Yet Another AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+ thread

[DanceswithUnix]

Why not AM2? Way more futureproof, and althought the CPU is more expensive the ram is cheaper which gets some of the cost back.

[Matt_2000_17]

I've no desire to go conroe. Everytime I've gone Intel, i've always come back to AMD. Thats not to say the Conroe isn't any good, i've seen the preliminary benchmarks and I'm impressed.

But why shouldn't i go AM2? Is there something i've missed from the articles i've read?

[DanceswithUnix]

The main change on the currently available AM2 cpus is the memory interface. Socket 939 does not have a bottleneck on memory, so it basically makes no difference. If you already have a motherboard and memory that you are happy with, then AM2 is a waste of money right now.

Of you are buying a new motherboard & memory anyway, they I can't see any real reason for sticking with S939 when AM2 is only a little more expensive.

Next year, AM2 will be leaving S939 standing. Then socket AM3 (or whatever they call DDR3 support) comes out and the same arguments will happen again

edit: BTW, I have a 4200 S939 at work (where overclocking would not be acceptable) and am delighted with it.

[Matt_2000_17]

I've decided to wait until the start of next year for AM2. That way I can see how AM2 goes first before making the plunge and keep an eye on how Conroe goes aswell because you never know what might happen in the next 6 months.

I've decided to either get a X2 4200+ or a X2 3800+ with memory upgrade.

[Noni]

You will see a much bigger improvement with the 3800X2 and the extra ram.

4200 on its own is just not IMO worth it.

Thanks.

[Matt_2000_17]

You will see a much bigger improvement with the 3800X2 and the extra ram.

4200 on its own is just not IMO worth it.

Thanks.

I'm starting to agree with you, Noni. The money i'll save will allow me to afford the extra ram.

Roll on Dual core and 2Gb ram!!!

[Matt_2000_17]

Just wandering if this GFX card would outperform my current 2 6600GTs? It should do but just wanna make sure, thats all.

Thanks

[Noni]

Yes it will, as being quieter, cooler and more efficent.

Also uses less power

Thanks.

[Matt_2000_17]

Cheers Noni, you've been a great help.

I'll look into getting a couple of those gfx cards next month
_________________________________________

Thanks to all of you who replied to my queries.

[kasavien]

You would be better off with one very good gfx card rather than two mid range cards

[funnelhead]

Npw thats a nice price cut very nice looking 3800 x2 price... i wonder how that will translate into ££££ .. at exchange rates it comes to £92.... so maybe £120 ?? thats worth a punt at dual core methinks

[Matt_2000_17]

ok, now i'm getting lost on what to do. Should I get a new AMD X2 and extra DDR now? or should I get a new GFX card and extra DDR now and wait for the CPU prices to drop?

[DanceswithUnix]

If you are playing games, then the graphics card is the most critical part of your system, and you could happily just upgrade that.

Check out Anandtech for some CPU scaling graphs, a 3000 is not that bad.

[dangel]

If you are playing games, then the graphics card is the most critical part of your system, and you could happily just upgrade that.

That's really very true - quite a few games I play still don't tank my cpu..

[Matt_2000_17]

Had a look at the my current CPU on Anandtech and on Tom's and it isn't too shabby.

I have changed my mind so many times this week over this it's unbelievable . Right, this is my final decision on this matter. Seeing I built my PC for games specifically, I'll get a new GFX card and an extra 1GB of memory. The question now is what GFX card to go for, any ideas? I'll hopefully have about £200 to spend on one.

[shaithis]

ATI X1800XL (if you like lots of AA) or a 7900GT.