UPGRADING FROM SOCKET A - CHEAPEST?

[Makavelli]

Have the following rig that i want to upgrade

XP2800+ Barton
Hercules 9600XT 128mb AGP
512 crucial PC2700
512 Nanya PC3200

I use my computer mainly for browsing/downloading and the odd bit of pro-evo, HL2 etc. My rig runs great and i don't really need to change it but i sold a few bits and pieces on ebay and so thought i would treat myself to an upgrade. In the past i have always bought trailing edge stuff as i have found that to be the most cost effective for my needs and so i would like to continue in this vein. I have been looking at either the A64 4000 and an ASrock939 or the Intel D805 with the ASrock775T both i think would come in around the £120 mark and i was wondering what opinion was as to which way to go. The thing i like about the S939 board is that it will take my AGP card and DDR1 mem so that would be a few less things to upgrade, although i know that my card needs replacing but as i say it does me fine atm.

So what are your thoughts - ideally i would like to spend no more than £120 on processor & mobo. Hopefully i could 70-80 for existing equipment what can you spec graphics wise that would be significantly better than what i have? I like the idea of dual core but it is all down to which offers best bang for buck so to speak?

 

[Gibbs]

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ £105
srock 939Dual-SATA2 (Socket 939 & Upgradable to AM2) AGP & PCI-Express Motherboard £43

Nice setup for what you want. Dual core chips are soo cheap now and its well worth it.

If you dont want dual core then singel core A64s are even cheaper again

 

[locutus12]

oh, this is an easy one...

A64 4000 and an ASrock939, no contest against that intel one you were looking at, the AMD set up is faster, uses less power, and the asrock dual 939 takes an expansion board (about £18) that will let you use AM2 CPU`s and DDR2 memory which basically means you can keep that board for a couple of years without worrying about having to replace it come your next format jump.

graphics wise, it all depends on what you want to spend.

youve got a few options...

best value card from new at the moment is X1800XT @ £152 from OCUK
youve also got the option of goinf second hand via members market, currently in there i can see
Leadtek 6800GT PCI-E 256MB- RMA Replacement - £80.

x800 gto2 16 pipes sapphire branded - £80

x800 GTO 256mb (Connect 3d) for £55 inc


all of those graphics cards above are significantly better than a 9800pro, if you want me to link you up with the sellers, just ask.

as for dual core, unless your into encoding things or run a lot or heavy processing applications, i wouldnt bother myself, ive noticed that a lot of people who have dual core barely use the thing, and as such would have been far better to go for a more powerful single core solution.

 

[Makavelli]

I should have said that i plan to overclock the D805 to 3.8/4ghz will it still come in behind the A64 San Diegoo 4000?

 

[locutus12]

I should have said that i plan to overclock the D805 to 3.8/4ghz will it still come in behind the A64 San Diegoo 4000?

if you were going to clock the A 4000 then yup, the intel will still be slower, and be bloody warm too.