Asus MB / AMD CPU combo help

[plastik7]

Hey all,

i'm going to build a new box and i would like some help as to what CPU/MB combo to get.

I'm a designer (graphic/web/video) and just need a fast stable machine thats gonna last me 5+yrs like my old box has (old box is Asus A7V with a AMD cpu and has been great).

I prefer AMD and Asus MB's can anyone recommend a combo to buy, i'm outta the loop these days on whats come out and what they offer since my old box has treated me so well.

I was looking at this http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2251696&CatId=332
Is this a good MB/CPU combo

thanks

 

[DonNagual]

Yes, that is a great combination! I have the exact motherboard in my home system with the Athlon64 3700+ instead of the 3500+ and love it.

But, that was before the new AM2 systems came out. Since you are putting together a new system, it doesn't really make sense to put togther a system based on socket 939. The price of an AM2 system is the same, and it will protect you more for future upgrades.

Something like this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2253297&CatId=2320

 

[plastik7]

what CPU would you suggest if i went with the AM2 board you suggested?

 

[DonNagual]

It really depends on your budget/needs, but dual core is really the way to go these days. The AthlonX2 3800+ is the starting point for dual core:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1526470

By the way, is there a reason you are shopping tigerdirect? Newegg's prices are almost always better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103735

If you are on a tight budget, this CPU would also do a great job:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103633

 

[plastik7]

no reason i was on tiger direct, i just saw that combo they had on there and posted it to see if it was a good deal.

thanks alot for your help, i think i know what to get now, the AM2 board and pick one of the dual core cpu's

 

[DonNagual]

I know what you mean. That does look like an amazing deal actually. Hard call to make.

The socket 939 platform still does have plenty of life left in it. You could upgrade to the Athlon FX60 in a year or so when prices come down and I imagine it would still be plenty of power for some time to come.

But for a new system, I personally would have to go AM2 over 939.

Too bad neither tigerdirect or newegg has any good deals on barebone systems for AM2 yet. Hopefully they will post some soon.

Sidenote because it must be said:
If you can wait, you should. Intel's conroe is coming out soon and looking like it is going to be pretty good.

 

[plastik7]

I wanna build something that will last a while, I built my curent machine in 2001 and she's been great but is now starting to give me some problems, so time to upgrade.

so once the new dual core 2 cpus come out, do you think that will drop the prices on the current ones if i wait a bit, or do you think the price drop if any wouldn't really be that much to even worry about?

 

[DonNagual]

Here is some good reading (thanks to Mirob)
https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic51984.html