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Updating advice with an AMD athlon 64 FX 55 porcessor

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Embra   08-02-2008 at 09:48:47 PM

I have a computer that is about three years old now. I use an AMD Athlon FX-55 processor. I am think of upgrading. I play some games, but nothing extreme. Is it worth building around my processor?

Abit KN8 SLI motherboard
2 gigs DDR Ram (not ddr2 board)
Nvida 7900 GS video

My powersupply does not support sata

I am on a little bit of a budget, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. :)


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jerreece   08-02-2008 at 10:04:41 PM
- 0 +

Your motherboard supports the 939 CPU socket type, which has basically been phased out, and replaced by the AM2 socket type for AMD processors. The Athlon X2 processors are the highest compatible with your motherboard. Because your current CPU is 939, it won't work with the more modern motherboards which are now AM2.

So in reality, you're due for a processor & motherboard upgrade if you plan to get anything better. This will also mean you'll likely be forced to switch to DDR2. So you're looking at new CPU, Mobo, Memory at the least.

With today's processors, pretty much everything is Dual Core (with more and more Quad core units on the market). Whether to go with another AMD or go Intel is a whole other topic. There's lots of threads arguing back and forth. All depends on your budget. Find the best bang for your buck within your budget. Just make sure you're getting enough of an upgrade to make the money worth spending.

------------------------------ Intel Q6600 G0 SLACR @ 3.2Ghz/ Xigmatek HDT-S1283 / XFX 680i LT SLI
2x MSI GTX 260 Core 216 (655Mhz) / 4GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-6400 (800Mhz)
Antec TPQ-850 / Thermaltake Armor VA8003BWS
Win 7 Home Premium / 2 x WD Caviar Black 1TB / WD 400GB
 Reply to jerreece
ZOldDude   08-02-2008 at 11:13:58 PM
- 0 +

DDR2 ram is -dirt cheep- these days...name brand 2 GB DDR-800 sets sale daily for $29

A 3Ghz dual core AMD CPU and MB combo can be found on more than one site that cost less than a sub 2.6Ghz Intel CPU alone.

------------------------------ *While we crash and burn, small, low tech, agrarian societies such as the Hmong in the mountains of Laos will continue on without so much as blinking an eye.*
 Reply to ZOldDude
Embra   08-02-2008 at 11:19:33 PM
- 0 +

I thank you both very much. I will upgrade. You all are most helpful.

:) :) :)

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to Embra
zenmaster   08-02-2008 at 11:54:28 PM
- 0 +

Embra wrote :

I thank you both very much. I will upgrade. You all are most helpful.

:) :) :)



One Option is to Sell your Current System and Build New.
That is often a good option when you need to upgrade so many components.

------------------------------ If its good in theory but not in practice,
its not good theory.
 Reply to zenmaster
Embra   08-04-2008 at 04:03:41 AM
- 0 +

I did some shopping and read through the forums a bit.
This is what I can get at Newegg for under $280.

My needs are not great. What do you think?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128090

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103244

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122


Again, thank you very much! :)

Reply to Embra
jimmysmitty   08-04-2008 at 04:08:09 AM
- 0 +

Ewww on the CPU. Try for a 9550 or 9750. They are the B3 stepping and probably a better bet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103251

Only 100MHz difference which can be changed with a little OCing. Although that may not be as easy since its not a BE.

Either way that 9550 has a better core to it so I suggest it over the 9600.


