Most "Upgradable" Processors - Intel or AMD?

[hcour]

About a yr and a half ago I built my first system. ASUS mb, AMD 939 socket. My intention was to have something that I could upgrade for yrs to come. So I was looking to upgrade my XP 64 3200 processor this weekend and come to find out that AMD has killed the 939 socket. The best you can get is the FX-60 for about $400.

So I'm thinking for a little more money I can get a new mb, memory, and an Intel processor faster than the FX-60. But I don't want to make the same mistake again. So which is better when considering upgrading? Should I get an Intel or AMD mb?

Thanks,
Harold

[hcour]

Well, I've been bouncing around the forum a bit reading about upgrades and the general consensus seems to be that right now the Intel C2D is definitely the best value and an ASUS P5 mb would also allow upgrading to the Quad-core in future. Certainly that should be good for quite a few years, wouldn't it?

Harold

[glc]

Yep - unless you want to wait for the AMD AM3 socket. AM2 is already maxed out.

[joshrogoff]

Originally Posted by glc Yep - unless you want to wait for the AMD AM3 socket. AM2 is already maxed out.

I just read that you will be able to use the AM3 processors in AM2 boards, but not vice versa.

[LeftyAce]

But I believe you'll suffer in terms of performance. Not really worth it.

[Cricket]

When planning a new computer with the idea of upgrading in the future you have to remember than the computer industry keeps moving forward at a fairly fast pace and the life span of a given socket generally isn't very long (maybe 3 to 5 years). So unless you plan to upgrade within a couple of years it's best to just build a computer, use it for as long as you can and then build another computer when you need more power. If you wait too long the older motherboard you're using may not support the newer technologies.

Cricket

[rmr]

I'm totally out of the loop now on what is good build combos. Things change so fast it's hard to keep up. I'm planning a new build for probably this fall, but I'm not going to start
researching and buying parts until then.
I just ordered a XFX 7600GT for the computer listed below just so I can milk another 6-8 months out of it.

[joshrogoff]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce But I believe you'll suffer in terms of performance. Not really worth it.

I don't believe so since the memory controller for an AMD processor is located in the processor which will allow you to use DDR3 memory on an AM2 board. What i have read is that you will not suffer performance, all it takes is a bios update.