Jump from AGP?

[pioneercrazed]

I'd like to move to PCI-E, but there doesn't seem to be any MoBo's based on skt 478 platform that have it. So now I'm wondering if I should make the jump on a new build. To start off, I don't get AMD's specs. Their speed seems to be slow in comparison to Intel, but I know they are power houses. Anyways, here are my current specs.

P4 2.6C Northwood 800 FSB, 512k, HT
Abit AI7 MoBo
BFG 6800nu

Possible new system
Either (Around $100)
AMD A64 3200+ Venice
AMD A64 3000+ Venice

BIOSTAR TForce6100-939 Socket 939 (Open Box for 40)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138264

Single PCI-e card probably 7600GT or maybe 7900GT.

I guess basically what I'm wanting to know is if the A64 cpu's are atleast as good or better than my current P4..? I don't want that to bottleneck the new video cards.

Thanks

 

[bamacre]

I would wait until Core 2 Duo becomes available. While an A64 3200 would be faster than a P4 2.6Ghz, the difference isn't worth the $$ and trouble. So, my advice would be to save up some more cash while you await Core 2 Duo to be available, in maybe less than 3 months.

 

[DaveSimmons]

AMDs are like intel Pentium M, much faster clock-for-clock than intel P4. a 3200+ is faster than a P4 3.2C in games.

But a 7600GT and 3200+ won't be a huge jump, keep saving until you can afford the 7900GT and a 3500+ or X2 4200+. Or wait for Conroe (the desktop version of Pentium M, expected in July).

 

[secretanchitman]

i'm in the same boat as you are (2.4C), but i'm waiting for conroe/core 2 duo.

i agree with bamacre, just wait.

 

[Santec]

PCi-E , FTW!!!!

 

[obeseotron]

Any A64 is much, much faster for games than that p4 but I think it would be a lot better to wait for july and move to either conroe or AM2.

 

[pioneercrazed]

Hmm, you all make good arguments; especially about just waiting for the conroe/AM2 setups. Honestly though, I've never been one to get the latest tech at the first oppurtinity; the prices are a little too high for me to jump on the latest and greatest. I could setup an A64 system, and the price wouldn't be too bad because I could sell my p4, mobo, 6800agp to recoupe some of the losses. That would atleast pay for a 7900GT . I've been checking out cpu benchmarks, and the A64's slaughter p4's in gaming. Nothing was compared directly to my 2.6C northwood, but the A64's were destroying the P4 Extreme edition 3.6's. I think I may just try it out, the hassle isn't a big deal; swapping hardware is actually the fun part to me. Now the new question is... would going socket 754 be a stupid move? I know that 939 is the newest, but I read somewhere that the AM2 will not be using the same socket 939 so I'd have to get a new mobo for that anyway. The reason I ask is because locally someone is selling a socket 754 A64 3400+ for $100 obo. Would that cpu be a bottle neck to a 7900GT?

Thanks for all your help so far...

 

[larciel]

while both socket 754 and 939 will be obsolute in the future, i'd not get 754 based setup right now.

You seem to have low budget for your project, so I'd not wait for conroe or AM2 because at launch they'll be pretty high in price.

amd 64 setup, or even sempron setup will be good

I just upgraded my cpu from semp 2600 to semp 3000 easily oced to 2.3ghz, and I feel the difference.

good luck