[LtStinger]

My motherboard recently crapped out so I'm in the market for some hardware. I may need a little technology brainstorm, maybe there's something I'm not thinking of.

I have a working 955 PII now that I don't want to see collect dust. This rig was running 8GB of DDR2 RAM with the motherboard I had. Finding another that will do this with the PII is hard to find, so an easy replacement has me thinking...

There's a real old dell I use for a HTPC that's begging to get upgraded. I'd like to use the parts I have that are still good of course, but to do so just means too much hardware.

The Dell uses DDR1 RAM with an OEM mobo and CPU. To get the DDR2 in there I'd need both a CPU and mobo.

Phoenix (Old xion being reborn) Is in need of a new mobo, and I have a working PII

My wife's computer (Lucent Dreams) has 32GB of DDR3 and I can easily take 16GB out of there for my new setup.

My thought process here is it's unfortunate I'm getting stuck with AMD again because these things just won't die. I was really looking forward to saving towards a 3770k build, but now that I have a decent processor that will collect dust if I don't use it, it's hard to justify spending another 300 dollars or so I don't need to.

I was looking at this motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-128-514 and comparing to the UD5, I don't see much of anything different worth spending the money on...a couple more USB and PCIs I won't use? Same NB and SB, same setup and everything, there's not a huge difference I'm not seeing in these two boards, is there?

So I can get this board, plug in my PII, my wife's RAM, and have some DDR2 lying around...maybe check the market place for a board/cpu combo that will utilize it for cheap to upgrade the Dell? This is where I'm going with this, does anyone have any ideas for a more efficient use of all the hardware?

I know I'm posting in the AMD section and I myself have run AMD since the dark ages, but current times is current times, and let's face it, AMD's beat. My main concern is that if I spend the money for this board, am I wasting money here or will I be able to run some nice chips when I can afford a CPU upgrade later? Is this board going to be sufficient enough to upgrade to some future-coming chips? Are they worth it?

Before making any quick decisions, I always like to check here and get a brainstorm, sometimes there's something I haven't thought of. Just wanted to throw it out there. What would you do in my shoes?

 

[Synister]

Well that board isn't bad - I know some would say to be weary of the VRMs if planning to drop a FX-8320/50 in it. But it can handle mild overclocks with that CPU.
Would spending a little more to ensure the future upgrade-ability be worth while to you? if so maybe consider http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131851 as that is a very well build board for a future FX upgrade. Hope this helps.

 

[btupsx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synister

Well that board isn't bad - I know some would say to be weary of the VRMs if planning to drop a FX-8320/50 in it. But it can handle mild overclocks with that CPU.
Would spending a little more to ensure the future upgrade-ability be worth while to you? if so maybe consider http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131851 as that is a very well build board for a future FX upgrade. Hope this helps.

I concur. If you're going to stick with AMD, invest the extra dollars into a board like the M5A99FX; I'm finishing up a new build with it, great board for the money. While the board will enable you to upgrade to an FX CPU later on, no one knows how long AM3+ is going to soldier on, while if you opt for a FM2+ build to future proof, you might as well go for the 3770k build you had in mind.

 

[PontiacGTX]

What do you do in your pc?

 

[LtStinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synister

Well that board isn't bad - I know some would say to be weary of the VRMs if planning to drop a FX-8320/50 in it. But it can handle mild overclocks with that CPU.
Would spending a little more to ensure the future upgrade-ability be worth while to you? if so maybe consider http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131851 as that is a very well build board for a future FX upgrade. Hope this helps.

Okay, this is where I do some learnin'. Can you help explain to me why this 6+2 phase with the same NB/SB chips is better than the UD3? The price is actually the same between these boards, but the UD3 is an 8+2 design, promises all 50k jap caps, and seems to have MORE overclock ability than the ASUS, I can't see where it's actually less. I have the VRM thread bookmarked, and I've read through it before; I know there's a LOT to know on this subject. I guess I'm just failing to understand what translates to better here. Aren't they both AM3+ boards, couldn't I put an 8350 in either of them?

To answer your question, I'm actually not opposed at all from getting a quality mobo. I definitely could use some help in that area too, but mostly posting in case someone thinks up of something like... "eh why not throw some 30.00 part in that and bam" or something I haven't thought of with what to do with this mess.

I guess my budget for this new board would cap out at around 200.
Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiacGTX

What do you do in your pc?

Pretty much don't want to be limited on anything. Pretty heavy into gaming, and would like to get into star citizen eventually, I photoshop high res photos, repair PCs on the side, transfer a lot of data, video convert and burning, and website design. I do enjoy overclocking a lot for the hobby, and while my funds don't allow for the latest and greatest all the time, I do what I can to milk the most out of what I can afford. This rig is my baby and while I hate to see it down, I don't mind the excuse to upgrade. (FINALLY DDR3!!!)

Edit: Also, forgot to add- if the best board for me is an ASUS, so be it, I know they've got a good market position right now...but from what I read, I'm very nervous about their customer service, which is why I opted for the GB before.

