My Dilemma

[nunyabiz]

Ok guys, need some opinions here.
I have an x2-4400 that can only clock to 2.5 stable.
Dfi-Ultra D Moboard
X1800XT 512MB
OCZ GOLD 2x512

Here is my problem. The 16X Pci-ex slot quit working, so I have to run it in the x2 slot. I notice it being a bit slower in BF2 now, stutter and frame rate in the 30's. I have a dell 2005FPW so I like to run it native 1680x1050.

I would also like to have 2 gig of ram instead of one, so my question is, am i better off getting a conroe system since I have to buy a motherboard, and since I want another gig of ram?
I am not sure if its worth the cost for the performance increase. FWIW I would change my wifes a64 3200 to the x2 and give her the gig of old ram, but if the performance vs price is not worth it.......

what do you guys think?

 

[50Stang]

Well, another motherboard for your X2 would only cost 100-150 for a good one. To benefit any kind of performance gain you would be better off buying a E6600 C2D instead of the E6400 or 6300.

Your x2 4400 already has 2mb cache 1mb x 2 cores. The C2D series has shareable cache which is better but on the E6600 you have 4mb instead of 2mb like the 6300, 6400.

Before I get myself mixed up in my own words. If you want to go C2D, get an E6600 or higher as I think its the only ones that will benefit you. Only downfall is price for the setup will run you a minimal $550 for a good motherboard and processor. Don't forget about RAM either, since you have the socket 939 which is DDR.. you will need DDR2 memory for the socket 775 motherboards. So that will run you another $120 minimum for 1gb.

So what you have is.. either $700 for a new motherboard, processor, and memory. Or $100-150 for a new motherboard for your current setup.

It will be worth it.. but its a huge difference in cost.

 

[nunyabiz]

So what you have is.. either $700 for a new motherboard, processor, and memory. Or $100-150 for a new motherboard for your current setup.
It will be worth it.. but its a huge difference in cost.

But I want 2 gig of mem, so its 100-150 for mb and 100-150 for mem just to get the 4400 running right again. or 800 for the conroe and 2 gigs. Just dont know if I want to spend 300 on old(er) technology.

 

[Newsboys2004]

Depends on what your spending it for.

if all your doing is playing BF2, I would say no.

 

[nunyabiz]

Depends on what your spending it for.

if all your doing is playing BF2, I would say no.

I also do Hi-Def video editing as well

 

[StealthyFish]

well, I'd get off that X-2 4400+. there's a performance difference, despite what AMD enthusiasts may say. I'd recommend an E6400. It's cheap and can overclock pretty well. I'd recommend an E6600 if you've got the pockets, but the 2Mb cache doesn't make too much of a performance difference (about 10% TOPS, depending on the application).