Trying to keep up w/new technology.

[Turnmaster]

I want to save money while building a new pc and have finally settled on a AMD Athlon 64 3800+ Orleans 2.4GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor ADA3800CNBOX processor. Am now looking for a AM2 MB I can use existing hardware with and still be able to upgrade to latest hardware later. Most use will be Photo (GIMP and Photoshop),Video editing, graphics, CAD,office and internet with some low end gaming. Am willing to spend a little more on the motherboard if it simplifies later upgrades.

Hardware on hand.
Antec Sonota II w/450w SmartPower 2 case
300 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200 ATA hard drive Will add another matching drive later in a RAID0 configuration.
Memory: 1GB;2 Elixir- 512MB DDR-400mhz-CL3 (M2U51264DS8HC3G-5T) Matched set., will add another GB later.
Zoom 2920 56k modem,
Sony Floppy disc,,
Plextor PX 760A DVD Burner,
Connect3D: Radeon 7000 64MB GDDR VGA + TV +DVI-I (P/N 6005)

My two main concerns are:
(1) Are todays motherboard memory slots backwards compatible with the older memory I have?
(2) Is there a (preferably ASUS) AM2 motherboard capable of both VGA and PCI Express?

Considering the problems I had with a first edition of Windows XP I will install Windows XP SP2 OEM I have on hand and watch how Vista does for a while before upgrading.
Please advise if I posted to the wrong place.

Thanks in advance, Lee

 

[p3matty]

When AMD moved from the 939 socket to the AM2 socket, they moved from DDr memory (what you have) to DDR2 memory, which means I believe you will have to account for new memory in your budget as well. General rule of thumb right now is about $100 per gig (could be less for "value" and more for "extreme or gaming" memory). I'd say get a minimum of 1 gig, but look for 2 with photo editing and if you want to go to Vista.

The processor you mentioned (3800 is about $100 right now). If you can wait a few months, the INTEL E4300 will be around $113 in Q2. If you have to budget for new memory and a new MOBO anyway, and you want to somewhat "future proof" your purchase, I would steer you toward Intel. The next generation of AMD processors will use an AM2+ socket or whatever, meaning that the current boards will be outdated. As for Intel, many current boards are capable of the 1333 FSB, and even 1066 won't be "outdated" for a long time as long as the board can handle a quad core, which many current ones can. Look for a P965 board, and some NVidia 650i Ultra boards should be hitting the market within a few months (I hope), which could be nice option.

As for you other question about "PCI express and VGA" vid cards come with either a VGA port or a DVI port (or both). If it has a DVI port, many come with a DVI to VGA adapter. I hope that answers your question.

 

[Turnmaster]

If things are moving this fast waiting a short while makes sense. Thanks, Lee