$400 for CPU and Mobo Upgrade - Best OC price point?

Husky42

Ok, so I want to upgrade.

Currently I'm on a A64 4000+ Single Core OC 3.0 GHZ OCZ DDR 500 @ 500mhz CAS 2T (poor timings though) ATI X1950 XTX Asus A8N SLI Deluxe

I've been looking for input at my next upgrade option.

The X2 6000+ is cheap but it looks like it has limited OC ability - BUT I do want to go to AM2 as I have a sneaking suspicion the Quad Core AMD chips when released will take the market back. I have been an AMD fan/fanboy supporter whatever you want to call me for 11 years. I dont know if I'm willing to go to Intel. I know the C2D 6420 would be a good bet and I'm tempted.. but i'm just not sure if thats where i want to go.

Now my Other option is to Get an Opteron 180 on my 939 board and save money get an 8800 GTS and be DX10 ready - Thing is I upgrade every 6 mths to a year..so i will eventually dump the 939. Is it not better to do so now?

I can get a USED X2 5200 with an ecs-ka3 mvp and 2 gigs of OCZ ATI Certified DDR2 and a Coolermaster Mars Cooler for $270 - On new egg it comes to $402 but with mail in rebates $330

I can also get the A64 6000+ 2 gig Gskil DDR 800 Ram and an Asus Deluxe Mobo for $411

Or C2D 6420 MSI P6N SLI Mobo and 2 gig of the same Gskil as above for $433

I've been out of the hardware market and i know the C2D has the best OC option BUT if I went AM2 with the expectancy to upgrade to the upcoming AM2 Quad Core Architechture by AMD - Which of these is my best bet?

Thanks guys!

>GSXR<mrbusa

By the looks of your post it seems you already answered your own inquiry. There is always a chance that the new AMD line-up will be C2D stopper, I seriously doubt it though.
Personally, because my upgrade time line is much longer than yours then I would go with your second choice of and see how it plays out. Maybe even buy used and save even more money. It is real easy to find very fresh used hardware that is still under warranty.

Zelig

FWIW, low clock speed S939 chips are dirt cheap now, and clock quite nicely. I picked up my X2 3800+ for $70, which runs at 2.8 GHz with stock voltage.

Obviously, you're thinking of going for something higher performance than that, but if you're looking for something just to last a few months until you can compare quad-core options, that might be worth thinking about.

H3X4D3C1M4L

I'd say that the 939's are a worthwhile investment at this point if you're waiting for Penryn or Phenom 2nd gen parts. You can get 939 parts for dirt cheap now and overclock them sky high.