Need slight (temporary) upgrade advice...

[ahslan]

Hi, I have an AMD Athlon 64 3400+ (939) in my rig right now and I noticed the other day that 939 dual cores are selling for pretty cheap. I really want to make a cheap upgrade to my comp, just so that it'll last me until quad core prices go down (wayyy down...I remember the x2 3800+ being $350). I was thinking of a cheap x2 3600 (mainly cuz its cheap and I want the new games that I play, like COD4, gears of war, ut3, etc...to take advantage of the dual cores) or maybe even an opteron (those get more expensive though..). Any advice or should I just wait it out till the prices drop on the quads...

 

[lunyone]

Upgrade GPU and then the CPU. Go with the x2 3600 and a 3850 or 3870 GPU. That combo should last you for a bit. You won't be able to max every setting out, but at least you'll have the most for what you paid for. I'm getting a x2 for my s939, since I have 2 gig's DDR 3200 and have a x1800xt 256mb. This slight upgrade will help out in those more CPU intensive games. Not a whole lot of upgrade, but will hold me until 2009 or so.

 

[ahslan]

i currently own an x1800xt 512mb and have 2gigs of ddr3200...im guessing i should just go for the cheap dual core then? i will eventually upgrade to a different socket but right now its too pricey...

 

[lunyone]

Yeah, I see you have a couple of options, depending on your budget. Your x1800xt isn't too bad, depending on your requirements, so going with a x2 will help out on some games and will be about the same on the rest. It will help you out when your multitasking or when the stupid AV program decides to run in the background. I currently have about the same exact system as you, so I'll find out Christmas day if the x2 4200 or 4400, don't know which one I put on the Christmas wish list, will make things too much faster.

 

[ahslan]

ya...i just want someone to let me know if I will see an improvement in my gaming performance whatsoever??? cuz if there is, then it justifies the $50-80 purchase...

 

[Onus]

I've often agreed with lunyone, but not in this case, for one specific reason. Looking at the OP's configuration, he's got the X-QPACK case with the original "420W" Aspire PSU in it. I would not trust that PSU on a higher-end graphics card. A dual-core CPU will definitely help, if only because of background tasks that will no longer stutter your games. I'd say that's worthwhile.
Unlike the X-QPACK2, I don't think the original X-QPACK can take a much bigger PSU (I'm sure my Mushkin wouldn't fit), so you may be SOL until you [re]build in a bigger case. Then you can get a decent PSU and upgrade the graphics card too.

 

[ahslan]

...when I first built the comp, I was skeptical about the PS that came with it, but I tried it anyway and it worked perfectly...I've never had any problems with it whatsoever...
Thx alot for the input...guess im gonna start looking for a good deal on a cheap X2

 

[lunyone]

I've often agreed with lunyone, but not in this case, for one specific reason. Looking at the OP's configuration, he's got the X-QPACK case with the original "420W" Aspire PSU in it. I would not trust that PSU on a higher-end graphics card. A dual-core CPU will definitely help, if only because of background tasks that will no longer stutter your games. I'd say that's worthwhile.
Unlike the X-QPACK2, I don't think the original X-QPACK can take a much bigger PSU (I'm sure my Mushkin wouldn't fit), so you may be SOL until you [re]build in a bigger case. Then you can get a decent PSU and upgrade the graphics card too.

Ahhh forgot to look at his specs on the bottom line, otherwise I would've recommended a better setup that your alluding to. So we agree again! Funny how like minds think alike Go with a better case and upgrade the PSU too while your at it. Go with Antec/Seasonic/PCP&P/Corsair PSU's.

 

[Zephyn]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010340343+50001028+1051707439&name=Socket+939

There is a decent set of processors out there for the 939 socket that are really cheaply priced. A dual core will make all the difference in the world; I still have a 939 with an AGP slot! :lol: I can run most games just fine with my 7800GS that I unlocked the locked pixel pipelines.

 

[chookman]

I've often agreed with lunyone, but not in this case, for one specific reason. Looking at the OP's configuration, he's got the X-QPACK case with the original "420W" Aspire PSU in it. I would not trust that PSU on a higher-end graphics card. A dual-core CPU will definitely help, if only because of background tasks that will no longer stutter your games. I'd say that's worthwhile.
Unlike the X-QPACK2, I don't think the original X-QPACK can take a much bigger PSU (I'm sure my Mushkin wouldn't fit), so you may be SOL until you [re]build in a bigger case. Then you can get a decent PSU and upgrade the graphics card too.

