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AMD Socket 939 - Where do I go?

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29 Sep 2006
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Currently have a AMD Athlon 64 3700 in my PC but want to upgrade the processor, possibly to dual core, but at the same time, I dont want to have to do a huge overhaul job in getting in a new motherboard etc

So, are Socket 939 processors still made and purchasable - I understand you cant point me to a place to buy, as it appears OCUK dont stock them, but advice on which processor is a viable upgrade would be appreciated?

(Im pretty sure mine is a 939 board or something, but not sure how to double check)

Cheers,
 
Actually just found this

AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 4400 1MB Cache per core Socket 939 OEM Processor

That is probably the pinnacle of a processor for my board?
 
Would have thought the pinacle would be the x2 6400 or there abouts. On the same note that 4400 will speed things up I would have thought.
 
939 skt are getting rare and soon will cost a mint, if ya can find a dual opty on the bay and a good price then get it, much better than the X2's.
best choice is to go AM2 or a cheap core2 upgrade you will see improvement
 
The problem is cost. A 4200+ x2 will set you back £70 for a 2nd hand one and a 4600+ or 4800+ (the fastest released for your socket) will be more like £100+.

If you can find one cheap then fine. If not, it's worth spending that money replacing your mobo, ram and cpu and going Intel tbh even if it means a E2xxx chip for now. It will still be a lot faster and means you can upgrade to a beast of a cpu later.

That's what I did.
 
What is the rest of your system? That matters as well.

If you got something close to 1950XTX ( or better) and 2gb ram, just grab a 2nd hand 4200x2 for about 35quid and you're set.

If you have slower GPU and less ram I would advise getting whole new system if you want to upgrade. Like GA P35DS3L + E5200 +8800GT+2gb PC6400 which will cost you about 200pounds.
 
939 skt are getting rare and soon will cost a mint, if ya can find a dual opty on the bay and a good price then get it, much better than the X2's.
best choice is to go AM2 or a cheap core2 upgrade you will see improvement



Best keep a hold of my spare x2 4600 and 2gig of ocz then :eek: ...let the prices rise..lmao
 
don't bother

i went from a opteron 146 (single core) to a 175 (dual core), dumbest upgrade i've ever done..


just hold out/save up for a whole new intel setup


ddr2 is cheap, intel cpu's low the amd's out of the water


seriously, don't bother mate, it's more of a sidestep than an upgrade :) save your cash
 
I have just gone from a opteron 165 to a single core opteron 146 at the same speed and trust me there is a world of differance when trying to run games.

COD4 just doesnt run properly on the single core and the 8800 card is hardly breaking a sweat going by the tempretures its hitting.
 
The problem is cost. A 4200+ x2 will set you back £70 for a 2nd hand one and a 4600+ or 4800+ (the fastest released for your socket) will be more like £100+.

If you can find one cheap then fine. If not, it's worth spending that money replacing your mobo, ram and cpu and going Intel tbh even if it means a E2xxx chip for now. It will still be a lot faster and means you can upgrade to a beast of a cpu later.

That's what I did.

This. Although the prices quoted are perhaps a little high if you're prepared to spend sometime searching on ebay.

Differences other than clock speed:

4200+ has 512KB L2 cache.
4400+, 4600+, 4800+ and the Opterons have 1MB L2 cache.

Additionally almost all opterons are good candidates for overclocking on air (up to ~3ghz).
 
Yes bargains can be found but getting rarer and rarer now.

An E5200 can be had for £58, an MSI P31 fro £47 and 2 gig of ddr2 ram for £30 - Total cost £135 less what you get for your components.

Better than spenind £70 on a 4200+ or £100 on a 4800+. At some point you will want to upgrade your processor again and you will then have to fork out for an Intel setup (or new AMD setup).
 
The FX 62 was the fastest cpu dual core cpu ever made for socket 939 i think. Your unlikely to find one of those though, your best bet is probably to keep an eye out for a 3800X2 on the members market if you are determined just to upgrade your cpu, can probably pick one up for £20-30. Otherwise just upgrade your whole rig when you have a bit more to spare.
 
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