[gramberto]

This is more about 'what to buy' than the realy techie differences. I am looking to upgrade and I want something I can viably use for 4 years. I am not a gamer right now and don't want to buy a video card. I just want the option to start gaming again in the future.

I have a few questions.

1. how much better value am I getting between and AM2 board and a Socket 939 board? The only thing I ever upgrade is RAM. By the time I want to upgrade, the stuff I have is too old and I just buy or build a new system.

2. What AMD CPUs run on an AM2 Board as opposed to a socket 939 board?

3. I have PC2700 RAM. I know it will be slower, but can I use it with a socket 939 and an AM2 board?

4. Will all socket 939 and am2 boards support EIDE? I don't want to replace my hard drives.

5. what is a good reliable low cost vendor? Is tigerdirect ok? Anyone better who is just as cheap? I don't need service or support. I just want to keep the price down and I want parts that won't break.

6. What boards have integrate video? I saw some with geforce 6100? I don't care if its not that good. I don't want to buy a video card right now. I just want something I can use for now. Is there more of a risk of failure doing this?

7. Can someone recommend a lower cost board and cpu combo to me? Preferably one with video card built in so I don't have to buy it.

Please keep in mind that I built my own PC before, but I am still a novice. I don't pretend to be an expert in this. I just like to fiddle with my computer, but I don't want something that will be a hastle.

Thank You!

[GaRHaR]

Hi Gramberto.

I'll just answer the questions - no stuff you don't need to know

1) AM2 is AMD's new chip...it supports DDR2. If you only upgrade RAM...you will want AM2

2) Individual computer shops will supply this information with the prices. AMD only have socket 939 CPU's fit into socket 939 motherboards, this will be the same for AM2

3) It will work in a socket 939, but not an AM2 board. It's only DDR1

4) IDE is still available for CD drives and older hard drives. They won't be removing this anytime soon. It is a bit slower however then the newer SATA and SATA2 hard drives.

5) You'll have to get this one from someone who's not in australia but from what i understand, tigerdirect is pretty good. But you may want to rethink the "service" purely if you need to replace something on warranty.

6) Again, the individual shop will tell you this, once you select the shop and CPU, post it again and i'll have a quick look to find intergrated video cards for you.

7) Asus, is a good solid cheap brand. The shops will be the ones to do the CPU/Motherboar combos.


Hope this helps, and if you have any other questions please do ask

[gramberto]

Thank you for your help. Here is one from newegg. I like that it has onboard video since its a pci express slot and I have an AGP card. I am not ready to buy a new video card yet.

1. Does this support EIDE hard drives? I don't know what PATA is?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813123262

This will work with this chip right?

2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103539

3. So the only difference between AM2 and Socket 939 is the RAM right? Is DDR2 much better than Socket 939?

4. Do dual cores outperform single cores much in the AMD line? If I look at an AMD 4200+ dual core, is it going to be much better than an AMD 4200+ single core for home use? I may play games if I buy a video card. Not right now.

5. It looks like price to value AMD single cores outperform dual cores. I am more familiar with AMDs so I am sticking with those.

[ih8bills]

It is future upgrades of RAM that could become an issue DDR2 is phasing-out DDR1 chips by being that much faster. When demand drops off manufacturers swiftly switch to the profitable "new" technology. DDR1 ram could become tough to find in a few years. RAM changes SO fast that it goes up in price as it becomes older/scarcer.
Whether your drives would work...I'm honestly not sure.

One issue you may find with the AM2 MOBOs is that they require a new fastening setup for the CPU cooler/heatsink-- there aren't many cooler setups out yet.

[GaRHaR]

The RAM is the biggest difference.

Right now, it's better to spend the extra difference and get the newer technology, as in 4 years time - ih8bills is right...DDR1 will be expensive as people will stop making/supplying it.

I can only say this...if you go with Socket 939, you will be limiting yourself for upgrade options for RAM in the next 4 years.