Thinking of upgrading

OldBuzzard · Dec 19, 2006, 08:23 AM

Gentlemen,

I'm thinking of doing a bit of an upgrade in Jan-Feb (depends on when I get my tax refund).

I'm not going to have a LOT of $$ to spend, and I'm thinking of going with the ASROCK AGP/PCIE mb and a 939 pin X2 4400+ since that combo will allow me to use my existing RAM and X800XT AIW, and will allow me to got to a PCI-E vid card in the future.

I was originally thinking of just getting the X1950 AGP card, but this mb/cpu combo really isn't all that much more, and I'm thinking that this 3400+ isn't fast enough to 'push' the 1950 hard enough to get any better FSP than I'm already getting with the X800, since I do mostly Flight Sims, and they are more CPU than GPU dependent.

Has anyone here used this board/cpu combo, and if so, what has been your experience?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 19, 2006, 11:04 PM

AGP performance suffers on those boards (combo AGP/PCI-e)

If I was you I'd jump the PCI-e boat and get a better proc to go with it... probably cheaper and better in the end

OldBuzzard · Dec 20, 2006, 01:30 AM

I'd like to H3X, but my pocket book and "The War Depertment" say otherwise. I won't be keeping the AGP card long term, and will be upgrading to PCI-E, but I don't see that happening for another 6-9 months or so.

I know that the AGP suffers a bit on that board, but I'm thinking that the net result would still be a bit of a gain, especially since FS9 and FSX want all the processor power that they can get.

Lelisevis · Dec 20, 2006, 01:36 AM

I'd avoid buying a new 939 processor, i'm waiting for my new stuff to arrive and the reason I went AM2 is down to the lack of decent 939 boards. Why not put up a rough price guide and see what people can come up with. Who knows someone might have some kit lying around with everyone jumping ship to Conroe.

Necrosis · Dec 20, 2006, 06:25 AM

Hey Buzzard I'm going to be upgrading my video card around then. I'll look you up then, and give you a killer deal on my x1900xtx. I'm thinking $150-200.00.

BTW, list your current specs so we can come up with some thing.

~~hackerx~~ · Dec 20, 2006, 10:52 AM

an x1950 xt 256 mb can be had for around $250 now?So what makes ur x1900 xtx special?

Grace · Dec 20, 2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

I'd like to H3X, but my pocket book and "The War Depertment" say otherwise. I won't be keeping the AGP card long term, and will be upgrading to PCI-E, but I don't see that happening for another 6-9 months or so.

I know that the AGP suffers a bit on that board, but I'm thinking that the net result would still be a bit of a gain, especially since FS9 and FSX want all the processor power that they can get.

Someone missed the 'Ladies' part in the initial message.

Actually the AGP performance on such motherboards does not suffer a bit, but severely. Your card will lose 3/4 of its potential, your games will probably end up unplayable. But your thinking is correct if you plan on upgrading it later.

Then again, I would recommend a cheap Core 2 Duo, a cheap motherboard with integrated graphics and a PCI-E slot to upgrade later, and a set of cheap DDR2 RAM. It is a much better choice than going for a socket 939 platform at this point of time, which is becoming outdated and its value is being rammed by C2D.

You can sell your RAM and current video card to offset the cost, it should be more than easy to buy DDR2 RAM and a good PCI-E card without paying a lot more.

Necrosis · Dec 20, 2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hackerx

an x1950 xt 256 mb can be had for around $250 now?So what makes ur x1900 xtx special?

512 meg of memory, aftermarket cooler. Just as fast???

OldBuzzard · Dec 20, 2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace

Someone missed the 'Ladies' part in the initial message.

I throw myself at your mercy, and beg a thousand pardons, my dear.

I know that the newer Intel processors are a bit 'better' than AMD's, but I have a severe dislike for Intel. To be quite frank, I'd rather do something illegal and immoral with a donkey than use an Intel CPU and/or an Nvidia GPU.

Like I said...I'd LIKE to upgrade to the 'latest and greatest', but that just isn't going to be possible, so I have to work with what I've got.

This CPU/MB/Memory will go into #1 son's Koolance case, so I won't be selling it. An aftermarket HSF on a vid card doesn't interst me as I would only toss it out since I watercool. Also, I'll wait for the DX10 cards before I upgrade to PCI-E, which is another reason to stick with the X800 for a for more months.

I do appreciate everyone's interest and input, but what I'm really looking for is someone with experience with that Asrock board and the same or similar CPU.

Necrosis · Dec 20, 2006, 04:24 PM

If you change your subject with the Asrock's model number it'll draw in the folks with one.

Grace · Dec 20, 2006, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldBuzzard

I do appreciate everyone's interest and input, but what I'm really looking for is someone with experience with that Asrock board and the same or similar CPU.

