Looking to upgrade my socket 939 AGP AMD 3.2

[rockgar]

I am currently running a Chaintech s6189 socket 939 with an Athlon 64 3.2 CPU 2 gigs DDR 400 and a Geforce 7800 GS OC.

I am dying for a PCI-E motherboard and PCI-E video card and wanted to know is it possible just to upgrade these 2 items while using my existing CPU, RAM etc..

Are there dual core PCI-E AMD MBs that are backward compatible with a 3.2 Athlon 64 CPU and DDR400?

What I really want is a modern AMD motherboard that supports the current generation CPUs and RAM but one where I can upgrade the CPU and RAM at a later date.

Does such a beast even exist?

And last but least what $200 range PCI-E video card gives the best performance for this setup with the option to run SLI later?

Thanks in advance!

 

[rts_fan]

Until the AM2 boards came out, that was the standard setup for Athlon 64s. Take your pick, but, you'd have to upgrade the CPU NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Basically, all 4000 series 939s ceased production Q4 2006 and there will be no more 939s made after Q2 2007.
It seems that I heard that Chaintech has stopped making MBs so whether you could drop a 4000+, or 4400+ in your system is questionable. These guys are selling the 4400+ for $150 AFTER a rebate: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1447065&Sku=CP2-A64-4400%20E 4000+ for $80: http://www.chiefvalue.com/product-_-productdetails.cv_-_item--19-103-037 Of course, I've left out the Opterons, but with your board......

All of the tests have shown that there is no benefit to PCI-e, at this time. As for best PCI-e video card for $200: http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/02/06/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page3.html#best_pcie_card_for_200

 

[rockgar]

Ok so what you are basically saying is I have the option of keeping my s1689 and just upgrade my CPU to a behemoth dual core.

This is an angle I had not even considered! I just wonder what kind of 3D application performance I will gain keeping my geforce 7800 GS OC AGP. It's a good card but definitely not an 8800.

Also I have a 3500+ Althon 64 right now. Will the 4400 X2 really be that much faster in 3D apps? I'm guessing it will being dual core.

Thanks for the info!

 

[fredgiblet]

I am dying for a PCI-E motherboard and PCI-E video card and wanted to know is it possible just to upgrade these 2 items while using my existing CPU, RAM etc..

You can.

Are there dual core PCI-E AMD MBs that are backward compatible with a 3.2 Athlon 64 CPU and DDR400?

Yes.

What I really want is a modern AMD motherboard that supports the current generation CPUs and RAM but one where I can upgrade the CPU and RAM at a later date.

Does such a beast even exist?

Yes, but you would have to get new CPU/RAM, you would need an AM2 or socket 775 mobo to support current + next gen, both of these would require a new CPU though only the AM2 would REQUIRE new RAM (the S775 would require that you compromise quite a bit to get DDR400 but it is doable).

 

[fredgiblet]

This is an angle I had not even considered! I just wonder what kind of 3D application performance I will gain keeping my geforce 7800 GS OC AGP. It's a good card but definitely not an 8800.

3D app performance won't change much, gaming performance would benefit from a new GPU but 3D rendering performance, not so much.

Also I have a 3500+ Althon 64 right now. Will the 4400 X2 really be that much faster in 3D apps? I'm guessing it will being dual core.

According to the Tomshardware charts it doubles 3DSMax speed

 

[sailer]

By chance, do you mean an Athlon 64 3200 cpu? Anyway, the only motherboard company that I know of which makes such a crossover board is AsRock, though maybe someone else does and I just don't know of it. A X2 4400+ would be a lot faster than what you have. Being dual core, it would also allow muti-tasking much better. I've got one overclocked to 2640 mhz in my second computer and it does very well. There are some very good AGP cards out that will raise the overall performance of your computer too, such as an ATI 1950.

 

[rockgar]

This deal has seriously caught my attention: 4400 X2 CPU w/ mobo all for $200.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2864385

Granted it's not an AGP bus but I think deep down inside I want an 8800 anyways!

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2900230&Sku=E145-8014

 

[jrnyfan]

Well I can answer yes to all your questions as I went from a similar set-up to a PCI-E setup about 6 months ago. I used to have a MSI K8N-Neo2 (nforce 3) with my current AMD X2 4200 and a 6800gt AGP with 1GB of Crucial Ballistix PC3200. My new rig is an ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe with the same proc, 2GB of G.Skill PC3200 and a 8800gts...so keep your stuff, go buy the mobo and upgrade to a 8800 card... you will be happy you did and you will save money in the long run. You have a good proc, good ram and all you need is a new mobo and vc. I'm glad I went the route I did, I can max things out with the 8800 and the X2 is still a very capable proc and with 2GB of RAM I'm set for vista and whatever else is out there.

Good Luck!

(stop shopping at TD, you really should newegg...better CS and cheaper..cause one you know, you newegg!)

 

[sailer]

This deal has seriously caught my attention: 4400 X2 CPU w/ mobo all for $200.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2864385

Granted it's not an AGP bus but I think deep down inside I want an 8800 anyways!

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2900230&Sku=E145-8014

The mobo and cpu bundle looks like a very good price package. It isn't a top line mobo by any means, but it gets you into the game and lets you add or modify from there. Yes, add the 8800 and you should do well.