Posted: 5/28/2010 8:19:20 PM EDT
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My old computer needs upgraded. Have always ran Intel CPUs. Wanting to try a AMD.
I have good supply of DDR2 memory and a real nice ATX form factor case setting on the shelf. Several SATA HDs here also. Have suitable sound card and video card. All I really need is MB and CPU. I don't do any gaming. Occasional simple Photoshop and video processing. Some DesignCAD and some RhinoCAD. Nothing needing latest and greatest system. Will be running XP or Vista. Maybe Linux. I do want to play around with software defined radios (SDR) receivers, but their minimum requirements are pretty low. PERSEUS SDR SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Intel P4/ AMD 1.5 GHz or higher (up to 500kHz sampling) Intel P4/ AMD 2.5 GHz or higher (up to 1000kHz sampling) 256 MB RAM min up to 500kHz sampling, 512 MB for 1mHz sampling. Standard PC 16 bit sound card http://www.ayrshirehistory.eu/tadx/perseus.html Thinking of going with this MB to utilize my DDR2 memory and ATX case: MSI 790XT-G45 AMD Motherboard (open to other options) Both of these AMD CPUs are around $100. AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Desktop AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Stability and long life are major considerations. Dual-Core 3.2GHz Phenom II or Quad-Core 2.8GHz Athlon II ? (open to other options) I welcome your suggestions and experiences. Thanks |
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Any particular reason you are wanting to go AMD or is this just a wild hair kinda thing? Every time I've tried to cross over I've been screwed by them, the last time being the whole "We'll keep the 939 for at least 2 years" and then leaving me out in the cold 2 months later  In my experience (and I'll be honest it's dated at this point) if you are concerned about stability AMD is NOT the way to go. |
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Quoted:
Any particular reason you are wanting to go AMD or is this just a wild hair kinda thing? Every time I've tried to cross over I've been screwed by them, the last time being the whole "We'll keep the 939 for at least 2 years" and then leaving me out in the cold 2 months later
In my experience (and I'll be honest it's dated at this point) if you are concerned about stability AMD is NOT the way to go. AMD has been using socket AM2 for some time now. Socket AM2+ was released with the Phenom processors to take advantage some of their improvements. You can still use a Phenom in AM2. Then socket AM3 came around with Phenom II. You can still use a Phenom II in AM2 or AM2+. AMD sockets are supported for much longer than Intel, who currently has THREE sockets for just desktop processors. |
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Try here for cpu/mobo combos. Processor prices not too bad either, http://www.compusa.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2417 http://www.compusa.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=4297 Also checkout microcenter.com |
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Quoted: Quoted: Any particular reason you are wanting to go AMD or is this just a wild hair kinda thing? Every time I've tried to cross over I've been screwed by them, the last time being the whole "We'll keep the 939 for at least 2 years" and then leaving me out in the cold 2 months later In my experience (and I'll be honest it's dated at this point) if you are concerned about stability AMD is NOT the way to go. AMD has been using socket AM2 for some time now. Socket AM2+ was released with the Phenom processors to take advantage some of their improvements. You can still use a Phenom in AM2. Then socket AM3 came around with Phenom II. You can still use a Phenom II in AM2 or AM2+. AMD sockets are supported for much longer than Intel, who currently has THREE sockets for just desktop processors. No I totally agree they've done better with it, I was just saying it was one of the many times I was bitten by AMD on pretty big things. We wont even get into the t-bird  |
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Quoted:
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Any particular reason you are wanting to go AMD or is this just a wild hair kinda thing? Every time I've tried to cross over I've been screwed by them, the last time being the whole "We'll keep the 939 for at least 2 years" and then leaving me out in the cold 2 months later
In my experience (and I'll be honest it's dated at this point) if you are concerned about stability AMD is NOT the way to go. AMD has been using socket AM2 for some time now. Socket AM2+ was released with the Phenom processors to take advantage some of their improvements. You can still use a Phenom in AM2. Then socket AM3 came around with Phenom II. You can still use a Phenom II in AM2 or AM2+. AMD sockets are supported for much longer than Intel, who currently has THREE sockets for just desktop processors. No I totally agree they've done better with it, I was just saying it was one of the many times I was bitten by AMD on pretty big things. We wont even get into the t-bird
My 1400 t bird socket A still works. 2100 socket A works and 3500 939 does also. Now i need a 125w 965 
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this is the mobo I recommend for now but I REALLY believe you should just get a new motherboard, CPU, and ram. Buy everything from www.newegg.com, no where else. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318 |
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Just upgraded my system - went with the following:
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition CPU Gigabyte GA-770T-USB3 Motherboard G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB DDR3 SAPPHIRE 100293L Radeon HD 5570 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express Video Card RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V Power Supply |
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Quoted:
this is the mobo I recommend for now but I REALLY believe you should just get a new motherboard, CPU, and ram. Buy everything from www.newegg.com, no where else. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318 I would add directron to that list. You can often times get parts cheaper w/ faster shipping through directron. I'd also like to add that i've done 4 builds through them with no problems what so ever and faster than expected shipping. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Back to the original topic. Stability and long life are major considerations. Dual-Core 3.2GHz Phenom II or Quad-Core 2.8GHz Athlon II ? Get a triple core and maybe you can get lucky and will be able to unlock that 4th core for free. I have the same Phenom II he's looking at (the 555be) and I was able to unlock the 3rd and 4th cores. It's not just the triples that have unlockable cores. Not a good idea to count on being able to unlock them, either. |