Socket 754 or 939 solution?

[Blackspeech]

Need some opinions here, hope you can help.

Currently running a homebuild (18 months old) AMD 64 3000+ on an MSI 6702 (K8TNeo vs1) with 1024 Crucial RAM. I have a Gainward 5700 Ultra GS also. I don't want to build a new PC as I don't feel I need one so it's an upgrade with maybe a sale of the existing MSI board, graphics card and CPU.

I want to trade up on the GPU to a XFX 7800GT so need a PCI-E board, but am wondering should I also switch to a socket 939 and get a new processor?

Apart from performance are there are any other reasons why I should seriously consider trading up?

For instance is skt 754 on way out in terms of dual core technology and new graphics cards? Any suggestions on good products welcome - new CPU would be something like a 64 X2 4200+ (SCAN LN10971)

Last big question - I run superflower 420w PSU and maybe should move up for the new g.card? whadya think?

Small question - what can I do with the old kit if I don't sell it??

THANKS in advance.

[vaio]

Hi

S754 is history...........going 939 would be a good move.
For an X2 and a decent gpu etc I would add the best power supply that the budget allows.

Spare parts that you can't get rid of?
You could always knock together a barebones system and get it running UD or whatever.

[BUFF]

Hi

S754 is history...........going 939 would be a good move.
For an X2 and a decent gpu etc I would add the best power supply that the budget allows.

So will 939 be in 6 months ...
You can get socket 754 PCI-E boards but you can't get socket 754 X2 CPUs.

[Madafwo]

I don't think there is any need to upgrade the CPU and memory as both are both still acceptable, the cheapest S754 motherboards that accept PCI-E are about £45 - £50.

I don't think there is ever going to be a S754 Dual Core, I could be wrong but its the budget option, and dual core isn't for those on a budget. S939 is the better route for the future, but as anything in the PC world, the future isn't that way for long.

You could go for an SLI board as well if you wanted to go for some what future proofing, that way you could add a second 7800GT, and the cheapest of those is around £65. It's all about cost, and what you can really afford.

As for a single 7800GT, I think nVidia say a 400W PSU is a minimum, but I could easily be wrong. Also I think they say it needs a minimum according to this of 26A on the 12V line if your power supply has that then you should be fine.

And your old kit, you can donate to me

[ajones]

... or you could wait until M2 platform comes in ... (not sure about mobo roadmaps, but believe that CPUs are 2Q06)

It would most likely reduce the price of 939 if nothing else!

You'd have to replace your memory anyway with with M2 (DDR2), and probably your PSU as the M2 CPUs want more AMPs.

Hopefully ATI will have caught up with nVidia by then, so we'll be seeing more interesting gfx cards... like the launch of the 7800GS....

[[DW]Cougho]

keep your S754 processor and slap it in a new PCI-E motherboard. Then garnish with graphics card of your choice.

As mentioned S939 will be gone soon anyway with M2 coming, and the myth that S939 is faster (comparing 3200(s754) to 3200(s939) and 3400(s754) to 3500(s939)) is well, just that, a myth. In fact in both cases i listed the S754 versions are quicker due to their extra 200mhz

[Blackspeech]

Ok,

So keeping the 754 CPU and changing over the graphics card as described would save me money and from a graphics perspective I would still be quids in. Nice.

The options on the mobo are limited (from what I found) that was one rteason for considering 939 as well as x2 CPUs are reporting better results than faster rated AMD 64's. On S754 front so far considering:

Gigabyte GA-K8NE NFORCE 4, PCI-E (Non SLI) SCAN: LN10665 Not sure if this is compatible with RAM as couldn't find exact mobo match on CRUCIAL site. RAM is Crucial CT6464Z40B 512

Or

EPoX EP8NPAJ NForce 4 PCI-E (Non SLI) Komplett: 308521 - RAM is compatible.

Any opinions or alternatives?

Don't know if I would ever use SLI - think it is a 'nice to have' for me.

Thanks guys. Blackspeech Beer in post!

[BUFF]

Abit NV8.

Asus K8N4-E

[Alfie786]

Check out teh ASROCK new mboard for only £45 most places Rated highly Very good upgrade for cheapness.

[Blackspeech]

Graphics Card: XFX 7800 GT 256Mb (Scan LN11466 £257.27 + £7.00 Shipping) - Seems to be the best in the 7800GT area (Games bundled as well).

Mobo: Asus K8N4-E Deluxe (Ebuyer 96339 £57.99 + £5.24 Shipping)

May upgrade RAM to 2Gb through Crucial.

Have looked at Ebuyer, Scan, Komplett, Microdirect - any others I should checkout as ideally this should all be in one delivery?

Scan don't have the mobo listed and ebuyer have no stock of the XFX 7800GT.


Gotta get this one past the wife as well

[user1453]

asrock have a motherbard which is s754 with the addition of a daughter card could possibly be made s939 or m2 if they make the daughter card. This mobo is pcie and would definatly give him the s939 upgrrade path as a possibility

http://www.asrock.com/product/produc...grade-PCIE.htm

[Blackspeech]

asrock have a motherbard which is s754 with the addition of a daughter card could possibly be made s939 or m2 if they make the daughter card. This mobo is pcie and would definatly give him the s939 upgrrade path as a possibility

http://www.asrock.com/product/produc...grade-PCIE.htm

Thanks for the advice and link - the issue on this board is that it only has two DIMM slots and so to get to two Gb I would have to buy 2 x 1Gb sticks.

[user1453]

personally, I would build a barebones pc with your old components and sell it on ebay, then get an s939 mobo with a pcie slot, there are alot of nf4 boards available for £60 ish