New PC, Input Needed

Post by **silent bob** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:35 pm

Hello, I’m going to get a new computer to replace my heap and have a few questions:

Is it worth me going down 64-bit lane? How much of a performance increase would it lead to in optimised programs?

Socket 754, I understand this doesn’t have duel channel memory support, and how much of a performance hit would this be? Worth going for the socket 939 version?

What's a good budget graphics card? I’m not making this one an uber gaming PC but would like it to be able to run Half Life 2 with out it looking like junk.

I'm sure I'll think of more....

Post by **Doombrain** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 3:53 pm

the 64bit shit we have here is shit hot quick in photoshop

Post by **RLucky82** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:34 pm

Motherboard: ASUS K8N4-E Deluxe - $96
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Retail - $198
Memory: 1-GB Corsair Value PC3200 - $97
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT 128-MB (PCIe) - $143

When it comes to the AMD processor choice, it really boils down to two options: mainstream performance using the Socket 754 platform or more entry-level speed with a Socket 939 platform. We choose to get the most bang for our buck, while sacrificing some potential upgradeability, since the 2.4 GHz Athlon 64 3400+ is such an incredible deal. It is a serious performer in this class, and offers performance exceeding that of the Athlon 64 3500+ and can even challenge the Athlon 64 3800+. The only issue is its Socket 754 format, but until Socket 939 processors and motherboards start dropping in price, we're sticking with the sub-$200 Athlon 64 3400+, a 512K Newcastle processor.

credit: SharkeyExtreme.com

Post by **Tormentius** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:40 pm

The 64 bit is definitely worth going with as they are faster than their 32 bit counterparts even when running 32 bit apps. As for motherboard type, the 939 boards are more upgradable and you might be able to get a couple of CPU upgrades in on one board.

Post by **RLucky82** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:53 pm

how often do you upgrade a cpu? by the time I get around to it the mobo is usually outdated :icon32:

Post by **Foo** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 4:57 pm

Bob, talk to me on ICQ mate.

Post by **silent bob** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:29 pm

RLucky82 wrote:how often do you upgrade a cpu? by the time I get around to it the mobo is usually outdated :icon32:

lol, I don't I buy a new PC and wait till it run nothing anymore :icon25:.

Post by **silent bob** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 5:55 pm

Ok, Foo's cleared everything up for me. Cheers man :-). Ok all that's left is PSU, Case, Case Fans and CPU Cooler. Does anybody have any first hand experience with Zalman coolers. I'm looking for whisper quiet here.

EDIT: forget the zalman, lemi rephrase it. Has anybody got a CPU cooler that is quiet they are pleased with? Also I've heard water-cooling systems where the pump is submerged are really quiet too?

Post by **Tormentius** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:53 pm

RLucky82 wrote:how often do you upgrade a cpu? by the time I get around to it the mobo is usually outdated :icon32:

I upgrade CPUs at least yearly, more often if I feel like it. The point is that going with a 939 doesn't cost much more and doesn't require a new board and possibly new RAM the next time a person wants to upgrade. I decided to cheap out and go 754 about 8 months ago and have been kicking myself since shortly thereafter.

Post by **RLucky82** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:43 am

Tormentius wrote:
RLucky82 wrote:how often do you upgrade a cpu? by the time I get around to it the mobo is usually outdated :icon32:
I upgrade CPUs at least yearly, more often if I feel like it. The point is that going with a 939 doesn't cost much more and doesn't require a new board and possibly new RAM the next time a person wants to upgrade. I decided to cheap out and go 754 about 8 months ago and have been kicking myself since shortly thereafter.

wow I wish I could afford to do that. I am still happy with my barton 2500 and a7n8x. and that leads to this question, what do you do with your old cpus?

Post by **silent bob** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:04 pm

RLucky82 wrote:
Tormentius wrote:
RLucky82 wrote:how often do you upgrade a cpu? by the time I get around to it the mobo is usually outdated :icon32:
I upgrade CPUs at least yearly, more often if I feel like it. The point is that going with a 939 doesn't cost much more and doesn't require a new board and possibly new RAM the next time a person wants to upgrade. I decided to cheap out and go 754 about 8 months ago and have been kicking myself since shortly thereafter.

wow I wish I could afford to do that. I am still happy with my barton 2500 and a7n8x. and that leads to this question, what do you do with your old cpus?

I’m guessing eBay.

Post by **Tormentius** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 8:17 pm

silent bob wrote:
I’m guessing eBay.

They get passed down the line either to my secondary station or to friends/family. I never buy the top end CPUs since they are generally a waste of money for the amount of performance increase and that makes it a waste of time trying to bother selling online for a small amount, when someone I know can usually make good use of them.

Post by **S@M** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 9:38 pm

What vid card did you end up with bob? I hope it was a 68 rather than a 66

Post by **silent bob** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:20 pm

S@M wrote:What vid card did you end up with bob? I hope it was a 68 rather than a 66

66GT, and a board that can do SLI so i can just pop another in when I want to upgrade.