Upgrade dilema

[Setzer777]

So, I'm taking advantage of eVGA's step-up program and trading in my 7800GS AGP for a 7900GT PCI-E card. In order to be able to use my new card I'm going to have to replace the motherboard and cpu I'm using currently. I was almost ready to buy an AMD 4400 x2 with a DFI LP Ultra-D motherboard when I came across the Core 2 duo chips by intel. After doing some research it seems to be a better choice over the X2 cpu and the price is about the same(board and chip) as I was going to pay for the AMD 4400 x2 and DFI board. My only problem is the memory. If I go with the AMD cpu and board I can simply transfer my 2gb of pc3200 to the new board but if I go with Intel then I'm going to have to pay $250-$300 more for 2gb of pc6400 memory, which I wasn't really too excited about. I just want to know from you all if I should wait and save up and go Intel with new memory or just go with AMD? Will I notice that much difference? Thanks for your input!

 

[engiNURD]

Go with DDR2-667 if u want the system soon. Wait if you can. The amount of difference depends on which Core2Duo CPU you were going to buy and if you were planning on overclocking. But generally speaking, yes, the Core2Duo's outperform the Athlon X2's. My current system (in my sig) would be equivalent to an E6600 C2D stock system... and maybe slightly slower in some areas. The E6600 (even the E6400) would overlcock to outperform an overclocked FX62.

 

[Setzer777]

Well, here are the 2 options I was considering.....

Option 1
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+(89W) Toledo 2.2GHz Socket 939 $239
DFI LANPARTY UT nF4 Ultra-D Socket 939 $115.99

Total cost = $354.99 + shipping

Option 2
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 $227
GIGABYTE GA-965G-DS3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel G965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard $149.99
OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $209.99

Total cost = $586.98 + shipping

Probably the only thing I'm unsure about at this point would be the motherboard for the Core 2 Duo chip.

 

[engiNURD]

The DS3 is a good board for OC'ing that E6400. If you're not planning on OC'ing, its still a good board. I'd go with the conroe setup, but with g.skill ram... unless you're absolutely positive that those sticks will work in the ds3. The crucial ballistix 2gb ddr2-800 are also good, and on sale at zzf, though I havent checked the prices lately (they were $200AR).