Hi, I am having some trouble making up my mind here. I have a custom build computer the specs are: Asus A8N-32 SLI Deluxe MB AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Two Nvidia 8600 GTS OC in SLI Mode Two 500 gigs HDs What I need is a new CPU. I like the 939 socket and would like to stick with it but if I have to change then so be it. My question is, what is the best socket 939 cpu for gaming and if I have to switch to a different socket, what would be the best bang for my buck in a new MP/CPU combo?
Hello, welcome to HWF. If you have a socket AM2 and not an AM2+, you are limited to x2 processors. If you wanted to stick with your existing mobo, you're probably looking at an AMD x2 6400+, which is clocked at a respectable 3.2GHz at a cost of around $70/US.
I am not a very smart person about CPUs, but are you saying I can run the AMD x2 6400+ on my Asus A32N-SLI Deluxe MB that is a Socket 939 even though AMD x2 6400+ says it is a Socket Type AM2??
I was reading on some forums and they said that since I do not have DDR2 RAM that I will not be bale to take full advantage of the CPU. This is what was said: That’s the technology which AMD’s new Socket AM2 platform will enable you to use, and which the current Socket 939 platform won’t. You’d be able to take advantage of the extra memory bandwidth and performance which DDR2 RAM can give you. It’s not a huge difference, but it is better. Here is the link AM2 or 939? What are your thoughts on this, I would like to get this CPU but want to make sure I will be using the full capabilities of my CPU. Thanks for all your help too, your information as been very helpful.
Really it depends on how much money you want to spend on upgrades. If you're only looking at a new CPU, you can make due with the existing mobo and a new CPU will still be a vast improvement. On the other hand, if you want to throw a lot of money at the upgrade, you could replace the mobo and RAM along with the CPU. In that case you should ask yourself if it's worth it to you to upgrade most of your PC, leaving yourself with a bunch of spare parts, or just build a new PC and have 2 working systems.
I am just going to upgrade the CPU, its bout 4 years old. So I think I will stick with what you said to get AMD x2 6400+. You think that would be the best move???
Well, I don't know your situation well. But having looked hard on Asus' [very disorganized] website, it appears that the max CPU your motherboard supports is an x2 4800+. It may support a faster socket 939 CPU like the 6400+, but if so, they don't indicate it. Still this would be a major upgrade for you, more than doubling your CPU power, and the total cost would be around $50/US. I'd say that's well worth it.
Well I did some research and I can only run the AMD Athlon™ 64 4800+ X2 (Socket 939). Now you said that it runs for 50/usd, where can I find it for the price, I can not find it anywhere for that going rate.
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane 2.5GHz Google shopping search for Athlon X2 4800 Price Grabber search for Athlon X2 4800
On last FYI on this - make sure you upgrade your motherboard's BIOS to the latest build in order to fully support your new CPU. A8N32-SLI Deluxe BIOS
