Moving to AMD 64 bit, what motherboard do I chose?

[Elliot B.]

I currently have an Asus A7N8X Deluxe (nForce 2) motherboard, AMD Athlon XP 2700+ processor and 1024 MB PC2700 DDR-RAM (DDR333).

I picked the motherboard because it was the best motherboard at the time and was an excellent performer. It also had very good on-board sound according to the reviews. I picked the processor because it ran at 333 MHz bus like the RAM and I didn't want to buy PC3200 because the extra speed would have been wasted.

I am now going to upgrade and realise that getting a 64 bit system would be the next move but I don't know how to go about it. What motherboard would you suggest? What processor? I am considering speeds of around 3200/3400 but I don't know the difference between socket 754 and 939. Also, I am putting the current RAM elsewhere, so what RAM should I put in there? I am buying another 1 GB, but I don't know what of (speed, type etc.).

Cheers for your time, I appreciate it.

Edited July 7, 2005 by King Mustard

[+dave164 Subscriber¹]

s754 is a cpu that does not do dual channel ram and has a lower HTT. s939 has dual channel enabled and a higher HTT and more future compatiblity.

And you do know that a 3000+ isnt 3.0ghz but 1.8ghz?

I would get a 3200+, DFI Lanparty UT Ultra-d and 2x512mb of OCZ Platinum Rev2

David

[OPaul]

I'm also in the process of putting together a 64bit system. I chose the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI for its great performance and reasonable price. Here are some links to some of my threads that may help.

Athlon 939 Core Differences?

New AMD64 System, PCIe or AGP?

myNewMachine

New System, Please Critique

Note the stuff about the power supply; the 12V amperage is very important.

[jus1haz2]

I dont know why every one recomends OCZ there expensive and you can get the same results from cheaper memory like corsair, giel or kingston. I like giel its inexpensive and comes with a nifty hit spreader :D

[Elliot B.]

s754 is a cpu that does not do dual channel ram and has a lower HTT. s939 has dual channel enabled and a higher HTT and more future compatiblity.

And you do know that a 3000+ isnt 3.0ghz but 1.8ghz?

I would get a 3200+, DFI Lanparty UT Ultra-d and 2x512mb of OCZ Platinum? Rev2

David

586177614[/snapback]

But it doesn't run at the 1.8 GHz speed though, does it?

I'm also in the process of putting together a 64bit system. I chose the MSI K8N Neo4/SLI for its great performance and reasonable price. Here are some links to some of my threads that may help.

Athlon 939 Core Differences?

New AMD64 System, PCIe or AGP?

myNewMachine

New System, Please Critique

Note the stuff about the power supply; the 12V amperage is very important.

586177623[/snapback]

Yeah, forget to mention I would also need a new PSU which I have no idea about.

I dont know why every one recomends OCZ there expensive and you can get the same results from cheaper memory like corsair, giel or kingston. I like giel its inexpensive and comes with a nifty hit spreader:DD

586177651[/snapback]

I will probably stick with Crucial RAM, seems okay?

[+dave164 Subscriber¹]

I dont know why every one recomends OCZ there expensive and you can get the same results from cheaper memory like corsair, giel or kingston. I like giel its inexpensive and comes with a nifty hit spreader :D

586177651[/snapback]

You are refering to the fact it has 2-2-2-5 timings and gets awesome overclocks. And OCZ also has a nifty heat spreader. Also a mate of mine gets OCZ quite cheap.

[Elliot B.]

You are refering to the fact it has 2-2-2-5 timings and gets awesome overclocks. And OCZ also has a nifty heat spreader. Also a mate of mine gets OCZ quite cheap.

586177695[/snapback]

I don't know anything about timings, just want decent RAM for the new system that goes well with the chosen CPU, motherboard and PSU lol

[jus1haz2]

Ya they have good timings and i know that they also have heat spreaders but giel gives all this to your for a really good price.

[stncttr908 Veteran]

Well, it could vary greatly depending on your budget and whether or not you're planning on a new video card as well. If you're not ready for a new video card, hold out for a bit until you need one/can afford it and go for a PCIe motherboard.

[+dave164 Subscriber¹]

Ya they have good timings and i know that they also have heat spreaders but giel gives all this to your for a really good price.

586177726[/snapback]

Do you mean value RAM

[Elliot B.]

Well, it could vary greatly depending on your budget and whether or not you're planning on a new video card as well.  If you're not ready for a new video card, hold out for a bit until you need one/can afford it and go for a PCIe motherboard.

586177772[/snapback]

Well my parents are having my old hardware so I need the new stuff now. I want to put my 9800 Pro in there but if the motherboard was PCIe too, that would be excellent.

[drshdw]

You want low timings to about 260-270mhz x 2, DDR, after that Mhz matters more I think.