Message edited by jimmysmitty on 08-04-2008 at 04:09:16 AM
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wisecracker   08-04-2008 at 04:16:50 AM
- 0 +

Really can't top the Phenom 9600BE at $150 if you can get those four cores pumpin' with multithreaded software. You may want to wait a week or so and see if the new motherboard models with sb750 look good to you

 

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AMD 780G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128341

 

is probably as fast as your 7600gs using the IGP with sideport

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by wisecracker on 08-04-2008 at 04:17:59 AM
Reply to wisecracker
mossberg   08-04-2008 at 04:26:24 AM
- 0 +

An e7200 with a gigabyte P35 ds3l and that same ram would most likely be a better buy. For a few dollars more you can get the ddr2 1000 kit and give yourself a bit more headroom for overclocking. Phenom just cannot compete with core 2's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337

------------------------------ Antec 900,750w Corsair, Gigabyte P35-DS3L, E2180 Allendale @3.0ghz, 4gb g-skill ddr2 800, 200gb Seagate, Hd 3870
 Reply to mossberg
Embra   08-04-2008 at 11:04:16 PM
- 0 +

Wow, lots of great advice and info. I greatly appreciated. :) :)

Reply to Embra
jimmysmitty   08-04-2008 at 11:11:52 PM
- 0 +

wisecracker wrote :

Really can't top the Phenom 9600BE at $150 if you can get those four cores pumpin' with multithreaded software. You may want to wait a week or so and see if the new motherboard models with sb750 look good to you

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AMD 780G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128341

is probably as fast as your 7600gs using the IGP with sideport



I still say 9550 would be a better choice due to a more mature core.

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 Reply to jimmysmitty
Embra   08-05-2008 at 12:43:10 AM
- 0 +

Ok, sorry to be vacilating. I have a hard time making these type of decisions, even though all of the options offered would work for me.

I am thinking of getting a good motherboard and a dual-core processor for now, being able to upgrade in the future.


Intel option: (as stated above, which I am thankful for)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337


AMD option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186150 SB750 :o

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103289



I am hoping the ram is compatible with both with the processor/mobo combo.



???????? *huggles* :) :)



Reply to Embra
wisecracker   08-05-2008 at 02:53:08 AM
- 0 +

Waa hoo!

Foxconn A7DA-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX w/sb750: $128
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186150

Reply to wisecracker
jj463rd   08-05-2008 at 04:32:54 AM
- 0 +

I just looked at newegg and it says it's a deactivated item (You can't buy it yet).

Reply to jj463rd
jimmysmitty   08-05-2008 at 04:55:57 AM
- 0 +

^and yet you can buy the Gigabyte equivalent:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128352

Weird.

For the Intel system I think the choices you have are great but if you want to save some cash the Pentium Dual Core E2200 is cheaper. but the E7200 is nice.

The AMD setup is quite nice too. But its up to you which way you want to go.

We posted ad the same time lol


Message edited by jimmysmitty on 08-05-2008 at 04:56:35 AM
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 Reply to jimmysmitty
jj463rd   08-05-2008 at 05:12:08 AM
- 0 +

Here is what you want especially if you want to upgrade to a Phenom processor
If not these are great boards anyway for an Athlon 64 X2.
Good for overclocking and lots of slots for video cards in crossfire.
These use the older SB600 though with the 790FX chipset.

First here is the cheap one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130136

Here is a better one albeit slightly more expensive but with great support options.
I would trust this one more with the high TDP 140watt Phenom X4 9950

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131291

I have this particular motherboard with my Phenom X4 9850BE CPU

You will want a beefy modern power supply with these boards.
Notice that they support only ATI cards in crossfire mode.
Here is the power supply that I bought several months ago for my system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817128010

Reply to jj463rd
Embra   08-06-2008 at 05:20:58 AM
- 0 +

I have made my purchase. I was about to buy the Intel option I have listed above, but Newegg recieved more of the SB750 boards.

I decided to be daring and and go for it. :o


AMD option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186150 :wahoo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103289


I cant thank you all enough for all the help. I learned a lot. :)
It is like learning a new language. :D

Reply to Embra
jj463rd   08-06-2008 at 05:46:25 AM
- 0 +

From what I have been told The Athlon 64 X2 series uses DDR2-800 (PC2-6400) memory which is less expensive.So you might want to change your order.Glad to see that Foxconn motherboard available again though.

Reply to jj463rd
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