Upgrading the computer...

I am looking at upgrading my computer to keep up with all the photo processing, school, etc...

I currently have an AMD 3700+ cpu (socket 939).
I am looking at getting:
AMD Opteron 175 - 2.2Ghz. Dual-Core - $145
AMD Opteron 185 - 2.6Ghz. Dual-Core - $235

Socket 939 has been discontinued, so these chips are going to go away... So on one hand, I would like to get the cheaper, and still better, Opteron 175.... but then again... why not just upgrade to the last Opteron Socket 939 I can buy?

Once this dies, I will go Intel Core2Duo (or whatever they will have then) - but I am wondering if the 185 is really worth the extra $100... Would Photoshop and Lightroom perform THAT much better for the extra $100? I think not, but I have been out of the PC hardware loop for many years...

I believe that Adobe likes intel for their software and for CS3 suggest a dual core. My dual core intel runs at 2.6Ghz and CS3 is fine until photomerging

How much RAM do you have? If your answer is 2GB or more than spend the money on the CPU. If less than 2GB spend the extra $100 on RAM.

Yup, I have 2gigs of RAM.

Chauncey- I would like to go Intel - but that means new CPU, new Mobo, new RAM.... right now that just isn't financially smart.

The AMD dual core will still give better performance than the single core I have right now.

timbernet wrote in post #3601671
Yup, I have 2gigs of RAM.

Chauncey- I would like to go Intel - but that means new CPU, new Mobo, new RAM.... right now that just isn't financially smart.

The AMD dual core will still give better performance than the single core I have right now.

Yup. I am in the same boat as you. I built a Socket 939 rig last year with the AMD Venice 3000+ and 2GB RAM. My next upgrade will likely be dual core Intel unless AMD comes back to the game a little better than they stand now. I don't plan to upgrade for at least another year or so though.

timbernet wrote in post #3600729
I am looking at upgrading my computer to keep up with all the photo processing, school, etc...

I currently have an AMD 3700+ cpu (socket 939).
I am looking at getting:
AMD Opteron 175 - 2.2Ghz. Dual-Core - $145
AMD Opteron 185 - 2.6Ghz. Dual-Core - $235

Hi Scott,
I don't think the 185 is $100 better than the 175 either. I'm running Athlon 64 3000+ (939) and 1Gb RAM. So far Photoshop seems to run fine.
After the upgrade, if you have no use of your Athlon 3700+, i'm interested.

cfcRebel wrote in post #3601784
Hi Scott,
I don't think the 185 is $100 better than the 175 either. I'm running Athlon 64 3000+ (939) and 1Gb RAM. So far Photoshop seems to run fine.
After the upgrade, if you have no use of your Athlon 3700+, i'm interested.

Upgrading again huh, Fee?

Good posts here - I think I will go with the Opteron 175. Not often you can upgrade your computer for only $145

It was kinda sad - I was on Newegg.com looking at CPUs, and there were AMD X2 4000+ CPUs for like, $70... I remember when those first came out! Talk about price drop!

In2Photos wrote in post #3601796
Upgrading again huh, Fee?

This is one of the male things i suspect. Can't control myself.

timbernet wrote in post #3601826
Good posts here - I think I will go with the Opteron 175. Not often you can upgrade your computer for only $145

It was kinda sad - I was on Newegg.com looking at CPUs, and there were AMD X2 4000+ CPUs for like, $70... I remember when those first came out! Talk about price drop!

Tell me about it. My dad just upgraded my mom's computer a couple moths ago for like $300 (Mobo, CPU, RAM, PSU, and USB Front Panel Hub).

What about going to something like the 4200+ X2. Its a big bump in performance from your current system and less than $80

gjl711 wrote in post #3602014
What about going to something like the 4200+ X2. Its a big bump in performance from your current system and less than $80

After looking at Newegg I bet he wants a retail version of the CPU.

Yup - I like the retail version. Plus, Opterons are really well built CPUs... Not saying the X2s are bad, but for my final AMD upgrade I would like to have an Opteron.

I think I will order that Opteron 175 - I will report back to this thread when it is installed to see if it makes a difference.

timbernet wrote in post #3602140
I think I will order that Opteron 175 - I will report back to this thread when it is installed to see if it makes a difference.

I just notice my m/o (ASUS A8N-SLI) needs the latest BIOS udpate to support Opteron 175. Whereas Opteron 185 is supported by any BIOS version.

id just buy this:
HP Pavilion a1744x.

$449 for a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ 2.4GHz Processor, 1GB RAM, 320GB Hard Drive and vista business.
all u need is to upgrade the ram to 2 gigs and you are set. my friend bought this one and its smoking fast! i bought the 4200 (kick me) and its super fast now that i upgraded to 2 gig ram.