Upgrade help

[ooztuncer]

OK, I could have come up with 4 options listed below - which one seems attractive to you?

I am looking for the best bang for the money thingy again.

And if I will pursue the c2d route, I want to try something different than dfi (perhaps??) with a 965 chipset board unless you have a SPECIFIC advice on a new budget board that might come in November time frame...

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/3691/upgrade1bb3.th.jpg (http://img519.imageshack.us/my.php?image=upgrade1bb3.jpg)

EDIT: i already have the X850XT, 2x80gb sata II & 1x160gb ide hdd's, and X-clio 450w in my hand, that's why prices are lower than expected.

[Major_A]

I'd go C2D, the only downside to that is having also buy DDR II. Also keep in mind that Gigabyte has already said that it will only take a BIOS flash to drop in a Kentsfield.

[p0tter]

Wait for the RD600 as I am.

[perkam]

Wait for the RD600 as I am.DFI Ultra M2 = $99 mobo...rd600 = $299 mobo...

Your best option:

AMD X2 3800+ $160
DFI Ultra M2 - $93
1GB DDR2 $120
X850 - $0
Enhance 500W 80+ Efficiency PSU - $67
Stock NB Cooler
Scythe Mine SCMN-1000 $35

Total: $475

Your call...intel conroe will run you $50 more.

Perkam

[JPeitzman]

You know for a couple bucks more you could get a ASUS M2N-E nForce 570 Ultra motherboard, I don't know if 570 Ultras are better than nF4 Ultras, besides being newer. That is the board I am looking at for my low cost step-up build while I wait for K8L and G80/R600. If you can justify the money I would get 2GB of DDR2 also, with either setup. 2GB will help with games, some apps, and after some personal testing, resource hungry Vista, if you go that route. Also I love Perkam's PSU recommendation, the Enhance is a great PSU, if you are willing to spend a little more on that end of things too there is always the OCZ GX 700watt, but it is almost a $90 step from the Enhance.

C2D, isn't that the new Intel chip, yeah they are good I guess...LOL. A E6300 will beat a 3800+ X2 in almost all benches, costs a little bit more, but is very OCable. Although most 3800+'s aren't to bad when it comes to OCing either. In real world use though the difference is there, but they are both fast, don't doubt that for a second, K8 has kept AMD on top for 3+ years, and it is still a very strong chip. I think either option (ie C2D or AM2) gives you fairly good upgrade options. With a C2D board you will most likely have Kentsfield as a option and maybe more (Yorksfield, Bloomfield, Ridgefield, Wolfdale???? I don't know for sure). As for AM2 you will have K8L, which looks to be pretty good. You have to note though that you won't have HT3.0 open to you unless you get a new motherboard by the time K8L is out. Other than that I have no idea about AMD future roadmap after K8L.

Figure too once you upgrade to DDR2 you can go between platforms. You will have a loss due to selling your old stuff, but if you go AM2 and decide later you want Intel, just sell your old board and chip and get a Intel board and chip, or the other way around. BTW you sold off some good hardware, I love my Ultra-D to death, and I plan on keeping it around as a Linux rig. That is some good G.Skill too. This would be my choice/advice to you:

ASUS M2N-E nForce 570 Ultra $94
AMD X2 3800+ $160
GeIL Ultra 1GB DDR2-800 (4-4-4-12) $130
Enhance ENP-5150GH 500watt PSU $67

Total: $451

This is useing the boxed CPU cooler, tack on another $35-$40 for a better air cooler, and you have got yourself a system.

Here are some options to consider:

GeIL Ultra 2GB DDR2-800 +$120 but worth it in my eyes atleast
OCZ GX 700watt PSU +$93 again up to you, I would for the future, but the Ehance can handle a lot mind you.
Perkam is about right in saying too that for C2D you should figure about another $50 or so dollars.
If you OC, and I assume because of looking at your previous setup, I would think about this too http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoli.html or http://www.petrastechshop.com/pecoba.html . I am by no means saying that you are a noob, but just in case water > air. Just something to consider in my opinion.
Also if you decide to get a 7900 series card, I would get a 7900GTO. It is about $260 and is just a 7900GTX with slower memory. It can be flashed or OCed to GTX specs though, for the cost it is a killer card.

[ooztuncer]

thank you all for the feedback.

i decided to go with cheapest Am2 route: ultra II, 2gb ocz 6400 platinum rev 2(already bought), x2 3800 for $440.



THEN,

couldn't resist anymore and heard a voice something like suck ur daddy Luke! there i was in the C2D world - bought a ds3, e6400, and 2gb ocz 6400 platinum rev 2 for $500...

i am gonna keep my ttbt, x-clio 450w psu, and x850xt vid card... And if only someone repairs my chilly1 unit in the east coast!

i am eager to play with the combo, my aim is around stable 3.2 ghz...



PS: do I need a special bracket for ttbt on a ds3?

[JPeitzman]

You will need a Socket T thingy for the TTBT (Thingy I think is the term, lol), unless it is universal, since it is coming off of a S939. I think you are going to like that system, and I think the OC potential, even on air will supprise you. For $500 that is a very solid and powerful system. BTW I would play around for a little bit, but when it came time to upgrade the X850XT I would upgrade the PSU as well. It is a good supply, but once you get into the 7900 series cards and the X1K's or the DX10's you will need something stronger. Besides with G80 out in a couple weeks that will drive prices down on the 7900 cards. Who knows, the next time you have another $500 to spend on it there might be 7950GX2's for $250-$300!

Don't forget to post the OC results for us!

[ooztuncer]

will do it of course :)

And I know I need to change my psu soon, but I think with my current vid card it should be sufficient. Thanks again for the comments...