Graphics Card

alanc

I was going to upgrade my machine and was thinking of getting this kit from Komplett, http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=318340. Any opinions on it? I also need a graphics card, so any advice would be appreciated.

AL.

Diddy Kong

If your going the kit route, try this one instead. Slightly slower chip, but at least its AM2 compared to the S939. And is has the same amount of ram.

What will you be using the PC for, if you wont be playing games, you wont need a hefty graphics card.

dave

alanc

Yeah looks good, I was just checking the difference between am2 v's 939. Am2 seems to be coming out a bit better. I have a few graphics heavy games but only play them the odd time, I but would prefer to pay a bit more now if it meant saving in the long run.

AL.

Diddy Kong

If you dont mind spending the money then have a look at X1900XT or 7900GT

alanc

I was just looking at this review http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2762&p=10 and it says 'While we haven't seen any significant downside to only running at DDR2-742 vs. DDR2-800, it is something to keep in mind when deciding what CPU to purchase. If you want your memory controller running at DDR2-800, you may want to stay away from the odd clock multiplier CPUs (X2 5000+, 4400+ and 4200+'. I this really much of a problem? Gonna look at the graphics cards later on tonight cheers for the help.

AL.

8T8

You don't really need DDR2-800 for the Athlon 64 platform the real word difference between DDR2 533:667:800 isn't all that much in most scenarios.

The Athlon 64's with DDR2 support don't have exactly what you would call an elegant divisor system to get the RAM running at the correct speed. AMD basically get as close to the target as possible with some odd multiplier CPU's and a certain combinations of DDR2 so you wont exactly be running at the true speed of the RAM maybe a bit slower or faster than it is meant to.

That is what Anandtech was referring to, a better explanation can be found at the Tech Report see the section at the bottom entitled "Some quirks of AMD's DDR2 memory support".

Regardless you are better off going with Socket AM2 anyway as that is where future AMD CPU's will debut, there are no more updates to the S939 platform.

alanc

Thanks guys, i'm gonna go for the AMD AM2 Athlon 64 kit from komplett and the 7900GT graphics card. The cpu heatsink fan will have to do for now but what would you suggest for again?

Cheers again,

AL.

Diddy Kong

The Arctic Freezer 64 here is one of the best you can get. Mine runs at 25deg idle and around 35/40 full load. And not a peep out of it.

artx

whats the poiny buying amd when intel core duo 2 is relase???
amd now is a wasting money...

Diddy Kong

Well whats the point in buying Core Duo 2 when Quad cores will be out soon??? If he wants to buy AMD let him, he's asked for help not to be told he is wasting money.