AMD - what's the difference between AM2 and Socket 939

jem16

If you were buying an AMD system now is it more sensible to go for Socket 940(AM2) or Socket 939 and why?

Same question with DDR and DDR2.

Kilty_2

IF you were buying an AMD system, it makes more sense to go with AM2 because I presume they are going to be using it for a while, 939 is to be phased out. (But if you dont care about upgradeability, go for 939 as it will be cheaper)

However, Intel's new Core2Duo (Conroe) chips blow all of AMD's range out of the water, so I'd reccomend that

DDR2 is reccommended over DDR as long as your motherboard supports it.

wolfman

Yep the above post nailed it on the head.

Socket 939:
- Cheaper, but being phased out.

Socket 940 (AM2):
- Slightly more expensive
- Can take faster RAM
- Heatsink/Fan mounting has changed since 939
- Basically more upgradable.

Intel Core:
- Quite will priced
- Superior CPU to the Athlon64 in virtually every respect.
- Tricky part is availability, you'd be lucky to get one before September (unless you went for the E6300 or maybe the E6700).
- It's a newer platform, so not as mature or run-in as the Athlon equivalent.

I'd personally either go for an Intel Core E6300 (£135), or an AMD Athlon64 Dual Core 4200+ AM2 (£135). Between those two they're actually quite well matched.

If you can wait though the Intel Core E6400 would probably give more bang for you buck, but is harder to get hold of than the E6300.

jem16

I have swithered over the AMD X2 4200+ amd the Conroe E6300 and am leaning towards the AMD as I don't want to wait a couple of more months. It suits me better to get it now.

I can get the same system with Socket 939 for £80 less but wondered if it was worth it in the long run?

Lord_Chris

jem16

the only reason NOT to get a 939 opposed to an AM2 is a 939 will not be easy to upgrade your system with, as has been stated, it is being phased out.

AM2 boards are more expensive because it is so called 'future proof' (even though this can never be said about anything completely)

Kilty_2

wolfman wrote:

Intel Core E6300 (£135), or an AMD Athlon64 Dual Core 4200+ AM2 (£135). Between those two they're actually quite well matched.

Ebuyer have the E6300 for £124.98

Bert_Anderson

A better question is to ask what you will use the system for?

If you are just typing emails and surfing the net all of the examples are overkill

Lord_Chris

Bert_Anderson wrote:

A better question is to ask what you will use the system for?

If you are just typing emails and surfing the net all of the examples are overkill

he asked which is better socket 939 or AM2.. what he is using his computer for is irrelevant since he has clearly narrowed his options down to an amd, and most likely a dual core... he never asked about processors, so we dont need to know what hes using it for

jem16

Lord_Chris wrote:

jem16

the only reason NOT to get a 939 opposed to an AM2 is a 939 will not be easy to upgrade your system with, as has been stated, it is being phased out.

AM2 boards are more expensive because it is so called 'future proof' (even though this can never be said about anything completely)

Thanks.

So basically a saving of £80 is probably not worth it in the long run unless I never planned to upgrade it!

wolfman

Yeah for the £80 I'd probably go for an 939. I tend to, when upgrading, sell the cpu, motherboard and memory all together as I find this easiest.

Poppycat

I am looking at a barebones system for a server to replace my ageing p4 1.5 willamette.

I thought about getting a am2 but tbh for what I want server for mainly as a fileserver, surfing net etc, i am looking at amd 939 by the time it needs upgrading it will be a few years usage out of it.

The main pc I want upgrading is for games and am looking at a Intel Crusoe system but as they hard to source at mo and the lack of ide connections on the motherboards I may wait a little longer