Re: [H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build
- Original Message - From: "James Maki" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'The Hardware List'" Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 1:43 PM Subject: RE: [H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build I have no need to purchase Windows again. I have 2 retail copies of Windows XP Pro and one Windows XP Home I don't even use since I also have a MAPS subscription giving me 10 licenses for Windows XP Pro, and now Windows Vista My comments were to help the typical upgrader to explore the possibilities of simply selling off their old unit and building a new one. As mentioned my main reason for this suggestion is to help people get the most mileage out of three expensive items, the case, the motherboard and Windows XP. Obviously none of my reasoning or suggestions apply to or are useable by you. All I seemed to hear in your post was, "throwing out the mb, cpu and memory" Typically there is lots more older technology in a box than those three components, evidently not applicable in your situation. In the typical sell off in preference to upgrade, the older motherboard, cpu and memory get to live on in the box they most likely were installed in originally. Again, this does not apply in your situation, but I examined a upgrade request for a customer. True, I could have installed a new motherboard and cpu, but he could have benefited even more with a more powerful power supply. The new motherboard would call for a PCI Express video card and PC 5300 RAM. A SATA hard drive would be in order. On and on it goes (not for you, but the typical customer) finding more and more things that just go better together. That "upgrade" turns into a new computer very fast. You who are far more experienced than I please do not take my comments personal. I am sorry I failed to mention they may not apply to you but can be used by others. I have a habit of using scenarios or posts as a springboard to toss ideas to others who may be considering doing something similar to what you indicate you are doing. Right off the top of a line item quote, I have saved many customers big bucks in rebuilds by letting their cpu and Windows XP live on (with several other salvageable components, also) in a rebuilt computer. Chuck
RE: [H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build
> -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Why hold onto other components that may be obsolete, End of life of a component does not equal obsolesence! I have several Socket A systems that give 24/7 duty as HTPC/DVRs. Another, an Athlon 3200+ has motherboard features that you don't see on many systems today, including; Firewire 400, 4 IDE connections (for a total of 8 drives), IDE RAID, Dual BIOS, in addition to 2 SATA channels. > also, especially if you > feel you will have to buy Windows all over again? I have no need to purchase Windows again. I have 2 retail copies of Windows XP Pro and one Windows XP Home I don't even use since I also have a MAPS subscription giving me 10 licenses for Windows XP Pro, and now Windows Vista Business Ultimate (which I have been avoiding like the plague). > Why not simply sell the working computer and build a new one > from scratch? With new brand name systems available from the big box stores at the $500 price level, it is difficult to get an adequate return. In addition, I have a $125 large server case with 2 year old $100+ 550 watt PS I don't plan on selling. > My experience has it figured both ways (rebuild vs. sell) and > the difference > in money outlay is hardly any. Perhaps that is your experience, I don't think it holds water in all cases or situations. For me, the only components I plan on upgrading are the CPU and memory. > The difference if you get all new parts when > you build from scratch. The life of my computers is 5 years, not 2. The life of my computers is much greater than 5. I have been building my own systems since 1994. I have purchased only one "brand name" PC (other than laptops) in that period. I still have a working 1.3GHz Duron system I build in 2000. Works like a charm. High quality components do last a long time. > I certainly would not want to use a 2 or 3 year old power > supply for a rebuild > when I could sell off and build new. To do so would be > expecting that power > supply to last a total of 7 to 9 years. My new power supply > would be of a > higher wattage, of course! I am still using an Antec 300 watt PS with the 1.3MHz Duron system. I am also using the 440 watt Antec PS I purchased in 2003 to power an Athlon 3200+ system. I expect the Seasonic 550 watt PS I purchased in 2005 to continue to give good service for many years. I tend to recycle my components into less demanding rolls as I upgrade: HTPC, spare systems for my daughter, single purpose use such as coding Xvid files, etc. > Chuck While the investment in the Operon 185 + DDR RAM would approach the bottom level AM2 system, it would be about half the cost of a new state of the art Core 2 Duo system. I would lose my Firewire 800 (no one seems to be putting the 800 into new MBs) as well as the time and effort to re-install EVERYTHING! The cost of the Opteron is high enough that I may just put off any upgrades until I am ready to make the plunge to brand new system. I was just looking for comments on the pros and cons of the proposed upgrade versus a new build. While your comments may have some validity, it is not the central issue I am facing. Thanks for the input, Jim Maki [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build
- Original Message - From: "James Maki" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'The Hardware List'" Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 12:31 AM Subject: [H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build I have been contemplating a system upgrade of my AMD64 3700+ system. I know the socket 939 is really at the end of its life, but I hate throwing out the mb, cpu and memory to upgrade to the AM2 or core2 duo. The high end socket 939 chips have been disappearing. I ran across the Opteron 185, a socket 939 Why hold onto other components that may be obsolete, also, especially if you feel you will have to buy Windows all over again? I do many rebuilds using the existing CPU and carry Windows XP OEM forward and Microsoft approves. Why not simply sell the working computer and build a new one from scratch? My experience has it figured both ways (rebuild vs. sell) and the difference in money outlay is hardly any. The difference if you get all new parts when you build from scratch. The life of my computers is 5 years, not 2. I certainly would not want to use a 2 or 3 year old power supply for a rebuild when I could sell off and build new. To do so would be expecting that power supply to last a total of 7 to 9 years. My new power supply would be of a higher wattage, of course! Chuck
[H] Opteron 185 vs AM2/core2duo new build
Hi, I have been contemplating a system upgrade of my AMD64 3700+ system. I know the socket 939 is really at the end of its life, but I hate throwing out the mb, cpu and memory to upgrade to the AM2 or core2 duo. The high end socket 939 chips have been disappearing. I ran across the Opteron 185, a socket 939 dual core 2.6 GHz chip at NewEgg for $330. That's a bit more than I want to spent, but the alternative seems to be $500+ for a completely new system. With the Opteron, I can keep my current setup (which has been working well, knock on wood), upgrade the cpu and then upgrade the memory later. I have a Gigabyte GA-K8N Ultra-9 mb and 1 GB (2x512) Mushkin PC3200 ram, 2-3-2-6 timing, dual channel. Gigabyte says the Opteron 185 is compatible with a beta BIOS upgrade. Comments or suggestions? Reservations? Will I have a problem with the Opteron chip and unbuffered, non-ECC memory? Thanks, Jim Maki [EMAIL PROTECTED]