The Asrock motherboards are generally ok, and the one you mention is ok as well, however AGP performance will severely suffer as I mentioned.

Since you dislike Intel, you can switch my above recommendation to an Athlon X2 3800+ AM2, a cheap AM2 motherboard with IGP to save you from the need of a card right now and a set of DDR2 RAM. That would be far more futureproof.

If you are getting a socket 939 processor now though, go for the cheapest one. Paying for a higher model is not good for your pocket, they will lose their value almost entirely in a few months time.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Dec 21, 2006, 10:25 PM

I agree with Grace the AMD X2's are EXTREMELY cheap these days, its almost ridiculous and they are good performers.

Neshi · Dec 21, 2006, 10:45 PM

overclock quite good too with a 3rd party cooler (even on stock)

OldBuzzard · Dec 25, 2006, 04:33 PM

Dang, dang, and DOUBLE dang!

It looks like the 939Dual-VSTA is discontinued, and no longer available

I noticed that in the DH review of the X1950Pro AGP card that there didn't seem to be any 'big performance loss' with the Intel counterpart to the 939, so it looks like the 'fear of reduced performance' is unfounded.

I guess maybe now I'll have to take a look at upgrading to the X1950Pro AGP, keeping this MB/CPU and think about upgrading to AM2/PCI-E next year.

Dec 20, 2006, 01:30 AM	Thread Starter #3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,781 Rep Power: 141 System Specs	I'd like to H3X, but my pocket book and "The War Depertment" say otherwise. I won't be keeping the AGP card long term, and will be upgrading to PCI-E, but I don't see that happening for another 6-9 months or so. I know that the AGP suffers a bit on that board, but I'm thinking that the net result would still be a bit of a gain, especially since FS9 and FSX want all the processor power that they can get. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Dec 21, 2006, 10:45 PM	#13
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,260 Rep Power: 150 System Specs	overclock quite good too with a 3rd party cooler (even on stock) __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Dec 25, 2006, 04:33 PM	Thread Starter #14
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,781 Rep Power: 141 System Specs	Dang, dang, and DOUBLE dang! It looks like the 939Dual-VSTA is discontinued, and no longer available I noticed that in the DH review of the X1950Pro AGP card that there didn't seem to be any 'big performance loss' with the Intel counterpart to the 939, so it looks like the 'fear of reduced performance' is unfounded. I guess maybe now I'll have to take a look at upgrading to the X1950Pro AGP, keeping this MB/CPU and think about upgrading to AM2/PCI-E next year. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Dec 19, 2006, 08:23 AM	#1
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,781 Rep Power: 141 System Specs	Thinking of upgrading Gentlemen, I'm thinking of doing a bit of an upgrade in Jan-Feb (depends on when I get my tax refund). I'm not going to have a LOT of $$ to spend, and I'm thinking of going with the ASROCK AGP/PCIE mb and a 939 pin X2 4400+ since that combo will allow me to use my existing RAM and X800XT AIW, and will allow me to got to a PCI-E vid card in the future. I was originally thinking of just getting the X1950 AGP card, but this mb/cpu combo really isn't all that much more, and I'm thinking that this 3400+ isn't fast enough to 'push' the 1950 hard enough to get any better FSP than I'm already getting with the X800, since I do mostly Flight Sims, and they are more CPU than GPU dependent. Has anyone here used this board/cpu combo, and if so, what has been your experience? __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Dec 19, 2006, 11:04 PM	#2
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	AGP performance suffers on those boards (combo AGP/PCI-e) If I was you I'd jump the PCI-e boat and get a better proc to go with it... probably cheaper and better in the end

Dec 20, 2006, 01:36 AM	#4
Lelisevis Howlin at the moon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,663 Rep Power: 0	I'd avoid buying a new 939 processor, i'm waiting for my new stuff to arrive and the reason I went AM2 is down to the lack of decent 939 boards. Why not put up a rough price guide and see what people can come up with. Who knows someone might have some kit lying around with everyone jumping ship to Conroe.

Dec 20, 2006, 06:25 AM	#5
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 129 System Specs	Hey Buzzard I'm going to be upgrading my video card around then. I'll look you up then, and give you a killer deal on my x1900xtx. I'm thinking $150-200.00. BTW, list your current specs so we can come up with some thing.

Dec 20, 2006, 10:52 AM	#6
~~hackerx~~ Banned Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 494 Rep Power: 0	an x1950 xt 256 mb can be had for around $250 now?So what makes ur x1900 xtx special?

Dec 20, 2006, 04:24 PM	#10
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 129 System Specs	If you change your subject with the Asrock's model number it'll draw in the folks with one.

Dec 21, 2006, 10:25 PM	#12
H3X4D3C1M4L DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 6,794 Rep Power: 0	I agree with Grace the AMD X2's are EXTREMELY cheap these days, its almost ridiculous and they are good performers.