Upgrade my AMD or migrate to C2D?

Hi,

Appologies before I start for the very basic and no doubt much debated topic...

I have an AMD 64 3800+ PC right now, spec as follows...

Asus P5N (not the SLI model... I think)
2GB RAM (Kingston value 4 x 512MB. PC533 MHz, PC2-4200)
2 x 250GB SATA disks
2 x IDE DVD ROM/RW
Akasa PaxPower 460W PSU
PCI-E ATi X1950 Pro

Basically it's slowing me down :)

I am really on a budget, I dont want to get carried away like I have done in the past, Im simply looking to refresh the performance for gaming (Testdrive unlimited at the moment!)

My options are obviously an AMD 64 x2 CPU (5600+ or above) and keep my existing mobo/RAM etc.

OR, is it more sensible to go down the route of the Core 2 Duo (E6400 overclocked)

Im swaying towards the Intel route because its probably more beneficial perfomance wise, but it will obviously cost me more...

1. What MOBO is a good start, without costing a fortune? Ive heard so many mixed opinions, anyone that can advise from genuine experience (with E6400) much appreciated.

2. Will my current RAM be any use? Will it run in an OC'ed C2D setup?

3. Am I missing another more obvious route?

Thanks for any advice, much appreciated.

Alan

The AM2 X2s are more than fast enough for the current generation of games. If you were buying new I'd recommend Core 2 Duo, but seeing as you have everything else I would definitely go AM2 - it won't hold you back at all for some years.

The RAM will let you down when overclocking but its fine if you aren't.

Cheapest way to do it is with the e4300 or new e4400 which overlock in excess of 3GHz and e4300 is only around £75.

Best boards imo are probably a basic asus P5B or an abit AB9 (both about £80)..if you want to save a little extra the gigabyte ds3 will probably suffice.

Theres some great overclocking ram about at the minute..Crucial Balistix is around £100 for 2gb of PC6400 (good for big overclocks)

..I'd probably just get a 5600 or 6000+ for now though.

Totally agree with kalniel, X2's are cheap enough and will do for whatever you want to do for the moment.

I'd second that - go dual core and spend as little as possible. Yes, C2D is faster but it'd cost you a lot more money switching to it right now.

plus getting an am2 system means you can drop a am3 cpu in when it comes out.

Get an X2 3600 and OC it ? They reach 3GHz quite easily apparently (the Brisbane core that is)

It's £40 delivered on ebuyer when you use google checkout, you could get 2 x 1GB RAM at a higher speed if you wanted aswell, it's getting pretty cheap now.

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Originally Posted by moogle

plus getting an am2 system means you can drop a am3 cpu in when it comes out.

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Just like you can buy a conroe system and pop a Penryn in when they launch.

Both companies say they SHOULD be backwards-compatible but until they are out and tested, we will not know.

I fail to understand why so many are touting the AMD line without mentioning the Intel line.......Fanboyism should probably be avoided when giving advice :rolleyes:

It's more to do with the OP already having an AM2 board, which means 1 cheap CPU instead of a new motherboard and CPU which are generally more expensive in compairson. I'm building a new rig so it makes sense for me to buy an Intel platform, but going from AM2 A64 to AM2 X2 just makes more sense.

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Originally Posted by shaithis

I fail to understand why so many are touting the AMD line without mentioning the Intel line.......Fanboyism should probably be avoided when giving advice :rolleyes:

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its not fanboyism, every new cpu type intel released with socket 775 needed a new mobo or chipset, plus the new cpus seem to require a mod to work on an article when they were revealed and tested by anandtech so. also the amd route is cheaper...

It's not fanboyism... I own a bloody C2D for gawds sake !

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shaithis

I fail to understand why so many are touting the AMD line without mentioning the Intel line.......Fanboyism should probably be avoided when giving advice :rolleyes:

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Excuse me, but I don't see any fanboyism here. It's absurd to say that because people are suggesting he just upgrade one component rather than change an almost entire system they are being fanboys. Save the accusations for something deserving them.

I think the disctinction is when the AM3 socket for AMD comes out, the new processors will still work in AM2 motherboards (although their erformance will be limited as you wont have DDR3 memory etc.).

Yes, new intel processors designed for the LGA775 platform will work on an LGA775 motherboard. But the next generation of sockets (whatever they are) so far haven't been said that they will be able to be used in an 775 mobo.

I would do the small upgrade to a dual core AM2, much cheaper than changing over to intel, as you will probably need cpu, mobo and new ram! Save that for when things really slow down and you can't upgrade decently.

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Originally Posted by Dreaming

I think the disctinction is when the AM3 socket for AMD comes out, the new processors will still work in AM2 motherboards (although their erformance will be limited as you wont have DDR3 memory etc.).

Yes, new intel processors designed for the LGA775 platform will work on an LGA775 motherboard. But the next generation of sockets (whatever they are) so far haven't been said that they will be able to be used in an 775 mobo.

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but as of now ddr2 doesnt give very significant performance increase over ddr on an AM2 socket, ddr3 wont be much different either. and for most users ddr2 will be alright for them. only those who want a full upgrade can get ddr3, although the price of it is quite high if it were to be sold now. lets hope it follows the trend of ddr2 and keeps dropping in price :D