 

[PontiacGTX]

If you want to change your case a x79 mobo from evga at 199 which is a quite big,otherwise am asus p9x79 and an i7 4820k.

Btw which parts do you need?only cpu and mobo?

 

[LtStinger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PontiacGTX

I

Btw which parts do you need?only cpu and mobo?

Well, that's the conundrum. If I go with the i7, which is my preferred choice honestly, I end up spending a lot more money and have a 955 collecting dust in my garage. So my thinking is, get something the 955 will work in now, and have the ability to get a great AMD chip later. But that's really the whole question...is it a waste of money to do it this way? Should I abandon my 955 and look into cpu and a mobo?

I'm not even sure if AMD is making further chips on the AM3+ platform, I haven't been keeping up. If they've already moved to a new socket...eh..I dunno..

 

[PontiacGTX]

Intel is your best bet.am3+ is almost dead and the fx 8320 hadnt anything to do against an i7 in various things.

 

[vedaire]

well if your sticking to amd here is a decent mb and memory setup that might be what your after

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131874 $134.99 free shipping plus $20 rebate card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231476 $95.99 fee shipping

Total cost after rebate $210.98

gives the ability to upgrade to an fx chip later and more memory later on if needed.

 

[Synister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LtStinger

Okay, this is where I do some learnin'. Can you help explain to me why this 6+2 phase with the same NB/SB chips is better than the UD3? The price is actually the same between these boards, but the UD3 is an 8+2 design, promises all 50k jap caps, and seems to have MORE overclock ability than the ASUS, I can't see where it's actually less. I have the VRM thread bookmarked, and I've read through it before; I know there's a LOT to know on this subject. I guess I'm just failing to understand what translates to better here. Aren't they both AM3+ boards, couldn't I put an 8350 in either of them?

To answer your question, I'm actually not opposed at all from getting a quality mobo. I definitely could use some help in that area too, but mostly posting in case someone thinks up of something like... "eh why not throw some 30.00 part in that and bam" or something I haven't thought of with what to do with this mess.

I guess my budget for this new board would cap out at around 200.
Pretty much don't want to be limited on anything. Pretty heavy into gaming, and would like to get into star citizen eventually, I photoshop high res photos, repair PCs on the side, transfer a lot of data, video convert and burning, and website design. I do enjoy overclocking a lot for the hobby, and while my funds don't allow for the latest and greatest all the time, I do what I can to milk the most out of what I can afford. This rig is my baby and while I hate to see it down, I don't mind the excuse to upgrade. (FINALLY DDR3!!!)

Edit: Also, forgot to add- if the best board for me is an ASUS, so be it, I know they've got a good market position right now...but from what I read, I'm very nervous about their customer service, which is why I opted for the GB before.

The UD3 comments are built on the experiences I've read about in the FX owners thread. There was something about different revisions, and some not having the same quality. While the Asus is a hard tried and tested solid choice.
I believe AMD haven't written off the AM3+ socket, I believe there are thoughts of another Enthusiast aimed chip being released on it sometime in the future.

As for the Intel vs AMD stuff - it's whether you weigh the cost of spending more to get more. From how you've explained your 'upgrade pattern' is similar to mine, I'd love a top of the range i-7 but I couldn't warrant that cost over the AMD build I went with, even more so when I have been very happy with my FX's performance.

 

[mikeo01]

Truthfully I'd probably invest into the socket 1150 platform and maybe get a I5-4670K if you can't justify the cost of the I7-4770K

I5-4670K will give strong performance with everything you do with your computer. The FX-8320/8350 will be good at video conversions (more cores).

Personally I'd go in between and go for the I5-4670K

that'll remove the need for a bulky motherboard to overclock with and hefty cooling solution.

 

[LtStinger]

Well, finally pulled the trigger after much deliberation on her: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877

I really don't see myself in being disappointed here. Honestly, the real con I can already see with going with this board is already I'm itching for an FX-6350, 125 bucks doesn't seem too hard to swallow....and then, man, if I get that, this CPU cooler could sure use an upgrade....uh oh...here I am again.

As far as the Dell, I guess that gets put on the backburner for now. Maybe I'll come across a board like my old ECS eventually that will hold this 955 with DDR2 and I'll justify a new processor. Until then, this board should do what I need it to do and hopefully give me enough room for the future.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Synister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LtStinger

Well, finally pulled the trigger after much deliberation on her: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131877

I really don't see myself in being disappointed here. Honestly, the real con I can already see with going with this board is already I'm itching for an FX-6350, 125 bucks doesn't seem too hard to swallow....and then, man, if I get that, this CPU cooler could sure use an upgrade....uh oh...here I am again.

As far as the Dell, I guess that gets put on the backburner for now. Maybe I'll come across a board like my old ECS eventually that will hold this 955 with DDR2 and I'll justify a new processor. Until then, this board should do what I need it to do and hopefully give me enough room for the future.

Thanks for all the help.

Think you made a good call. No worries - that's the whole point of OCN right?

 

[LtStinger]

edit: actually wrong post to continue on, disregard...