[Pc_Support] Socket-AM2 may be the best investment now ...

[Bryan J. Smith]

Unless you are going to recycle old DDR SDRAM -- which Socket-754 and
939 do most excellently -- going directly to Socket-AM2 (new 940) might
be the best move.

Why?  

1.  _No_ premium on processors over Socket-754 or 939
2.  "Entry-level" Sempron 64 avenue, at better performance than S754
3.  Full, future upgrade path

Again, if you're planning to recycle old DDR SDRAM -- then stick with
Socket-754 or 939 for now.  But if you're buying new memory, got with
the DDR2 SDRAM Socket-AM2 (940) for future upgrades that won't start
increasing in cost -- much like Socket-A (462) did quickly as 940, 754
and 939 took off.

As I've mentioned before, if you're running with a GeForce FX 5200, 5500
or 5700"LE", then you'd be better off going with integrated GeForce 61x0
graphics.

I just hit NewEgg and the first batch of processors are _cheap_ for
Socket-AM2 -- virtually _no_ premium over Socket-754/939.  In fact, if
you're "going cheap" with a Sempron 64 now, it's a _better_ option than
Socket-754 because it's the _full_ Socket-AM2 (940) socket for higher
performing processors.

>From a $68 Sempron 64 2800+ to much higher performing single-core CPUs
starting with the exact same priced $109 Athlon 64 3000+ as its
Socket-939 brother.  The dual-core units should be here shortly as well.

The mainboard selection is limited, but not expensive.  Maybe a $10-15
over Socket-939 with the GeForce 6100 Socket-AM2 starting at around $75
instead of $60 for Socket-939.



-- 
Bryan J. Smith        Professional, technical annoyance
mailto:b.j.smith at ieee.org  http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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