Considering switching to AM2 **Advice**

[dpoverlord]

I am in the works of building myself anothersystem,

The end result is that I will be giving him pretty much my current system as ponder the idea of switching to AM2. I was wary initially of making the switch due to the high price of DDR2 ram, the fact that AM3 will be out in around 6-9 months. I see that a 939 system is relatively cheap however it will have value down the line due to the fact that it will become obsolete.

 

With that being said, if I do stay 939 I would have to get a new ultra-D, new ram and a new proc. If I am going to be making this step it seems to make more sense to just go AM2.

 

I love the features and overclockability of the DFI-Ultra D, the fact that it has 2 IDE ports, and 2 Lan ports ( even though I really only use the Nvidia Lan port).

I have been doing lots of research on choosing the right AM2 board and was leaning DFI. I plan on going AMD just because I feel there prices will be cheaper and the chips seem to be very overclockable.

 

To my point, it seems DFI has many boards to choose from in the AM2 category. Considering the options I was looking for I was wondering what you would suggest and also on how my two preliminary choices are:

 

1. NFINITY NF ULTRAII-M2, I see this came out recently and have heard positive reviews, I am not 100% how it overclocks and I was never a big fan of the marvell Lan port but it should suffice.

 

2. LANPARTY UT NF590 SLI-M2R/G I have liked the Lan party line thus far, and was hoping this keeps up with the line. However it is significantly more than the UltraII-M2. I have heard the BIOS has and that the RAM Dividers do not work properly at certain FSB Speeds. Someone told me also taht the Voltages are reported wrong due to Typos.

 

My goal is to spend less than 500-600 on RAM, CPU and the motherboard I would rather spend 500 or less, Which means that my budget would be:

 

90-180 for mobo

200 for ram

200 for 2 GB of ram? 2x1gb??

Tell me what you think motherboard/system wise.

[red930]

Well I hate to be the first to say it, but an Intel system at the same price will absolutely smoke any AM2 system. But your choice.

 

Personally I very, very much liked the nf590 as it had amazing RAM overclocking, I honestly don't recall ever having a problem with dividers or anything. The only downside (and this might be universal among nvidia chipsets for AM2) but I was limited to around 320 FSB which meant my Sempron with a 9x multi couldn't go all that far, hell i was still on stock voltage at 320x9 but couldn't push it further.

 

So if you go with it, be sure to get something with at least a 10x multi, anything from a 3800+ X2 up should be fine.

[CPDMF]

My advice on switching to AM2 is DON'T. C2D offers more performance in a better package for the same cost.

[OldGuy]

Another nay sayer. Right now C2D simply womps on any AMD. Nothing against AMD either it's just the simple truth for the moment. Unless you are a die hard AMD fan you can put together an Intel rig for the same price that will put a smile on your face...

[soundx98]

Well the three heavyweights above are correct of course.

If you can afford it, Intel is the way to go.

 

But it is an interesting question.

I've got the NF590 that Technodanvan had.

Have to agree it doesn't seem to like above 220-225 for me.

The bios could definitely use some work, amazing that it doesn't have either Memtest or S.M.A.R.T. that you can enable.

But the M2's do overclock very well.

 

The Infinity NF Ultra-II M2 is the one AG pointed at as a great lil board.

$89 at the Egg vs $189 for the NF590 LanParty. ($6 Shipping)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16813136015

I'd go Infinity for a budget Build.

The latest NextSensor reads temps and voltages on the NF590 correctly. I imagine it would on the Infinity as well.

x2 3800+ @ $109 and free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103735

and 2G Corsair DDR2 RAM for $164 (After $40 rebate) and free shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145590

DFI M2 board, Dual Core Processor, and 2G of DDR2 RAM around $370 landed at your door.

 

Got to admit that's a pretty attractive price.

[CPDMF]

SoundX makes a good point (as always). That is a very attractive system for the price. Perfectly capable of running anything out there. Gives me an idea for a HTPC. Low heat, big returns..

[dpoverlord]

From what I gather,

The AM2 boards dont have much in o/c if I get less than a 3800. The thing is this. Is it worth,

A. Buying new Ram and a mobo for my extra Venice 3200

OR

B. Buying a new MOBO, Ram and CPU since it will be better and more upgradeable long term.

 

 

I really want the best bang for the buck. I have not gone intel since the P2-450 Sl2w8 O/C craze. So I am not as familiar with the Intel scene. I was a very good AMD fan but it seems they are slipping. In the past Intel was 1.5 times the price of AMD and not as good.

 

In essence your saying if I have the money go Intel

If I want to save 100$

go AMD?

 

I want a setup that is Fast, upgradeable, and not going to break my wallet.

[red930]

Intel E6400 is around $200

Gigabyte DS3 (or another decent low-end Intel board) will be around $130-$160

Decent DDR2-800 will be around $250-$300

 

Of course you'd have to get a different heatsink as well, but you'd have to do that for AM2 in all likelihood too.

 

But yes you're correct, essentially you can save a bit and get youself an AM2 based system, but you won't be saving all that much really. Call it $50 or so saved on a motherboard, maybe $70 saved on the cpu and you'll still need some decent DDR2. Around $120 more will give you better than 50% more cpu power (after overclocking). Your call, the AMD will run cooler and probably quieter while still playing most games and applications pretty much the same.

[soundx98]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head

Seems to that all the AM2's are good OCers (better than 939s)

Let your budget and brain decide.