Sockets and Motherboards

[Shaun]

I was looking at MoBos, and came across this

The ASUS A8S-X offers the best value for a AMD based motherboard. In addition to support the latest Athlon X2 process, A8S-X provides PCI Express architecture designed for the latest VGA cards and is equiped with robust Intel Gigabit LAN suitable for reliable and performance networking environment.

Features:

- Supports AMD Socket 939 Athlon 64 FX/Athlon 64 X2/ Athlon 64
- AMD Cool 'n' Quiet! Technology
- Dual-Channel DDR400
- PCI Express Architecture
- Gigabit LAN
- SATA RAID
- AI Overclocking
- 64bit computing
- CrashFree BIOS2

Is this a good mobo? Is the 939 socket not outdated, i heard it was? and will it be able to support new graphics cards(ATI ones)? as i am planning to get a new graphics card around Christmas.
The CPU that i am getting is an AMD Athlon 64 dual core 3800+, if it helps.

[Lee1026]

1. Yes 939 is outdated.
2. It will support new graphics cards.

[Shaun]

Can you change your socket on your Mobo? What is the new equivilent?

[Lee1026]

The socket is the heart of the mobo, find a AM2 one.

[Shaun]

And what benefit will an AM2 one give me? The computer i am buying is a whole package, so i dont really have a choice, but as I said, i am going to upgrade it at Christmas time. The only game i can see my self playing between now and Christmas is RTW, and i think that this system is more than enough for that. At Christmas i will probably be getting a new Mobo and GPU anyway.

[Incinerate_IV]

The difference between AM2 and 939 is small right now, but AM2 is more future proof, since all future AMD cpus is going to be on AM2.

[Hadrian]

I disagree that the 939 is "outdated". Thats crazy to say, Lee. The AM2 will replace 939 eventually, but thats like saying Windows XP is outdated the first week Vista hits the market. The 939 has a several years of service left, no doubt. Look how long AGP has hung on, and they still make products for it. Incinerates right, there is virtually NO difference right now between the two, were talkin 1-2% performance difference here, so it will be many years before skt939,XP and DX9 are gone....the future is AM2 though.

No disrespect intended Lee....

[Lee1026]

Well, there is nothing that 939 offers that AM2 does not. Also, AM2 is what all future upgrades will be based on. It is like saying that if you see a 2005 model of a car on sale at the same price as a 2006 model of the car - you should get the 2006 model.

[Shaun]

But the thing is, AM2 is more expensive, and I will probably be upgrading PGU and Mobo at Christmas time anyway, and will definately be upgraded by this time next year.

[Lee1026]

Why would you want a new mobo?

[Shaun]

Why would you want a new mobo?

Well I am planning on setting up a crossfire system, and as far as im aware the mobo that i am geting dosent support that.

[Lee1026]

Well, then, get one that do.

[OTZ]

AM2 and 939 pricing is virtually identical. Barely a few dollars separate mobos and CPUs. Shaun, you should definitely go with AM2 - by the time Xmas rollls around you should have plenty of selection...

It's sad, but 939 is pretty much a dead socket. Not to say that those that have 939 boards are left out in the cold...I plan to pick up a decent processor when the fire sales begin - and I am pretty sure that a 4800 X2 (for what I am hoping will $150) will last a few years....

[SweetDreamz]

Don't think you can get a 4800 cheap, they're cutting production of them. Plus, they never said any about a price cut for discontinued models.

[Lee1026]

I think that he meant the 3800+

[OTZ]

No I meant a 4800 - all in good time gentlemen! I susepct within the next year these babies should be very cheap to get a hold of.

[Shaun]

Well I find it very hard to find an AM2 socket CPU and Mobo atm, well for a good price anyway.

[Incinerate_IV]

There are plenty, just check PC Hardware Buyers Guide for them. If that don't have what you are looking for, you can always try froogle.