Looking to Upgrade

[LA22]

Okay, well my computer is getting a little bit old. The only thing I want to upgrade it for is Call of Duty 4, which is the only high end game I play.

I would like to upgrade 3 things. One being my Graphics card, two being my CPU and three would be adding more ram.

My motherboard is a MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD.
So everything will have to be compatible with that. Im not looking to make it top notch, I would just like to play on around medium settings with a decent resolution (1024x768) with decent frame rate around 80.

I havent kept up with my computer hardware since I build this so Im a little out of touch.

Now my motherboard is socket 939 but Newegg is only showing six options for a socket 939 CPU's (I understand its old). Right now I have a Amd Athlon 64 3200+ Venice. What would be an upgrade from this? I see things like AMD Athlon 64 4000+ ClawHammer 2.4GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 89W Processor which is understand is a bit better but whats the difference between Venice and Clawhammer?

Next is my video card. My mobo supports PCI-express. I have no clue where to begin with this. Currenty, I have a EVGA Nvidia 6600 GT 128mb. Would something like http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130316 actually be an upgrade? Any suggestions on vid cards would be great.

As for my ram I have CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory . Would it be better just to buy this same package again or get 2 new sticks 1GB each? Maybe DDR2. Help would be great on this too!


Thanks for the help, LA22

[Masaki 7-11]

First thing you should do is figure out a budget, once you do that, it will be easier to figure out how to go about upgrading. The clawhammer processor core is 130nm whereas venice and most of the other cores are 90nm (usually the lower the manufacturing process, the better the processors; this is true when comparing 130nm to 90nm). If you are going to upgrade the processor, look for a dual core processor. Your motherboard will only accept ddr1, so ddr2 is not compatible and therefore not an option, if possible, get 2x1GB since it will help out a decent bit. The 8400GS is a pretty weak card and may be even slower than you current card, try for at least a 7600GS or higher.

Here's a reference list for about $275 (DDR1 ram is about twice the price of DDR2):

EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085
$94.99

Arctic Silver AATA-5G Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100013
$5.99

OCZ Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ4002048PFDC-K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146970
$119.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Manchester 2.0GHz Socket 939 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADA3600DAA4BV
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103222
$53.99

Subtotal: $274.96


The most important parts upgrade is in this order: Video Card, CPU, Ram.

If you have around $50 more than the cost of the upgrade reference parts, then you can upgrade to a socket AM2 motherboard, processor, DDR2 Ram, and the same video card.

[LA22]

Hmm...okay, you may have to explain some things to me

The processor you suggested is a 3000+ while the one I currently have is 3200+. I understand it is duo-core, but what are the benefits of that, and how will it help out my game versus my 3200+?

And as for the ram, can I just buy 2 more sticks of 512? and plug them in the two remaining spots? It will still equal 2gb.

Thanks, LA22

[Masaki 7-11]

The processor I recommended is marketed as 3600+ and is the same frequency as the processor you already have (2.0GHz). Although the processor is dual core, the individual cores are still newer and faster than the core you have so even if a game was single-threaded you would still see an improvement, albeit small. However most games that have come out recently support multi core processors, so you should see a good improvement in performance when using a dual core compared to a single core.

For the ram you can buy 2 more sticks of 512, but it would be best if you got the same type of ram you had originally to prevent compatibility issues. So you would be looking for something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440. If for some reason you want to get ram from a different company, make sure the speed, CAS latency and timings match your current ram.

[Masaki 7-11]

Actually, I'm not sure what processor you have specifically since there are many AMD Athlon 64 3200+ that were manufactured, running at either 2.0 or 2.2GHz and on different manufacturing processes and using different cores, either way, a dual core will give you a good improvement in performance in the new games and will be faster even if it is slower by 200MHz.

[LA22]

This is my current CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103535

[LA22]

So what it be worth it? with my current CPU being http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103535

Or will I not even really notice an increase?
Would it be better to save up some more money and get a newer socket?

[amdalex]

You would probably be better off getting a AM2 motherboard, it would allow you to get a much better CPU.

[Masaki 7-11]

The dual core processor would be a decent upgrade over the current processor you have if you want to stick with socket 939, otherwise it might be a good idea to invest in a socket AM2 upgrade, which should be around $300 for the same video card, a good motherboard, a fast dual core, and 2GB of ram.

[LA22]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 The dual core processor would be a decent upgrade over the current processor you have if you want to stick with socket 939, otherwise it might be a good idea to invest in a socket AM2 upgrade, which should be around $300 for the same video card, a good motherboard, a fast dual core, and 2GB of ram.

Okay, thanks a lot. I will probably end up doing that then. I thought there would be more socket 939's out there, but I guess not

[LA22]

Acutally I just found http://www.buy.com/prod/amd-athlon-6...203947763.html


Would this be better then the one you sugested?


Thanks

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by LA22 Acutally I just found http://www.buy.com/prod/amd-athlon-6...203947763.html Would this be better then the one you sugested? Thanks

This processor would be faster than the Athlon X2 3600+ I suggested since it has twice as much cache as that processor, and an additional 200MHz frequency. I can't really comment on it since it doesn't have a price listed. If you go with AM2, you have a lot more options regarding the processor, and can find most dual core processors to be under $100, and you'll have the option to upgrade to a quad core processor later on if you want to. AM2 supports DDR2 only, but that is currently among the fastest ram, and is a lot cheaper than either DDR1 or DDR3.

