upgrade to am3 or not (need very quick replys)

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 14:21

hi

im thinking about ordering this:

Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P (Socket AM3) PCI-Express DDR3 Motherboard
AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 550 3.10GHz Black Edition (Socket AM3)
2GB (1x2GB) DDR3 10666C9 1333MHz Memory Module. or OCZ Intel Titanium XMP 2GB (2x1GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C7 1600MHz

also hopefully unlock the 550

Phatzy · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:18

I'd make the jump to AM3, DDR3 is coming down in price pretty much same as DDR2 now

ATIorNvidia · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:31

You shouldn't buy the 550 purely because you're hoping it will unlock, it's never guaranteed, nor is 4 fully functional cores.

Nelly · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:33

I would go for the UD4P I've read numerous reviews stating is quicker than the UD5P save a few quid, its a great board though I have one, solid/stable.

mp260767 · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:40

if its to replace the kit in your sig i wouldnt bother.

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:50

ATIorNvidia said:
You shouldn't buy the 550 purely because you're hoping it will unlock, it's never guaranteed, nor is 4 fully functional cores.

i wasn't buy the 550 only hoping it will unlock.

i only have £235 to spend.

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:53

mp260767 said:
if its to replace the kit in your sig i wouldnt bother.

yeah its to replace my main system (the one in my sig)

Mul · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:54

I gather this isn't a component swap for the spec in your signature going by the use of a less capable CPU and less RAM? What's the existing spec of the machine in question?

Edit - Missed your last post.

I'm not so sure what the point is really. Naturally it'll be a downgrade unless the processor successfully unlocks and you'll need to count on selling your existing components at a decent price for the upgrade to be worthwhile.. With the DFI 790FXB being a later SB750 based board (if I recall correctly) and with full AM3 CPU support, I don't particularly see the point to be honest.

mmj_uk · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:57

You're going from a Quad core to a Dual core just for the sake of DDR3? that's not an upgrade. :confused:

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 16:59

Nelly said:
I would go for the UD4P I've read numerous reviews stating is quicker than the UD5P save a few quid, its a great board though I have one, solid/stable.

problem with the the UD4P is that it only does x16/x8 crossfire.

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 17:04

mmj_uk said:
You're going from a Quad core to a Dual core just for the sake of DDR3? that's not an upgrade.

no.

the main reason why i was thinking of upgrade to the am3 platform is because amd will stop putting dual memory controllers in new cpu in the near future.

mmj_uk · 11 Sep 2009 at 17:18

Aren't you better off just having the power already under the hood rather than a better potential to upgrade?

Can't you just wait until you can get a better AM3 processor to go along with it?

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 17:29

mmj_uk said:
Aren't you better off just having the power already under the hood rather than a better potential to upgrade?

Can't you just wait until you can get a better AM3 processor to go along with it?

but i thought the 550 is good for gaming?

mmj_uk · 11 Sep 2009 at 17:38

gareth170 said:
but i thought the 550 is good for gaming?

I'm sure it is but your current system is much better.

If you could stretch to 300 squid I could sell you an X4 965 bundle.

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 18:09

mmj_uk said:
I'm sure it is but your current system is much better.

If you could stretch to 300 squid I could sell you an X4 965 bundle.

tbh £235 is my limit, i've sold a lot of old hardware to get over £200, even sold a phenom 9850 for £65

fizzle-187 · 11 Sep 2009 at 18:45

mmj_uk said:
You're going from a Quad core to a Dual core just for the sake of DDR3? that's not an upgrade.

I was thinking the same :S

gareth170 · 11 Sep 2009 at 18:56

fizzle-187 said:
I was thinking the same :S

true but many people here have gone from a quad back to a dual core and seen no loss in performance in gaming.

plus IF the 550 unlocks and stable, that'll be a bonus..

McstylisT · 11 Sep 2009 at 21:38

Hi ,

For me you have a really nice spec system. Just for the AM3 native board and DDR3 you would take this gamble. ?
I would not say it is worth it. You have a very good system you should only change to improve.

I would save your money for now , add to that cash over a few months if you can then consider a AM3 build but with a P2 965 CPU or something.

That is just the way i see it mate.

Best of luck

McT

Big.Wayne · 11 Sep 2009 at 22:53

gareth170 said:
i only have £235 to spend.

Hi Gareth, there is a very likey chance that AMD will be slashing the prices of their Phenom II chips in the next few weeks, if you are patient you may be quids in or be able to purchase better hardware for the same money £££ :cool:

gareth170 · 12 Sep 2009 at 13:05

Big.Wayne said:
Hi Gareth, there is a very likey chance that AMD will be slashing the prices of their Phenom II chips in the next few weeks, if you are patient you may be quids in or be able to purchase better hardware for the same money £££

yeah that sounds good.

now i've got £257 to spend which would enable me to get a 720 instead of a 550.

or i could keep my current system and get a 965. but is that worth it?

or with the £257 it should be a enough for a 5870?