I keep changing my mind... help w/s939 system

dannyaa · Apr 27, 2005

Hi, I've had a few posts about updating my older 1.2-athlon system. I had been considering going s754, but then I realized WHY, when a socket 939 is the same price? Am I missing something?

Can someone please tell me the important differences i need to know between socket 754 and 939, and also what a 939 board supports and what I should be able to upgrade to with a socket 939 board (say in a new if I want to get a 4000+ processor to replace the 3000+... or even an FX55? Or What about a dual-core one, will it work in s939?)

So here is what I am looking at now:

Athlon64 3000+ Retail - $146

--- MOTHERBOARD --- ? what should I get for around $80-$100 that is socket 939 + PCI-E (must be pci-e) ?
* I know of the ASUS A8N-E NFORCE 4 ULTRA SOCKET 939 MB RETAIL - but this is $125... is this worth it? Is there a better alternative? Should I just suck it up and drop the extra $25 for this motherboard? It seems nice. Oh and I don't need or want some over the top SLI OC'ers board. I am on a budget.

XFX GeForce 6600GT 128mb PCI-E - $140 (I found someone who needed AGP and accidently ordered the PCI-E version, and he sold it - unopened - to me for $140)

1GB Kingston HyperX CL2 DDR400 pc3200 RAM - $110 (got an awesome deal on this at Fry's, after mail-in-rebate)

Other internal components I have include an older 4X DVD-RW, 160GB Seagate EIDE HD (so I want both SATA and 1-2 EIDE ports), and a Mid-Tower case w/an Antec TruePower 330W PSU.

* Any advice on what to do, can I GET BY w/o hurting my system while using that Antec 330W PSU (I know its not ideal). How's my upgradability look? *

I just need some input, advice, assurance, and a good mobo recommendation before ordering this stuff.

Thanks all.

Dan

P4c 3.2Ghz @ 800MHz Northwood / ABIT AI7 / 1GB Corsair XMS-Pro CL2 Pc3200 / 160GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm 8mb cache / BFG-Tech Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256mb / Antec Sonata case w/Antec TruePower 380W PSUEdited by Dannyaa on 04/27/05 02:56 AM.

endyen · Apr 27, 2005

This should make wusy happy, how about the
<A HREF="http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123243" target="_new">http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813123243</A>

Schmide · Apr 27, 2005

I think your plans look good

If you ever switch back to 754 here a couple of things to consider
<A HREF="http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=698446&Sku=CP2-A64-3400 C" target="_new">$129 754 3400</A> I know it invloves a Tiger Direct reabate but its 2.4ghz
and <A HREF="http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130493" target="_new">$78 Nforce 4 Pci-e and agp</A>

So you'll have to blow an extra $80 down the road to upgrade the motherboard. But youre running at 2.4ghz for cheaper.

Dichromatic for your viewing plesure...

caseman · Apr 27, 2005

Def go with a 939. The 754 is at the end of it's life and won't support any of the new Cores. If you go with a 939 MB you can upgrade to a dual core some time in the future if you so wish, or a faster single core. As far as I know there won't be anymore releases for the 754 socket.

Otherwise as schmide said, you'll need to buy a whole new mb, at the least.

pat · Apr 27, 2005

As far as I know there won't be anymore releases for the 754 socket.

In that case, you dont know too much, as the 754 line will be named Sempron, and will continue to have support for budget CPU... Not needing the 64 bits extension, I wouldnt be affraid about getting a 754 Sempron.. for the price, they give even socket 939 a good challenge ..

Sig space for rent. make your offer.

dannyaa · Apr 27, 2005

Thanks for the help so far. Please don't put this topic to rest just yet, as I had a handful of more questions in my original post that I would really appreciate a thorough answer to. As well as some more opinions, mobo suggestions/help, etc.

Also let me add this in. Socket 939 looks to have a long life ahead, is that right? In 2 years I should be able to put in a fast dual core processor without swapping anything else, including the need for DDR2 RAM? For long life, I don't think I'll need SLI as I'd just replace w/1 high end card, unless you think it will be important. Also, any mobos with the SATA II interface I just read on the Tom's home page news?

Anyway still questions in the 1st post don't miss those... Please

Thorough answers most appreciated! Thank you all,

Dan

P4c 3.2Ghz @ 800MHz Northwood / ABIT AI7 / 1GB Corsair XMS-Pro CL2 Pc3200 / 160GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm 8mb cache / BFG-Tech Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256mb / Antec Sonata case w/Antec TruePower 380W PSU

caseman · Apr 28, 2005

True, I didn't think of the Sempron. With no 64 Exts and no DC support, why do 754 now though?

Great attitude by the way.

endyen · Apr 28, 2005

I thought the turions were also going to be using s754.
They offer great performance, 64 bit, and run even cooler than standard A64s.

caseman · Apr 28, 2005

But doesn't Turion compete directly with the Pentuim-M.. which from what I've seen is a better solution (and Intel's only worthwhile solution at the moment).

adopted to the desktop, which would fare better?

dunklegend · Apr 30, 2005

I'm looking at S939 mobos myself and that one is on my list.
What makes it better than the others?

dannyaa · Apr 30, 2005

if you're overclocking, that is...

P4c 3.2Ghz @ 800MHz Northwood / ABIT AI7 / 1GB Corsair XMS-Pro CL2 Pc3200 / 160GB Seagate SATA 7200rpm 8mb cache / BFG-Tech Nvidia GeForce 6800GT 256mb / Antec Sonata case w/Antec TruePower 380W PSU

endyen · Apr 30, 2005

You know if a board can take the abuse an OCer dishes out, it's a solid, stable board.

dunklegend · May 4, 2005

What's the cheapest memory from newegg that you would put in this mobo?
I won't be overclocking.

dunklegend · May 4, 2005

I will buy 1GB (2X512)of RAM which one is the blue pack?
Is that RAM OK for the EPOX mobo?
I have an ASUS K8V SE Deluxe right now and it's very picky with the RAM. Basically you need to put one of the recommended RAM models if you don't wanna have problems!

Thanks in advance for your input

Rugger · May 4, 2005

The blue refers to the heat spreaders - Mushkin was using them on their "enhanced performance" series. Some of the PC2700 like <A HREF="http://" target="_new">these</A> had them on them. Go with the ones that Wusy linked - they're a good deal and will work fine on the Epox board. You shouldn't expect them to OC like a bandit, but that's not what you're buying when you get 1GB for <$100.

__________________________________________________
You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!

dunklegend · May 4, 2005

The pack that wusy linked to seems great for the price but it has some bad reviews, do you still think that RAM is OK? I trust the opinions here in THGC better than the reviews that's why I'm asking

Rugger · May 4, 2005

If you're not going to be overclocking, then this memory will work just great for you. I've got a pair in my system - never had the first issue with instability or incompatiblity.

__________________________________________________
You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!

dunklegend · May 4, 2005

Thanks for your input!

dunklegend · May 5, 2005

Just curious, what are your system specs?

I keep changing my mind... help w/s939 system

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