Hey guys... i personally would go with the HD3850 or 70 this will bring a better performance increase in games than the CPU slight update will.

BTW if he moves to a GPU as i mentioned... it will actually put less load on the PSU than OP's current rig

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

look up HD3870 and the difference with the x1800xt

 

[lunyone]

Yep that would probably improve things a bit for less $ than a new case/PSU/CPU combo. He'd definately not need a more powerful PSU and he doesn't need to get another case I hadn't thought of that because he was talking about the CPU upgrade.

 

[coret]

Hey guys... i personally would go with the HD3850 or 70 this will bring a better performance increase in games than the CPU slight update will.

BTW if he moves to a GPU as i mentioned... it will actually put less load on the PSU than OP's current rig

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

look up HD3870 and the difference with the x1800xt

I was about to post that link

To the op:
Have a look about for a 3800+ or a 4200+. Both will give you the second core you're after.

 

[ahslan]

nice...i did a little shopping and found a 4200+ for about $70...damn how they have come down...i also looked at the video cards...will the 3850 really be better than my x1800xt ??? If thats the case...wow...a current ~$160 video card beating an ex-$400...

 

[chookman]

I was about to post that link

To the op:
Have a look about for a 3800+ or a 4200+. Both will give you the second core you're after.

Actually going to HD3850 or 70... and upgrading CPU at the same time would probably not change things much PSU usage wise at all.

EDIT: To make sure the GPU makes the cut make sure you get a 512mb version... they should both out do the x1800xt by some margin

 

[lunyone]

nice...i did a little shopping and found a 4200+ for about $70...damn how they have come down...i also looked at the video cards...will the 3850 really be better than my x1800xt ??? If thats the case...wow...a current ~$160 video card beating an ex-$400...

My $250 2 year old x1800xt 256mb has done me well. Still can play most games at decent settings. I've been extremely happy with it and now my son is going to get it for Christmas, which will be replacing with a 9600xt 128mb! He'll be thrilled, once he finds out Christmas morning.

 

[ahslan]

My $250 2 year old x1800xt 256mb has done me well. Still can play most games at decent settings. I've been extremely happy with it and now my son is going to get it for Christmas, which will be replacing with a 9600xt 128mb! He'll be thrilled, once he finds out Christmas morning.

NICE! I bought My x1800xt 512mb for $400 but it has been extremely good to me...it has been used in a sempron 3100+ (754) and in this Athlon 3400+ (939). Just until now games are forcing me to lower some settings...but i feel like my processor isn't letting me take full advantage of the x1800xt's potential (before it never really mattered because it was so blazing fast )

I think im gonna go for the 4200+ first considering that prices have been rising for them because they have limited stock availability. I'll prolly look into the 3850/70 later on (after X-mas)

 

[lunyone]

Yeah not a bad idea, since theere won't be any left soon.

 

[Onus]

Hmmm, I just saw the big idle -> load jumps in power on the Tom's article. Well, if the HD38x0 will use less juice, then by all means.
I'd still like that second core to avoid stuttering and lag.

 

[ahslan]

I was wondering...if i just put in the x2 4200 in my comp...will the comp run right off the bat or will i need to reformat windows??? just wondering cuz i have A LOT of **** installed I dont know wtf imma do if Imma have to reformat...

 

[Onus]

You won't need to reformat. You'll probably just need to load the AMD dual-core driver. It's on their site.

 

[ahslan]

THANK GOD!!! I was soo worried bout losing all my ****...

 

[angry_ducky]

Would reformatting your HDD really be such a problem? I understand that it's a pain in the @$$ to reinstall programs and all, but don't you have all your documents, music, etc. on your external drive?

Besides, the occasional Windows reformat does greatly improve performance...

 

[reconviperone1]

ya...i just want someone to let me know if I will see an improvement in my gaming performance whatsoever??? cuz if there is, then it justifies the $50-80 purchase...

Yes u will, i say go for it, it's a small price to pay for the payoff in performance you would get, try to get a x2 4200 if you can, I would stay with the video card though, once yo change those 2 things wyou'll want to keep upgrading then your small upgrade will be a new system before you know it. A x2 cpu and that video card are good until you go quad, hell my nephew is still using a xp2500, and ati 9600xt to game, so you cant wait awhile.

 

[EXT64]

Umm, this thread is four months old. I hope they made a choice by now.

 

[ahslan]

...lol...I tried getting a x2 4200+ on ebay but they always the bidding always went higher than I wanted...so I'm taking reconviperone1's advice and waiting it out until i REALLY have to upgrade...