I have a computer that is about three years old now. I use an AMD Athlon FX-55 processor. I am think of upgrading. I play some games, but nothing extreme. Is it worth building around my processor?

Abit KN8 SLI motherboard
2 gigs DDR Ram (not ddr2 board)
Nvida 7900 GS video

My powersupply does not support sata

I am on a little bit of a budget, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Your motherboard supports the 939 CPU socket type, which has basically been phased out, and replaced by the AM2 socket type for AMD processors. The Athlon X2 processors are the highest compatible with your motherboard. Because your current CPU is 939, it won't work with the more modern motherboards which are now AM2.

So in reality, you're due for a processor & motherboard upgrade if you plan to get anything better. This will also mean you'll likely be forced to switch to DDR2. So you're looking at new CPU, Mobo, Memory at the least.

With today's processors, pretty much everything is Dual Core (with more and more Quad core units on the market). Whether to go with another AMD or go Intel is a whole other topic. There's lots of threads arguing back and forth. All depends on your budget. Find the best bang for your buck within your budget. Just make sure you're getting enough of an upgrade to make the money worth spending.

DDR2 ram is -dirt cheep- these days...name brand 2 GB DDR-800 sets sale daily for $29

A 3Ghz dual core AMD CPU and MB combo can be found on more than one site that cost less than a sub 2.6Ghz Intel CPU alone.

I thank you both very much. I will upgrade. You all are most helpful.

One Option is to Sell your Current System and Build New.
That is often a good option when you need to upgrade so many components.

I did some shopping and read through the forums a bit.
This is what I can get at Newegg for under $280.

My needs are not great. What do you think?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128090

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103244

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231122


Again, thank you very much!

Ewww on the CPU. Try for a 9550 or 9750. They are the B3 stepping and probably a better bet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103251

Only 100MHz difference which can be changed with a little OCing. Although that may not be as easy since its not a BE.

Either way that 9550 has a better core to it so I suggest it over the 9600.

Really can't top the Phenom 9600BE at $150 if you can get those four cores pumpin' with multithreaded software. You may want to wait a week or so and see if the new motherboard models with sb750 look good to you

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H AMD 780G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128341

is probably as fast as your 7600gs using the IGP with sideport

An e7200 with a gigabyte P35 ds3l and that same ram would most likely be a better buy. For a few dollars more you can get the ddr2 1000 kit and give yourself a bit more headroom for overclocking. Phenom just cannot compete with core 2's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337

Wow, lots of great advice and info. I greatly appreciated.

I still say 9550 would be a better choice due to a more mature core.

Ok, sorry to be vacilating. I have a hard time making these type of decisions, even though all of the options offered would work for me.

I am thinking of getting a good motherboard and a dual-core processor for now, being able to upgrade in the future.


Intel option: (as stated above, which I am thankful for)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115052

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128337


AMD option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186150 SB750

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103289



I am hoping the ram is compatible with both with the processor/mobo combo.



???????? *huggles*

Waa hoo!

Foxconn A7DA-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX w/sb750: $128
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813186150

I just looked at newegg and it says it's a deactivated item (You can't buy it yet).

POO!!!



How about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128352