Motherboard/Processor Change

[Strider]

Okay, I've been needing to upgrade my Processor and Motherboard for awhile now. I did some research, and based on my still very little knowaledge I chose this processer and motherboard:

AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 512k L2 Cache, The Only 64-bit Windows Compatible Processor - OEM

Model: AMD Athlon 64 3400+
Core: Newcastle
Operating Frequency: 2.4GHz
FSB: Integrated int chip
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.5V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket 754
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: OEM(Processor Only)

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ABIT "NF8" NVIDIA nForce3 250GB Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU


Supported CPU: Socket 754 Athlon 64/Sempron processor
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce3 250Gb
RAM: 2x DIMM Supports DDR266/333/400 Max 2GB
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2x PS/2, 1x COM, 1x LPT, 8x USB2.0(Rear 4), 1x IEEE1394, 1xRJ45, Audio Ports
IDE: 2x ATA 133 up to 4 Devices with NV RAID 0,1
SATA/RAID: 2x SATA with NV RAID 0,1
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC850(8-Ch)
Onboard LAN: NVIDIA Gigabit Ethernet and NVIDIA Firewall
Onboard 1394: 2x IEEE 1394
Form Factor: ATX

I know for a fact that my motherboard/processor will work together, and that I can also use my graphics card with the new motherboard (AGP slot).

What I do want to know, is what is the Onboard 1394(motherboard) and what is cores(processor) and Process (processor).

These were the only things I couldn't find information on.

Also, what do you guys think overall of this configuration, and another thing, do I have to worry about my harddrive(s)/floppy disk/CD-Drive not being compatitable with the new motherboard? Or is that basicly universal?

Edit: Another thing, currently I have an Intel Processor/motherboard inside of my computer. It really just needs a processor upgrade, however I have always heard that AMD processors are better at gaming. As that is about the only thing I use my computer for, I figured it might be worth the extra $100 to buy a new motherboard also.

Am I right in thinking that an AMD processor would be better overall for me than an Intel one? Or is that just sometype of hoax and I should just spend the extra money on a better Intel processor.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

What I do want to know, is what is the Onboard 1394(motherboard) and what is cores(processor) and Process (processor).

1394 is firewire. the motherboard has a built in firewire port

core is the name of the underlying design of the processor. There are multiple revisions of AMD 64's and Pentium 4's. Its not too important to know that unless you are pusshing the envelope of your PC.

Process is the technology used to create the chip. Basically the size of the transistors. The smaller the better, but agian, not important unless you're pushing the envelope

 

[Strider]

1394 is firewire. the motherboard has a built in firewire port

What exactly is a firewire port? What type of devices are plugged into it? Is it fairly new and fast, or is it almost obsolete?

I did a search for it, but came up with very little information.

 

[CrackedCrystal]

firewire is normally used for digital camera and camcorders.

here is a brief overview.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewire

its not going to be obsolete anytime soon and to be honest, I think it would be hard to find a motherboard without one.

 

[Jeratain]

What exactly is a firewire port? What type of devices are plugged into it? Is it fairly new and fast, or is it almost obsolete?

I did a search for it, but came up with very little information.

Firewire, like mentioned above, is used by a few products, such as cameras, iPods (also use USB), PDAs, etc. Most of those products use USB 2.0 because it is more of a standard. USB 2.0 has greater speeds and is more important anyhow (except for certain size files when doing mass transfers). It's debatable on which one is faster than the other, but the general consensus is that USB 2.0 is more common and better to use.

That said, you will want to look into getting a proper fan/heatsink for your processor since you plan on getting the OEM model.

 

[Jeratain]

Am I right in thinking that an AMD processor would be better overall for me than an Intel one? Or is that just sometype of hoax and I should just spend the extra money on a better Intel processor.

No. AMD and Intel is almost like apples and oranges - almost.

Intel's prices have dropped enough to where they are nearly equivalent for similar performing AMD models, so you aren't necessarly paying out the ass for a processor that you could buy cheaper through AMD.

Each of the brands will do different things better, depending on your needs. Right now, AMD seems to have the edge on the desktop processor market, and Intel with the laptop and server markets.

AMD will suit you fine for what I assume your needs are, so stick with that brand if you're comofortable buying it.

 

[Zakharov]

I have always heard that AMD processors are better at gaming. As that is about the only thing I use my computer for, I figured it might be worth the extra $100 to buy a new motherboard also.

