Upgrading 2 items >> Processor, Ram, Video Card, or ??

[lokodezine]

I have a computer that is a bout a year old and I am going to just do some upgrading as I have some extra money, I have approx. 500 dollars to spend on upgrading...

Currently my parts are:
Motherboard MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD
Processor is a AMD Athlon 64 2.0 GHz
Graphics Card is Nvida Ge Force 7800 GT
RAM 1 GB DDR (400) PC-3200 OCZ CL2 Platinum (OCZ4001024ELDCPE-K) 1 GB
Hardrive 160 GB

My question is what would be the most beneficial things to upgrade with my budget?

I was thinking the processor and ram but then I also see everything changing from the 939 sockets to the AM2 sockets for Dual Core. But then if I upgrade my MOBO wouldn't I have to upgrade my RAM as well to a DDR2 RAM???

My memory is OCZ and I price it on newegg.com for 120 for the same model for another Gig... so that would leave me about 380 dollars to spen on other items so any help would be great...

Thanks

[Alaron]

I agree with your choice, I'd go for another gig of ram first. The CPU upgrade might not be as noticable, but if your motherboard can handle a dual core chip, I'd pick one up.

[lokodezine]

My mobo is MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard and from newegg it does support Dual channel but its limited to Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 processors and AMD Dual Core for those processors are limited and the ones that are dual core are a heay pennt but I re edited my post for the type of mobo I have and maybe some more healp could then come

[lokodezine]

AMD Opteron 170 Denmark 2.0GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model OSA170CDBOX -

I found that dual core processor for my mobo for a decent price on New egg.com too so I guess Im stuck in a rut...

Would it be more beneficial to just upgrade to a Dual core proccessor and upgrade to 2 Gigs of RAM...

Or would it be more beneficial to upgrade my mobo to a AM2 socket and then maybe my processor and get a decent DDR2 Gig of Ram?

What would be the most beneficial?

Keep in mind also that I do limited gaming... FEAR and COD 1 and just basically web and phot design...

Thanks again

[flanzig1]

Depending if your machine is choking on games, then ram and video card or choking on Photo editing, then ram and CPU.

[lokodezine]

ok but if I upgrade the CPU should I upgrade my mobo to a AM2 socket or is upgrading the processor to Dual Core and a faster speed in a 939 socket just as good?

[newbuilder14]

Check on the MSI website. Most 939 motherboards can take dual core processors.

For example, the Asus A8N5X doesn't say it can take dual core processors but it can.

[lokodezine]

right ... I understand that, but would it be wise to upgrade my mobo since everything is turning to AM2 and 939 is becomine obselete or would it be wise to just go with a dual core 939 socket processor?

Is there any performance difference between 939 and AM2 besides 939 becoming obselete?

Here is my current proccessor specs
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Venice 2.2GHz Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3500BPBOX

I was looking at this proccessor here:
AMD Opteron 175 Denmark 2.2GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model OSA175CDBOX

for 250 I can get that proccessor but the speed is the same as my current processor, so will I be any better off? I mean will a dual core just be pure faster because it dual core or should I upgrade in speed too?

[Alaron]

I had a similar situation as you not too long ago. My previous setup was a socket 939 Athlon 3200+ at 2Ghzwith 1GB of RAM. When AMD had their big price cuts, I added another gig of ram and a 4400+ dual core at 2.2Ghz.

I decided against a motherboard upgrade, even though 939 is aging, simply as a budget choice. I didn't want to spend that much. I wouldn't worry about AM2, it is not yet very stable, and AMD already has AM3 in the works. I'd stick with your setup and make the upgrades you listed. It will keep your system "current" and you'll be fine for awhile. Worry about a full upgrade later on.

[lokodezine]

ok thank you alot. SO a dual core will make a btter difference and performace even if the same speed as a single core processor?

[lokodezine]

Also what processor would you recommend going with? Any recommendations? Looking for a nice one under 350 price tag... Thanks

[Alaron]

SO a dual core will make a btter difference and performace even if the same speed as a single core processor?

Yup. The multi-cores are more useful then amping up the Ghz. You'll notice that both AMD and Intel chips are now in the 2.x Ghz range instead of 4. The extra core(s) are making more a difference.

I am a big multi-tasker, so I have noticed that the dual core keeps my machine moving along nicely, where the old chip would get a bit bogged down. I don't game enough to give you an accurate comparison between the two, but I am confident that the move to dual core was the right one, especially compared to spending big bucks on a 2.6 or 2.8 single core.

My only recommendation would be to get a dual core CPU with 2x1MB cache, instead of 2x512Kb. And that Opteron you picked is one.

[lokodezine]

So definetely the way to go to have the best running and fastest pc is to upgrade my RAM and Processor rather than anything else?

Will my system become obsolete in like 2 years for not upgrading from a 939 socket? (Like will I be very limited on any type of upgrades from there out?)

[lokodezine]

Does anyone know if my mobo MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD supports Dual Core Processing... I looked up on MSI website and did not find it say that it doesnt but wanted to make sure

[lokodezine]

bump anyone

[Alaron]

According to MSI, the K8N-Neo4-F does support dual core chips. You might have to update your BIOS though. http://www.msi.com.tw/program/produc...MS-7125&kind=1