new system build

Building a new system. I almost had my mind made for Socket 939 MB/Athlon64x2 and the new AMD AM2 socket came out. Now I have to decide whether to go with a good, feature rich, tested MB/64x2 combo running DDR memory or choose a less feature rich, affordable, untested MB running a single core CPU but using DDR2 memory. Been a long time since I've messed with major parts and WOW has it got complicated. Spent as much time finding the right power supply as choosing a motherboard.

My thought here is to take the performance gain of the dual core and live with the slower memory.

just read a review on Tom's hardware.
The cost advantage compared to Intel is less now but the CPU is still more energy efficient. The faster memory benefit is only seen with the high end AM2 chips (FX series). Apparently the memory speed gain is lost to a less efficient manager at slower chips speeds. The integrated memory controller on the 939 chips is much more efficient running DDR so the DDR2 memory has a slight edge instead of major. The AM2 chips use the nForce5 chipset which has a few enhancements over the nForce 4 series used with 939 mobos.

I got the Pentium Dual Core 2MB cache with DDR2 800 Mhz. AMD don't offer that together? Why have to settle for one or the other?

I'm not a pro at this crap, but I have slapped a couple systems together. I'm curious as to why you couldn't do both the dual core and the DDR2??

Rick

The cheapest 939 with 1MB L2 is $80 more. They came out with the AM2 which does support DDR2 near the time I was going to buy. The AM2 has an x2 4000+ with 1MB L2 for $40 more than my planned 3800+. HMMMM, tempting. Both run at 2.0Ghz. Time for more research. The 939 chips have integrated memory controller unlike AM2 and Intel which use the Nortbridge chipset. Because the controller is integrated, it is much more efficient. Tom's hardware shows the AM2 really benefits from the DDR2 speed only at higher frequencies which are min $250 more than the chip I planned. The other criteria is motherboard features: onboard sound, SATA2, USB, 1394 onboard and back port, no fans, RAID, # PCI-e slots, SLi support. If I can find a decent mb for AM2 I may go with the 4000+.

Where are you shopping? I've bought a lot from Pricewatch in the past. They got lotsa MB combos to choose from. Don't know many other places. Haven't had a need since My last upgrade. Should last me a while.

Rick

pricewatch as well. like to buy from newegg. Search feature is great for research.
939 Athlon 64 x2 3800 512Kx2 L2 $297
939 Athlon 64 x2 4400 1MB x2 L2 $458 first 939 x2 with 1MB L2
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4000 1Mb x2 L2 2.0 GHz $324
AM2 Athlon 64 x2 4600 2.4GHz $550 1st? AM2 fast enough to start seeing major benefit from DDR2.
As far as mobo: the 939 has an MSI for $197 and an Asus for $179ish, the AM2 has an Asus for $239 - ouch.

So what did you end up with?

I just traded in my 939 system (a 3700+, 2 gigs of OCZ memory and an Abit KN8 Ultra) for a Core 2 Duo E6700, 2 gigs of DDR2 667 and a slow motherboard: ASUS's P5N SLI (an nVidia NForce 570 chipset). Eventually I will upgrade to a better 975 or similar chipset board and dump my nVidia card for another ATi. I've gone from nVidia fan to hating them because I can't play older games (Midtown Madness 1 & 2, Motocross Madness 1 & 2, Crimson Skies and others)! If I try the screen turns into a mess of colourful geometric shapes

I knew prices would drop if I kept waiting but eventually you have to bite the bullet.
MSI K8N Diamond Plus motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800+
2 Samsung 250G SATA2 hard drives

The mb was expensive but has lot of features and ended up being very hard to find. Cheaped out on the RAM only have 1G DDR. Works fine - prices drop and super easy to upgrade memory later.

Originally Posted by crotalusadamanteus

Where are you shopping? I've bought a lot from Pricewatch in the past. They got lotsa MB combos to choose from. Don't know many other places. Haven't had a need since My last upgrade. Should last me a while.

Rick

You dont buy from pricewatch, you buy from other companies that are listed in pricewatch's searches ^_-

Monarch Computer is a good place to buy from, excellent fast shipping, and newegg ( awsome shipping deals)



Personally, unless youll be using the full extent of a Dual Core System, id go for faster memory. Or more of it.

What are you also going to be running on the system as that will have a huge impact on what you should be buying. Pricy add ons are not always key to a well tuned system...