Upgrade tips

[rickyPRB]

Hello,
I'm interested in upgrading my pc but I'm kinda low on cash. So Iwas thinking that I would keep my processor which is a AMD Athlon x2 4600 and buy 2 more gigs of DDR2 while upgrading to a new boarded that supports dual video cards with crossfire capabilities and install 2 Diamond ATI Radeon so that I would be able to do stream computing any input on my plans are welcomed thank you in advance

 

[MadAdmiral]

I don't get exactly what you're asking, but some general ideas on upgrading...

First, the 939 socket is a good four years old. You cannot find new boards for it.

Second, considering the socket was retired a year after Crossfire was introduced, you will not be getting good performance out of any CF enabled boards you may find.

Third, if the 939 socket wasn't dead enough, DDR2 is just about extinct as well. Anytime anyone says they're thinking of a major upgrade with DDR2, it should be noted that after the cost of everything they're doing, they could have a build base don current tech.

Here's what I recommend. Grab a X3 440 and Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 for $197 after rebates from Newegg (or X3 440/Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H for $212 to get the latest chipset). Then pick up a 2x2 GB DDR3 1600 CAS Latency 7 kit for about $115. If you've got a GPU that can still be used with the new board, use it for a while to save some money for the HD 5850 or higher. If not, grab an HD 4850 or HD 5770.

 

[rickyPRB]

Thanks for your reply. so I should ditch the processor along with the RAM and build a new system

 

[MadAdmiral]

Yes, or at least you should start saving up for a new build. It's likely anything you find for such an old build would be very expensive anyway.

 

[rickyPRB]

makes sense maybe I'll just keep her running as a home web server for my websites and build a new one but I'm still kinda wondering if I should go with a quad core or just get another dual core and just use the processing power of the GPU for the real heavy lifting because I do a good amount with photoshop and I also work in AutoCAD what do you think?

 

[MadAdmiral]

I'd get a quad. Or at least a triple core.

If you're using a lot of AutoCAD, you should also look into if nVidia's cards would be better at it. I know a lot of CAD software run better with nVidia than with ATI.

 

[rickyPRB]

Ok thanks for your advice your insight is really appreciated I'm going to get my cash together and build a new one. one question about my plans to use the other one as a server where I live I have a 8 meg internet connections do you think that would be good for a small video site?

 

[MadAdmiral]

I have no idea.

 

[rickyPRB]

Ok thanks again for your input