It is true that AMD processors are better for gaming. Jeratain is correct that overall there is little difference between Intel and AMD cpus but for pure gaming performance AMD is streets ahead. Check out this article which shows several cpus running Half-Life 2:

LINK

do I have to worry about my harddrive(s)/floppy disk/CD-Drive not being compatitable with the new motherboard?

All of the latest mobos are backwards compatible with IDE-ATA connections so you should be able to use all of your current drives still.

As for your selection, I would recommend you go for a socket 939 setup instead of socket 754. It is your chice whether you go for a 3200+ or pay a bit extra for a 3500+. I assume you are in the USA so I will direct you to links from newegg.com

A64 3200+ S939

A64 3500+ S939

You will also need a socket 939 mobo to go with this.

 

[Hakim]

Firewire speed is 400Mbps while USB 2.0 is 480 Mbps. USB 1.0 is only 12Mbps.

Dont forget to buy a 2kg copper heatsink with heatpipes and a Papst 120x120 fan.

 

[MarineCorps]

.

Am I right in thinking that an AMD processor would be better overall for me than an Intel one? Or is that just sometype of hoax and I should just spend the extra money on a better Intel processor.

AMD is curently the only one offering 64bit CPUs for the desktop. So AMD is the way to go. Intel has something called EM64 but I'm not to sure exactly what that is.

 

[MarineCorps]

while USB 2.0 is 480 mps. USB 1.0 is only 12Mbps.

Thats an awfully big jump there.....

 

[Jeratain]

AMD is curently the only one offering 64bit CPUs for the desktop. So AMD is the way to go.

Being 64 bit doesn't mean better - the same as having a higher clock speed doesn't mean better.

As you know, about 96% of the software that home desktop users are using right now are 32 bit programs that gain no significant performance from a 64 bit processor. Those running Linux distros that support 64 bit processing gain minimal performance. Those who have beta tested XP 64 have noted minial performance gains. I'm not discounting that 64 bit isn't the way of the future, but it doesn't really mean much right now, and we probably wont see some major leaps with it for another 2 years. As far as AMD being the better performer right now with their latest processors - that's not because of the 64 bit technology so to speak.

Yes, Intel is releasing desktop processors with EMT64, which handles the 64 bit processing similar to how AMD does it. More competition by both sides means cheaper prices on both sides, and that's the best news for consumers

I'm more interested to see how the new Cell technology from IBM, Sony, and the other guys affects how Intel and AMD are going to go with their next-gen dual core chips.

 

[Zakharov]

The reason 64 bit users are not seeing a significant performance increase is because there are currently no 64 bit applications which stress the CPU enough. Only when games start requiring 64 bit CPUs will the benefits become apparent.

Having said that, AMD A64 CPUs are much better at 32 bit applications than equivalent 32 bit CPUs, though this is due to the processor design rather than the 64 bit capability. A socket 939 A64 is definitely the processor to buy if you are looking to upgrade in the near future.

 

[Strider]

The reason 64 bit users are not seeing a significant performance increase is because there are currently no 64 bit applications which stress the CPU enough. Only when games start requiring 64 bit CPUs will the benefits become apparent.

Having said that, AMD A64 CPUs are much better at 32 bit applications than equivalent 32 bit CPUs, though this is due to the processor design rather than the 64 bit capability. A socket 939 A64 is definitely the processor to buy if you are looking to upgrade in the near future.

What's the differance between a socket 939 and Socket 754?

 

[Zakharov]

What's the differance between a socket 939 and Socket 754?

Socket 939 is the newer design and so there are more options for a future CPU upgrade, plus it supports dual channel mode for RAM.

The prices for the two designs on a price/performance scale are about equal. It is therefore best to buy the latest model as you are not paying a high premium for it.

 

[Woody]

Socket 939 is the newer design and so there are more options for a future CPU upgrade, plus it supports dual channel mode for RAM.

The prices for the two designs on a price/performance scale are about equal. It is therefore best to buy the latest model as you are not paying a high premium for it.

Another factor is that with socket 939 you can use the newest winchester cores. They overclock better and more importantly they run much cooler.

 

[MarineCorps]

I'm more interested to see how the new Cell technology from IBM, Sony, and the other guys affects how Intel and AMD are going to go with their next-gen dual core chips.

Well seeing as the only thing the are highlighting about it other then it's nine cores is that it will run faster then 4Ghz...