AM2 build.. Worth it?

S

Snappshoota

2[H]4U
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Jun 8, 2005
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Well to start it off, Current rig is in sig minus the typo, supposed to be 6600 gt*. Im looking to go dual core, finally :D Current rig has been a beast for the past years. Did its best to please me with the best Frames a sec it could squeeze out, but newer games are starting to take its toll.

So I have a question.

Is it worth it to build an AM2 system? or should I save some money and just upgrade my 939?

Basically this is what im looking at for a decent Rig:

Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-MA69VM-S2 AM2 AMD 690V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz AM2

Ram:
A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

Video Card:
Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 or a 7900Gt i might buy off here.

Comes to about 450 shipped with a new Sata HD, and DVD burner.

I would throw all of that into my current lanboy case, and eventually maybe buy a Qpack.

Or should I just upgrade my 939 CPU, Video card and memory of my current system? Havent really been paying to much attention to all the newer components, and whats coming out. so i dunno what would be better for the money.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks
 
bah.

Naw, that systems already behind the times.

I suggest a solid P35 mobo (crossfire supporting if you think you wanna drop a couple more bux on it in the next 6months), an HD3850, 2 gigs of some nice DDR2 800, annnnddd...... an E6320.

edit: yeah im lookin at this and what I think would be a great Idea is a DFI blood iron, an HD 3850, 2 gigs of some cheap DDR2 667 or 800, and an allendale or a cheap conroe, then OC the snot out of it. An excellent performer at an excellent price point --but that price point is just ~$100 higher then your budget. As such i suggest a cheaper mobo and no -small OC :(.

but definatly if your looking at gaming the HD 3850 is a must.
 
Forget the E6320. I recommend getting the E6550 since it's about the same price yet is slightly higher clocked. Or if you're short on cash, the E4500.

Oh to answer your question, no to either choices. If you really need a quick speed bump, get an HD 3850 video card and save up for a rebuild later on. At least you can use that card in any new build you make.

Though check around the For Sale and For trade forums here. There's a ton of S939 owners trying to unload their CPUs. If you can find an X2 4200+ or faster for around $50 shipped, it might be a worthy upgrade for your PC. Same goes for the RAM. Try to find a 1GB of DDR RAM that is as cheap as their DDR2 counterparts. If you can find either part for dirt cheap then your S939 build will last a bit longer.
 
oopps forgot to post, but my budget is only about $400-$450ish, about all my CC has left on it before its maxed :mad:

Defiantly looked at the Intel side of things during pricing the above out, but I honestly havent ever payed attention to Intel, so i have no clue whats good anymore. Heck last time I remeber looking at Intels the P4 3.0E was in the top seat :eek:
 
Well before I comment further, what power supply do you have? and What size monitor do you have? Is it safe to assume that $400-$450 includes tax and shipping?
 
Danny Bui said:
Well before I comment further, what power supply do you have? and What size monitor do you have? Is it safe to assume that $400-$450 includes tax and shipping?
Click to expand...

19in LCd Acer
FSP Atx12v 450W

IF possible yes with shipping, but if a little over i might be able to finagle some funds around.
 
do you overclock? Cuz I really adore these blood iron boards. edit: actually i guess its more P35 in general thats so awsome, lol.
 
Which specific model FSP 450W do you have? The AX450-PN?
 
Ok well, that power supply should be enough at least until I find out otherwise.

Here are a few options that you have:

[Option A:]
Find a good deal on an X2 4000+ or faster and 1GB of RAM for around $90 to $100.
And get an HD 3850 for $179.
----
Total: $279 plus tax and shipping

Pros:
- Lets you use your old mobo and RAM.
- Also provides you with a fast video card that should last you a good amount of time with your monitor.
- Cheapest solution
Cons:
- Sinking $100 into an old system.
- Dependent on finding a good deal.

[Option B:]
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 CPU - $79
Abit IP35-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $90
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $55
PowerColor AX3850 256MD3-H Radeon HD 3850 256MB PCI-E Video Card - $179
---
Total: $403 Plus tax and shipping.

Pros:
- Highly and easily overclockable with the stock HSF. You can probably OC to about 2.8Ghz to 3.0Ghz with this setup.
- An overclocked E2160 is significantly faster than any options here.
- Also provides you with a fast video card that should last you a good amount of time with your monitor.
- Can upgrade to a new Penryn CPU (Faster more refined Core 2 Duos) when they come out in Q1 2008.
- Just a little bit faster than Option A at stock speeds. Maybe 10% at most I guess
Cons:
- Just a little bit faster than Option A at stock speeds. Maybe 10% at most I guess
- Most expensive
- Might require a new PSU.
- Requires almost a full rebuild

[Option C:]
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2140 CPU - $69
Abit IP35-E Intel P35 Motherboard - $90
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $55
Sapphire 100199L Radeon X1950GT 256MB PCI-E Video Card - $113
----
Total: $327 Plus tax and shipping

Pros:
- Highly and easily overclockable with the stock HSF. You can probably OC to about 2.8Ghz to 3.0Ghz with this setup.
- Can upgrade to a new Penryn CPU (Faster more refined Core 2 Duos) when they come out in Q1 2008.
- Good balance of parts
- About the mid-range of the the three options
Cons:
- Slower than Option A or B at stock speeds
- Slower video card than Option A or B
- Might require a new PSU.
- Requires almost a full rebuild

However feel free to mix and parts from the different options. I'm a bit too tired to list out every possible combo right now.
 
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