Socket M2...what's the big deal?

[Bona Fide]

Is it seriously worth waiting 6-8 months for?

Sorry...should rephrase that. Should I wait 6-8 months for it?

Current setup:

P4 1.6GHz Willamette
256Mb DDR2100
60Gb ATA-100 HDD
Geforce FX5200
...yeah

Should I wait it out until mid-2006 for this new thing? If not, I'm gonna go dual-core X2 by Christmas.

 

[canadageek]

if you wanna use ddr2, then yes

 

[Hacp]

Your machine looks pretty old, so if you want to upgrade now, 939 is good. But if people have 754 systems, and overclocked XP systems, then waiting the extra 6 months won't be painful because their systems ar pretty up to date and shouldn't lag much, hence waiting until their rigs get outdated and then upgrading is the best option.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Ouch, your system looks pretty painful. The only reason to wait for M2 would be that its socket would allow for future upgrades whereas 939 would be dying down like the 754 is now. However considering you've held on to that relic for so long, I doubt you'd be too concerned with upgrade paths and thus 939 and X2 asap would probably be your best bet as I doubt M2 will offer extraordinary bennefits.

 

[klah]

Performance probably won't be much different. The cpus will probably even have the same performance rating as the 939 versions. The slowest dual-core M2 cpu in the recent roadmap is the 4800+ which I assume will be $$$.

From Anand's DDR500(2-2-2-5) article.

Based on the tests that we?ve seen here today, AMD?s reluctance to move to higher bandwidth DDR2 offerings makes a lot more sense. The plain fact of the matter is that at the current clock speeds at which the Athlon 64 and X2 line are running, most desktop applications see virtually no benefit from higher bandwidth memory

So DDR2-667 with worse timings will possibly be a wash.

 

[Chef Brian]

Willamette isn't THAT old, lol. 2.5 years?

Unless you're really bent on DDR2, I wouldn't bother waiting for M2. Just get an X2 now and wait until DDR3 is the standard

 

[Hacp]

Willamette is more thatn 2.5 years. I think the P4s started around 2001-2002. 3-4 years Yikes.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: canadageek
if you wanna use ddr2, then yes

Hehe, true. Though I would add, what's so great about DDR2 that's worth waiting for? Nothing really.

The OPs system is so old, that getting a SocketA Sempron would seem like a WOW! I don't think it's worth waiting for M2.

 

[Bona Fide]

I got the system in May of 2002. It's an HP . Yikes. And it was around $1600 with the monitor. Double yikes.

I plan to spend ~$2000-2200 on this new one. Main stats as of now:

A64 X2 4400+
Geforce 7800GTX
2x1GB Crucial Value
Antec P180
Antec Neopower

Not sure of the mobo...it's a heads-up between the Abit AN8 Ultra and the DFI NF4 Ultra-D.

Thanks for the responses, and I think I'm pretty confident about it now

 

[Mogadon]

You'll want to be investing in a new monitor too otherwise the 7800GTX really wouldn't be worth it.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: Mogadon
You'll want to be investing in a new monitor too otherwise the 7800GTX really wouldn't be worth it.

Well I had just written the basics, but how does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116359

 

[n7]

Getting a 17" LCD & a 7800GTX is a silly combination.

You'd be better off with a X800XL.

Unless your monitor is going to be 1600x1200 or higher, it makes no sense to get a 7800GTX.

Some people are going to get violently upset that i pointed that out, but even AT's reviews agree with me.

Oh, & to answer your original question:
Don't wait.
There is always going to be something worth waiting for around the corner, & yet people still feel they can somehow wait till it comes out & get a more future-proof system :roll:

That's pure foolishness though.

How 'bout a few examples so you can laugh at those who claim waiting is best:

Don't buy an Athlon XP, wait for A64.
Don't buy a s754 A64, wait for s939.
Don't buy s939 AGP, wait for s939 PCI-e.
Don't buy s939 PCI-e DDR, wait for socket M2 DDR2.

What kind of idiot recommends waiting for the thing around the corner...see how it works? It doesn't.


Buy now, enjoy, & upgrade later

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: Mogadon
You'll want to be investing in a new monitor too otherwise the 7800GTX really wouldn't be worth it.

Well I had just written the basics, but how does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116359

I'd get something that supports at least 1600 x 1200 resolution to make that 7800GTX sweat a little

Check out the hot deals forums, maybe you can find a deal for the Dell 20 or 24" widescreen LCDs.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: Kai920

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: Mogadon
You'll want to be investing in a new monitor too otherwise the 7800GTX really wouldn't be worth it.

Well I had just written the basics, but how does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116359

I'd get something that supports at least 1600 x 1200 resolution to make that 7800GTX sweat a little

Check out the hot deals forums, maybe you can find a deal for the Dell 20 or 24" widescreen LCDs.

Ouch...big hole in my wallet with those LCD's. Not sure if I wanna go that far out. Is it worth it to get a CRT just for the 16x12 resolution?

 

[n7]

LOL...you missed my point completely.

Get yourself an X800XL or 6800GT for now, & then if you feel the need to upgrade to a larger monitor & better video card later, you can sell the X800XL/6800GT & go for it.

Granted, it sounds like you aren't actually planning to buy for another few months, & by then, the 7800GTX may be an okay choice, since it will have been eclipsed by the X950s & 7800 Ultra.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: Kai920

Originally posted by: Bona Fide

Originally posted by: Mogadon
You'll want to be investing in a new monitor too otherwise the 7800GTX really wouldn't be worth it.

Well I had just written the basics, but how does this look?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116359

I'd get something that supports at least 1600 x 1200 resolution to make that 7800GTX sweat a little

Check out the hot deals forums, maybe you can find a deal for the Dell 20 or 24" widescreen LCDs.

