my plan so far: seem ok?????

[dbarton]

Ready to do this *today* to upgrade my current system

Antec Solo
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

BUT I cant decide on a motherboard. Asus or Gigabyte preferred.

Not gonna be gaming ever. Light video playback. Need very good CPU for music application.

Any suggestions?
See any problem with these choices?
Better CPU?
I don't upgrade often, so looking for flexibility.

 

[Proximon]

Did you have a budget?

At very low budgets AMD is OK. Intel has the more powerful CPUs. An AMD Athlon X2 6000+ would NOT be considered a strong CPU.

You do not need a big power supply unless you are getting a substantial gaming video card. We could find you a quieter PSU for the same cost, or maybe even less.

 

[dbarton]

Thanks!

Is this an ok choice for a board?
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Should I upgrade CPU to Quad? Is it the Phenom 9950 I should consider?

I'm using a p4 2.26 so I feel like all processors will be seem powerful.

That PS has a rebate now so is only $20. Definitely open to all suggestions though!! (will not be gaming)

Yes, I definitely have a budget, but not a 100% strict one. Don't want to be pennywish and pound folish, but also want to stay as cheap as I can. I am trying out AMD becuase of price.

That memory has a rebate now so is $10.
Need to get MB and CPU suggestions.

 

[Proximon]

The 790GX board you mention is EXCELLENT. It also has all the graphical power you will need, so you do not need to buy a separate video card.

Yes, for this build get the best quad core Phenom you can afford. Make sure it comes with a heatsink, as some do not.

I can't come close to that PSU price after rebate. It's not a great PSU, but it should work well for your needs.

 

[dbarton]

The 790GX board you mention is EXCELLENT.
Yes, for this build get the best quad core Phenom you can afford. Make sure it comes with a heatsink, as some do not.

If I get a retail boxed CPU from newegg, I'd assume I'll get a fan?

I'm thinking the AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HD995ZXAGHBOX - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103291

Board so far seems to be the GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352

nice reviews and combo deal at $283

+Kingston memory instead of that Corsair I mentioned before because I need 1.8v
+PS OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply

All seem good??

++

To simplify and summarize for anyone that wants to jump in and help, this is what I'm looking at so far:


AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HD995ZXAGHBOX - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Antec Solo Black/Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V / EPS12V Active PFC Power Supply
Koutech PIR133 PCI IDE Controller Card RAID 0/1/0+1 - Retail (because I have IDE drives)

Does every app really use all 4 cores, so that a quad 2.5 machine is faster than a dual core 3.0?
Comments very welcome.

 

[Proximon]

Here is a comparison chart for one program:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/Lame-MP3,828.html

and an older chart:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/cpu-charts-2008-q1-2008/iTunes-7-1-1-5,378.html

As far as what benefits you will see, it depends on your usage and programs.

The Gigabyte board does have one IDE channel that will support two hard drives.

Memory is very cheap right now. Consider buying 2x2GB, even though your OS might not use all of it.

 

[dbarton]

Thanks for the chart.

As best I can tell, I won't really suffer by getting x4, and it will be better some things. You guys agree with my reading of that?

Curious what is the reason why you suggest to get 4g.

Overall, does my list all seem reasonable?

 

[Proximon]

The price of DDR2 isn't going to go much lower. DDR3 is going to be more popular soon, with the new i7 CPU.

It's always a bit harder to populate all 4 memory slots. By getting 2x2GB now you'll avoid that, and you won't have to think about upgrading later. CPU intensive programs usually benefit from more memory. It certainly won't hurt, and it's very inexpensive.


-----------------------------------------------
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257075-31-what-parts-choose
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/257547-31-personal-list-parts

 

[dbarton]

Gotcha.
Any suggestions for a good deal on 2*2?

 

[Proximon]

Low voltage, good timings are the two most important things. These also happen to be a great price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231209