Also find a PSU that has a native 24 pin motherboard connector.

Antec, Enermax, good brands.

[stncttr908 Veteran]

Well my parents are having my old hardware so I need the new stuff now. I want to put my 9800 Pro in there but if the motherboard was PCIe too, that would be excellent.

586177833[/snapback]

Alright, next question - Is SLI something you're going t consider at some point?

[Elliot B.]

Alright, next question - Is SLI something you're going t consider at some point?

586178614[/snapback]

I can't see why not. Can I SLI two of any two cards (as long as they're the same) or only specific cards?

[jp10558]

I would check out the ASUS K8N series of motherboards. They have both 754 and 939 as well as SLI support. Currently the 754 Athlon 64 3700 is running $260 or so on newegg. Personally, I don't see any performance difference between single or dual channel, but if you don't care about money go 939 and dual channel ram.

RAM wise, I always use Crucial. I know - not necessarily gaming RAM at CL=3, but middle of the price range, uber stable and fast shipping. I suppose you could get their gaming RAM - the Ballistix, but again, unless you're into overclocking - the timings don't seem to be that important - all PC3200/4000 RAM is fine.

Granted - the Super Hardcore Gamers or overclockers will say I'm wrong, but if you're in that crowd, you wouldn't be asking the question.

[Cyrilix]

I can't see why not. Can I SLI two of any two cards (as long as they're the same) or only specific cards?

586178633[/snapback]

You can only SLI nvidia cards, and only nvidia cards that support SLI (6600 and higher, supposedly a new driver allows SLI without the bridge but why the **** would you SLI 2x6200s?).

[Elliot B.]

s754 is a cpu that does not do dual channel ram and has a lower HTT. s939 has dual channel enabled and a higher HTT and more future compatiblity.

586177614[/snapback]

I don't understand what you mean. Why would a processor enable dual channel RAM and what is HTT and why is a lower good?

[chconline Veteran]

This is because on AMD Athlon 64, the memory controller is built into the processor. On s754 AMD Athlon 64s, it only has a single channel memory controller, but runs 200MHz faster than their equivelent s939 counterpart. For example, a s754 3000+ runs at 2.0GHz (10*200) while a s939 3000+ runs at 1.8GHz (9*200).

HTT is the Hypertransport bus thing in AMD Athlon 64, again to do with the integrated memory controller. Basically its the "FSB" of the processor, the higher the better (more bandwidth) but since the memory controller is integrated into the chip its a theoretical speed, because there is no 'actual' FSB in AMD 64 processors.

[Elliot B.]

This is because on AMD Athlon 64, the memory controller is built into the processor. On s754 AMD Athlon 64s, it only has a single channel memory controller, but runs 200MHz faster than their equivelent s939 counterpart. For example, a s754 3000+ runs at 2.0GHz (10*200) while a s939 3000+ runs at 1.8GHz (9*200).

HTT is the Hypertransport bus thing in AMD Athlon 64, again to do with the integrated memory controller. Basically its the "FSB" of the processor, the higher the better (more bandwidth) but since the memory controller is integrated into the chip its a theoretical speed, because there is no 'actual' FSB in AMD 64 processors.

586182618[/snapback]

Do you recommend the 754 if it's faster?

[drshdw]

No, go 939, the Venice/San Diego both overclock well, no need to get something that is stock faster.

[Elliot B.]

No, go 939, the Venice/San Diego both overclock well, no need to get something that is stock faster.

586182739[/snapback]

What about for someone who doesn't overclock?

[Paul]

Go for the 939. That's what I have. It will be about the same speed as the 754 since they are both rated at 3000+, remember it's not all about the GHZ!

[Elliot B.]

I am so confused with everything lol :$

What motherboard do you suggest? If I want my 9800 Pro in there, does that mean I can't go for an SLI model?

[MustNotSleep]

I am so confused with everything lol :$

What motherboard do you suggest? If I want my 9800 Pro in there, does that mean I can't go for an SLI model?

586182774[/snapback]

SLI is an nVidia-only technology.

just stick with your 9800, you've got plenty of time before it's outdated, and by that time a SLI system will be more affordable. IMO, SLI is overkill.

[Elliot B.]

SLI is an nVidia-only technology.

just stick with your 9800, you've got plenty of time before it's outdated, and by that time a SLI system will be more affordable. IMO, SLI is overkill.

586182953[/snapback]

Right, cheers. Well I will be buying 2x512 MB PC3200 chips as I believe it's cheaper than 1x1 GB and it also enables me to use dual channel, yes? Would I need a 939 AXP chip for dual channel? If they're a lot more expensive than equivelent 754 chips, would I be best getting a 754 chip as I heard dual-channel deoesn't really give much more performance.