Ouch...big hole in my wallet with those LCD's. Not sure if I wanna go that far out. Is it worth it to get a CRT just for the 16x12 resolution?

If you have the physical space, you could probably get a pretty nice CRT for the same price...

Last I saw the Dell 20" WS were going for ~$450 so it's not that much of a stretch from the $300 17"LCD you linked... the way I see your options are

a) go with what n7 said and just get the 6800GT or X800XL with your 17". you'll be perfectly happy with this setup as it's a HUGE upgrade from your current rig.
b) save money on the processor, eg. downgrade from the 4400+ to the cheapest X2, or skip X2 altogether and get a Venice 3000+ (1.8GHz) and overclock it. 3800+ speeds (2.4GHz) is almost guaranteed. use the $ saved to get the larger LCD.
c) OR, just keep the X2 4400+ and splurge an extra $100-300 and get either the Dell 20" WS or the Viewsonic VP201b

 

[n7]

I'd say skip the X2 4400+ too.

Get the X2 3800+ when they come out & OC to 4600+ speeds.
That would allow you to go for the 7800GTX + 20" or larger LCD

Just what i would do anyway.

 

[coomar]

you look at the lcd all the time, invest in a better one, a dell 20 or 24 inch, go down to the x2 3800 will cover most of a 24 and easily cover a 20

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: coomar
you look at the lcd all the time, invest in a better one, a dell 20 or 24 inch, go down to the x2 3800 will cover most of a 24 and easily cover a 20

See the thing is, I'm not sure of the 3800+'s capabiltiies (OC) as of yet, whereas I've seen a lot of people get their 4400+'s up to 2.6GHz or more. It's more of a confidence issue

Well I have some time, so I guess I'll wait it out. Maybe a 2GHz/1MB will come out

 

[BlingBlingArsch]

so, bona fide, what are you goin to use ur dualcore for? do u plan on using Linux, maya, 3dstudio, cad software etc? Or just gaming, web browsing, listening mp3, watching moviez, cuz thats not a problem for a singlecore, can do all that at the same time too.

 

[Mogadon]

As has been said, unless you have a monitor running 1600*1200 getting a 7800GTX is a waste of money, you won't "see" any difference from having a 6800ultra or X800XL.

Also as n7 said, waiting for the next advance round the corner is silly too as, in theory, you'll be waiting for eternity and everyone else will be enjoying their new toys.

It sounds like you have the right idea by waiting to see how the 3800's will o/c, if they do good you can pick up one of them, a nice, shiny new monitor and a 7800GTX ... otherwise a 4400 and a nice, shiny, not quite so expensive monitor and a X800XL (or whatever's the best buy around at the time).

Either way, you'll have the enjoyment of playing with a new toy ... .

 

[Furen]

M2 K9s should clock in multiples of either 166 or 333 (since they'll be Spec-ed to use DDR2 667 and your ram speed is derived from the CPU's) so who knows what the model numbers will end up being. "Pacifica" and "Presido" should be interesting but not really essential.

Since you mentioned you'll buy your system for CHRISTMAS then I'd get the 4400+ since it should be somewhat cheaper by then (hell, maybe it'll be priced to match the MSRP). If you have the cash (and dont mind spending it) I'd get the 7800GTX since, even though it completely whores current games, newer games should stress it more (or you could get a 7800gt or whatever's out by then). I'd get a Seasonic S12 power supply over the Antec since it's more silent and more efficient. No modular cables and stuff, but that also leads to a bit less ripple. Ram looks good (hopefully it can do 2-3-2). For the mobo I'd get one of the ATi based ones that are coming out, since they have HD audio codecs and the USB performance is not that bad unless you use USB harddrives all the time.

 

[Mogadon]

Good stuff Furen. The new ATI boards certainly do look interesting, i'm waiting to see what they do before i upgrade.

 

[Bona Fide]

Yeah I'm thinking about those new ATi mainboards also. I was thinking of getting an Audigy 2, but if that hardware audio is decent, I'll stick with it.

To answer the questions...

1. Primary uses for my computer are workstation apps (3dSM, Maya, Photoshop, CAD, etc.) and gaming. I don't want to have to sacrifice either of those, so the dual-core was my best solution. I've seen multiple people get their 4400+ up past 4800+ levels, and have even seen a few hit 2.6GHz. Dual FX-55 processors will be good enough for me.

2. Yeah I'm waiting till Christmas-time, since there are always huge price drops and sales. That's also part of why I put the 4400+ as the part to get. I'm thinking it'll be in the low-$500 range by then, and the 7800GTX might be in the mid-$400 range. I'm going straight to the 7800GTX because I don't want to have to upgrade this computer for as long as possible. Sure, it can run today's games at 16x12, but who knows what will happen in the coming years? If the Xbox 360 and PS3 have shown us anything, it's that graphical advances will port to the PC quite quickly.

3. Since one of my main concerns is gaming, the prospect of a 4ms LCD seems quite enticing, seeing as CRTs perform as 4ms as well. And while I have the desk space, it would be nice to be able to keep the subwoofer behind the monitor instead of on the floor. And, I'm trying to head towards a minimalistic look as well. The Dell LCDs are quite expensive at this point, and I can't seem to find any specs for them. From what I know, they have 12ms response time and not sure if they have DVI.

 

[blckgrffn]

Well, just a quick note - having the sub by the monitor is a no-no, no matter how well it might be shielded

And with that budget, I would sure hit up at least a 2001FP or the 24 incher. They are going to have a lot better color than that Viewsonic and ghost very minimally.

Nat