Motherboard upgrade :-)

[ShyBoy]

I'm looking to upgrade my computer a bit as it's getting on now. For the time being, it's just going to be new motherboard, new processor and new graphics card, as everything else is salvageable. Not sure how much it's going to cost me, not too much hopefully. My plan thus far was:

Get a socket 939 motherboard
Athlon 64 bit processor
x1800 or so. (with the possibility of using this as a master card for a crossfire upgrade in later life?)

However, I'll probably have to get a new PSU as well, as currently I have a 380w truepower antec one. I realised I'm a bit out of date though, so don't really know anything about the latest and greatest stuff. Obviously don't want to psneding tonnes of cash but want to get a significant performance boost, compared to the current Socket A, AthlonXP 2500+ Barton, Radeon 9800 set up I've got.

I don't know what socket does what. But I think I'm right in thinking socket 939 is the best one... :confused: really worried because my current motherboard means I can't upgrade due to stupid PCI-E

[Nash]

939 is the 'latest' and quickest so to speak, well in most cases at least..

You will have to get a new PSU if you are using PCI-E because you need the extra power cable running from the PSU to the graphics card.. You need a quality unit as this system draws more power than your previous one. 450W+ and make sure it is quality! Running stable pwer on both the 5v and 12v rails, that is the most important thing. I have a Hiper Type-R 500W which suits all my needs including overclocking.

You may also want (need) to get some new RAM. Especially if it's low speed cheap quality RAM and you intend to play games.

I see you mention crossfire, don't choose crossfire as I know there have been many problems and it's stilll behind SL.i

[ShyBoy]

So far have picked out the following products:

motherboard
Sapphire Pure RD580 Crossfire Advantage (skt 939) PCI Express motherboard

RD580 is the new chipset that came out this month I think, so :thumb: - good review here (http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2767)

only comes with
- 2 x PCI-Express 16x Slot
- 2 x PCI-E Slots
- 1 x PCI Slots

though. I know PCI-Express is for graphics, what's PCI-E? In the pic I can only see 4 slots though. Anyway. still only £80

graphics card
Sapphire x800GTO 256mb

I went for the cheap option here, as hopefully I will be able to upgrade at a later date for crossfire. <£100

processor
Again, cheap and cheerful 64bit Venice 3200+ Athlon only £80! But it looks to be good for basic performance in the meantime.

So total cost about £260. Thoughts?

[Nash]

These are the new AM2 boards which use DDR2 memory, so you need the latest CPU which uses this memory and also RAM that is compatible.

CPU's, 8 quid more for a 3500 here

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/Socket_AM2_Athlon64.html

PCI-E are the power connections for PCI-Express cards, as they use more power and so use connections running from the PSU itself, that's one reason not to cheap out on a PSU here.

if it was me i'd still skip the crossfire and get an SLI AM2 board instead.

[ShyBoy]

I'm not really fixed, just used to using ATI cards, call it loyalty or what have you. Really I'd like to get a mid-range card with performance a little better than my radeon 9800, but be able to upgrade it at a later date with another card.

So going with an AM2 motherboard, nForce chipset, AM2 processor, 1gb DDR2 ram (2x512 in raid?) and an nvidia 7600 or so, how much am I looking at? *gulp*

[ShyBoy]

Ouch, pricey...

[Nash]

Yep always is pricey unfortunetly, built mine for over 500 at christmas and should be good for another year or 2... but i'm not all that fussed at getting the latest gear every year, i'd rather overclock and squeeze performance out of my systems!

RAM isn't in RAID I think you're getting confused about running tgwo HD's in RAID config. On most boards you'd put each 512 in slot 1 and 3, but I have no idea about those AM2 boards...

[Nash]

You're missing a PSU in there as well....

[Mist]

Be aware that socket 939 processors are due for end of life this year, so for future-proofing (if there is such a thing in computing) you may want to look at the newer Am2 stuff just for that reason.

http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=101&l3=0&model=1160&modelmenu=1

mmm, tasty.

[ShyBoy]

Yep always is pricey unfortunetly, built mine for over 500 at christmas and should be good for another year or 2... but i'm not all that fussed at getting the latest gear every year, i'd rather overclock and squeeze performance out of my systems!

RAM isn't in RAID I think you're getting confused about running tgwo HD's in RAID config. On most boards you'd put each 512 in slot 1 and 3, but I have no idea about those AM2 boards...

Oh yea, got confussled. But when you have two ram sticks that work together. Mine are just botched, somehow. :confused: and the PSU as well!!! :(

When I sell my motorbike for £800 I should have a bit left over though. Will prices be down a bit by august? :chin:

[Nash]

Maybe slightly, don't expect anything major though... I remember awhile back when i thought i'd just change a few things... ended up spending alot more than I thought I would, but that's technology these days!

[Mist]

Will prices be down a bit by august? :chin:

For the same piece of technology, yes. But by August that piece of tech will be out of date.

[Teh_Gerbil]

939 is being phased out already? :o

Bastards!