmarks and is a absoutely steal at $230.