[LA22]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 This processor would be faster than the Athlon X2 3600+ I suggested since it has twice as much cache as that processor, and an additional 200MHz frequency. I can't really comment on it since it doesn't have a price listed. If you go with AM2, you have a lot more options regarding the processor, and can find most dual core processors to be under $100, and you'll have the option to upgrade to a quad core processor later on if you want to. AM2 supports DDR2 only, but that is currently among the fastest ram, and is a lot cheaper than either DDR1 or DDR3.

Well since it looks like I may update my mobo aswell would it be better to go with intel?
I dont have a preference just which ever is going to last the longest. Is the LG775 going to become outdated before the AM2 or vice versa?

Thanks

[Katreat]

If you are trying to build in a tight budget AMD still has the advantage I think. If you are going for top performance then Intel is sitting on top of the hill. It really comes down to what your budget is. For under $500 you will likely get more bang for your buck from AMD.

Kat

[Masaki 7-11]

Originally Posted by LA22 Well since it looks like I may update my mobo aswell would it be better to go with intel? I dont have a preference just which ever is going to last the longest. Is the LG775 going to become outdated before the AM2 or vice versa? Thanks

LGA775 will be replaced sometime at the end of the year when the new Nehalem processors will be released, so the most you could get out of the LGA775 socket are the Penryn Quad-Cores which will be released around March. Socket AM3 will also appear around the time Nehalem comes out, but it's almost identical to AM2+ with the exception that it supports DDR3. AMD said they will have a DDR2 and DDR3 memory controllers on the processors, so it's possible to use the AM3 processors on AM2+ and AM2 motherboards.

[phigdon]

i will admit i dont know much about Intell, but for around $250 you can get an AM2 mobo and a X2 6400 dual core processor. a new mobo will also support fast and bigger RAM sticks. My system isn't a gaming or video editing powerhouse, but it does what i need it to and does it very well.

in regard to the video card, as another poster mentioned budget is the biggest factor. I settled on a ATI HD 2600XT, but my mobo supports a HD3870. if you have PCIe slot shop around for the best card in your budget, i picked up my 2600Xt $90 with rebates. the 2900 was another 50 or 60 bucks. make sure that your power supply will handle the card as well. I had to upgrade mine to at least a 400W to get it to work (ended up putting in a 500W) and many cards need a PCI 4 or 6 pin connector from the PSU.

the last thing is no matter how much money you drop into it or how powerful it is today, in 6 months it will be old technology.

I' partial to AMD myself and this is the mobo that I am thinking of for my next build.

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131224

[LA22]

I put a list of parts together:

Mobo: ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16813131022

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16819103194

Graphics: EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814130085

Ram: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16820145177

Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS (Perpendicular Recording Technology) 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16822148140

Power Supply: XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P3 550W ATX12V 550W Power Supply 100-240V / 200-240V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817189006

OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2B 1 Pack - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16832116056
(Is this the operating system I want? Do I want 64 bit version of XP? or Vista? Can I use my current copy of XP on a different build?)

And the rest is a case, Asus DVD burner, and Asus DVD-Rom drive.

Is there anything I can switch up? Maybe an SLI mobo that will last me longer in the long run, or maybe comparable parts for better prices?
Thanks

[Mavrick813]

If you don't plan to do SLI right this instant it's just not worth it. a Single Newer Graphics card always tend to outperform older slid cards.

I would have to agree with everything Malaki is telling you he's spot on 100% Your options on the board you have a fairly Minimal.

G/L

Mike

[LA22]

Originally Posted by Mavrick813 If you don't plan to do SLI right this instant it's just not worth it. a Single Newer Graphics card always tend to outperform older slid cards. I would have to agree with everything Malaki is telling you he's spot on 100% Your options on the board you have a fairly Minimal. G/L Mike

Okay, thanks for the info on SLI

Yeah, I didnt think it would be that far outdated by now, but when I looked on newegg and only saw a handful of compatible CPU's I figured I was in trouble

[Masaki 7-11]

If you can, I would get a motherboard with the new AMD chipsets: 770, 790X, 790FX since they are AM2+ compatible and if you ever plan on upgrading, these are the chipsets of choice. If you can go up to a HD3850, you'll see a huge improvement in graphics performance; if you use the HD3850 you should also see a small increase in improvement in graphics performance compared to a motherboard with a chipset that isn't one of the three (770, 790X, 790FX).

I would also take a look at a different power supply; Corsair power supplies are better quality, and cost about the same; a lot of new builds on pcmech use the Corsair power supplies, so they've been reviewed a lot more than XCLIO power supplies.

[Masaki 7-11]

Recommended changes:

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161211
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131234

[LA22]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 Recommended changes: PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004 Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161211 Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131234

Thanks for the suggestions. If I switch motherboards I would have to switch my ram correct? To DDR2 1066?

[Masaki 7-11]

If you switch motherboards, you won't need to change your ram, although you will see an improvement by going with DDR2 1066. The memory standard refers to the fastest memory you can use for the motherboard (although that doesn't quite make sense, since you have the memory controller built into the processor). Pretty much any DDR2 memory so long as it's not faster than the memory standard should work with your motherboard.