AMD: Agena & AM2/AM2+ confusion!

[Arterion]

I've not found anywhere which can give me a simple, definitive answer on this topic and I was hoping someone here would know for sure before i go ahead and upgrade to AM2 (and no I can't wait for AM2+ mobos !!)

I don't see the difference between the AM2 and AM2+ sockets; i'm told that Agena cores will work on both (first question; is that correct? Will an Agena be able to happily slot into an existing AM2 mobo?)- what's the incentive to get an AM2+ board?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[Arterion]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_AM2+

Read that.

Now you said your going to upgrade to AM2, now most people that reply are bound to say go Core 2 Duo, AMD Suck. Like people do.

Their is nothing wrong with AMD if your not going to be doing any overclocking.

Thanks for that; never considered using Wikipedia as a source for info on this sort of thing, half because it's not an obvious place for that sort of info and half becuase university has drilled into me to keep away at all costs.

You're right about most people saying C2D right now, but actually when you stack a 6000+ up against an e6600, there's amost nothing in it, and with AM2 I get to upgrade to Agena cores without having to switch my mobo. If we assume a lifecycle of about 12-18 months for this rig then surely AM2 is clearly the best way to go, al things considered?

And no, I don't plan to overclock, not in any serious capactiy- might squeeze an extra 200MHz out of my CPU one in a while but nothing more hardcore than that- totally doable with an AMD...

 

[Arterion]

Why though, its harder to get the 6000 + 200 mhz higher ( due to being @ its limits already), than getting a core 2 duo 6400 or 6420 @ over 3.2 ghz, in wich case it'll be faster as a 4ghz amd x2.

If you were going low end ( ie. 40 quid cpu), then amd is fine, ie. the x2 3600 imo rocks, but any higher doesn't make any sence, you say you won't OC, but a bit after you say you ''might'' squeeze out 200 mhz, in wich case, intels will be better, as its easier even to get just 200 mhz out of an intel than out an amd, and 200 mhz extra on intel will make more difference than 200 mhz on amd.

Come on, let's face it, 200Mhz isn't hard to squeeze out on either of those chips; and I think the future Agena support makes AM2 a very attractive option right now.

 

[Arterion]

You could also say 680i/P35 775 boards having future penryn support makes them equally attractive? Not that I'm against you going AMD of course.

Well you may be right here; if i'm to be totally honest I have no clue what makes Penryn so special, if only because of a lack of reading on my part (if someone wants to fill me in on this they're more than welcome).

The problem with P35 boards right now however is the price; my system recently died and I simply don't have the money to fork out for a P35 board and a decent C2D, nor can I wait for a price drop or to get more money...

I'm thinking an AM2 setup with a 5600+ to start with and an eventual upgrade to an Agena core should happily see me through the next 12-18 months without running into performance issues, at the end of which I'll usually do a big upgrade anyway. I think it makes sense, unless someone can show me a better way? Bear in mind that a decent (590 chipset) AM2 board (M2N32-SLi Deluxe), 2Gb Corsair RAM and a 5600+ is costing me sub £300; if you look at my current rig in my signature I should see a pretty serious performance increase, it's reasonable money and upgradeable for as long as I plan on it needing to be.

 

[Arterion]

The AM2 socket will be fine for the first round of Agenas, but you're probably best off waiting a couple of months, really.

That is, unless you have a pressing need to upgrade at this point.

My current PC has recently died on me, so yeah I do need to get some new kit pretty swift really...