Upgrading my computer, need help with processor

Assuming this is the Opty...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103596

...yes it is compatible. From what I've read, they are great for gaming and overclocking.

-TyShoe

I can vouch for the Samsung, it is a great monitor.

For processors, if you want to go all out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103002

That's the top of the line, I think, AMD processor for socket 939. If you've got the cash to spare, could go pretty far.

For a monitor, I've heard that Hanns-G makes a good one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824254001

As for the monitor... in my opinion I think it is better to spend a little more and get at least 20.1" if you go widescreen. The native res on 19" is 1440x900, and for 20.1" is 1680x1050.

If you play any games that don't support widescreen, it is best to play without scaling (centered output in nVidia settings). This keeps the game from getting stretched out and looking bad. The game will be displayed in the middle of the screen with black bars on the sides.

If you do this on a 19" monitor, you are limited to a max vertical res of 900 (1024x768 in most games). If you have a 1680x1050 monitor, you can play at 1280x1024.

Also, not too sure about that video setup. You can beat the performance of TWO 7600GTs with ONE 7900GS... for less $$$ (according to Tom's VGA Charts). For just a little more, you could get the 320MB 8800GTS.

-TyShoe

That may be true in some cases, but only when comparing cards in the same numerical series. When comparing the 7600 GT -vs- the 7900 GS, you are looking at 12 pixel pipelines -vs- 20 pipelines respectively. To your point, you could get a single 7900 GT for better performance over the 7900 GS, and STILL pay less than what you'd pay for TWO 7600 GTs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150216

Don't let the "cool-factor" of SLI trick you into believing that 2 is always greater than 1.

-TyShoe

Processor should work out ok.
Samsung I also have, only thing is if you want widescreen
I like the monitor though a lot.
Regarding video.
One 8800GTS will outperform 2 7600 in SLI.
One 1950XTX/7950GTX might also(not sure to be honest).
I wouldn't really suggest the SLI though unless you just want to have it to say you do.
I wouldn't throw 280 down on those video cards when DX10 will eventually be out either.
Given if you don't plan on playing newer games/getting vista within 2-3 years then no worries.
You could keep that comp for older games and build a newer one for the newer ones and have your SLI machine murder the older ones.

Will, the 8800gts are out of my price range right now and I don't think I'll be able to build another one in a few years (if at all). Hopefully this upgrade will last me for quite a while. I still have a lot of games to catch up on... LOLj

Nighty-nite. Can't stress enough that you should consider a dual core processor a must. A 165 or 170 will work very well for you and you won't have to second guess whether you should have or not.

You obviously do not know what you are saying. You are completely wrong. I have an Opteron 170 in a DFI LANParty mobo and it works great. Do some research before you make these kinds of claims.

I'm back... I didn't hit and run, just had some busy days and I've been spending a lot of time on Newegg. I think I've decided on this processor.

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggI [...] 586-02.jpg

Video card

http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggI [...] 216-04.jpg

My head is spinning a little but I want to thank everyone for their input and time taken to advise me.

I'm still checking out monitors, I'm really not sure I want a widescreen.

Can anyone tell me where I can a fan for my motherboard? I thought it was the fan on my psu that was clicking but after reading some posts on the same motherboard I have I'm thinking it could be that one. And if I don't have to buy a new psu, I'll be happy.

I have the same Motherboard, and I am upgrading it to the FX-60 (dual core, 2.6 GHz). Easily OC'ed to 2.8 (no volt increases), and can be gotten for under $250 on Tigerdirect with a combo. I suggest looking into them, but if they are still to pricey, an Opteron is the way to go. @ 2.8 GHz, an Opty or an FX-60 will be equivalent to about 80%-90% of a good Core 2.

Do you have intentions of overclocking the processor you're thinking of buying, if you do then the cpu you've decided on is a good choice, if you are clueless to overclocking and have no intentions of doing so, the processor you've chosen will not be your best option, it has everything to do with overclocking or not, and I'm kinda surprised no one has gone into detail about that to you.

OK its obvious you're a gamer, the video card you've selected is pretty much a go for whatever gaming you're into, my concerns for you is since you're spending the money to upgrade the CPU and you're not overclocking, why would you not reach for the basically best available for your 939M/B, seeing as how the prices now are reasonable and have dropped from over the $1,000.00 mark to around the $350.00 mark.

Even if you have to spend a little more now, you won't be regretting it later and wishing you'd gone ahead and gotten the top of the line when you had the chance.

http://www.directron.com/amdat64fxtos.html

Besides Newegg, Directron is a great company to do business with and free shipping to boot on the CPU, this is the FX60 basically AMDs flagship socket 939 CPU, its a dual core which means you can open multiple applications at the same time, for example you can use Microsoft Word and burn a DVD at the same time, or convert music and burn a DVD at the same time.

Gaming is great with it because it handles background running applications while you're gaming eliminating unexplainable freeze ups and blue screens or crashes.

It is an OEM CPU, meaning it doesn't come with a cooling fan and if you're not overclocking you don't need an monster cooler and the suggestion below will work just fine.

http://www.directron.com/cmhk88i22aa2.html

The FX60 will blow you away in the performance category its twice as fast as your present clock speed, and twice the CPU Core you're presently running.

Your M/B may or may not need to be BIOS flashed to run it, but it isn't really that hard to do and I'll be glad to help you through it if it has to be done, it may not.

PM if you need help.

Whatever you choose to do, I wish you the best.

I looked for an FX60 retail boxed instead of the OEM, but the retail is more expensive if you even can find one.

The retail boxed CPU comes with a 3 yr warranty, the difference between the OPTY and the FX60 is the FX60s multiplier is unlocked.

The FX60 is stock at 2.6ghz with a 13X multiplier, I was able to run mine right out of the box with air cooling and stock CPU voltage at 2.8ghz by just changing the multiplier in the CMOS setup from 13 to 14.

Thats changing one CMOS setting and gaining 200mhz, without having to do another thing, I'm not trying to encourage you to overclock just educating you on the possibilities and the differences between the two CPUs.

A cpu with an unlocked multiplier is the easiest way to overclock a cpu, the most stable way, because all the other parameters are not touched, its literally the simplest overclock there is.

That option is there with the FX60, and even though you won't be overclocking, further down the road you may change your mind and want that extra 200mhz, or even more with better cooling.

So thats some added brain food to digest.

Even if your not going to overclock, the Opty 170 is still a great choice. IMO!

I would go with the widescreen personally. It is a bit of extra work getting some games to play right on it, but it is worth it.