AMD AM2 Computer

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What are your thoughts on the new AMD AM2 chipset. I heard the increase in speed over the 939 chipset was so minimum it isn't worth the money unless you were building a high end machine. What are your thought on the new CPU from AMD?

I for one won't be buying one. Instead if I do any upgrades it would be a higher end video card, AMD FX60, and 2GB of over clocked dual channel DDR RAM.

 

It has piqued my interest too. I'm not sure, though... I mean, I've just recently upgraded to a dual-core X2.

I'm not sure it's worth it for now, but maybe in six months to a year it will become a truly more viable option. Until then, I'll stick with my 939.

 

You almost sound like an Intel sold-out, BTA.

But IIRC, yes, the AM2 is the platform that can use DDR2 - I don't see much reason to change for the AM2, because I still use the DDR I had on my P4. DDR2 is also more expensive, IIRC.

As for Intel... *shrugs* I don't know. I personally am more of an AMD sellout. See the AMD sign over my head?

 

Benchmarks.

As long as the CPU has got enough juice to do whatever you want... who cares about how it ranks? My X2 is superior to my P4, and it's good enough for me.

 

Actually, this one was a concern of mine too and it turns out to be false. DDR and DDR2 are very close in cost (my DDR2 at 667mhz cost essentially as much as DDR at 400mhz). As for AM2, well, I decided to go that route for upgradabilities sake. LAst time I built a computer I bought a Socket A chipset 2 weeks before the Socket 939 came out... ouch...

The one thing ive really noticed with my cpu, Am2 X2 4200, is that it runs very cool. Overclocked to 2.46mhz it runs at around 40 degrees Celsius, 42 when under a lot of stress. I've even heard of people running these things without a fan just for curiousities sake... even then they dont overheat (note for this one, the dude only ran windows at the time and it got between 60 and 70 degrees iirc).

 

No, because my P4 used DDR, which was fully compatible when upgrading to a socket 939 (the new Intel uses DDR2, IIRC, it's more expensive), plus I got it from a friend of a friend, so I didn't paid full price... and as for electricity, it's included in the monthly cost of the apartment, so that doesen't bother me.

 

I definitively dig my X2. It runs cool (even better with a copper Zalman fan), quiet, it's a powerhouse, and handles my tasks with laughable ease.

I may not like Intel, but the new Core Duo might just be "the next big thing". I personally don't intend to buy one, but I will watch. It's my duty, after all, as apprentice computer tech. I am firmly in the AMD camp, but that doesen't mean I consider all Intel to be crap. The Prescott P4 disappointed me, though. In fact, the comp for internet uses a P3, and it's definitively a great processor.

We can but wait and watch.

 

Yes intel is releasing their new CPU using the 65nm technology current used in their 900D series CPU, but their is change in the chipset. AMD change to the AM2 is the new chipset design, but they have not switched over to the 65nm technology, yet. The switch to the new chipset was to give them the ability to use DDR2 RAM. AMD will release the new 65nm CPU in the fall and from what I have read all AM2 boards will have an updated bois to run the new 65nm CPUs. That means if you buy a AM2 board between now and when AMD releases their new 65nm CPU you would not have to switch mobo just CPUs.

My question is on performance today between 939 and the AM2 chipset. When AMD releases the 65nm CPU it will increase performance over the 90nm AM2 chipsets.

So, back to my question on current performance between the AMD CPUs and value of them.

I am wondering is it worth upgrading to the new AMD2 mobo with 1GB DDR2 RAM and CPU if some one currently has a 939 AMD Athlon 64 and 1GB of dual channel DDR ram? What is the major change in performance if any?